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Southern Africa: African Explorer Safari with Horizon Horseback

A two centre 7 night safari, with 3 or 4 nights in South Africa staying at Horizon Horseback’s private safari camp and a neighbouring private lodge, followed by 3 or 4 nights in east Botswana, staying at private camps on Mashatu Game Reserve. Available year round from set dates. Suitable for intermediate riders and above.
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Where is it?

First stop, 3 or 4 nights in South Africa’s Waterberg, about 3 hours’ drive north of Johannesburg. Then you head north, crossing the border into Botswana to spend 3 or 4 nights in Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana’s Tuli Block, just across the Limpopo river.

What is it like?

The Waterberg is sometimes called South Africa’s ‘best kept secret’…a high plateau, which means fantastic views, and a huge range of flora and fauna. Camp Davidson is a traditional style tented safari camp hidden away on a hillside with views out across thick bush. After a couple of nights riding out from here, you’ll ride to a neighbouring reserve for a night in a comfortable private lodge, before the drive north to Botswana to explore Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve, elephant country with a landscape of dusty plains, rough scrub, sandstone towers and shady Mashatu and Fever trees.

Who does it suit?

These are ideal as a first proper riding safari for anyone who is a little unsure of what that means! You need to be a confident, fairly experienced rider – you’ll be riding with ‘big’ game so no novices or children under 12 – but being gently broken in, with the first few days in South Africa riding in an area where there’s minimal ‘big’ (or potentially dangerous) game is the perfect way to find your feet. Then confidence blooming, the next step is north to Botswana where its open wilderness, elephant country and lots of game viewing thrills.

Why we love it

Because it’s a good value safari, the chance to ride in two very different areas of southern Africa and it gives a proper taste of safari life – traditional (but comfortable) tented camps, big game and fantastic, friendly hospitality.

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
3 to 5.5 hours per day
Horses
Boerperd, Warmblood, TB & Arab crosses
Pace
Moderate
Riding Ability
Intermediate and above (minimum age 12 years)
Weight Limit
About 85kg (13 stone 9lbs) please call us if your weight is close to this
Group Size
Maximum 8
Accommodation
Private game lodge, 4* camping
2026 Dates
Year round, starting every Friday and two Tuesdays a month
2026 Prices
7 night safaris from £2,052 per person; see “Key Information” below
What you'll be doing

Itinerary in Brief

This safari combines a few days riding in South Africa’s little visited Waterberg region with a few days exploring south eastern Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve. It’s a great choice for a ‘first’ safari, with a good mix of fun and varied riding, nights in several different safari camps and close encounters with wildlife, including ‘big’ game in Botswana.

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

Day 1

Arrive Johannesburg by 10.15am and transfer to Camp Davidson, about 3 hours drive north of Johannesburg. Lunch or tea when you arrive, meet the horses and a first ride out to explore, perhaps seeing your first giraffe or zebra, returning to the camp for dinner and the night.

Day 2

A full day with plenty of time to get used to the horses on morning and late afternoon rides out exploring the open grassland, hidden valleys and foothills of the Waterberg escarpment. Night at Camp Davidson.

Day 3

Another lovely morning ride today, perhaps stopping on the way home to swim your horse in the dam next to the main Horizon base. Back to Camp Davidson for lunch and in the late afternoon a sundowner ride on the plains where several zebra are often seen. Return to Camp Davidson for a final night.

Day 4

Breakfast and an early start setting off to ride to a lodge on a neighbouring private game reserve. Arrive in time for lunch overlooking the plains. After a siesta by the pool, ride out again in the late afternoon heading to the southern part of the reserve where buffalo are often seen. Return to the lodge for drinks, dinner and the night.

Day 5

An early start, riding back to the Horizon base where you say goodbye to the horses and set off by vehicle for Botswana. The drive to the border takes about 5 hours and after clearing customs and immigration, you get to the stables on Mashatu in time for a light lunch. Then meet the horses and ride to Two Mashatus Camp where the night is spent. Dinner and night Two Mashatus Camp.

Day 6

A morning ride exploring the game rich areas around the Majali and Pitsani rivers. Lunch in camp and time to relax before an afternoon bush walk or a short to the banks of the Limpopo. Dinner and night Two Mashatus.

Day 7

An early morning ride heading northeast into the centre of the Reserve, followng narrow elephant trails and crossing open mopane veld, until you arrive at Tree Camp. Lunch, time to realx and in the afternoon a guided bush walk or (for an extra charge) a game drive with Mashatu guides tracking big cats such as lion, leopard and perhas cheetah. Dinner and night Tree Camp.

Day 8

A final early morning ride, ending at the Mashatu stables. Lunch and time to shower before transfer to the Mashatu airstrip for a charter flight to Johannesburg Lanseria airport. Transfer to the international airport for your flight home (flight departures after 20.00.
Our Rider Feedback

What People Say

"Just to say how much we enjoyed our few days at Horizon. Shane and Laura made us feel very welcome and, as you suggested, the match for our family was perfect. All the staff were professional and kind and the horses were in great shape. We had so much fun – my teenagers particularly enjoyed the western games and polocrosse whilst my husband and I loved the peaceful rides though lovely open countryside. I would thoroughly recommend Horizon to your other adventurers"
VK and family
“Excellent riding, horses, staff, location 100% perfect. My second trip to Horizon again far exceeded my expectations, fabulous hosts and horses, definitely trip of a lifetime for any keen horsey person. Caters for all levels of riding, friendly staff, luxurious accommodation. I will definitely be going back again ! Very sad to leave Horizon!"
JF (Oxon)
"Overall a really impressive team at Horizon from being picked up at the airport to final goodbyes. We would love to go back one day and do the progressive safari. Highlights of the trip: watching my girls play polocrosse - going flat out on strange ponies. Riding through a herd of zebra. Just being in the bush".
Mr & Mrs H & family (Surrey)
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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.

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