South Africa Suggested Itinerary - Adventure horseback safari in the Waterberg Game Reserve (about 3 hours from Johannesburg). Viewing wildlife from horseback is one of the most incredible experiences as the wildlife is not as afraid of the horses so you can get fairly close.
HORIZON HORSEBACK ADVENTURES offer an incredibly varied horse riding experience for all levels of rider: outrides, game viewing, cattle mustering, swimming with your horse, polocrosse, Western games and cross country jumping.
ADVENTURES RIDING
The focus at Horizon Adventures is on horses and quality riding. With a herd of over 60 horses, we are able to ensure that riders of any ability are well matched and have the chance to ride several suitable horses during their holiday. 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. During your stay we try to ensure that you have the opportunity to experience all our riding options: outrides through the bush and across vast open plains, cattle mustering, game viewing on horseback, swimming on horseback, polocrosse and Western games. Jumping is also available on request. Rides are tailormade to suit the needs of our guests and we try to be as flexible as possible.
Horizon Adventures is renowned not only for its great horses and riding, but also for its quality service and relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Over 17 years of operation it has developed tremendous customer loyalty with many guests returning time after time. We greatly enjoy sharing this wonderful place and our lives with our guests, so come and be part of it.
Horizon was established in 1993 and is based in the malaria free Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in northern South Africa. This is an unspoilt part of the country with varied topography, from bushveld savannah to rocky outcrops and mountains.
Horizon's string of over 85 horses have been carefully picked, bred or nurtured over the years. Though there are Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Boerperds, Welsh ponies and various crossbreds ranging from 11.2 - 17.2, the uniting factor is a wonderful temperament and a willing nature when ridden. The personalities in the herd are wide ranging, from gentle natured animals eager to please and offering confidence to those riders who are a little nervous, to competitive energetic rides challenging the rider to enjoy their ability. In all our horses there is an independence and responsiveness that allows the rider to make the most of our outrides.
We mainly ride in South African Mcclellan saddles but do have some Australian Stock Saddles or English saddles if preferred.
Suggested Itinerary:
DAY 1: Transfer to Horizon lodge (approx. 2.5hrs) for lunch. That afternoon enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve, with sundowners served at one of our picturesque hippo dams.
DAY 2: Ride to the original farm homestead and main African village, view the quaint hand decorated houses, call in at the historic Baber family homestead for tea, and a visit the farm crèche for some delightful entertainment. Ride back to Horizon lodge for a cooling swim in the lake with your horse before lunch. Later, during the heat of the day, relax by the pool or take a siesta. In the afternoon, ride out into the game area to encounter game on horseback and learn the signs of the wild and medicinal values of the native bushes and trees.
DAY 3: Start the day’s activities with an introduction to polocrosse, an invigorating sport that will soon have you addicted. After lunch, tag along on one of our bi-weekly shopping trips into the local town of Vaalwater for some retail therapy bush style! Then enjoy another outride in the game reserve whilst enjoying the excellent going on the complex network of sandy tracks.
DAY 4: After breakfast embark on a 2-night wilderness safari in search of an even wider variety of game. After an extended ride (approx. 4 hours), arrive at a tranquil stone and thatched bush camp in time for a well deserved lunch. That afternoon enjoy a chance to take photos on a guided bush walk or game drive. Sundowners are served at a breathtaking lookout spot.
ADVENTURES RIDING
The focus at Horizon Adventures is on horses and quality riding. With a herd of over 60 horses, we are able to ensure that riders of any ability are well matched and have the chance to ride several suitable horses during their holiday. 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. During your stay we try to ensure that you have the opportunity to experience all our riding options: outrides through the bush and across vast open plains, cattle mustering, game viewing on horseback, swimming on horseback, polocrosse and Western games. Jumping is also available on request. Rides are tailormade to suit the needs of our guests and we try to be as flexible as possible.
Horizon Adventures is renowned not only for its great horses and riding, but also for its quality service and relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Over 17 years of operation it has developed tremendous customer loyalty with many guests returning time after time. We greatly enjoy sharing this wonderful place and our lives with our guests, so come and be part of it.
Horizon was established in 1993 and is based in the malaria free Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in northern South Africa. This is an unspoilt part of the country with varied topography, from bushveld savannah to rocky outcrops and mountains.
Horizon's string of over 85 horses have been carefully picked, bred or nurtured over the years. Though there are Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Boerperds, Welsh ponies and various crossbreds ranging from 11.2 - 17.2, the uniting factor is a wonderful temperament and a willing nature when ridden. The personalities in the herd are wide ranging, from gentle natured animals eager to please and offering confidence to those riders who are a little nervous, to competitive energetic rides challenging the rider to enjoy their ability. In all our horses there is an independence and responsiveness that allows the rider to make the most of our outrides.
We mainly ride in South African Mcclellan saddles but do have some Australian Stock Saddles or English saddles if preferred.
Suggested Itinerary:
DAY 1: Transfer to Horizon lodge (approx. 2.5hrs) for lunch. That afternoon enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve, with sundowners served at one of our picturesque hippo dams.DAY 2: Ride to the original farm homestead and main African village, view the quaint hand decorated houses, call in at the historic Baber family homestead for tea, and a visit the farm crèche for some delightful entertainment. Ride back to Horizon lodge for a cooling swim in the lake with your horse before lunch. Later, during the heat of the day, relax by the pool or take a siesta. In the afternoon, ride out into the game area to encounter game on horseback and learn the signs of the wild and medicinal values of the native bushes and trees.
DAY 3: Start the day’s activities with an introduction to polocrosse, an invigorating sport that will soon have you addicted. After lunch, tag along on one of our bi-weekly shopping trips into the local town of Vaalwater for some retail therapy bush style! Then enjoy another outride in the game reserve whilst enjoying the excellent going on the complex network of sandy tracks.
DAY 4: After breakfast embark on a 2-night wilderness safari in search of an even wider variety of game. After an extended ride (approx. 4 hours), arrive at a tranquil stone and thatched bush camp in time for a well deserved lunch. That afternoon enjoy a chance to take photos on a guided bush walk or game drive. Sundowners are served at a breathtaking lookout spot.
DAY 5: Enjoy a full morning of riding in the game reserve with possible encounters with white rhino, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, impala, hartebeest or zebra. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and a siesta by the pool. After tea enjoy a short fast ride in the game reserve before returning to the lodge for sundowners and dinner around an open fire.
DAY 6: Depart for the ride back to Horizon in time for lunch. In the afternoon the saddle weary can visit Beadle, the local farm community-linked project and shop, where locals hand make exquisite beaded leather products, including browbands and made to fit riding chaps. Alternatively, go on a gentle outride to discover new parts of this beautiful property or to find the hippo.
DAY 7: After many hours in the saddle you may opt to take a break and enjoy an outing and game drive at a local ‘big five’ reserve with the possibility of close encounters with lion, elephant or buffalo. Return to Horizon for lunch. After another indulgent afternoon tea enjoy an outride or try your skills over the challenging cross-country fences.
DAY 8: Experience a morning of mustering and cutting some of the ranch’s magnificent Bonsmara stud cattle, a non aggressive breed adapted to local conditions. After bringing a herd in from pasture, take turns to move one cow or youngster away from the group. This activity pits you and your mount against the animal’s herding instinct and will test your riding ability to the full. Follow the action with a refreshing swim with your horse. That afternoon, tea is followed by yet another new challenge in the form of western games (gymkhana for adults) where your riding skills and competitive edge can once again be pushed to the limits.
DAY 9: In the morning enjoy an exhilarating fast ride to one of the furthest points of the property, utilizing literally kilometres of clear sandy tracks. Back at the lodge enjoy a quick swim and a late lunch. Afternoon tea is followed by an outride in the game reserve for one last photo opportunity with game followed by a final sundowner on a high rock overlooking the tranquil Waterberg landscape.
DAY 10: Complete your holiday with a last ride of your choice.
Rates: Check with us as there are specials running from time to time
Rates include accommodation, all meals and beverages including wines and spirits, all riding, guided bush walks and laundry
Group discount: We offer one place free for any group of 8 pax or more.
Wildlife on the reserve:
A number of species of antelope and predators still occurred across the farm naturally when the reserve was established, including, kudu, bushbuck, reedbuck, common duiker, klipspringer, jackal, civet, genets, wild cats, brown hyena, caracal, and occasionally leopard. In 2000, a number of other species were re-introduced, namely zebra, giraffe, impala, red hartebeest, waterbuck and eland. Since then the numbers have multiplied considerably and so has the predator population! Both leopard and cubs and brown hyena and cubs have been seen in the reserve this year. We have also witnessed the diversity and number of species of bird increase. Although Shane saw spoor of a crocodile some years ago at the dam, it has taken many years to actually see it...but now they are seen regularly on a ride, basking in the sun on the dam wall.
We enjoy a small pod of hippo within the reserve. These animals are truly magnificent and wild as only Africa is. There is nothing better than hearing the honking in the dam whilst having a sundowner; they provide the true sounds of Africa.
Horizon Reserve follows sound ecological principles and as such is rated a responsible tourism product.
DAY 6: Depart for the ride back to Horizon in time for lunch. In the afternoon the saddle weary can visit Beadle, the local farm community-linked project and shop, where locals hand make exquisite beaded leather products, including browbands and made to fit riding chaps. Alternatively, go on a gentle outride to discover new parts of this beautiful property or to find the hippo.
DAY 7: After many hours in the saddle you may opt to take a break and enjoy an outing and game drive at a local ‘big five’ reserve with the possibility of close encounters with lion, elephant or buffalo. Return to Horizon for lunch. After another indulgent afternoon tea enjoy an outride or try your skills over the challenging cross-country fences.
DAY 8: Experience a morning of mustering and cutting some of the ranch’s magnificent Bonsmara stud cattle, a non aggressive breed adapted to local conditions. After bringing a herd in from pasture, take turns to move one cow or youngster away from the group. This activity pits you and your mount against the animal’s herding instinct and will test your riding ability to the full. Follow the action with a refreshing swim with your horse. That afternoon, tea is followed by yet another new challenge in the form of western games (gymkhana for adults) where your riding skills and competitive edge can once again be pushed to the limits.
DAY 9: In the morning enjoy an exhilarating fast ride to one of the furthest points of the property, utilizing literally kilometres of clear sandy tracks. Back at the lodge enjoy a quick swim and a late lunch. Afternoon tea is followed by an outride in the game reserve for one last photo opportunity with game followed by a final sundowner on a high rock overlooking the tranquil Waterberg landscape.
DAY 10: Complete your holiday with a last ride of your choice.
Rates: Check with us as there are specials running from time to time
Rates include accommodation, all meals and beverages including wines and spirits, all riding, guided bush walks and laundry
Group discount: We offer one place free for any group of 8 pax or more.
Wildlife on the reserve:
A number of species of antelope and predators still occurred across the farm naturally when the reserve was established, including, kudu, bushbuck, reedbuck, common duiker, klipspringer, jackal, civet, genets, wild cats, brown hyena, caracal, and occasionally leopard. In 2000, a number of other species were re-introduced, namely zebra, giraffe, impala, red hartebeest, waterbuck and eland. Since then the numbers have multiplied considerably and so has the predator population! Both leopard and cubs and brown hyena and cubs have been seen in the reserve this year. We have also witnessed the diversity and number of species of bird increase. Although Shane saw spoor of a crocodile some years ago at the dam, it has taken many years to actually see it...but now they are seen regularly on a ride, basking in the sun on the dam wall.
We enjoy a small pod of hippo within the reserve. These animals are truly magnificent and wild as only Africa is. There is nothing better than hearing the honking in the dam whilst having a sundowner; they provide the true sounds of Africa.
Horizon Reserve follows sound ecological principles and as such is rated a responsible tourism product.
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