Signature Safari

Your adventure begins with a personal meet-and-greet at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, followed by a transfer of approximately three hours to the reserve.

After arriving at the Signature Safari Lodge, you’ll enjoy a light lunch in the gardens, followed by a traditional afternoon tea. Then it’s time to meet your horse and head out for your first ride together.

The first ride is a gentle introduction to your horse and the reserve. You may already see some of the area’s wildlife, including zebra, giraffe and hippo. The ride includes walking and easy canters along sandy tracks, ending with sundowners overlooking the open plains.

After breakfast, you’ll head out for your first full day of riding and explore more of the reserve and its wildlife. Because the animals are used to the horses, you may find yourself riding surprisingly close to zebra, giraffe and other wildlife along the way.

This is a great day for fun splashy canters along the edge of the dam, followed by the chance to take your first swim with your horse and cool off together in the water.

The afternoon ride takes you through more of the reserve before ending at a beautiful viewpoint, where you’ll stop to enjoy sundowners as the sun begins to set. From there, you’ll walk back towards the lodge in the fading light, bringing a fun and memorable day in the saddle to an end.

Today, you’ll leave the Signature Safari Lodge behind and ride towards either Savannah Lodge or Seringa Lodge in the far reaches of the reserve.

The route starts through familiar surroundings before taking you into a different part of the reserve. As the bush opens up into wide grasslands, you’ll enjoy beautiful views across the southern and western plains.

This area is home to many different animals. You may see large herds of blesbok and eland, as well as red hartebeest, tsessebe, ostrich, zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe. You may also spot sable, roan and waterbuck, while the wooded areas near the streams are home to kudu and bushbuck.

After arriving at the lodge, there is time to relax around the pool before heading out again to explore the southern part of the reserve in search of Cape buffalo. These powerful animals are one of Africa’s Big Five, so it is important to follow your guide’s instructions and keep a safe distance.

The day ends with beautiful views towards the Waterberg mountains as the sun sets.

Today, you’ll take a different route back towards the Signature Safari Lodge. Along the way, you’ll ride through different parts of the reserve and explore a variety of landscapes.

Different animals prefer different areas. In the denser bush, you may see nyala and bushbuck, while the open plains are home to blesbok and hartebeest. Near streams and water, you may spot waterbuck and reedbuck.

During the morning ride, you’ll stop beneath a giant wild fig tree for a delicious bush breakfast prepared over an open fire. After breakfast, you’ll continue through the bush before returning to the lodge.

Back at the lodge, there is time to enjoy a refreshing swim with your horse before heading out again in the afternoon. This time, you’ll explore a nearby reserve by game drive, giving you the chance to search for the Big Five: elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion.

Today, you’ll leave the lodge behind and ride towards Camp Davidson, where you’ll spend a memorable night under canvas. Set high on a ridge overlooking the Waterberg wilderness, the camp offers a truly immersive experience in the heart of the reserve. Wildlife is never far away here, and you may spot animals such as kudu, klipspringer and baboons along the way, while porcupines are known to wander through camp after dark.

The ride takes you through the quieter north-eastern part of the reserve, following narrow tracks through untouched bush towards Sunset Lake. This beautiful stretch of water attracts a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife, including hippos, crocodiles, otters and fish eagles. Riding along the water’s edge, you’ll have to keep your eyes open for hippos watching from the water.

The varied terrain makes for an exciting day in the saddle, with opportunities for splashy canters through the water, longer stretches of faster riding and some off-piste riding through the bush. As you climb higher into the Waterberg, the landscape opens up to beautiful views across the surrounding highlands.

By the end of the day, you’ll arrive at Camp Davidson, where you can settle into your tent and enjoy the sounds of the African bush as evening falls.

Today, you’ll ride through a neighbouring conservancy in search of one of Africa’s most beautiful antelope species: the sable. With their dark coats and long, curved horns, these animals are an incredible sight.

If conditions allow, the ride may finish with another splashy canter along the edge of the Horizon Lodge dam. After the morning ride, you’ll have time to relax around the swimming pool and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

In the afternoon, it’s time for something completely different: polocrosse. A fun and fast-paced combination of polo and lacrosse, this game is sure to bring out everyone’s competitive side. No previous experience is needed and specially trained horses are used for the game.

An early start takes you into another neighbouring conservancy, where you’ll have the opportunity to search for Cape buffalo.

This longer morning ride offers some of the most exciting riding of the safari. As the landscape opens up, wide tracks provide the perfect setting for long canters alongside wildebeest and through the untouched bush.

In the afternoon, you’ll follow a scenic route towards a beautiful sundowner spot. Riders who would like an extra challenge can also enjoy some optional cross-country jumps along the way.

After enjoying the views and sundowners, you’ll ride back to the lodge as the sun begins to set.

The evening starts with a wine tasting, with each wine paired with a small snack. It’s a lovely way to discover some of South Africa’s famous wines.

For your final morning, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a favourite route or riding experience for one last adventure in the reserve.

By now, you’ll know your horse, the landscape and the wildlife, making this the perfect chance to enjoy your final hours in the saddle.

It’s one last opportunity to ride through the beautiful Waterberg landscape and see some of the many antelope species that live here before returning to the lodge for lunch in the garden.

After lunch, you’ll say goodbye to your horse and begin the approximately three-hour transfer back to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.