South Africa - Wait A Little
Based on large private game reserves near to Kruger National Park, the Wait A Little horseback safari offers excellent possibilities to see all of the Big Five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Please note that sightings can never be guaranteed.
The rivers that run through the reserves support a large variety of mammals, birds and plant life. The Wait A Little safaris combine fantastic riding with luxury accommodation.
BIG FIVE SAFARI is a seven night safari running Saturday to Saturday. You stay for four nights at Wait A Little tented camp, one night in a simple bush camp and two nights at XiDulu Camp. Wait A Little’s spacious walk-in tents, with en-suite bathrooms and outside sitting areas, sit on wooden platforms overlooking the Makhutswe River. When not riding you can relax and watch the game from your private deck, enjoy a drink at the bar or simply rest by the pool.
RIDE AND DINE SAFARI at Wait a Little also offers an exclusive horse safari on the renowned Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. This is a unique nine night safari staying at some exclusive lodges in Africa and mounted on Wait A Little’s top quality horses. You stay five nights at Wait A Little camp, two nights at XiDulu Camp and two nights at the luxurious Clives Camp safari lodge. Whilst at Makalali you will enjoy some gourmet dishes prepared by Robin and Claudia.
CAMP SAFARI This is a five night safari based four nights at Wait A Little camp and one night in a simple bush camp. This safari starts on a Saturday.
You must be an experienced and fit rider who is comfortable at all paces. You are riding in an area of dangerous game and it is important that you are secure on your horse. The terrain is challenging with both uphill and downhill canters along winding and uneven roads, where you might encounter low hanging branches and a little log on the path, which must be negotiated at pace.
There will also be long periods at walk when you are tracking game.
You generally ride early in the morning for up to four hours and again in the late afternoon. There may be some all day rides with picnics and also the possibility of a game drive to seek out the big cats.
The horses range from South African Boerperd to Friesian and Shire crosses to Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods. Their heights vary between 15hh and 17hh. All are well trained, responsive and forward going with the fitness required for long riding periods. The horses have grown up in the bush and are used to being among the game. Generally all horses are ridden in dressage saddles although a long distance trail saddle, designed by Leon Liversage, may be available for certain horses. They are all beautifully schooled by Philip’s wife Gerti who is a dressage rider and FEI coach and her team of assistants.
Hard hats are compulsory.
Accommodation at Wait a Little main camp is in spacious double-bedded tents. The tents are built on platforms on the banks of the Makhutswe River and are secluded for privacy. Each tent has it's own en-suite. It is possible to have two twin beds instead of a double bed per tent. The tents are fully furnished and are equipped with a hot and cold outside shower, plus an outside decked verandah.
Wait A Little main camp also has a bar, a swimming pool and the main area is equipped with a library with books on the local wildlife. There is also a laundry service at Wait a Little main camp.
During the Big Five safari, guests also stay at a wilderness camp called Beacon Rock and at XiDulu Camp, a luxurious lodge on the nearby Makalali Game Reserve. Beacon Rock is a sleep out camp, situated on a rock formation, the highest point in the area, with a magnificent view over the Lowveld Escarpment. You sleep on mattresses under the stars on top of the rock or under a shelter, with a huge camp fire going, enjoying the stars and sounds of the night.
XiDulu Camp is stunning. The big dam in front of the camp has a resident pod of hippos and crocodiles, and the camp is surrounded by a large open plain where giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, kudu, warthog and a big herd of eland can often be seen. Plus the occasional swimming elephant!
XiDulu has five rooms, three chalets with king size beds, and a honeymoon suite which is just a little bit bigger and has its own private sala and fireplace. All rooms have hot inside and outside showers, a bath, toilet, air-conditioning and a private veranda. There is another smaller room in the main area, with a queen bed, inside and outside shower, basin, toilet and air-conditioning. The main area has two dining areas, one outside eating area, a bar, a barbecue and an infinity pool with a built-in jacuzzi at the edge of the dam.
Set departures and private groups. Usually arrive Saturday. It may be possible for the first person to book to select which itinerary they would like to follow. Please enquire for further details.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Five Safari | 20 Apr 2024 - 27 Apr 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 4 May 2024 - 11 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 11 May 2024 - 18 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 18 May 2024 - 25 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 25 May 2024 - 1 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 8 Jun 2024 - 15 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 15 Jun 2024 - 22 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 13 Jul 2024 - 20 Jul 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 20 Jul 2024 - 27 Jul 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 3 Aug 2024 - 10 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 10 Aug 2024 - 17 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 17 Aug 2024 - 24 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Ride and Dine Safari | 29 Aug 2024 - 7 Sep 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £4,860.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 7 Sep 2024 - 14 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 21 Sep 2024 - 28 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 28 Sep 2024 - 5 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 12 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 19 Oct 2024 - 26 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Camp Safari | 28 Oct 2024 - 2 Nov 2024 | 5 nights 5 ngts | £2,600.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 9 Nov 2024 - 16 Nov 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 16 Nov 2024 - 23 Nov 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 30 Nov 2024 - 7 Dec 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 7 Dec 2024 - 14 Dec 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,710.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 4 Jan 2025 - 11 Jan 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 11 Jan 2025 - 18 Jan 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 1 Feb 2025 - 8 Feb 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 8 Feb 2025 - 15 Feb 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 15 Feb 2025 - 22 Feb 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 22 Feb 2025 - 1 Mar 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 1 Mar 2025 - 8 Mar 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Camp Safari | 8 Mar 2025 - 13 Mar 2025 | 5 nights 5 ngts | £2,750.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 22 Mar 2025 - 29 Mar 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 5 Apr 2025 - 12 Apr 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 19 Apr 2025 - 26 Apr 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Ride and Dine Safari | 1 May 2025 - 10 May 2025 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £5,040.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 24 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Ride and Dine Safari | 5 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £5,040.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 14 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 12 Jul 2025 - 19 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 26 Jul 2025 - 2 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 2 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Ride and Dine Safari | 14 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £5,040.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 30 Aug 2025 - 6 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 6 Sep 2025 - 13 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 13 Sep 2025 - 20 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 20 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 4 Oct 2025 - 11 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 11 Oct 2025 - 18 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 18 Oct 2025 - 25 Oct 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 25 Oct 2025 - 1 Nov 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 8 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 15 Nov 2025 - 22 Nov 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Full | |
| Big Five Safari | 22 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 6 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book | |
| Big Five Safari | 13 Dec 2025 - 20 Dec 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,850.00 |
|
Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; most drinks (except special wines champagne and spirits); riding; game drive; conservation fees; WiFi at main camp.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT There is one "no single supplement" room available at Wait A Little and XiDulu which is allocated on a first come basis. Once this room has been allocated, then to guarantee a single room throughout it is necessary to pay a single supplement of 50%. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Massages at Wait A Little main camp; tips; shop purchases and transfers.
NEAREST AIRPORTS Hoedspruit.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers from Hoedspruit are £45 per person each way (1-2 pax). It is also possible to transfer directly from Johannesburg by road (5 hours) at £280 per vehicle each way (1-3 pax).
2025 transfer rates are yet to be confirmed.
You should fly to Johannesburg and then on to Hoedspruit. We can arrange transfers from Hoedspruit.
When looking at flights into Hoedspruit, we recommend the flight arriving c.13.00 to allow more time for your connection in Johannesburg. On departure, please choose the later flight leaving at c. 14:00 which gives time for your last morning ride.
You can also transfer to Wait A Little by road from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (a journey of c. 5 hours). For this road transfer your flight should arrive into Johannesburg by 08:00. The shared transfer departs from Johannesburg between 09:00 and 10:00 and so there may be a short wait for other guests arriving at similar time.
Return flights from Johannesburg should depart after 19:00 to allow time for either a road transfer or internal flight back to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport.
Big Five safari is in the lowveld near to Kruger National Park. Nearest airports are Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa.
Mild and sunny in winter, can be hot in mid summer with rains in the form of summer storms.
Happy, much loved, very well trained horses with exceptional saddles and tack. Riding these animals is a privilege. They are always alert and show an understanding of the animals they face but will stand and listen to the rider's commands. This allows amazingly close encounters with the animals you encounter. Rusty, our guide, so careful of his riders reads the animal body language knowing how far he can safely take each sighting, whether to stay or when to withdraw.
Cathrine ,Manchester
Overall rating: 5/5
