A horse riding holiday in South Africa at Horizon Lodge
A horse riding holiday in South Africa at Horizon Lodge, nestled in the depths of the stunning Waterberg region, will without doubt be a special experience.
Exploring the wonderful ranch where Horizon Lodge is based and the neighbouring reserves, makes for some superb riding, with big open plains filled with game such as zebra, giraffe, hippo, jackal, hartebeest, impala, kudu and baboon. With no set itinerary, your riding holiday is fully flexible, and you can enjoy some of the other riding activities Horizon Lodge has to offer. Ride through pristine wilderness and take your horses swimming in the dam, try your hand at Polocrosse – an extremely addictive game which combines both polo and lacrosse disciplines or take some of the talented horses round the small cross country course.
Each day is organised to suit you and you will ride in small groups, with those of similar experience, to allow for some exhilarating and faster paced riding should you wish.
Quietly approaching a wallowing hippo or grazing giraffe, is a truly unrivalled experience and something you will never forget. The beauty of a riding holiday at Horizon is there is no ‘potentially dangerous’ game and thus they welcome riders of all abilities. However, for the more experienced, there is plenty of fast-paced exploration.
Riding holidays at Horizon also offer the opportunity to trail ride to, and stay at their nearby Camp Davidson, situated high in the bushveld above the Matlapeng Valley. A stay at Camp Davidson can be combined with a stay at Horizon and offers the opportunity to trail ride and experience a journey in the style of Africa’s original pioneers. Get close to the bush and sleep under canvas in the tented camp nestled in the heart of the wooded mountains of the Waterberg. This excursion usually makes up either the first or last section of your stay at Horizon Lodge.
QUICK FACTS
 |
Waterberg, South Africa |
 |
OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) |
 |
Open All Year |
 |
Tailor made |
 |
Group Size: Max. 8 |
 |
Novice upward |
THE DESTINATION
The untamed Waterberg is rich in cultural, archaeological and biological diversity. The area’s iconic beauty and bio-diversity has been awarded the status of a World Biosphere reserve by UNESCO. This is a wildlife Eden and set in the middle of its vast wilderness and the safari possibilities seem as endless as the horizon itself.
Horizon Lodge is based on a small working ranch in the depths of the Waterberg. The ranch itself and neighbouring reserves are home to giraffe, hippo, jackal, hartebeest, impala, kuda, zebra and baboon. Camp Davidson is a half days ride away and set up high in the bushveld, above the Matlapeng Valley.
DATES & RATES
Open all year round. Minimum stay 3 nights, but we recommend staying longer. You can add on an extra night or two at Camp Davidson at the beginning and end of your stay if you wish. As a family-friendly lodge, children’s rates are available.
2023 Rates
Low Season: January, February 2023
From: GBP £196 pp per night + transfers
5 nights: From GBP £980pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1372pp + transfers
Mid Season: March, April, May, June 2023
Garden Chalet Sharing GBP £255 pp per night
Standard Room Sharing GBP £217 pp per night
5 nights: From GBP £1085pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1519pp + transfers
High Season: July, August, September, October, November, December 2023
Garden Chalet Sharing GBP £300 pp per night
Standard Room Sharing GBP £260 pp per night
5 nights: From GBP £1300pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1820pp + transfers
Included:
- Accommodation
- All meals and drinks
- Expert guiding
- Trail riding on well trained and responsive horses
- Mounted games
- Horseback swims
- Guided educational walks
- Use of bicycles
- Volleyball court and other games
- Unique flexibility
Excluded:
- International flights to Johannesburg
- Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
- Additional activities such as Big 5 Game Drives, Elephant interaction etc.
- Comprehensive travel insurance and medical aid
- Any additional transfers
YOUR ITINERARY
There is no set itinerary and activities are extremely flexible. The group size of rides is kept small with no more than 8 guests and they can often accommodate those wishing to go out alone. There are a number activities available aside from outrides, such as a small cross country course (only available to those with previous cross country experience), the chance to swim with your horse, and lastly learning to play Polocrosse.
Each day there is the opportunity for 2 riding activities or outrides. In the morning rides will usually last between 3-4 hours (shorter rides can be requested). These rides will be different every day and with different styles; you might focus on game viewing one day, on another you might want to pick up the pace for some thrill seeking or go exploring through thicker bush. The afternoon rides will be shorter and often taken at a more leisurely pace. During the middle of the day, you may choose to spend your time relaxing, cooling off in the plunge pool or a going for a walk in the surrounding bushveld. Throughout your stay you will get the chance to experience all the riding options and enjoy a great diversity of horseback experiences in South Africa.
On the first and last days of your trip you will be transferred to Johannesburg International Airport (approx. 3 hours). Depending on the time of your flight there will usually be time to ride in either the morning or afternoon of your travel days.
Day 1
Following a morning at Horizon Lodge, in the afternoon you will ride out for Camp Davidson, nestled high in the bushveld above the Matlapeng Valley. Explore the Matlapeng reserve before reaching a beautifully peaceful sundowner spot by Red Lake. Here you will likely spend your time watching the pod of resident hippo wallowing in the water, before you ascend the ridge up to Camp Davidson.
Day 2
Spend the day riding through Africa’s wilderness and experience the magic of tracking and finding herds of giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, kudu and impala. The excellent terrain means you can follow intriguing game trails and weave in and out of the vegetation. Lunch will be taken 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 heat of the day, 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 back across the plains whilst the afternoon light bathes the landscape in the most spectacular light and colours. A day to remember.
Day 3
Today you will ride out west of camp and make your to the historic Baber homestead, where a delicious lunch will be served by the pool. After lunch and some down time, you will have the chance to visit the local Sotho village and tour some of the traditional houses. Introductions are made with some of the local characters such as Martha Mosima, and the group of village lady elders, for afternoon tea which is accompanied by traditional singing and dancing.
You will return to Camp Davidson that evening beautifully exhausted from a long and fulfilling day in the saddle, complimented by some African culture and history, to find a sumptuous meal served under the stars.
Day 4
After rising to the dawn chorus and a delicious breakfast, explore a different section of the reserve as you return to Horizon Safari Lodge, in time for lunch in the garden. If you are leaving that day, spend the time before your sad departure relaxing by the pool, bird watching, visiting the local craft workshop which is a community upliftment project. The crafters specialise in beautiful handmade beadwork and leather products, including riding chaps.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Horizon Safari Lodge
The charming Horizon farmstead boasts great views of the lake and surrounding bushveld. Set to this beautiful backdrop, the large colonial veranda is the perfect spot to relax with a drink in hand and watch the wildlife that visits the lake, absorbing your peaceful surroundings. There is a jetty on the lake which is an ideal haven for the keen sunbathers out there.
The three main room types are:
2 Standard rooms, 5 Garden Chalets (Twin Peaks, Old Rondavel and Hippo Lodge) and 2 Luxury Chalets (Rock Lodge and Lakeside).
These rooms can all be booked as a single, twin or double and each has its own en-suite. The Luxury Chalets are set apart from the others and offer a more private experience. The Hippo Lodge rooms are of an equally high standard, but the rooms have shared verandas.
Camp Davidson
The camp is made up of canvas tents set on a wooden deck and nestled in the sandstone ridges overlooking the valley. Each tent has comfortable beds and an en-suite bathroom area with the traditional bucket showers. There are jug and basin hand wash facilities and flushing toilets. Camp Davidson is even complete with a small pool in which to cool off after a morning in the saddle.
QUICK FACTS
|
Waterberg, South Africa |
|
OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) |
|
Open All Year |
|
Tailor made |
|
Group Size: Max. 8 |
|
Novice upward |
5 Nights: From GBP £980
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
 |
Beginner |
 |
Novice |
|
Intermediate |
|
Intermediate Plus |
|
Advanced |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Getting to experience the unrivalled magic of riding alongside game
- Exploring some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes and cantering across the wide open plains
- The freedom and flexibility of deciding your own personalized itinerary with a huge variety of riding activities to choose from
- The chance to trail ride to Camp Davidson and experience a journey made in the style of Africa’s first pioneers
DATES & RATES
Open all year round. Minimum stay 3 nights, but we recommend staying longer. You can add on an extra night or two at Camp Davidson at the beginning and end of your stay if you wish. As a family-friendly lodge, children’s rates are available.
2023 Rates
Low Season: January, February 2023
From: GBP £196 pp per night + transfers
5 nights: From GBP £980pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1372pp + transfers
Mid Season: March, April, May, June 2023
Garden Chalet Sharing GBP £255 pp per night
Standard Room Sharing GBP £217 pp per night
5 nights: From GBP £1085pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1519pp + transfers
High Season: July, August, September, October, November, December 2023
Garden Chalet Sharing GBP £300 pp per night
Standard Room Sharing GBP £260 pp per night
5 nights: From GBP £1300pp + transfers
7 nights: From GBP £1820pp + transfers
Included:
- Accommodation
- All meals and drinks
- Expert guiding
- Trail riding on well trained and responsive horses
- Mounted games
- Horseback swims
- Guided educational walks
- Use of bicycles
- Volleyball court and other games
- Unique flexibility
Excluded:
- International flights to Johannesburg
- Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
- Additional activities such as Big 5 Game Drives, Elephant interaction etc.
- Comprehensive travel insurance and medical aid
- Any additional transfers
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”One day a picture of a zebra and a horse having a close encounter popped up in my Instagram explorer. It was the beginning of my most amazing adventure ever! It turns out the picture belonged to African horse safaris and as I scrolled through their feed I just knew I wanted to do it but had no idea where or how or when! I contacted them and Isabel took the best care of me to make sure my trip would be everything I could ever wish for! They are incredibly accommodating and really know their stuff so based on what you want they can really guide you and help with suggestions that will match your desires perfectly! I cannot recommend them high enough and will definitely book with them again!
Cynthia EspinozaHorse riding in the Waterberg, South Africa
TOUR GALLERY
How we care for our horses
Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses at Horizon Horseback are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. Our horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:
- Each horse has its own fitted tack. Saddles are checked regularly and all tack is cleaned after every ride.
- Horses at Horizon live out in the reserve and will often see animals such as zebra, wildebeest and antelope while out in the veldt. This gets them acquainted with the wildlife before they are taken on trail with experienced staff and seasoned trail horses.
- Horses have dedicated rest days each week and a varied routine, including schooling, lounging, jumping, mounted games and trail rides.
- Our horses live out in a herd environment, allowing them to live as naturally as possible once they have carried you home safely. Living out in huge open spaces allows the horses freedom to graze naturally, but they come in at least once a day for hard feed and to be checked over.
Please let us know if you have any more questions around this.
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