BIG FIVE HORSE SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA ITINERARY

BIG FIVE HORSE SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA

Day 1

.Arrival at Karongwe where sandwiches and afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. Our hosts will be there to welcome us. Before we mount our horses for the first time we will be introduced to the safety procedures.

This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to our horses and riding style. We might even see the first giraffes or zebras or whatever else is in the vecinity. Sundowners are a perfect prelude to the generous dinner accompanied by hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in our dining area.

The first night, with all its fantastic sounds and noises, is probably the most exciting one. Accommodation for these first three nights is in old style safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River.

Day2

After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. But usually we ride for 3-4 hours in the morning and app 2 hours in the afternoon.

After we return from our morning ride a big lunch, awaits us with homemade quiches, pizzas, freshly homemade bread, different types of salads and greens, meats and cheeses.

After lunch the hardest time of the day has arrived, siesta. You can spend your well deserved rest in your room or at the swimming pool Afternoon tea and coffee strengthen us for our next adventure. Our afternoon ride endsat a beautiful sundowner spot where, drink in hand, we enjoy an often colorful sunset!

Day3

Another exciting day awaits you. The morning is similar to the one on day 2, but today we will go on an exciting game drive in the afternoon. We will enjoy our sundowner along the way, followed by a night drive

Over lunchtime you are welcome to have a relaxing massage by our therapist. Today is also the chance to acquire some of our merchandise material. From fleeces, fleecy jackets and sweatshirts to shirts, T-shirts, hats and more. There is a beautiful and fashionable selection of safari outfits available.

Day4

Another beautiful morning ride followed by a tasty brunch. In the afternoon we pack our bags, leaving for another camp, staying away for all in all three nights. The luggage will be brought by vehicle, whilst you set off on horseback. We will be riding south until we reach a giant rock formation from where you can overlook the whole Lowveld escarpment. A quick scramble up to the top rewards you with a spectacular panorama over the whole reserve and the perfect vantage point to witness a blood red sun fall.

Under the stars around a campfire and surrounded by our horses, we spend the night listening to the call of the hyenas or jackals, which might visit us in the night. Steaks or chops, cooked over the open fire with snakebites, baked potatoes and salads are the perfect fayre to help us into a deep sleep tonight.

Day5

Waking to the rich colors of the sunrise we revive the fire for coffee and breakfast before embarking on our longest ride to Xidulu, our camp for the next two nights. XiDulu is built at the edge of a dam with a resident pod of hippos. Enjoy the game from the deck of your chalet or the viewing platform or even better whilst enjoying the infinity pool. XiDulu’s rooms are all equipped with inside and outside showers, baths, aircon and a big veranda. Elephants often come for a swim during the day, whilst at night lions and hyenas are often seen or heard near the camp.

The afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive. Your guide Patson is a very well known tracker and guide who knows all the native stories about the bush and the wildlife. In an open top Landrover he will follow the directions of the signs left by the big cats during the day. After a long slow Gin watching the sunset, the drive continues into the night where, with luck, some of the nocturnal wildlife will show its face. Bush babies, owls, maybe even a leopard, will complete your day’s excitement.

Dinner is served in the dining area or outside around the fire place under the stars at the water’s edge.

Day6

Today we go exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees and through the undergrowth.

The afternoon is open to either join another one of Patson’s irresistible game drives or to go on another ride.

  Day7

After a light breakfast we head back to our base camp, leaving XiDulu behind. What will we see on our way? This is always open to the wildlife and tracks of elephant, lion, rhino, and giraffe determine your path. Back at base camp a delicious lunch will be waiting for us.

The last sundowner will be sad, but beautiful, impressive and absolutely unique. The African fever might have caught you as well and the good bye can be hard.

Day8

An early wake up will get us on the horses quickly, so we can enjoy a short sporty ride.

Once back you can finish your packing and then indulge in the final breakfast before heading for the airport.