Ant's Lodges - South Africa

Linda who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Most amazing experience ever on holiday | For me the riding was amazing as was the closeness to the horses and other animals. I thoroughly enjoyed leisurely meandering on horseback to see and photograph the wild animals, insects and birds in close up or trotting along the pathways and listening to the different guides' local understanding of the environment and wildlife (the guides had exceptional knowledge at Ant's for birdwatching) The landscape was breathtaking and I loved cantering along sandy tracks, bush riding and open grasslands in the sun at Ant's as my confidence grew and riding up and down the slopes and rocky terrain at Moolmans (especially to explore the cave paintings). Both centres I felt, had close links to the environment, knowledge of the flora and fauna and an exceptional feel for conservation.

I had been a nervous rider to begin with but my horses were always matched to my level of riding confidence. My friends were able to gallop off into the distance when they wanted more challenging riding and we had our own guides with us throughout the rides. Although the terrain was very different at both centres, I was quickly able to adapt and enjoy the comfortable saddles and long rein style with the help of the riding staff and the amazingly surefooted Boerpeds that I rode while others rode equally competent, schooled Arabs, Thoroughbreds or cross- bred horses. This was a spectacularly wonderful riding holiday.

Do you have any comments about the accommodation and food?

At all centres the catering staff and chefs were amazing and the food inventive and delicious. The menus would have been notable at some of the better restaurants in Britain. I also loved the African styling of the accomodation and the furniture. The building designs were unusual and I especially loved the attention to detail and the way wood was integrated into the walls at Ant's and the copper pipework and rocks were arranged at Moolmans in my bathroom. The gardens and grounds are kept to an exceptional standard and the local birds were entertaining. Staff took care to ensure a relaxing stay and nothing was too much if I needed extra help with anything or more information. I was really pleased to find books to read on local history, birdlife and animals, it was wonderful. I really hope to visit again.

How could we improve the quality of pre-holiday information that we send?

I had plenty of pre-holiday information and cannot think of any particular improvements.

How could we improve the way we handled your booking and payment?

I was quite happy with bookings and payment.

Do you have any other feedback for us?

I can't think of anything else. Both Ant and Wieseman were wonderfully welcoming and everyone went out of their way to give us a great holiday. We felt more like weekend houseparty guests than clients. I really feel this sort of holiday supports conservation in a rather special way.
[Sarah from In The Saddle commented: It is great that you had such a fantastic holiday. It was our absolute pleasure to arrange this for you]