African Explorer Safari

Your African Explorer adventure begins with a transfer from Johannesburg to Camp Davidson, beautifully situated among the sandstone ridges of South Africa’s Waterberg region. After a light lunch overlooking the surrounding bushveld, you’ll receive a short safety briefing and meet your safari horse. The experienced guides carefully match every rider with a suitable horse based on riding ability and experience, ensuring you have the perfect partner for the week ahead.

Your first ride is a relaxed introduction to both your horse and the reserve. Following sandy tracks through the bushveld, you'll have your first opportunities to spot wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and kudu from horseback. As the afternoon draws to a close, you'll stop for sundowners on the open plains before returning to camp for your first evening in the African bush.

Today you'll explore more of the reserve, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy some faster riding. The route takes you through open valleys, across grasslands and along sandy tracks that are perfect for long canters, before winding through denser woodland where wildlife is never far away. Along the way, you may encounter sable, reedbuck, red hartebeest, waterbuck, impala and other plains game.

One of the highlights of the day is the final stretch along the edge of the lake near Horizon Lodge. When conditions allow, you'll enjoy splashy canters through the shallow water before cooling off with a swim alongside your horse: an unforgettable experience and a favourite for many riders.

In the afternoon, you'll head back out into the reserve, riding past a series of dams where hippos are often seen. As the day draws to a close, the plains come alive with wildlife preparing for the evening. Watching herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope move through the golden afternoon light while riding quietly among them is a magical way to end another day in the saddle.

Today you'll leave Camp Davidson behind and set off on a longer ride towards the southern part of the reserve, where you'll spend the night at Savannah Lodge. The route begins through familiar bushveld before leading into new landscapes of wide open grasslands, offering sweeping views across the Waterberg.

This part of the reserve is particularly rich in wildlife. Large herds of blesbok and eland are often seen here, alongside red hartebeest, tsessebe, ostrich, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and impala. Smaller groups of sable, roan and waterbuck also inhabit the area, while the final stretch follows a wooded stream where kudu and bushbuck are regularly spotted.

After arriving at the lodge, there's time to relax by the pool before heading out once more for an afternoon ride into the southern reaches of the reserve in search of Cape buffalo, one of Africa's iconic Big Five. As the sun slowly sets over the distant Waterberg escarpment, you'll enjoy a spectacular African sunset before returning to the lodge for the night.

After an early start, you'll saddle up for your final ride in South Africa. Taking a different route back to Horizon Lodge, you'll continue exploring the reserve through a variety of landscapes, from dense woodland and riverine areas to wide open plains.

Different habitats attract different wildlife, so there's plenty to look out for along the way. Nyala and bushbuck are often found in the thicker vegetation, while blesbok and hartebeest prefer the open grasslands. Near streams and waterholes, you may spot waterbuck and reedbuck, giraffe are also regularly seen throughout the reserve.

Back at Horizon Lodge, it's time to say goodbye to South Africa and begin the road transfer to Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. After crossing the mighty Limpopo River, you'll arrive at the Horizon Horseback Mashatu stables, where a light lunch, safety briefing and introduction to your Botswana horse await.

That afternoon, your first ride in Botswana takes you from the stables to Tree Camp. The route offers your first taste of Mashatu's untamed wilderness, with excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and waterbuck from horseback. The riverine landscape is also home to many predators and while sightings can never be guaranteed, the possibility adds an exciting edge to the ride.

As you settle into the rhythm of your new horse and ride deeper into the reserve, everyday life begins to fade into the background. By the time you arrive at the beautifully secluded Tree Camp, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush, the true spirit of the adventure has only just begun.

Wake up to the sounds of the African bush as the first light filters through the trees around Tree Camp. After breakfast, you'll set off on your first full day of riding through Mashatu, following winding elephant trails, passing ancient baobab trees and crossing a landscape that feels wonderfully remote and untouched.

As the terrain gradually opens up, there are plenty of opportunities for long canters across the plains. This is prime elephant country, and your guides are constantly scanning the surroundings for wildlife. Along the way, you may also encounter giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala, while the ever-changing scenery makes every part of the ride feel different.

By late afternoon, you'll arrive at the unique Kgotla Camp, a traditional open-air bush camp set close to the Motloutse River. After settling in, you'll head out on a game drive in search of lions and other predators before enjoying sundowners among the ancient Amphitheatre rock formations.

As night falls, dinner is served around the campfire beneath a sky filled with stars. With the distant sounds of lions and hyenas echoing across the bush, spending the night in Kgotla Camp is an unforgettable wilderness experience.

Today is a more relaxed day in the saddle, allowing you to explore one of the most scenic parts of Mashatu without the need to ride on to another camp. The route follows the Motloutse River, where elephants regularly gather at drinking holes, offering excellent opportunities to observe them from horseback.

Along the way, you'll ride beneath towering mashatu and leadwood trees, pass the impressive Solomon's Wall and continue through a landscape of dramatic sandstone formations. This beautiful valley is home to wildlife such as baboons, kudu, eland and klipspringer, while the ever-changing scenery makes every stretch of the ride unique.

In the afternoon, you'll have the option to (at an additional cost) head out on a game drive towards the impressive Mamagwa massif. As the sun slowly sets over the vast wilderness, you'll enjoy sundowners with spectacular views before returning to camp after dark, when there is another chance to spot predators such as lion, leopard and hyena.

Today you'll ride back towards the heart of Mashatu, following a network of ancient river trails through one of the reserve's most scenic landscapes. In this dry environment, wildlife naturally gathers around the rivers, creating excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest from horseback.

The route climbs to higher ground, where sweeping views reveal the vast wilderness of Mashatu, before descending again along elephant paths and open mopane plains that are perfect for a faster pace. The final stretch follows the beautiful Majali River, winding past rocky pools, dramatic cliff faces and ribbons of lush green vegetation. Along the way, you may also spot baboons, kudu, klipspringers and even crocodiles basking along the riverbanks.

After arriving back at Tree Camp, your horses enjoy a well-earned rest while you can choose to explore the reserve on a guided bush walk or, at an additional cost, join a game drive in search of Mashatu's famous predators. With experienced guides who know the movements of the resident lions, leopards and cheetahs, this is one of the best opportunities of the safari to see Africa's iconic big cats.

Your final morning in Mashatu begins with one last ride through the wilderness. As the early morning light spreads across the reserve, you'll follow the ridge near the centre of Mashatu, enjoying sweeping views over the vast landscapes one last time.

The route descends towards the Majali River, where wildlife gathers around the deep river pools. Keep your eyes open for baboons and impala, and with a little luck you may witness elephants arriving for their daily drink, a playful moment in the water or a refreshing dust bath.

The final stretch of the ride takes you across open plains, where there is time for some faster riding before returning to the stables. Along the way, you may spot some of Mashatu's unique wildlife, including kori bustards, ostrich and bat-eared foxes.

Back at the stables, you'll have time for a shower and a final meal beside the Limpopo River before your transfer to Limpopo Valley Airfield. From here, you'll fly back to Johannesburg, taking home unforgettable memories of your African Explorer adventure.