Facebook Instagram Youtube

South Africa: Wait-A-Little

7 and 5 night small group safaris riding with ‘big’ game. Super comfortable private camps and luxury lodges. Available year round. Suits confident intermediate riders and above.
Request a Booking
View Image Gallery
Download Full Details

Where is it?

On private game reserves close to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, about 450 kms north east of Johannesburg.

What is it like?

You are riding on an area that covers 35,000 hectares in all and has the Drakensberg Mountains as a backdrop. The landscape includes thick bush and woodland skirted by sandy tracks, as well as rocky ‘kopjies’, open plains, gullies, dams (lakes) and riverine bush. Its home to a wide range of plants, birds and animals including the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) as well as hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra…

Who does it suit?

The discerning rider (Gerti’s horses are a dream to ride) who enjoys luxurious safari accommodation, attention to detail and the personal touch. With horses schooled to the highest standards, small groups and top-level guiding there are often incredibly close game encounters. Safaris are for strong, well balanced and fit riders – you’ll ride at pace through the bush, winding in and out of trees, watching out for game at every turn and enjoying close up sightings of giraffe, zebra, elephant, rhino and perhaps big cats such as lion and cheetah.

Why we love it

For the horses, the attention to detail and the lovely safari accommodation – baths with a view, king-sized beds and delicious food..  Also for the game viewing and adventure – probably the closest you’ll ever get to elephant and rhino on a horse. Longer safaris use 3 different camps which means the added thrill of ‘what is coming up next’. A real treat!

Travel with trust

When you travel with Ride World Wide, you can travel with trust. We’re a member of ABTOT (the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust) which provides financial protection for your booking through our ABTOT bond and under the ABTOT ATOL franchise. If you have any questions please ask.

In a Nutshell

Riding
4-7 hours a day
Horses
Boerperd, Arab crosses, Warmblood & TB crosses
Pace
Moderate to fast, with long, energetic canters zigzagging through the bush
Riding Ability
Confident intermediate to experienced riders
Weight Limit
About 95kgs (15 stone) but please call us to discuss if your weight is close to this
Group Size
Maximum 7 or 8 (minimum 2)
Accommodation
5* camping, some luxury lodges
2026 Dates
Year round, starting Saturdays.
2026 Prices
7 night safaris from £3,990 per person; 5 nights from £2,850 per person; see “Key Information” below
What you'll be doing

Itinerary in Brief

Below is an example itinerary. Please ask us for other itineraries.

Day 1

You will be met at Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport and driven to the Wait-A-Little base. Meet Philip your guide, over a light lunch or afternoon tea, then meet and try the horses on a short evening ride. Dinner and overnight at Wait-A-Little main camp.

Day 2

Depending on the weather, today might be spent riding to Croc Dam to see crocodile and hippo submerged in the dam and fish eagles and other waterbirds diving from overhanging trees, or perhaps you will spend the morning tracking cheetah, stopping to watch as they stretch out on a termite mound. A picnic lunch out riding then return to camp for dinner and the night.

Day 3

Today's ride may track leopard or wild dog heard calling in the night. Return to Wait a Little for a leisurely lunch and in the evening set off by vehicle to search for buffalo. Dinner and night at Wait-A-Little main camp.

Day 4

Set off riding south to a fly camp at Beacon Rock. The rock formation that overlooks the escarpment offers panoramic views of the whole reserve and the night is spent sleeping out under the stars around the campfire.

Day 5

Breakfast in camp then set off on the longest ride of the week, into the neighbouring Makalali Reserve and on to the spectacular XiDulu lodge. The open plains of Makalali are home to giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. Dinner and the night at XiDulu.

Day 6

The day to explore the wilder areas of the Makalali Reserve with chances for some fun canters, twisting and turning between the trees. Return to XiDulu for dinner and the night.

Day 7

Breakfast and begin the long ride back to Wait-A-Little perhaps encountering elephant, rhino, lion or giraffe en-route. A sundowner on the open plains and a delicious farewell dinner before final night in camp.

Day 8

An early breakfast and a chance for a final morning ride before your transfer back to the airport.
Our Rider Feedback

What People Say

"This was the most amazing trip, and one that I will never forget. I was pleased that I really was an experienced rider, as you really needed to be competent and fit. The experience totally surpassed any expectations that I had, and the hosts were excellent in every way. The horses were beautifully presented and cared for, sometimes a bit on the forehand which was unnerving as we had to ride nose to tail, but they were all schooled and would respond if you tried to draw them into an outline (although we were told to give them free reins)".
PB (Derbyshire)
"Philip and Gerti are the perfect hosts – the atmosphere was always fun, friendly and I have never seen such happy horses! Nothing is too much trouble for them and as a result after the 7 days you spend with them you really feel like you are leaving friends! The standard of food and accommodation is excellent. Philip is an amazing guide and gets you really close to the animals"
FG
"This is an exceptional holiday – a holiday of a lifetime experience. Truly professionally run and delivered. They have a stock of very well looked after horses and tack is in excellent condition and cleaned after every ride! It is for advanced riders. You are required to be in full control at full canter weaving right and left through thorn bushes. You need a good balance and excellent seat."
AH
More Detail

Key information

You’ll find all the information you need at the ‘Download Full Details’ link above. If there’s anything else you would like to know, please contact us to ask.

More Detail

Booking Request

To request a booking on a particular ride, please fill in the details below, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible. (Please note this is a request for space not a guarantee of booking!)

Contact details
Additional information