Riding across Pete's Pond, Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris, Botswana

South Africa

We offer a number of riding safaris in South Africa, and there are also several properties which offer riding as an activity. This page provides a few links and comments, but please contact me to discuss the latest options and to design your ideal trip.

You may have seen the June 2006 edition of 'Horse and Rider' that describes in detail the Songimvelo Safari. I was there myself in May of that year and can fully endorse the article. This is a relatively new operation and one that I think will do very well as it offers a great variety of game (we saw 20 different species of mammal), spectacular scenery, horses which are a pleasure to ride and stand still when you're taking photographs, all under the guidance of Stephen Rufus, who set up Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris.

Songimvelo? Where's that? Not a well known destination (even to our South African friends) but easy to reach - the day after we flew out from the UK, we were taking lunch at Dawson's Lodge and relaxing in the most luxurious of rooms. You don't get the feather duvet on the ride but maybe you wish you had some nights as it can get quite chilly. Songimvelo is surrounded by mountains, so expect changeable weather conditions but what fabulous scenery. Many a time we stopped and stared at "Lion King" panoramas and tried to find the numerous different animals that Steven, our guide, had spotted. How can you not find four rhinos hiding in the bush? Highlights of the trip? There are many... the horses must feature near the top; so responsive, well behaved, fast when you want them to be, courageous at the river crossings and sure-footed which is reassuring on some of the steep ridges. The hospitality on safari is second to none - your camp hosts know how to pamper you, entertain you around the campfire in the evenings and the chefs on the trip know how to spoil you too. Each day we had numerous wildlife sightings - you had to pinch yourself to believe it was all true. The culmination of the week was riding through the reserve and riding into one of the local Swazi life villages. I have never seen such energetic dancing by the Zulus. The chance to visit a local witchdoctor is offered - I had to know whether I'd be back for more adrenalin rushes with the rhinos. Jane

Horizon Horseback Adventures and Safaris is another South African operation which receives consistently good reviews from our clients. They offer a range of activities from polo-cross and tuition through to wilderness safaris.

Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are one of the properties which offers riding as an activity and can cater for children. Options include shorter one or two-day horse rides, which are excellent for those with less confidence or for families with mixed abilities. For groups with non-riders there are options for alternative excursions, for example game drives, fishing and cultural trips.