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On the Songimvelo & Swazi Safari you ride in a remote
area of mountains, valleys and plains. On superb horses, enjoy exciting
wilderness riding in search of the “Big Four” - rhino, elephant, buffalo
and leopard. The safari starts at Dawsons Lodge staying in the
comfortable Homestead. You then spend five nights at a simple but
comfortable camp in the heart of the Songimvelo Reserve staying in large
dome tents with cot beds, Duve covers etc. The last night is spent at Ebutsini Village
staying in thatched Swazi rondavels. You are guided on safari by Steven
Rufus, one of the great characters of the horse safari world. Steven has
a good eye for a horse and trains them to be top quality trail horses.
You will be impressed at their fitness, schooling, sure-footedness and
eagerness for their work.
The Songimvelo Game Reserve is in Mpumulanga, bordering on Swaziland and
just south of Kruger National Park. It covers an area of 50,000 hectares
and is the largest provincial game reserve in South Africa. The reserve
consists of mountains, valleys and flood plains, an incredibly tough
terrain that can only be accessed by horseback. Only 5% has 4x4 road
access; even the field rangers patrol on horseback.
From the Wind Hoek base camp deep in the reserve, you explore in all
directions. Rides onto the plains give you the opportunity to see many
of the herbivores including elephant, white rhino, buffalo, giraffe and
numerous species of antelope. On the challenging rides into the
mountains you will be amazed by the dramatic panoramic views and the
ability of the elephant and buffalo, not to mention your own horse, to
navigate the game paths. There are no lion in the reserve and so you can
explore and camp without fear of any encounters.
IT-SART11
Rates: Include accommodations (one night at
Dawsons Game Lodge, four nights on safari in tents,
one night in the mountains, one night at Swazi
village), meals with beer and wine for dinner when
on safari, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 2,500
... based on £ 1,250
Single +395 ... waived if possible to share
Rates are subject to Park fees of
£ 200/ $
400
2008 Dates:
02/17-02/24 03/02-03/09
03/16-03/23
03/30-04/06 04/13-04/20
04/27-05/04
05/04-05/11 05/11-05/18 05/18-05/25
05/25-06/01
06/08-06/15 06/22-06/29
07/06-07/13
07/20-07/27 08/03-08/10
08/17-08/24
08/31-09/07 09/14-09/21
09/21-09/28
10/05-10/12 10/12-10/19
10/19-10/26
12/28-01/04*
see availability
* New Years rides have a supplement
Blue dates are Family
Safari trips
Gratuities: 10 to 15% to pay locally
Meeting: Dawsons Game Lodge
Airport: Johannesburg
or Kruger
Mpumalanga Airport (KMIA)
Transfer: from Johannesburg (3 hours)
$260 pp return ..
based on £130
Level:
Intermediate+
Tack:
Australian
or South African
stock saddles, Pelham bridles
Horses:
Boerperd,
Basuto pony,
SA Warmblood and crosses
Pace: with trots, canters and gallops
Min/Max: 3-8 riders
Note:
45% deposit is required
Extra nights can be
booked at Dawson Game Lodge at
~$375 per day incl. meals and riding or $275 without
riding.
Lodgings:
Dawsons Game Lodge is a luxury lodge situated in Mpumalanga, 40kms from
Songimvelo Game Reserve. Clients will
stay at the homestead which is available for private groups. It has 6 en
suite rooms, private dining area, pool. On safari,
you normally stay in dome tents on camping beds with
camping rolls, sheets and duvets, the tents are very
comfortable and also contain tables and mirrors for
a few more home comforts. A long drop loo and bucket
shower is provided at each camp site. A mess tent is
erected for dining should the weather be inclement.
Ebutsini Village consists of traditional rondavels,
though each room has en suite facilities and
electricity. The rooms are very comfortable and
private within the village.
Itinerary
Day 1 SUNDAY- Arrive Johannesburg in the early morning and
connect with our road transfer to Dawsons Game Lodge (approx 3 hrs). On arrival
settle into your room at the Homestead, which will have been booked
entirely for the safari group. Later there will be a briefing explaining
how the safari will progress and an opportunity to meet the horses and
remainder of the team. In the afternoon have your first ride for approx
2 hours, returning to the lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep
before setting out on safari early the following day.
Day 2 MONDAY - An early start to set off on safari. The
horses will travel ahead by truck and you will transfer by vehicle (40
minutes) from Dawsons Lodge into Songimvelo Game Reserve. You set off
riding for approximately 4-5 hours (with regular breaks) riding on the
plains towards Wind Hoek Base Camp, with numerous river crossings, and a
lunch stop at the Hippo pools. These plains are abundant with wildlife,
surrounded by magnificent mountains and give you your first opportunity
to feast on this beautiful reserve. Arrive at Wind Hoek Base Camp mid
afternoon. The support team will have set up a comfortable camp,
including a bucket shower and long drop toilet facilities. The rest of
the afternoon is spent exploring and settling in to your tents. Dinner
will be served (dependant on weather) either in the mess tent or
outside.
Day 3 TUESDAY - The normal pattern on safari will be a
morning call at 6 am (earlier in summer) followed by a full
breakfast and tea or coffee. You generally make your own saddle bag
picnic and can choose from a variety of different breads and tasty
snacks and fillings. Full day ride descending from mountains into the
valley, game viewing and riding through rivers and onto the plains.
Return to Wind Hoek Base Camp late afternoon.
Day 4 WEDNESDAY
- Today is a day of excitement
and you will set off to explore more widely into
Songimvelo. Ride into the stunning mountains, with
pack horses and all equipment required to spend a
night out under the stars! After a spectacular lunch
location you will ride on to the evenings resting
place and enjoy a simple (though delicious) evening
meal. This is challenging – though spectacular -
mountain pass riding. Sleeping bags will be provided
for quite simply the most magical night you could
ever spend in the bush
Day 5 THURSDAY
- Breakfast will be served
in the mountains and then descend the mountain
passes to Komati River plains. This area has great
game viewing and potential encounters with White
Rhino. Arrive at Wind Hoek Base Camp for a late
lunch, with time to relax before dinner.
Day 6 FRIDAY - Today you will
explore the Gold Mines in Songimvelo, with game
viewing along the way. Ride 3.4 hours in the morning
and arrive back at camp for a late lunch and
afternoon at leisure.
Day 7 SATURDAY
- Ride to Ebutsini Village game viewing and enjoying
the dramatic scenery on the way through Songimvelo.
Arrive mid afternoon and enjoy the rest of the
afternoon at leisure and settling in to the
traditional Rondavels. Evening will be spent at the
village enjoying the entertainment and catering -
Swazi style!
Day 8 SUNDAY - A final
morning ride from Ebutsini Village and a visit to
the local school where guests can donate any gifts
they might have bought and receive an amazing
performance from the children. After an early lunch,
depart from the village by car direct to
Johannesburg for onward connections.
Or -- Transfer by car to Nelspruit airport for
internal flights to Johannesburg
Horses
All the horses are selected by Steven Rufus who himself is an
advanced event rider. The horses are selected with the same criteria as
would be for selecting an event horse. There are various breeds of South
African horses; boerperd, basuto pony, SA warmblood and crosses.
These horses have to adapt to the harsh environment of the mountains and
crossing slippery streams to fast gallops on the plains, and standing
their ground against the Big Five game.
Meals
Breakfast of porridge and bacon and eggs will set
you up for a day in the saddle. When on safari, you
will make your own saddle bag picnic from bread
rolls, ham, cheese etc. In the evening, professional
chefs will cook delicious meals. Emphasis is placed
on good South African cooking. Vegetarians can be
catered for with prior notice but other stricter
diets cannot be accommodated on the safari.
On safari you are provided with fruit cordial,
bottled water, tea & coffee. Beer and house wine is
served with dinner, although the amount is
necessarily limited by space in the support vehicle.
You may bring your own duty free if you wish to have
spirits.
At Dawson’s Lodge, all bottled drinks, beer, wine
and spirits are a personal expense.
At Ebutsini the food is traditional African fare in
the evening with a cooked breakfast the following
morning. Beer and house wine again will be served
limits as per safari.
Weather
Summer months are October
to March with the hottest months being October to
February when temperatures may rise to mid 30’s C.
The rains can start in November with December to
February being the wettest months. Winter is May to
August. Since you are in the mountains, the evenings
can be cold, with temperatures falling to 5C. Rain
is unlikely in the winter months, but mist and heavy
dew is possible and so you should have good quality
raingear at all times to prevent feeling damp. |
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