Safaris Accomodation Overview:

The great Limpopo South Africa ExperienceSafari Overview: Excellent game-viewing in Mashatu Game Reserve - Tuli blockwhich ranges from herds of elephants, herds of buffalo, wildebeests, zebra, impala, kudu, painted wild dog, cheetah, leopard, prides of lions and incredible bird life.

Best months for horse back safaris: July, August, September, October to November best game-viewing times with temperatures between 12 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius at midday.

Winter is low Season from April, May and June and varies from 8 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius at midday. Qualified experienced armed safari guides are only allowed to lead horse back safaris on this time of the year.

The rainy season starts in October/November, with occasional thundershowers as December to February are the wettest months with 12-degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.

FACT SHEET MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY: require mastery of basic horsemanship - aids, post to trot for stretches of 10 minutes at a time, be comfortable at all paces and gallop out of trouble. Fit and proficient riders are at an advantage.

TYPE OF HORSE: A mount to suit almost everyone: full and part thoroughbred, pure Arab, Anglo Arab and American Saddlers, between 14 and 17 hands. Well-schooled, responsive and even temperament. Wide range of horses is available, suitable for riders from competition level to a steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider.

WEIGHT LIMIT: A novice rider should be 200 lbs. (14 stone or 90kg) maximum weight and advanced rider should be 210 lbs (15 stone or 95 kg) maximum. Guests are required to step on the scales before the ride. Game drives, walks and short rides are offered to guests over the maximum weight limit.

GUIDING & SAFETY: All horse back safaris are led by armed qualified professional guides. Camps and vehicles are equipped with radio communication and hand radios are carried on all rides by the guides. Safety talk with demonstration is given before the beginning on how to handle big game situations.

INDEMNITY: On arrival, guests will be required to sign an indemnity form.

TACK: Tack is English style and each saddle has a seat-saver for comfort. Tack is of high quality and kept in good condition. Saddles are well known makes such as Ideals, Barnsby, and Symonds. Most horses are in snaffle bits.

RIDING GROUP SIZE: Maximum of 8 guests per group.

MEALS: Safari chefs prepare 3 course meals plus picnic saddlebag breakfasts. Emphasis is to ensure fresh vegetables and salads made to suit the day's activities. Home made fresh bread is also prepared every day for the trip. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request. Light lunches include: salads, bread rolls, cold meats and 3 course dinner meals are served by candle light on dining tables nearby bush-campfires.

DURATION OF RIDES: Between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day, broken with 15-30 minutes refreshment stops - picnic lunches or breakfasts and 10-minutes leg stretch walk for every 2- hours spent in the saddle as a way to ease the rider using different muscles and to rest the horse.

TERRAIN: Water Meadows as the Okavango Delta is described, the beauty of the landscapes include grassy swamps and sandy flood plains, mopane woodlands, palm islands and clear streams. May to September have normal high water levels with most of the flood plains being full and during the rides, horses wade through the shallows to cross from island to island. Experience an adventure such as the early explorers might have had, when roads did not exist. Crossing grassy swamps to the islands on horseback is fun and exciting as we move on at a trot and canter.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Riding is the safari priority, but other safari alternative activities during the afternoons when not riding can be offered such as game drives and afternoons spent on leisure bird watching with evening walks or mokoro rides depending on water levels.

NON-RIDERS: Non-riders can be accommodated but must be booked in as non-riders as own guides are provided to accompany non-riders on this trip.

CHILDREN: Young people of 15 and over are accepted but they must demonstrate strong competent riding ability with a certificate from a pony club or qualified teacher to attest this. Unfortunately price is not adjusted for non-adults on horse riding safaris.

CLOTHING: Most camps provide laundry service. Baggage allowance on light aircraft transfers is 12 - 15kg, any extra luggage will be left with the Maun office. Only soft duffel-bag type luggage is allowed on light Aircraft. It is recommended that riding clothes should be in neutral colours such as khaki, brown, and dark green. Red, blue, yellow or white are discouraged.

INSURANCE: We recommend comprehensive full cover insurance for all guests taking Horse Back Safaris in case of any medical emergency, illness, injuries or evacuation and guests must have adequate insurance policy to cover themselves.

WHERE DOES HORSE BACK SAFARIS OPERATE: In a Big Five conservation area in a private concession of 2,500 sq. klometres located on the western side of the Okavango Delta's three major river eco-systems of Xudum, Matsibie and Kiri, bordering the untouched Moremi Wildlife reserve.

HOW TO GET THERE: Air Botswana, South African Airways fly from Johannesburg, into Gaborone the capital of Botswana or from Victoria Falls or Air Namibia from Windhoek into Maun. All flight booking for Air Botswana flights can be arranged including all light charter flight transfers in camps or near airstrip from Maun airport. Clients are collected from the private airstrips and transferred by 4x4 vehicles to camps. You are also advised that all internal transfer light aircraft have a strict luggage weight restriction of 12-15kg.

SAFARI INFORMATION REQUIRED: Nationality, Age, weight, height, and guests' riding experience. Preferred drink, dietary requirement or allergies. Completing our booking request form when making a reservation can really assist us with your requirements enabling us to put together best Horse Back Safaris for you.

 

Day 1 Johannesburg Mashatu Game Reserve-Fort Jameson's Camp

On arrival you are met by a tour leader from Afrika Zambezi Safaris who will accompany your Horse back Safaris. Light aircraft charter flight to the pristine Mashatu Game Reserve in Tuli Block Limpopo near the Pont Drift border post or Limpopo Valley airfield. After a light lunch you are acquainted with your horse. Introductory ride along the banks of the majestic Limpopo River scenery. Our first African evening is spent enjoying sundowners at the Stable Bar whilst watching the horses roll in the setting sun, before a delectable dinner is served in the beautiful gardens under the inky black sky (weather permitting). Retire for a night of rest in the comfort of Fort Jameson's Camp.
Overnight at Fort Jameson's Camp: Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 2 Jwala Camp
The day begins with a beautiful sunrise and early morning tea/coffee and a light breakfast under a spreading Mashatu tree in the camp garden. Mount up and ride heading in northwesterly direction for Jwala Camp located on the banks of the Jwala River. The ride takes about 6-7 hrs while enjoying the wildlife abundance and the magnificent scenic giants of the massive endless land. On arriving at Jwala camp, after lunch a siesta is definitely the order of the day followed by an optional afternoon walk. Dinner is prepared over open fires by a brilliant bush chef whose expertise is renowned far and wide.
Overnight at Jwala Camp -Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 3: Kgotla Camp
Early wake-up call accompanied by hot tea/coffee followed by hot english light breakfast served around African log fire. The day's ride begins with a test of the amazing sure footed Boerperd horses as we venture to cross over the old basalt rock ridges, tracking age-old elephant paths-ways. This ride takes about 4 hours with a break followed by a bush lunch and with another 2 hours in the afternoon ride to the new camp. Camp Kgotla is regarded as an old tribal court of the nearby community that relocated to the Mocloutse river banks on the western boundary of Mashatu. The Leadwood logs used to make open-air traditional African enclosure is in the shade of a century old Mashatu tree and sundowners are comfortably enjoyed from a sandstone kopje overlooking the Mocloutse River as it meanders and disappears into majestic African landscape. Guests are treated to an outdoor evening dinner around the African bush-fire before they retire to bed for the evening where night is spent sleeping under a canopy of beautiful stars with the sounds of the African bush in the background.
Overnight at Camp Kgotla- Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 4: Kgotla Camp
Another splendid evening is spent at Camp Kgotla in order to enjoy a full day's worth of exploring the unique sandstone formations which include the famed 'Solomon's Wall' and the ruins of an ancient civilization whose wealth was harbored between these hills where two major rivers, the Limpopo and the Moclloutse meet. The fabulous day with 4-5 hours riding followed by on-foot exploration of this fascinating area the afternoon.
Overnight at Camp Kgotla - Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 5: Liana Camp
Another early rising day in Africa coupled with a good hot english breakfast around the big log of fires, definitely a good morning set up to start the day. This ride normally allows guests to come close to nature, heading towards the dry river bed where overhung with baboon vines is located the Liana Camp. Beyond the river, ride out onto open, sweeping plains and experience the thrill of game-viewing from horseback, with exhilarating riding amongst herds of galloping Zebra and wildebeest. All your senses are indulged with the sights and sounds and scents of wild Africa all around, and the warmth of the sun on your face. A bush lunch is welcomed at halfway stop between the camps. After an 8-hour adventure you are welcomed at Liana Camp with a well-deserved sundowner as you enjoy the camaraderie of drinks and dinner with fellow riders around the African camp-fire.
Overnight at Liana Camp; Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 6: Liana Camp
The morning usually starts a bit slowly, as preparations are made to spend the day exploring the Mojale and Matabole river banks heading north towards Zeederburg site. The riding is over varied terrain up and down river banks and through riverine forest in anticipation of capturing the game sightings and photos. The ride takes between 5- 6 hours and the afternoon brings a welcome lunch under the boughs of an old Mashatu tree, where the past centuries transport riders had their midday rest before their final breaking through to reach what was called Fort Tuli. The afternoon siesta is spent relaxing before embarking on another afternoon bush walk on foot to discover the small little five animals, interesting plants, spoor tracking and general bush ecosystem. Evening is enjoyed with sundowner's Gin and Tonic around the Africa bush camp fire while delicious meals are served at the close of yet another absorbing day.
Overnight at Liana Camp: Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 7: Mashatu Tree Camp
This rich 5-6 hour historical ride provides interesting tales of an event during the Anglo Boer War when the trading post of Bryce's Store was destroyed in a battle on the Pitsane river banks and the remnants of the Store are still found on Mashatu. This experience is further enhanced by the large herds of antelope encountered along the way. The Pitsani open plains are perfect for a good gallop heading in the direction of the Mojale and Limpopo confluence where lunch awaits the hungry riders. This evening there are options of participating on evening game drive for an opportunity to see some of the Mashatu Game Reserve's big cats from close up, as well as herds of buffalo and elephants. Dinner is served around the African bush campfire under an ancient Mashatu tree before retiring to a dreamless sleep under the African open sky.
Overnight at Mashatu Tree Camp: Mashatu Game Reserve

Day 8: Fort Jameson's Camp - Johannesburg - Cape town flight Connection
Your last day in the bush as a Horseback Safari rider begins with early morning last tea/coffee and breakfast snack over the open African camp- fire. The morning is spent riding along the Limpopo River with the possibility of taking some of our natural cross country fences heading back to Fort Jameson's. The ride is shorter and takes 2-hours to give everyone opportunity and some time to get ready for Johannesburg departure. A sad farewell to all riding companions with a hand-shake from guides and staff after a final fantastically prepared picturesque brunch in gardens of Fort Jameson's. Freshen up and pack for Charter flight departure to either the Limpopo Valley Airfield to Johannesburg or Pont Drift Border Post if on a self drive or road transfer with a transfer company. On arrival at Cape Town you are met by a specialist tour guide who will transfer you to the hotel with a short briefing about the Cape Town excursion tours during your stay in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Dinner is optional at any restaurant in Cape town city area.
Overnight at Sun international hotel - Cape Town

Day 9: Cape town tour excursion
After early morning breakfast, greet your specialist tour guide who will show you the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Hout Bay, lunch at the Black Marlin Restaurant, visit to the penguin colony at Boulders beach, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, and finally back to the hotel to prepare for evening dinner at tour opted restaurant.
Overnight at Sun international hotel - Cape town

Day 10: Cape town tour excursion
After morning breakfast, brief from your tour guide before a full day tour excursion of Cape Town surroundings starting off with exploration of table Mountain (weather permitting), city tour,Ccape Town museum, Robben island historical tour, curio shopping around Victoria and Alfred waterfront followed with lunch at a local opted restaurant. Capetonian home hosted dinner.
Overnight at Sun international hotel - Cape town

Day 11: Stellenbosch winelands excursion
This morning after breakfast, you embark on a full day tour excursion to the famous Stellenbosch winelands starting off with African township tour to where you will share the beauty pride of Africans homes and visit a township school. After this we go wine-tasting at one of the wine estates on the way to Stellenbosch with lunch, leisure and educational tours around the winery. Depart to Stellenbosch town and visit the museum, arrive at the Dorpshuis Country House hotel in Stellenbosch for dinner.
Over-night at Dorpshuis Country House hotel.

Day 12: Stellenbosch Winelands tour excursion
After breakfast, you are led on a City tour of Stellenbosch's historical university buildings, old museum, old homestead and followed by lunch and curio shopping to finish off the day. Evening dinner and a comfortable night at the hotel.
Over-night at Dorpshuis Country House hotel.

Day: 13 Stellenbosch - Cape Town - Johannesburg flight departures
After morning breakfast and tour debrief, we depart Stellenbosch on road transfer to Cape Town airport for regional flight to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo international airport for your homeward bound flight connection this evening.

Inclusive: 5-star safari accommodation, all horse back safari activities at Mashatu game reserve and game drive safaris, full day riding safaris, walking safaris, all charter flights into camps/lodges or road transfers, all meals, house-wines & soft drinks, laundry, traditional village and school tour & park entry fees.

Excluded: Any scenic horse back safaris not mentioned above, personal bar bills/imported liquor and meals in any self visited restaurant in Cape tour, gift/curio shopping at local markets and guides gratuity in camps/lodges or hotels.

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