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Waterberg - Triple B Riding Safari, South Africa

Set in the pristine mopane bushveld of the Northern Province, the ranch is based in the heart of the Waterberg Plateau. It is an area of great natural beauty, breathtaking vistas, mountain gorges, clear streams and rolling hills, alive with a variety of bird and wildlife.  The Ranch itself holds over 1500 head of Bonsmara cattle, a hardy African breed suited to the harsh conditions, it operates it’s own private game reserve and grows crops such as maize, tobacco and peanuts.
The guides are dedicated horsemen and women who will gladly share their knowledge and love of the horses. Rides range from gentle and exploring to long and fast where the terrain allows. 
Typically you will set out to ride early in the morning after a light breakfast. A welcome brunch awaits you after a few hours in the saddle, and suitably relaxed you have the middle of the day to read a book, swim in the plunge pool or go for a walk before your afternoon ride.
The week can even include a one or two day wilderness safari with overnights in comfortable camps in the game reserve.
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2004 Rates: 
Include overnights, all meals and possible overnight Bush Camp ride
8 days/7 nights  $1,450   Single+ 20%
Daily rate  $210 person/day  (min.3 nights)
Open: All Year
HT Special 
Meeting: Triple B Ranch 
Airport: Johannesburg
Transfer: $90 return pp each way from Johannesburg
Level: Good novice to Intermediate
Tack: Mclellan, English and Australian Stock 
Horses:  Thoroughbred, Arab, Anglo Arab, Boerperd and Saddler
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters
Note: excellent riding and wild game make this one of the best rides in South Africa.
The optional Bush Camp Safaris allow you to live alongside game and enjoy the beauty of the African bushveld.  Taking the horses into the bush overnight and spending the evening together around the campfire will be an experience that you will always remember. 

by Eva Wallander

The horses are a mixed herd of Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Anglo-Arabs, Boerperds and cross breeds. The Western stock saddles are based on the South African Maclellan military saddle and provide comfort for many hours of riding. English and Australian stock saddles are also available. 

Outrides  
You have access to over 25,000 acres of superb riding country. The sandy soil makes for excellent fast riding opportunities, galloping across the ploughed lands and through the maize fields is always a highlight with guests. Alternatively taking in the beauty and vastness of the Waterberg, on horseback, whilst learning about the many plant and bird species is a wonderful way to relax and de-stress. Riding through thick bushveld and over rocky koppies, finishing on a high point for sundowner drinks is another firm favorite.  Swimming the horses is a common activity and an excellent way to cool down after a long morning ride .
The Ranch recently established a ‘hippo enclosure’ of approximately 250 acres. Leisurely viewing of the resident hippopotami and their baby either sunbathing in the winter sun or wallowing in the dam has proved to be a popular interlude during a ride.

Cattle Work
The 1500 strong cattle herd on the Ranch are stud Bonsmaras, a hardy African breed suited to the region’s harsh conditions. Guests can join in the daily routine of herding and yard work, check calving cows or drive a herd between widely spread pastures. The Bonsmara is a non-aggressive breed and the ideal animal with which to experience the challenge and excitement of mustering cattle. Herding cattle also stimulates one to work closely in tandem with your horse.

The Lodge
The lodge itself overlooks a beautiful lake. With no TV or newspapers this is the perfect spot to get away from it all. There are three double rooms in the main house (two en-suite, and one with a private bathroom) and a thatched en-suite rondavel. A plunge pool enables guests to cool off on a hot summer’s day. The large colonial veranda facing the lake is a perfect spot for listening to the hippo and jackals call and taking in the beauty of Africa.

Meals
Mealtimes are irreverent, sociable and sumptuous affairs during which the day’s adventures and misadventures are recounted with great delight. Before morning rides guests are offered a light breakfast. After working up an appetite on your ride, an early lunch is provided followed by afternoon tea at 3pm. A three-course diner is served between 7.30-8pm. Homegrown vegetables and herbs are used in all recipes, bread and cakes are baked daily and the carefully planned menus are accompanied by a selection of South African wines.

The Horses
The ranch prides itself on the care and quality of their horses.  They are honest, forward-going and highly responsive. 
The ranch specializes in horses. The working herd consists of over 30 kind, responsive and good mannered horses, a herd they take great pride in. They are honest, forward going and highly responsive. The horses are a mixed herd of Arabs, Thoroughbreds Anglo-Arabs, Boerperds and cross breeds. Size range from 14.1 – 16.1 with the majority being in the 14.3 – 15.2 range. 

With a herd of over 30 horses to choose from, for a maximum of 8 guests, the ranch excels at matching horse to rider.  For the more experienced rider they take great pleasure in constantly providing stimulating rides on intelligent and responsive horses, whilst the novice will build confidence quickly being informally coached by both guide and mount.
The herd is well looked after by the renowned horseman Shane Dowinton, whose expertise shows in every aspect of the horse care. Shane has been using “round pen reasoning” techniques on young and problem horses for over 10 years, and those interested are welcome to ask for a demonstration of this type of training, or can have an informal lesson whilst riding together. For some individuals, the annual horsemanship clinic is of particular interest.
The horses broken in on the property were started in rope halters and quietly moved into snaffles when they were ready, many are still schooled to a high standard using this method. Guests are introduced to this concept and encouraged to try it though the majority prefer the mental security of a bit.
Saddles offered are mainly customized South African Maclellan, these offer a comfortable western type ride and look. They also have English saddles and Australian Stock saddles available.  All horses are ridden in snaffle bits.

Riders under 14 must be competent at all paces and must have their own well fitting hard hat.

Cross Country
 For experienced riders, our challenging cross-country course ranges from training level log piles to over 30 taxing open jumps. Triple B Ranch hosts an annual International 3-phase event affiliated to the Transvaal Horse Society.  Guests (experienced riders only) will have the opportunity of riding our cross-country course, which ranges from training to open level.  The course was designed by South Africa’s top course builder Johnny Perreira and offers a variety of interesting challenges. Swimming your horse in the lake next to the house is an excellent way for horse and rider to cool down after a long morning ride.

Polo Crosse 
 Polocrosse is easy to learn and one of the most Exhilarating sports on horseback.  To those guests who have never played before, we introduce the game slowly; running through the basic rules and showing the tricks of the trade when it comes to stick work. Then, it’s in at the deep end!  Usually one chukka is all it takes to bring out the competitive spirit.   
Once a week the players of the Waterberg Polocrosse club join us. This is always a fun afternoon where guests can alternately enjoy friendly chukkas with the Horizon team and then watch from the side lines with a gin and tonic whilst the serious players battle it out in a show of camaraderie and excellent riding skills

 


on the Triple B
 by Eva Wallander

“Superb riding on the ranch, did some cattle work and played polocrosse, and riding in the neighboring game reserves.
Galloping with zebras and wildebeest, seeing hippos, rhinos and giraffes real close - what an experience!”  
     Eva Wallander

Horse back safaris and horse riding holidays at Horizon

Horseback safaris - get close to African wildlife

Horse riding holidays at Triple B Ranch

Horseback vacations at Triple B Ranch

Horizon Horseback Adventures - Photo

 


Whilst not riding guests can enjoy one of the many other activities available on the ranch such as tennis, swimming, walking, bird spotting and tours of the farming activities by the owner and great character, Charles Baber, are available.
We also encourage guests to meet the locals and their children at the farm creche and school. Our kids love seeing foreign faces and they may even sing for you! 
You may also wish to visit the Lapalala Wilderness. Lapalala is a privately owned game reserve in the Waterberg, and is home to the largest private population of black rhino in South Africa. White rhino, rare sable and roan antelope, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and many other species of antelope are also residents of Lapalala.

Atmosphere
The bush the world over is made up of a small community of characters, we try to introduce our guests to the Waterberg area and meet the people that live here. We like to offer a highly professional product in an informal way; a lot of our guests have become lasting friends. We often take an evening out to the local restaurant and a trip into Vaalwater is always on offer as people are generally interested in what occurs on the other side of the world. On quiet evenings we may invite friends over for supper, as a vet who treats Giraffe or a woman who hand rears Rhino can be stimulating conversation. Horizon will welcome you into its life and share with you the beauty and community of the Waterberg Guests travelling alone will find the welcoming atmosphere will ensure that your holiday will be spent with friends.

Weather
The seasons are the reverse of North America.  The hottest months are from November to March.  Because of the altitude, it is never too hot to ride, although in summer rides are usually taken early in the morning and late in the afternoon leaving the rest of the day to relax and swim.  The main rains are from end November to January, These are typically short late afternoon or evening dramatic thunderstorms and are occasional – average rain days per month are 5.  Summer is a wonderful time to come as it is the North American winter and rain will not hinder your stay.  The mid winter months of June, July and August have dry, warm days and clear blue skies, although it does get chilly at night, it is advisable to bring warm clothing.

What people have to say:
I just got back from a wonderful week at Triple B in Waterberg (South Africa). Everything went well and I just wanted to say what a great place they have. Superb riding on the ranch, did some cattle work and played polocrosse, and riding in the neighboring game reserves. Galloping with zebras and wildebeest, seeing hippos, rhinos and giraffes real close - what an experience! And they have some really good horses, forward going and in good condition. I really recommend this ride and I want to go back again in the spring!
: Eva Wallander, Sweden      April 18, 2001