This unique riding safari combines the diverse wildlife and topography of Botswana and South Africa - both locations offer excellent, though different game viewing opportunities. Experience both countries while riding between multiple safari camps, and access areas by horseback that are otherwise nearly impossible to reach, making for an exceptional safari experience.

The South African bushveld is soft going for the horses, with wonderful sandy tracks to canter along and beautiful blue dams to swim with your horse.

In Botswana, there is an ancient landscape of rock formations and open plains dotted with giant Baobab trees and riverine bush. This place feels very wild and will definitely get your adrenaline flowing.

In both locations, you will be welcomed with warm hospitality, and you will fall in love with the wonderful mounts who carry you through these incredible landscapes!

Horse breeds on safari range from Thoroughbreds to Boerperd (a South African breed) to Percheron crosses, along with a variety of mixes. Horses are selected based on their good temperament in the bush and stamina for long days covering distance during safaris. The horses have been exposed to all the wildlife seen on safari and are comfortable in this environment.

Upper-Intermediate to Advanced

Must be able to independently control a horse at all paces. Jumping – ability to jump natural obstacle, a benefit, but not essential as can be ridden around. Must be able to take a light seat at canter.

Riding Test

Before each safari, every rider will take a short riding test to ensure they are competent enough for the safari, and fall into the above guideline. The decision of the manager conducting the test is final.

Tack

Riders will be in English tack (general purpose saddles) or McLellan trail saddles.

Terrain

Terrain consists of open, grassy plains, hills, rocky outcrops, rivers, and mountains. Enjoy exploring the differing topography of the area: open bush, wooded riverine areas, wetlands, and strange rock formations home to large baobabs.

SOUTH AFRICA

Camp Davidson was modelled on the old ‘outspan’ camps of E.A. Davidson (great grandfather to one of the founding partners of Horizon Horseback) when he was selling goods across the area from his wagon in the early 1900s. Horizon has captured the early camp atmosphere in Camp Davidson. Beautiful decked canvas tents are nestled amongst the sandstone ridges overlooking grassy game filled valleys. Each luxury tent has an en-suite bathroom. The camp is completely run on solar energy and as a small swimming pool.

Savannah Lodge

Savannah Lodge is a tastefully decorated lodge with five en-suite rooms. The lodge had a large comfortable living space and dining areas inside and outside. There is a small pool and deck which overlooks a plain and watering hole close by where the wildlife frequent.

There are no Wi-Fi facilities at the lodge.

BOTSWANA

Two Mashatus Camp

Nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees, the heart of the camp has two traditionally built

Lala Palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. Guest accommodation is in large A-frame walk-in tents set on teak platforms each with an en-suite bathroom. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree in the bush, not far from the main area. Each tent has a small deck area in front where guests can relax privately during the afternoons.

Two Mashatus Camp also has a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for guests to enjoy.

A light breakfast will be taken first thing in the morning before riding. Lunch will usually consist of a picnic in the bush, and dinner will be a decadent and delicious affair in camp, under the stars. 

Guests are met at ORT airport and transferred to Horizon Horseback’s Camp

Davidson, your base for the next three days, in time for a late lunch. That afternoon you will be introduced to your safari horse. We will ensure that you are matched to a horse that suits your ability and experience before heading off on your ride. This first introductory ride is a relaxed affair, giving riders the opportunity to settle into their new surroundings. Crossing the plains, enjoy your first close encounter with wildlife on horseback: ostrich, impala, zebra, kudu, eland, giraffe, warthog and jackal are all frequently seen in the open bushveld.

A stunning lookout spot for sundower drinks is a welcome moment to take in your

first taste of Africa after a long journey. A three course supper is served at Camp

Davidson that evening.

Great care is taken to match horse to rider based on a guest’s riding experience and professed ability. The horses are predominantly Boerperds, together with a mixture of warmbloods, Appaloosas and Fresians. They are all well schooled, forward going but calm horses.  It is crucially important for the safety and enjoyment of the whole group that riders wishing to book the African Explorer are at least intermediate riders. While the journey is not an endurance test, it does involve long hours in the saddle and, with the possibility of close encounters with elephant and the big cats in Botswana, riders need to be able to control their mounts gently and confidently.

Today’s ride sets off from the high country overlooking a beautiful wilderness area to the east, and heads south, winding along the banks of Sunset Lake with its resident pod of hippos and the odd sly crocodile, before trekking upstream to an adjoining reserve. The lake itself is rich in birdlife, including the impressive Fish Eagles, dainty Dabchicks, elegant Jacanas and a variety of geese. Later, riding through the open savannah, wildebeest and zebra can be encountered. The riding is varied, from canters along sandy tracks to winding through rocky outcrops and densely wooded areas. The ride then crosses the reserve and returns to Camp Davidson in time for lunch. Guests can then relax by the pool, before a shorter afternoon ride.

In the evening there is the option of a night sky safari with a local astronomer, Dr

Calcott, who will guide you through the amazing constellations (subject to weather

conditions and availability, not included in tour price).

Setting off in a westerly direction, this ride tracks past a brown hyena den, skirts

past the upper reaches of the Horizon dam before crossing a wide grassy valley. At

one point the ride enters into dense woodland, home to shy species such as kudu,

bushbuck and Vervet monkeys. Emerging from the woods, the horses have a chance to stretch their legs along open sandy tracks. Finally the ride swings back to the north, through mixed bushveld and fascinating rock formations.

Two highlights of this ride are the jumping lanes and the chance for riders to swim

their horses bareback in the Horizon dam next to the main lodge. For many guests,

this is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Once dried off and back in

the saddle, the ride climb back up to Camp Davidson is particularly intriguing, as it

follows a mountain pass cut through boulders and outcrops.

After lunch, enjoy a sundowner ride across the plains on the reserve. We are very

fortunate to have a large herd zebra. Over the years, the herd has become quite

habituated to the horses and it is now possible to ride really close and experience

being part of the zebra herd. A wonderful way to watch the foals frolic.

Having left Camp Davidson for the final time, this ride heads south to the Game

Conservancy which is home to Savannah Lodge. The ride traverses a wide wetland,

home to reedbuck and grass owls, before entering dense woodland dotted with

wild fig trees and large fruited bushwillows. Here it crosses the watershed and

descends through open grasslands with sweeping views to the upper reaches of the Conservancy’s main water system.

The route passes the favored habitat of waterbuck and Cape buffalo. The open

plains that follow are aptly known as “Little Serengeti”; large herds of blesbuck,

eland, wildebeest and kudu are all on view, as are groups of elegant sable, swift red

hartebeest and impressive journeys of giraffe and Cape buffalo.

After a lunch at the lodge and a rest by the pool, the afternoon ride continues to

explore this game rich area, closing with sundowners overlooking the African plains.

We depart the lodge early and enjoy an exhilarating ride back to Horizon Lodge in

time to change before departing for Botswana at 09:30 am.

We arrive in Botswana in time for a light lunch. Enjoy an introductory ride to check

you are suited to your horse, before embarking on your first ride out to our Two

Mashatus Camp. This will be your first opportunity to experience the beauty of the

Mashatu Game Reserve and view the wildlife on horseback. Mashatu Game Reserve

is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming elephants on private land in Africa,

and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures.

As evening falls at Two Mashatus Camp, relax in the cool of the thatched lounge and dining areas, before enjoying a three-course dinner.

Sunrise, the dawn chorus and tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds

the start of your first day. After breakfast, it’s time to mount and depart from the

dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River and head towards the rocky hills that

delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of

Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herds of

elephants.

You will arrive back at Two Mashatus Camp in time for lunch and a cooling afternoon rest in the shady camp or lazing by the pool. That afternoon the group has the choice of an afternoon ride or a game drive to the south western side of the reserve. This is an area not reached on horseback during the African Explorer safari. It is rich in game with a resident pride of lion. The highlight of the the drive is a sundowner in the ancient landscape of rock formations or the Mmamagwa hills, which vast vistas into the setting sun.

Ride out following the movements of wildlife in the area. The tempo of the rides is

always varied and depending on the terrain, there are opportunities to enjoy the

spirit and fitness of the horses.

The afternoon brings a chance to again choose between another ride or a bush

walk in the northern area of Mashatu Game Reserve and enjoy the rich birdlife, spot

crocodile in the pools and learn about the magnificent trees lining the banks.

The last ride in the Limpopo Valley is a great opportunity to take one last picture of

elephants and enjoy a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush

with your guides.

Arriving back at the stables and reception mid-morning, there is plenty of time for

a quick shower, before saying farewell to safari companions, new found friends and

Horizon Horseback Mashatu.