safari cost ·  what to bring 

Accommodation
This lodge overlooks a beautiful lake. The large colonial verandah is the perfect spot to take in the beauty of South Africa, while listening to hippo and jackal calls. With no TV and no newspapers, it is the ideal place to get away from it all. Our guests are accommodated in three double rooms in the main house (two en-suite and one with a separate private bathroom) and three luxury, en-suite thatched rondavels, each set slightly away from the main house, offering a private and homely place to relax after a long day in the saddle. A plunge pool enables guests to cool off after a hot summer's day, whilst the soft and mineral packed water of the lake is a wonderful bonus for swimmers.

Food is our second love. Before an early morning ride, guests are offered a light breakfast. After working up an appetite on your ride, lunch is enjoyed under the giant Syringa tree in the garden, followed by afternoon tea & cake at about 3pm. Dinner is a sociable and sumptuous affair, during which the day's adventures, or misadventures, are recounted with great delight. Our carefully planned three-course menus are accompanied by a selection of fine South African wines. Fresh vegetables and home-grown herbs are used in all recipes, with the homemade breads and cakes freshly baked on a daily basis.

“The genuine hospitality of the people took my breath away” The Travel Show. BBC

Atmosphere
The bush the world over is made up of a small community of characters. Here we try to introduce our guests to the Waterberg area and the people that live there. We like to offer a highly professional product in an informal way, resulting in a lot of our guests becoming lasting friends. Horizon will welcome you into it’s life and share with you the beauty and community of the Waterberg. Guests travelling alone will find that the welcoming atmosphere ensures that their holiday will be spent in the company of new friends.

Sample Itinerary

Day One:
Guests will be met at Johannesburg international Airport and transferred to the rach in the Waterberg (approximately 2 1/2 hours) in time for lunch. That afternoon guests will enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve, with sundowners served at one of our hippo dams. Dinner is a 3 course evening meal at the lodge.

Day Two:
A morning of mustering cattle. Triple B Ranch is one of South Africa’s top stud Bonsmara farms with more than 1500 head of cattle, which need to move regularly to new pastures. Guests have the opportunity to participate in this fun and exciting activity. This can be followed by a cooling swim with your horse.

Following lunch, relax in the heat of the day by the pool or take a siesta.

Afternoon tea is followed by an exhilarating fast ride utilizing some of the farms many kilometers of clear sandy tracks.

Day Three:
An introduction to Polocrosse - starting with the basics we will soon have guests addicted to this invigorating sport. After lunch, guests are welcome to tag along on one of our bi-weekly shopping trips into the local town of Vaalwater, for some retail therapy bush style! After afternoon tea guests may choose to enjoy another outride or utilize the skills of our dressage expert and strengthen their seat with a flatwork lesson.

Day Four:
After breakfast we embark on a 2-night wilderness safari. Here guest’s ride in search of a wide variety of game. Arriving at the tranquil stone and thatched bush camp within the reserve, in time for lunch, followed with a siesta by the pool and afternoon tea. Ride out in the afternoon for sundowners at a breathtaking lookout spot, possibly encountering White rhino, hartebeest or zebra along the way. Sleep overnight in lovely bush lodge.

Day Five :
A full day of riding in the game reserve with a picnic lunch stop in the middle of the day arriving back at the lodge in time for a late afternoon tea and a chance to relax before sundowners on the patio.

Day Six :
Light breakfast and then off to explore the reserve and it’s wildlife, resting at the river mid-morning for a refreshing swim and surprise bush breakfast.

After an early afternoon tea, we ride back to the ranch in time for supper

Day Seven :
After many hours in the saddle on the Wilderness trail, guests may opt to take a break and enjoy an outing and game drive at a local reserve – in the hope of close encounters with lion, elephant or buffalo. They may even opt for a helicopter flip over this spectacular reserve, for an aerial view of Africa!

Return to the ranch for lunch. After another indulgent afternoon tea enjoy an outride or try their skills over the challenging cross-country fences.

Day Eight:
For yet another challenge guests can try their hand at cattle cutting, After bringing a herd in from pasture guests will take it in turns to move one cow away from the group, an activity that puts you and your horse against the herd instinct of cattle. Return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta or a chance to tour the ranch with the owner and great character Charles Baber. Followed by an afternoon ride in the Triple B game area tracking Giraffe or zebra, learning the signs of the wild and medicinal values of the native bushes and trees. Alternatively those addicted can try another session of polocrosse.

Day Nine:
Finish off your holiday with a last ride of your choice. Depart after a homely lunch in the garden.

Please note these options are available and the itinerary above is an indication of what one can expect during a week in the Waterberg ranch, however as we are completely flexible guests can decide on a daily basis what activities they would like to partake in.

SAFARI ENDS

Cost:
Please contact us for a detailed quote

Getting Here

Horizon is an easy two and a half hour drive north of Johannesburg International Airport. You may choose to make your own way to us by hire car, or we can arrange for a private transfer.

Visas and Health

To enter South Africa, you must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months after your return date. The Waterberg is classified as a malaria free area, but please check with your doctor or travel bureau for the latest advice.

Things to bring:

As well as comfortable riding clothes we recommend the following; Your well fitting hard hat. A wide brimmed hat also is advisable as protection against the sun. Bumbag, Lipsalve, Sun protection cream factor 20 or higher, Short boots and chaps. Long rubber boots are not advised. Swimming costume. Light weight long sleeved shirts. Light weight raincoat. Extra film and camera batteries. A good book.

Weather

The hottest season is summer, from November to March. The rainy season extends from late November to January, with short showers in the late afternoon, and an occasional evening thunderstorm. The winter months of June, July and August are warm and dry, but evenings are chilly so it is advisable to bring warm clothing.

General Information

Horizon has been in operation since 1993. We take a maximum of 10 guests with a minimum age of 12 years . All rides are accompanied by at least two guides. Some hard hats are supplied and while not obligatory for normal riding activities they are required for polocrosse and cross country jumping. Tariffs include accommodation , meals, snacks, all drinks and laundry. Gratuities for the staff and airport transfers are not included.

Single supplements: A 20% single supplement will be charged to guests staying at the rach and 50% for the Dinaka and Lapalala safaris. This supplement will only be charged if they are not prepared to share a room with another guest of the same sex.

Price includes: Accommodation on a full board basis including all drinks and all activities

Payment conditions: Bookings will be confirmed once a 20% deposit has been received. Full payment is required one month prior to arrival.

Indemnity: Clients will be asked to sign an indemnity in camp before they ride.

Please Contact Us for more details



Horse Riding Safari in Waterberg

DINAKA HORSE SAFARI
Waterberg Big 5 horseback safari

Take everything you expect from a riding safari in Africa, exceptional game viewing, endless horizons, good company, great food and exceptional horses. Put all of this into a 20,000 acre game reserve hidden amongst the majestic Waterberg mountain range and you have the Dinaka safari.

About the Dinaka experience:
Dinaka is unquestionably for “lovers of luxury” and those who want a guaranteed game viewing experience. This 20,000 acre reserve was one of the first to reintroduce game into the Waterberg, starting in 1976. Dinaka now offers unsurpassed game viewing in South Africa. The reserve contains literally thousands of animals. Species on the reserve include; not only rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, leopard, ostrich and two species of zebra, but also over 20 species of antelope, including the impressive eland and sable and the exquisite steenbuck and springbuck. Dinaka is unique in the Waterberg due to its high carrying capacity and the resulting heavy concentrations of game.

Situated along the Waterberg escarpment, its views are mountainous whilst its environment consists mainly of extensive plains. This gives riders the opportunity to view larger herds of game not normally seen in montane bushveld. On Dinaka it is not uncommon to see herds of a few hundred antelope, together with 8 or 9 rhino all in the same view. Each visit provides a truly magical game experience.

During your stay at Dinaka you will ride through beautiful mountains where the rare and endangered Cape Griffon nests; gallop across open sandy tracks; canter for miles looking at the wonder of nature surrounding you; take your horse for a refreshing swim in the cool water of one of the many lakes; jump the natural obstacles and enjoy hacks through thick woodlands taking you on a mystical ride.

Guest accommodation is in twin-bedded, luxury thatch lodges, with en-suite bathrooms. The lodges are situated high on a ridge overlooking a picturesque lake below and have spectacular views across the plains. This is a prime spot to relax whilst observing the activities of passing wildlife, or the occasional antics of the hippo in the water below. As rides are taken during the cooler hours of the day, when the game is more active, there is plenty of time to relax and cool off in the plunge pool.

Dinaka is owner-operated, boasting warm hospitality and personal attention to detail. Meal times are an event in themselves and provide an impressive array of dishes. Daily afternoon tea is an irrefutable delight!

Your Guides; Kobus and Saskia Havemann
Kobus grew up in Namibia riding bush ponies along the Kavango river, he studied nature conservation in South Africa and has been guiding horse safaris in big five game areas for the last 10 years, his gorgeous wife Saskia started her riding career on a friends Hanovarian stud at age 6 in Germany and continued to develop her riding skills in numerous disciplines such as endurance, western riding and show jumping. She has been working as a horse safaris guide in Southern Africa for the last 4 years. Together they will share with you their love for horses and passion for the African wilderness.

The Horses
The horses are all handpicked for their temperament and ride-ability. They are impeccably schooled to ensure riders a safe and comfortable ride across open and uneven terrain. Breeds include the SA Boerperd, Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Appaloosa and Crossbreeds. Our horses are our pride and joy and we are sure by the end of the week you will love them as much as we do.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1:
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 the Dinaka lodge in time for a late lunch. The afternoon ride will introduce guests gently to the awesome riding country of Dinaka and will be used to assess the riders with their chosen mounts. It will give everyone the chance to ensure the perfect match before the more challenging riding begins.

Day 2
Will be a ride along the foothills of the Seven Sisters mountain range, through thick woodland areas to the western boundaries. Here you will have your first experience of the unending sandy tracks and glimpse the unending views of the Dinaka plains and the abundant herds. You will arrive back at the lodge in time for a late brunch and a chance to siesta by the pool. The afternoon ride will be a fast and exhilarating ride along the Sand river, this area is prime waterbuck and hippo viewing territory.

Day 3:
Guests will ride to an arearenowned for its abundant and varied species,known as ‘Small Serengeti’ here you will be able to watch and interpret the behavior of the Springbok and Blesbok that always occur on these plains. Riding back to the lodge your guides will introducing you to some of the bush skills essential to those living in the African wilderness. Lunch time brings another chance to siesta or perhaps a chance to view the hippo at play in the dam in front of your bedroom window. The afternoon ride will be into a Terminalia woodland with the added challenge of jumping natural obstacles, this area is known to be a favorite habitat of the giraffe as well as being home to what we call the “zebra race track”!

Day 4
The morning ride will take you out with the explicit purpose of tracking the majestic white rhino, these prehistoric animals are one of the incredible success stories of the Dinaka reserve which holds one of the oldest breeding herds in the country. Being next to these magnificent creatures is a highlight of any safari but being with them on horseback is a truly unforgettable experience. After lunch at the lodge you will pack your toothbrush and few chosen items before departing on your overnight wilderness experience, this camping expedition will take you to an ancient refuge used by Mizilikatse as he and his people fled the wrath of the warlord Shaka. This will be a true African experience taking you up into the remote mountain pass with minimal equipment and no vehicle backup with your canopy being simply a star filled night.

Day 5
After waking up to the smell of coffee boiling on an open fire and the sound of your horse munching contentedly bedside you, your route off the mountain follows a valley that leads deep into the Waterberg escarpment. The trail follows the game paths made by the giant eland and mountain zebra, it is a most taxing, but also a most rewarding ride, in terms of the normally inaccessible terrain and stunning scenery. The ride brings you back to the lodge in time for lunch and a hot shower. The afternoon gives a chance to rest weary bones and experience game from a whole new perspective with a guided bush walk.

Day 6: Today the group will have a chance to explore the Waterberg further, this time in a vehicle and join a big five game drive. Guests will be given the option of visiting a nearby game reserve (about a 45 min drive from Dinaka) this beautiful reserve is home to The Big 5 and offers wonderful opportunities to view lions and if we are lucky elephants from the safety of a vehicle. Back at Dinaka the afternoons ride is delightful opportunity for photography. A visit to ‘jackal dam’, which is a particularly attractive spot in the late-afternoon light, where the horses splash amongst the water lilies.

Day 7:
Today brings a full days rideto another area of the reserve, where Dinaka runs its highly successful breeding programme of rare species, which include white blesbok, red wildebeest, and bontebok.. A packed lunch is enjoyed en-route at the reserves only known hippo free lake giving riders a chance to experience the thrill of swimming with their horse in the African bush. After lunch the ride crosses a particularly fertile plain where riders can experience the exhilaration and thrill of cantering amongst large herds of game, with many different species galloping together across the plains. You then make your way back to the lodge in time for afternoon tea and a welcome break to both horse and rider in the form of a game drive. A Dinaka guide will escort you on an informative drive, where you will visit another area inhabited by yet more rare species such as buffalo, sable and black impala. This drive ends with a surprise dinner in the bush where guests relax around the fire, enjoy the African night sky and toast their experiences whilst a feast is served.

Day 8:
One last opportunity to enjoy riding on this stunning reserve with its amazing array of wildlife. A final gallop on your favorite mount along the endless sandy tracks, before returning to the lodge to enjoy another of their infamous brunches. Guests then depart after brunch.

Things to bring:
As well as comfortable riding clothes we recommend the following; Your well fitting hard hat. A wide brimmed hat also is advisable as protection against the sun. Bumbag, Lipsalve, Sun protection cream factor 20 or higher, Short boots and chaps. Long rubber boots are not advised. Swimming costume. Light weight long sleeved shirts. Light weight raincoat. Extra film and camera batteries. A good book.

Safari Dates 2008
19 th – 26 th Jan
16 th – 23 rd Feb
7 th – 14 th March
26 th Sep – 3 rd Oct
24 th – 31 st Oct
22 nd – 29 th Nov
6 th – 13 th Dec

Tailor made dates can be arranged for private groups.

Please Contact Us for more details

Terms and conditions: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important issues.