Signature Horse Safari – Horizon Horseback

Signature Safari - South Africa

Tailormade or Set - lodge based

Horizon Horseback was voted the ‘Best Horse Riding Safari’ in Africa 2016, 2018 and 2019.

This horse riding holiday in South Africa can cater for all level of rider from experienced to complete beginner. This horse riding holiday is great for singles, couples, guests with mixed riding abilities and families. We can also accommodate non riders. For Intermediate riders and above, we have our set itinerary, which follows a set programme of riding an activities. This 8 day safari arrives on a Sunday. Although we don’t have fixed dates on our flexible, tailor-made safari, we do encourage guests to arrive on a Saturday. This itinerary is perfect for those wanting a more leisurely holiday and is also the best for mixed ability groups and novices. On our tailormade itinerary you can choose which activities you wish to do in the week.

We have two separate itineraries:

TAILORMADE ITINERARY – Recommended 7-10 night stay
SET ITINERARY – Fixed 8 days

GALLERY

During a typical 7-10 day 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 Signature Safari is the original Horizon Horseback riding holiday, which is based on the historic Baber family estate. We run a herd of over 110 free roaming horses and can cater for all levels of riders from experienced to complete novice. We have two itineraries: one 7 day set itinerary, which is for intermediate and above level riders only and secondly, our tailor-made itinerary, which is for anyone who would like to choose which activities they do on their holiday. It is also the best riding holiday for families and groups with mixed abilities. We split the outrides into small groups (4-5) according to ability, so intermediate riders can have a full riding experience and novices can feel safe and secure while enjoying the riding at a slower pace.

This is also the perfect horseback 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 conservancy include giraffe, zebra, plains antelope, leopard, caracal, brown hyena, jackal, hippo, crocodile buffalo, roan, sable 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, usually ending with a sundowner at a beautiful vista. Jumping is also available on request, but is only available to intermediate riders and above. Rides are tailor-made to suit the needs of our guests and we try to be as flexible as possible. The distinguishing feature of this safari is its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Riding Level: At Horizon Horseback in South Africa, we cater for all riding abilities and ages. Rides are kept to a maximum of 8 riders, usually smaller groups, with two guides on each ride. 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 for intermediate riders who have jumped before.

Non-Riding Activities: We also have a number of non-riding activities for guests and accompanying non-riders (additional charges do apply for some of these activities) for the tailormade itinerary: Game drive on a local game reserve, which has the ‘Big 5’ wildlife (elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo and rhino); star gazing evening with Physicist, Dr Phil Calcott; visit to the elephant and cheetah sanctuary in Bela Bela, guided bush walks on the reserve and more. An afternoon of mountain biking at nearby Summerplace reserve.

Specific non-riding activities are also included in the Fixed Signature Safari itinerary.

The Signature Safari is based at the Signature Safari Lodge.One or two nights can also be spent at Camp Davison and Savannah lodge on the reserve and conservancy.

Signature Safari 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 to Dr Rupert Baber, 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 with a shower. The camp is completely run on solar energy and has a small swimming pool. Wifi is available. Additional cost: £65pp one night. Min two pax.

Savannah and Seringa Lodges – is on the south western side of the conservancy. For an additional cost of £100 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.