African Explorer

Combined horseback safari in South Africa and Bostwana

The African Explorer is one of the most varied African horse safaris, as it goes to two countries in one trip and covers a range of different topography and terrain, combined with excellent and wide ranging game viewing. The South African bushveld is soft going for the horses, with wonderful sandy tracks to canter along and beautiful blue dams to swim with your horse. In Botswana there is an ancient landscape of rock formations, and open plains dotted with giant Baobab trees and riverine bush. This place feels very wild and will definitely get your adrenaline flowing.

We have two slightly different itineraries:

ITINERARY 1– 4 nights in South Africa and 3 nights in Botswana. Arrival day is a Friday.
ITINERARY 2 – 3 nights in South Africa and 4 nights in Botswana. Arrival day is a Tuesday.

GALLERY

The African Explorer is an amazing horseback safari adventure, which suits intermediate riders who love long rides and travel. This is a mobile safari, in the sense that it is a horseback journey from camp to camp and country to country. Everyday will bring on a new discover from the camps you visit, the terrain you traverse to the wildlife you encounter. Over the 8 days of riding you will be riding for uptown 5 hours a day. In South Africa, we ride twice a day, while in Botswana, depending on your itinerary, you may just do a long ride in the morning and an activity, such a game drive or bush walk, in the afternoon.

Riding Level: Advanced intermediate to experienced. Riders must be able to independently control a horse at all paces. Jumping – the ability to jump natural obstacles is a benefit, but not essential as these can be ridden around. Must be able to take a light seat at canter. Particularly in Botswana, we do long steady controlled canter that do require a light seat.

Riding Test: Your horse riding ability will be assessed in South Africa and Botswana, with riders taking a short riding test. This is necessary to confirm all riders in the group are competent enough for the rigours of the safari, and fall into the above guideline. The decision of the manager conducting the test is final, as we have to look after each riders safety under the specific safari conditions that will be encountered. Please contact us if you’d like more information about the test beforehand.

Camp Davidson was modelled on the old ‘outspan’ camps of E.A. Davidson (great grandfather to one of the founding partners of Horizon Horseback) when he was selling goods across the area from his wagon in the early 1900s. Horizon has captured the early camp atmosphere in Camp Davidson. Beautiful decked canvas tents are nestled amongst the sandstone ridges overlooking grassy game filled valleys. Each luxury tent has an en-suite bathroom. The camp is completely run on solar energy and as a small swimming pool.

Savannah or Seringa Lodge – These two lodges are on the south western side of the conservancy. It is a tastefully decorated lodge with five en-suite rooms. The lodge had a large comfortable living space and dining areas inside and outside. There is a small pool and deck which overlooks a plain and watering hole close by where the wildlife frequent.

Two Mashatus Camp, nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees, the heart of the camp has two traditionally built Lala Palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. Guest accommodation is in large A-frame walk-in tents set on teak platforms each with an ensuite bathroom. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree in the bush, not far from the main area. Each tent has a small deck area in front where guests can relax privately during the afternoons. Two Mashatus Camp also has a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for guests to enjoy. Please note we only stay at this camp on an African Explorer 1 itinerary, which starts on a Friday.

Tree Camp – This is a beautiful tree house camp, which is 4 metres up two big Mashatu trees in Botswana along the edge of the Majale river. Guests sleep in twin sleeping areas off the main deck of the camp. The four bathrooms are situated along a walkway from the main decl and look out over the river. Sometimes you can shower whilst looking at a herd of elephants!

Kgotla Camp – We stay at this rustic camp only on an African Explorer 2 which begins on a Tuesday. This camp is on the western side of Mashatu Game Reserve along the Motloutse river. We stay in individual sleeping pods under a high Mashatu tree, within a ‘boma’ deadwood enclosure. This is an incredible camp for feeling ‘close to nature’, as you will hear the hyenas, lions and elephant close by throughout the night. Perfect for those who love the outdoors. Please note we only stay at the Kgotla camp on an African Explorer 2 itinerary which starts on a Tuesday.