FAMILY horse SAFARI

Tailor made horseback safari in South Africa

FROM £2,157 ADULTS & £1617 CHILDREN (for 7 nights)

This is the perfect horse riding safari for families, who wish to enjoy an adventure holiday in Africa together. Guests stay at our Signature safari lodge on the historic Baber estate which is the perfect relaxing location. With a large swimming pool alongside the dam is a great spot for families. Riders can enjoy many different activities on horseback from outrides and discovering the wildlife, polocrosse, jumping, Western games, swimming with your horse, a bush walk, meet the elephants at the local sanctuary, game drive to a big five areas close by to see elephants and rhino and lions, ride to the local village and school, star gazing evening with Dr. Phil Calcott. Families can also choose to spend a night or two at our bush camp, Camp Davidson, for the fully African experience in the bush. Have supper around the fire and roast some marshmallows in the flames together.

During a typical 10 day horse riding holiday, guests have the opportunity to ride across an expanse of 21,000 acres, covering the different areas on the reserve and the conservancy. The Family horse Safari is based on the historic family estate. We run a herd of over 100 free roaming horses and can cater for all levels of riders from experienced to complete novice / beginner.

This is the perfect riding holiday for those riders wishing to experience the pleasure of riding with African wildlife in the absence of dangerous game. Wildlife to be seen on the reserve include hippo, giraffe, zebra, plains antelope, leopard, caracal, brown hyena, jackal, crocodile and aardvark. There are also over 300 bird species on the reserve.

There are two outrides or riding activities a day. Morning rides last 3-4 hours (or less if requested) and afternoon rides are somewhat shorter. Jumping is also available on request. Rides are tailor-made to suit the needs of our guests and we try to be as flexible as possible. The distinguishing features of this safari include: the variety of activities on offer, it is very child friendly and is fully flexible (ride times, meals times and menus can all be tailored to suit).

Riding Level: At Horizon Horseback in South Africa, we cater for all horse riding abilities and ages. Rides are kept to a maximum of 8 riders, usually smaller groups, with two guides. Comparable abilities ride together.

Riding Activities: During your stay we try to ensure that you have the opportunity to experience all our riding options: outrides through the bushveld and vast open plains, game viewing on horseback, swimming on horseback, polocrosse and Western games. Cross country jumping is also available upon request.

The Family Safari is based at the Horizon Lodge on the historic Baber family estate. One or two nights can also be spent at Camp Davison and Savannah or Seringa lodge on the reserve and conservancy.

Horizon Lodge – All rooms of the lodge are en suite with either a shower or bath or both facilities. Seven double rooms are separate from the main lodge: three suites overlook the lake and have a small verandah area, the rondavels are a traditional African dwelling adjacent to the lodge. There are also two double rooms in the main lodge. There is a large living area, dining room and large stoep (or verandah) for guests to enjoy. Three delicious meals are served a day with afternoon tea before the ride. All drinks are complimentary. Special diet requirements are catered for. The lodge has a swimming pool alongside the lake.

Camp Davidson was modelled on the old ‘outspan’ camps of E.A. Davidson (great grandfather of Dr Rupert Baber, a founding partner 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 with a shower. The camp is completely run on solar energy and has a small swimming pool. Wifi is available. Additional cost: £65 per person per night.. Min two pax.

Savannah Lodge is on the southwestern side of the conservancy. For an additional cost of £75 pppn (minimum 3 pax), guests can stay for one night at the lodge, giving more time to explore the conservancy area. It is a tastefully decorated lodge with five en suite double rooms. The lodge has 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. Please note, it is a long ride to these lodges and we will only be able to take good riders of an intermediate level and up to this side of the conservancy.