NOTE: Please note that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events, the itineraries and accommodations used may change at the last minute.
Sample Itinerary: 2022 8-day program -
subject to changes
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive at our tented camp in time for a late lunch. Then, we will go on an introductory game drive with opportunity to see some of the big 5 up close. After getting to know your riding preferences, a horse will be selected to suit you, for your riding safari starting the next morning. Arrive back at the camp as the sun sets. Dinner will be served around 7pm.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp
Day 2 (Sunday): Ride to Pedi Village
Early breakfast at the tented lodge, before your transfer to the reserve, where your horses will be waiting. After the safety brief and introduction to your horse, you will set off to the Pedi Village, while the logistics team will take care of your luggage. After about 2.5 hours in the saddle, you will stop for lunch before continuing to the Pedi Village for another couple of hours. We should arrive just before the sun sets. Drinks will be ready for your arrival, while the lions can be heard roaring in the distance to the sound of the African drums welcoming you. With some luck, you will see the buffalo come in for a drink. After a candle lit dinner you will spend the night in a traditional Pedi hut (rondavel) without compromising in comfort.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pedi Village
Day 3 (Monday): Ride to Fly Camp
Our friendly camp staff will wake you up with tea or coffee and a light breakfast overlooking the reserve. Then, it is time to get back in the saddle and ride to the next destination. We ride through big game country and hopefully we will spot some buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and many other iconic animals which roam the reserve. Arrive at fly camp, which our team will have set up for your arrival. You will be welcomed with a late lunch, and camp orientation. You will settle in to fly camp which you will call “home” for the net two nights.
Steaming showers will be ready after your afternoon ride exploring the reserve, followed by a three course candle-lit meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly Camp
Day 4 (Tuesday): Riding Safari
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with hot water boiling on the fire. A light breakfast will be served before you set off to explore the reserve heading in a different direction and new terrain, with the possibility of encountering different species of animals. After about 2.5 to 3 hours riding, return to camp, for lunch. Depending on weather and the season, full breakfast will be served before riding, or upon return, allowing for the mid day hours to relax at camp, or read a book in the shade in a hammock.
In the afternoon, you will ride again until you reach a point in the bush where you can enjoy a drink with endless views as the sun sets. Return to camp and relax by the camp fire before your evening meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly Camp
Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride up the escarpment
Awaken with hot tea or coffee in your tent, and a light breakfast, before you depart to the upper escarpment of the reserve. You will set off early enough to avoid the heat of the day and ride (and partially walk) up the steepest man made road in Southern Africa: Yellowwood Gorge. This road connects the lower and upper escarpment, which are separated by jagged rock formations. There will be a support vehicle should somebody not wish to complete the steepest passes on foot with their horse. You will stop at a beautiful spot on the way, for lunch, with natural rock pools where you will be able to swim (seasonal) so be sure to bring your swim wear in your saddle bag.
When you reach the upper escarpment, the gorge opens up. You will reach a breathtaking spot with views over the entire reserve.
A night under the stars, and delicious dinner “al fresco” awaits.
Note that tents are provided should the weather not permit sleeping under mosquito nets “only”
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping under the star (weather dependant)
Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Lakeside Lodge
We depart our stunning camp location with endless views, after breakfast. Today, we ride through open plains and meandering valleys, hoping to encounter big herds of zebra, wildebeest, blesbuck, eland and giraffe. We then make our way to the lodge where we will stay for the last two nights. You will arrive in time for lunch, and a well deserved hot bath or shower. Massages are available for an extra fee.
This afternoon, we go for another ride before heading back to the lodge in time for dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 7 (Friday): Game Ride
This morning, you will have the option of a game drive or bush walk,before breakfast. Then, we go for a 2.5 to 3 hour ride, discovering hidden areas of the reserve, where vehicles cannot access. While searching for more elusive species, your guide will point out tracks and signs as you ride deeper into the thicker areas of the reserve. Return to the lodge for some time to relax and lunch before another afternoon ride, maybe in search of hippos and some cooling off with your horse in the dam. Return to the lodge as the sun sets, and dinner at the “boma” area around the fire.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Early morning, after a light snack and tea or coffee you will go on your last morning ride, on the upper escarpment of the reserve, or moving down to the lower escarpment, depending on animal movement, weather and/or flight times. You might be able to squeeze in a game drive early enough before your ride as well. Your bags will be packed in the morning and transferred by our logistics team. Our driver will be ready to transfer you to
the airport in time for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Sample Itinerary: 2023 8-day program -
subject to changes
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve (about a 2.5 hour drive), heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere.
You will be welcomed by our team, at our “fly camp” set at the nearby farm in an area where buffalo roam abundantly as well as the rare sable antelope which we hope to see on horseback.
Lunch is served, and and you will receive a brief on the days to come. After we know a little more about you and your préférences, you will be matched with your horse.
You will depart for your afternoon intro ride, and later, you will enjoy sundowners on the wood deck, looking over the waterhole.
At dinner, the staff will welcome you with some traditional singing and a three course meal under the African sky.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Day 2 (Sunday): Game Reserve Ride
Early wake up and breakfast before you set off on a 2.5 hour ride and come back for lunch at camp. You can have a rest and reset in the wonderful surroundings before your afternoon ride, enjoying drinks around the fire.
This is your last night at fly camp. Your bags will be packed for the following days move.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Day 3 (Monday): Entabeni Ride
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with hot water boiling on the fire and a bush breakfast ready. You will ride out of the reserve, and into Entabeni reserve, which is nearby. You will enter big 5 territory, and ride to the permanent tented camp, where you will arrive in time for a short break to settle in, followed by lunch. Your luggage will be waiting in your rooms, and the horses will have an afternoon off.
Your game drive vehicle and guide will be waiting at 3:30 pm (in winter) or 4:00 pm (in summer) to take you on a 3 hour game drive, with a stop for sundowner drinks.
Have your camera ready, to hopefully capture lion or elephants up close!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp
Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride Up the Escarpment
A light breakfast will be served and you have the opportunity of another early morning game drive, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Your bags will be ready for our logistics team to collect.
You will be transferred to the horses which will be waiting at the reserve gate, and you will set off to explore the reserve heading in a different direction and new terrain, with the possibility of encountering different species of animals.
You will go up to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas.
You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them.
You will spend a night under star, in tents with views onto the reserve. Camp will be lit up with lanterns and candles before your three course dinner is served.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping under the stars (weather dependant)
Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to Kingfisher Lodge
Awaken with hot tea or coffee in your tent, and a light breakfast taking in the views before you depart to the next lodge, for some pampering and comfort. Kingfisher Lodge is set on the lake. On your arrival, a well deserved lunch awaits, as you take in the views and hopefully see some hippos in the lake.
Make use of the pool or spa, before your afternoon ride, in search for hippo, giraffe and rhino. You also have the option of a game drive or bush walk, should you prefer that.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kingsfisher Lodge
Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Lakeside Lodge
Early start with tea, coffee and biscuits at the lodge, before your game drive or bush walk. Come back to a wonderful breakfast followed by your half day ride. You will come back to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax.
In the afternoon, you will set off on your ride covering the other side of the reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 7 (Friday): Ride Down
You will have the option of a game drive or bush walk, before breakfast. Your bags will be collected by the team, and you will set off on a long ride (5 hours) to the lower part of the reserve again.
Ride sandy tracks, with great canter opportunity, to arrive at the tented camp just in time for lunch.
Afternoon will be spent at leisure or game drive as preferred. Spend your last evening around the fire or potentially book a massage to rub away the sore muscles after a week it the saddle!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Early morning, after breakfast you will go on your last morning ride, on the lower escarpment of the reserve,
You might be able to squeeze in a game drive early enough before your ride.
Our driver will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Sample Itinerary: 6-day program -
subject to changes
Note that this program can be shortened (minimum of 4 nights stay).
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve (about a 2.5 hour drive), heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere.
You will be welcomed by our team, at wildside tented camp for lunch and an intro ride in buffalo area, or you may opt for a game drive instead
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp
Day 2 (Monday): Ride Up the Escarpment
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life and depart on your early morning game drive with hopes of seeing elephant or lion. Keep your cameras at hand. After breakfast, you will ride through big 5 territory, and ride to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas.
You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. You will arrive at your lodge, to settle in and if you are up to it go for a bush walk or game drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 3 (Tuesday): Full Day Ride
After the morning game drive, the horses will be waiting for you to go on a 2.5 hour ride in search of maybe giraffe or hippo. Come back to the lodge for lunch, and depart on your afternoon ride again later on in the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 4 (Wednesday): Mountain Ride
You go on a morning bush walk, where your guide will interpret tracks and signs. When you get back, an opulent breakfast awaits. Once you are ready to get back in the saddle, you will ride to access the top of the mountain, with your packed lunch, to enjoy with spectacular views. Weather permitting, on the way back to the lodge, you can swim with your horses to cool them off (summer) before you return to the lodge for a shower or maybe massage.
In the afternoon, you go on a game drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Lakeside Lodge
Day 5 (Thursday): Wildlife Ride
After breakfast, you ride around the upper escarpment in search for local wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lakeside Lodge
Day 6 (Friday): Departure
After breakfast you will have the opportunity for a 2.5 hour “goodbye ride”. After this you will say farewell to the horses and depart to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast