A totally relaxed ranch-based horseriding experience, in the Waterberg reserve of the Limpopo province. This is a friendly, family run holiday, which offers varied horseriding on well schooled horses.
Holiday Videos:
Summary of the trip:
Laura and Shane Dowinton's stunning Waterberg ranch caters for all riding standards and there are over 60 horses in their herd. With over 20,000 acres of superb riding and big game country there is a lot of choice and rides are organised in small groups so that experienced riders enjoy stimulating and fast rides, whilst novice riders are brought on at a pace comfortable to them.
In addition to riding out, there's also other interesting activities guests are encouraged to try like cattle mustering, polocrosse, cross-country jumping, western games and a 2 day safari ride to the next reserve.
Your hosts Laura & Shane are originally from the UK and have managed to create an informal yet highly professional atmosphere at this gem of a ranch that has visitors returning year after year.
'The horses were great, the ranch & surroundings just magic! The staff & our hosts Shane & Laura were absolutely lovely, really friendly & helpful. The accommodation was perfect, really comfy beds, and the food was sublime' Tiffany Casteret - UK
Getting there :
International flight to Johannesburg
Transfer :
2 - 3 hour transfer from Joburg airport. We can arrange group & private transfers & guests might also want to consider hiring a car
Accommodation :
Stylish and comfortable lodge accommodation with ensuite, and some private rondavels. Lovely gardens, with a lake and a swimming pool. Really tasty home cooked food served with local local wines
Days / Nights :
Recommended stay 7 - 10 nights, but can accommodate shorter stays
Price in £: 2010 rates per night - High season rate £185 pp sharing, 1 Mar - 30 Apr 7 & Jul - 31 Dec. Low season rate £150 pp sharing, 10 Jan - 28 Feb & 1 May - 30 Jun
Tack: South African McClellan and some English saddles
Weight restriction :
16 stone / 102 kg / 224 lbs
Included :
Full board, drinks & all riding activities
Excluded :
Flights, transfers & tips
Please Ask About:
Big 5 Safaris
4 nights at Dinaka Lodge & 4 nights at Limpopo Horse Safari in Botswana
From �2,040 pp sharing, �708 single supplement
22 departure dates spread across the year
Family weeks
Add-on beach holidays to Mauritius or Mozambique
Add-on to Cape Town, touring the 'Garden Route'
Add-on to Victoria Falls
Day by day Itinerary :
Example itinerary
Day 1 You transfer for Johannesburg to the ranch. That afternoon you will enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve with sundowners served at one of our hippo dams. Dinner is a 3 course evening meal at the lodge.
Day 2 A morning of mustering cattle. Guests have the opportunity to participate in this fun and exciting activity. This can be followed by a cooling swim with your horse. Afternoon tea is followed by an exhilarating fast ride.
Day 3 An introduction to polocrosse - we will soon have guests addicted to this invigorating sport. After afternoon tea, guests may choose to enjoy another ride or utilize the skills of our dressage expert and strengthen their seat with a flatwork lesson.
Day 4 After breakfast, we embark on a 2 day wilderness safari. Here guests ride in search of a wide variety of game. Lunch is a picnic en route and the days ends as we arrive at the rustic, African, overnight, tented camp, in time for sundowners and dinner around the campfire.
Day 5 After a campfire breakfast, we spend the day riding in the reserve with another picnic stop for lunch and we arrive back at the Horizons Ranch in time for supper.
Day 6 This morning , why not chill out after all those hours in the saddle on the wilderness safari. Guests can relax and enjoy an outing or game drive on a local reserve - in the hope of close encounters with lion, elephant or buffalo. You can even opt for a helicopter flip over this spectacular area, for a magnificent, aerial view of Africa! Enjoy your lunch back at Horizens and after a relaxing afternoon have fun trying your hand at barrel racing, pole bending and other Western games.
Day 7 Even more excitement follows today- with the aid of a map and a secretive guide, guests spend the morning deciphering clues laid out around the farm, in search of a sumptuous bush breakfast during one of our horseback treasure hunts. After the ride those wanting exercise of a different kind may enjoy a bush walk with the dogs in search of hippo. Later on, after an indulgent afternoon tea, enjoy another ride or try your skills over the challenging cross-country fences.
Day 8 For yet another challenge, guests can try their hand at cattle cutting, followed by an afternoon ride in the Triple B game area tracking giraffe or zebra, and learning the signs of the wild and medicinal values of the native bushes and trees.
Day 9 Take in some of the culture of Africa by riding to the farm's main homestead and stopping off on route for tea and a tour of the 100 year old house. Afternoon tea and cake is followed by another enjoyable ride on the ranch.
Day 10 More game viewing on the ranch, or those wanting a closer experience can head off to Lapalala Wilderness for a game drive and a visit the orphan black rhinos, where hand feeding the rhinos is an unforgettable experience. Return to Horizons for lunch. After tea, it's off to the polocrosse pitch for some guests, whilst others ride out with our local ,world-renowned rhino expert and learn more about his life and work.
Day 11 Finish off your holiday with a last ride of your choice. Depart after a homely lunch in the garden.
