Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Johannesburg – Limpopo Province, South Africa.
11.00 am. Guests are met at the Johannesburg Intercontinental Hotel. Here guests can enjoy a choice of full English or continental breakfast and can relax whilst their fellow companions arrive. Our driver will then transfer all guests to Dinaka, a stunning stone and thatch safari lodge set high above a large hippo dam, offering a sweeping view of the surrounding plains. Arrive in time to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings and to meet with their guides and fellow safari group. A late lunch will be served to revive the weary travellers. Late afternoon, guests will have their first opportunity to acquaint themselves with their selected horse, to take in the wonderful open spaces around them, and to go in search of game in the soft afternoon light. This ride will give guests their first taste of the stunning variety of game on Dinaka. The day will finish with sundowner drinks and a sumptuous three course evening meal.
Day 2: Limpopo Province, South Africa.
We will take you on a ride to visit the ‘Small Serengeti Plains’ where you will be able to look and interpret the behavior of various plains game species. Your guides will have a surprise of bush “games” up their sleeve. On the Dinaka plains riders will encounter the dense game populations this beautiful reserve is renowned for. Sightings of up to 15 rhino, together with 11 other species in your view, are not uncommon. The open plains provide great opportunities for fast riding. Riders are also able to experience that dream canter alongside herds of antelope as they gallop and pronk across the open savannah. Back at the lodge guests can sunbathe above the hippo dam and watch these family orientated creatures interact and play in the heat of the day. This afternoon you may be able to go on a little cross country jumping or ride amongst beautiful big trees.
Day 3: Mountain exploration – Limpopo Province, South Africa
After an early breakfast we will set out on a hunt for some of the reserves more elusive mountain species - leopard, mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, baboons, African rock python, rock dassies, klipspringers and cape vultures. This ride follows a valley that leads deep into the Waterberg escarpment. The path follows a crystal clear stream and passes several picturesque dams along the way. The bush is dense and full of birdcalls. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at one of the dams along the way, returning to the lodge in the early afternoon in time for a cooling swim and siesta. The afternoon is a gentle pre-sunset ride to one of the larger dams hosting some of the many hippos on the reserve.
Day 4: Limpopo Province, South Africa
A ride to another area of the reserve, where Dinaka runs its highly successful breeding programme for highly valued species, which include white blesbuck, sable antelope and bontebok. En route the ride crosses a particularly fertile plain where riders can experience the exhilaration and thrill of cantering amongst herds of game, with many different species galloping together across the plains.
The afternoon proves a welcome break to both horse and rider. A Dinaka guide will escort you on an informative game drive, where you will visit another area inhabited by the buffalo and some unusual red wildebeest. The guide, who is responsible for the feeding and monitoring of the rhino on the reserve, will accompany the guests for a very special opportunity to approach and observe some of the rhino on foot. The last night is the final ‘braai’ (barbecue) evening where guests relax around the fire, enjoy the African night sky and toast their experiences whilst a feast is served.
Day 5: Limpopo Province, South Africa – Southern Botswana
We transfer you to Southern Botswana today. On arrival at the Botswana border post, called Pontdrift you will be meet by your guide West or Cor and transferred to the Two Mashatus camps by open game drive vehicle, a drive of about 30 minutes which is a good opportunity to spot some game along the way.
Upon arrival at the stunning Two Mashatus’s camp a light lunch will be served and guests will have a chance to settle in and relax. Guests will be taken by vehicle to the stables for an introductory ride to familiarize riders with their horses, followed by sundowners at the stable bar. Upon return to the Two Mashatus’s camp, you will be met by the luxury of a hot shower under the stars. Our well renowned bush cook serves dinner before retiring to your very comfortable beds set up in the comfort of your tent. Let the night bush sounds serenade you to sleep.
Day 6: Southern Botswana
After an early rise and a light breakfast you will head out to explore the Limpopo Valley, including a natural marshland called ”Nels Vlei”, the Majale island which is guaranteed to keep you on your toes, as this is where the Majale Island pride of lions hang out. Possibly you will pass by giraffes, elands, kudus and other game which sometimes browse on the mopane bush, as well as ample elephants! The morning ride is 4-5 hours as you explore the area teeming with game, while heading in a northerly direction to Zederburg camp. After arrival at the camp, and a well deserved lunch, your guide will enlighten you to the wonder of following tracks and signs of the bush during a bush walk. On return to camp sundowners await you around the campfire and dinner is served. Enjoy the peace and quiet interrupted only by the occasional sounds of lions, hyenas and jackals.
Day 7: Southern Botswana
Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours takes you to our Liana camp. The ride is coming down from the Zederberg Hills and on to the open Pitsani plains with the possibility of a fast canter with zebras, wildebeest or giraffe. This ride brings the opportunity of jumping some of the fallen logs, pushed over by elephants. Lunch will await you under a splendid Mashatu tree, and then after a lunchtime siesta you head out on a bush walk. Back at the camp, dinner is served under the stars. Enjoy the comfort of sleeping under the baboon vines that the camp is named after, in an old river bed. An unbeatable experience!
Day 8: Southern Botswana
The dawn chorus will awake you, as a sumptuous breakfast is prepared over the fire. Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours will take you back to the Two Mashatus camp. This ride goes through the central game area and you have good opportunity to look for Leopards in the Mashatu trees overlooking the Majale river. Follow the course of the river and enjoy the winding canters through the bush. This afternoon you have the choice of going on a game drive, in search of the cats which you will no doubt prefer to see from the safety of a vehicle! Sundowners are enjoyed in the bush, usually overlooking a Kopie, and you can soak up the atmosphere of a true African experience…Back at camp another delicious meal, cooked over the fire is served, and as the night draws to a close you can enjoy a night cap around the fire.
Day 9: Southern Botswana
After a final breakfast around the fire, you will head off for a final ride in the direction of Nels Vlei, a good chance to catch a final glimpse of elephants here, as this is one of their favorite areas. Back at the stables a last pat and a fond farewell to you horse, you have the chance to have a good shower and lunch before heading off for the border and the 5.5 hours drive to JHB airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- Arrival and departure airport transfers as per itinerary
- All accommodation
- All meals
- All drinks
- All Activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- All transfers between camps
- Services of the guides
- All riding equipment
Please be aware that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events the itinerary may be changed at the last minute. We will endeavor to keep everyone informed of any changes and the reason for them.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Botswana
Horse Riding
Camping
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
