Horizon Lodge Riding Holiday

You will be picked up from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport for a 3-hour drive to the lodge, where you’ll arrive in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have an introductory ride, designed for a relaxed experience to help you acclimate to your new environment and get to know the horses. As you ride across the open plains, you’ll have your first opportunity to encounter wildlife from horseback, including ostriches, impalas, zebras, kudus, elands, and giraffes.

Before heading back to the lodge for a delightful three-course dinner, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking viewpoint, where you can enjoy sundowner drinks and savour your first taste of Africa after your long journey.

Morning rides are generally 3-4 hours and afternoon rides are are 1-2 hours, ending with you untacking the horses and letting them wander off into the bush.
Witnessing the wildlife and experiencing the bush on horseback is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in nature. Remarkably, the wildlife here doesn’t perceive horses and riders as a threat, allowing you to get close to magnificent creatures like giraffes and zebras on horseback. Often the zebras will allow the horses to become part of the herd and it’s a mesmarizing feeling watching them graze side by side.
The sandy trails meander through diverse landscapes, taking you through thickets and across open plains. The group sets the pace. You’ll have long walks where your guides will tell you stories about the plants and animals you encounter. And when the terrain allows, you’ll pick up the pace and enjoy lots of long canters along the sandy tracks – and who knows if the zebra or giraffe will join in the fun?!

For novice or intermediate riders, this is the perfect location to really build up your confidence on well-trained safari horses, and often by the end of the week, even the most nervous riders can be seen cantering along the trails. For experienced riders, there are plenty of trails that allow for long and sometimes very fast canters through the bush.

If you do a full-day ride, a picnic lunch will be served out in the bush under a shady tree on the banks of a river, which crosses an old wagon route once used by the pioneers to congregate for church each Sunday. The peaceful and shady riverine forest will be used to escape the day’s heat, alongside the opportunity for a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of the flowing streams. As the horses graze quietly, this idyllic setting will transport you back to a time when Africa was traversed only by horseback and many days were spent like this. Mount up again and meander across the plains while the afternoon light bathes the landscape in the most spectacular light and colours. A day to remember!

This inclusive activity welcomes novice riders and those with more riding experience. The knowledgeable hosts provide instructions on how to play, and it’s not uncommon for guests to become quite competitive after a few rounds!

The game combines polo and lacrosse elements and uses a soft ball and lacrosse-style sticks. Players are grouped into teams of three, comprising a scorer, a center, and a defender. The game kicks off with a line-out where the umpire initiates play by throwing the ball into action.

The game’s objective is to pick up or steal the ball, aiming to shoot and score a goal. Tactics may even include skillfully manoeuvring to ride opponents off the pitch, adding an exciting dimension to the competition.

At Horizon, this activity is among the most sought-after experiences, particularly for those trying it for the first time. Following a morning ride, weather permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a unique adventure – swimming with your horse in the dam near the lodge. The sensation of your horse gliding through the water beneath you is truly exhilarating and refreshing to unwind after a morning of riding. (Please note that swimming cannot be arranged when the hippos are in the dam for safety reasons).

The team of guides hosts a lively Western games afternoon, offering a series of engaging challenges designed to test the skills of both young riders and adults. These activities may encompass pole-bending, barrel-racing, threading a sword through a stirrup, marshmallow hunting, musical horses, and a variety of other entertaining games. This event fosters a sense of camaraderie among guests and is particularly popular among the younger riders.

The riding area features several small jumps, including welcoming logs and dedicated jumping lanes that cater to riders of various skill levels. These elements are seamlessly integrated into the outrides for added excitement and challenge.

Within the expansive farm grounds, there’s a small village named Lehlabile, home to approximately 40 Sotho dwellings, a small primary school, and a creche. Several of Horizon’s staff members were born in this village and spent their formative years there.

Embark on a scenic ride that meanders through the heart of Lehlabile village, allowing you to observe the charming, traditionally painted houses. You’ll have the opportunity to converse with the villagers and visit the local school. Here, you can interact with the schoolchildren, who are often eager to share their songs and dances with you. If you wish to bring gifts, they greatly appreciate donations of items like crayons, pencils, paper, paint, playdough, secondhand books, and toys.

For a change of pace and a chance for more in depth information on the flora and fauna on the area, our guides will escort you on a walk through the game reserve. A walk is a chance to see the smaller details in the bush and also with over 250 different species of bird on the reserve, it is an ideal opportunity for bird watching.

While you’re at Horizon, should there be a group of four or more interested guests, you can embark on an excursion to Camp Davidson. This remarkable tented camp offers breathtaking views of the Melk Valley. It’s a camping experience with a touch of luxury, featuring comfortable beds adorned with duvets and fine cotton sheets. The camp has bathrooms boasting modern amenities like flushing toilets, and meals are served on tables dressed in crisp white linen.

In the evening, savour sundowners on our camp deck, followed by dinner under the starlit African sky. The captivating sounds of jackals, zebras, hippos, and the nearby lions will serenade you. The Horizon team expertly handles the arrangements for this unforgettable experience, and payment can be settled directly at the camp.

Following numerous hours spent in the saddle, you have the choice to pause and head out on an excursion and wildlife safari at a nearby ‘big five’ reserve. This is booked by the lodge and is arranged during your stay, so you’ll likely share the experience with other guests. With qualified guides, this adventure offers up-close encounters with wildlife such as lions, elephants, or buffalos.

On your last day, typically, you’ll have the opportunity for one final ride on your beloved horse before indulging in a delightful lunch. If other guests are scheduled to check into your room, you might need to complete the check-out process. However, you can unwind in the shared communal areas until your transfer arrives to take you back to Johannesburg airport.