Big Five Safari

To base camp

On arrival at Hoedspruit (or Phalabowra) airport, you will be met and transferred to camp  in time for afternoon tea. You will be shown to your room and introduced to the team before a safety briefing and your first ride.

The orientation ride introduces you to the area around the camp and allows you the chance to relax and unwind after your long flight. You will become accustomed to the horses and riding style whilst perhaps spotting your first zebra or giraffe. Sundowners whilst watching the Drakensburg mountains over the river is followed by a three-course dinner.

Your first night in the African bush is probably the most exciting as the sounds of the bush echo around you.

Karongwe Private Game Reserve

You will be woken early with tea or coffee in your room. After a light breakfast, you set out on your first full morning ride. Whatever tracks your guide may find will determine the route you take. As the reserve has an abundance of game you will see lots of animals on your way and hopefully already encounter one of the Big Five.

Return to camp for lunch and a siesta through the heat of the day. After tea/coffee you set off on a shorter afternoon ride, ending at a sundowner spot where you can watch a colorful African sunset.

Karongwe Private Game Reserve

On this morning’s ride you may be on a different horse and will set off to explore more of this beautiful area. It can take you through dry riverbeds or flowing rivers, past rock formations, and over open areas, always with the view of the Drakensberg Mountains.

During your lunchtime siesta, you may wish to have a relaxing massage – this is available at extra cost.

In the afternoon go for a game drive to give your body a rest from the long hours in the saddle. Driving along the Makuthswe river you will hopefully find buffalos, elephants, lions or other animals, followed by sundowners in a beautiful spot. Return to camp in the dark using the spotlight to seek out nocturnal species.

Beacon Rock

Another fantastic morning of riding through the reserve, perhaps finding the elephant splashing through the river, or the lion relaxing on the sands.

After lunch you pack your bags to head off on a further adventure. The gently undulating roads lend themselves to long canters as you pass between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. At Beacon rock you can scramble to the summit for a view over the entire lowveld escarpment and the whole reserve, watching the sun set behind the Drakensberg escarpment. Spend the night around the campfire, surrounded by your horses, having enjoyed a traditional braai that is cooked over the fire before settling down to sleep under the stars.

XiDulu

Wake to the rich colours of the sunrise and set off on a long ride. You cross from the Karongwe Private Game Reserve onto the Greater Makalali Game Reserve which has large open plains where you may find yourself cantering alongside zebra, wildebeest or giraffe. Makalali is also home to the endangered black rhino, which adds to the excitement of sightings from horseback.

You arrive at XiDulu in time for lunch. Built on the edge of a dam with a resident pod of hippos, you can view the game from your room, the viewing deck, or the infinity pool. Elephants often visit the dam to cool off during the midday heat, while lions or hyenas are often heard and seen around the lodge at night.

In the afternoon you will be taken on a game drive to explore the large Reserve. Your guide will track the footprints and signs left by the animals earlier in the day.  If you are lucky, he will find animals such as lions, rhinos, hyenas, elephants, or anything else exciting for you.  After watching the sun set with a drink in hand, you continue your game drive with the spotlight in the hope of spotting bushbabies in the trees or perhaps even a leopard.

Greater Makalali Game Reserve

Today’s ride is a thrilling one as you head off exploring more of the Reserve, cutting through the bush at a canter, twisting, and turning around the trees. “Bushwhacking” is as much fun for your horse as it is for you! You may come across branches or trees felled by elephants which invite you to jump them. This might lead you to Makalali’s river systems which are surrounded by huge jackal berry and sycamore-fig trees and give you a nice cover for hot days.

After a long morning ride, you arrive back at XiDulu and with the view of the dam where brunch will taste amazing. In the afternoon you go on another game drive with your experienced guide. Followed by a three-course meal prepared by your host.

Base camp

This morning you say goodbye to XiDulu and head back to camp. There are opportunities for long canters, and perhaps even a gallop on the sandy tracks.

You’ll be back in time for lunch and another siesta. The final afternoon ride and sundowner will be sad, but beautiful as you watch the African sun set for the last time. The farewell dinner is usually something special, such as kudu or eland fillets with a sherry sauce.

Departure

An early wake-up call to ensure there is time for a quick and sporty final ride around the reserve. Brunch will be served on return to camp before being transferred to the airport.