African Explorer
1 September 2023
The Riding
The Accommodation
Do you have any comments about the accommodation and food?
The shower head in our tent at Camp Davidson needed a little attention. No hot water at Tree Camp, fabulous powerful shower at Two Mashutas. All the bedding and towels were superb and the rooms were kept very clean and tidy. Perhaps supply unlimited bottled water in each tent. The food was super at every camp however the chef at Camp Davidson was exceptional. The sundowners were a really nice touch and how the teams arranged the cool box and all our luggage to be at each camp and stop was amazing.
Before Your Holiday
Did you have all of the information you needed to:
How could we improve the quality of pre-holiday information that we send?
The pre-holiday information was extremely good all the way through, the only thing which was not mentioned was the cable car from the border to Botswana however all though we were all surprised it did add to the experience! I do not think In The Saddle could have done anything better, just superb.
How could we improve the way we handled your booking and payment?
You could not improve anything in my view.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback.]
Jane (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Truly incredible. | The horses at Camp Davidson were ill matched for me, I had 4 in three days and it was not until Carole couldn't ride back from Savannah Lodge to Bellview was I given Caroles horse who was much better. The ranger saddles really rubbed the inside of my knees terribly and with no option of an English saddle I did suffer. The horses were well matched to everyone else so it was probably just me, however I was also concerned slightly about their wellbeing. Unhappy yard staff means unhappy horses, of which they certainly were and we had to insist on them being washed off after returning hot and sweaty rather than just being thrown out in the "paddock" area.
Upon arrival at Two Mashatu, Carmen changed all that, super little horse, Albion Saddle and the horses were happy and very well cared for.
I am not being critical in any way really, everything was terrific, the staff, guides, cooks and all help were amazing and could not do enough for us. The absolute privilege of being able to experience so many activities throughout the 5 days was unforgettable in so many ways. The younger members of our super group are editing their terrific video and camera action which I am waiting for, I shall then forward it to you. I cannot wait to see it either. Thamba and Pelloco (sorry don't know how to spell their names!) were both fantastic and so knowledgeable and proud of their country and the flora and fauna, the information we were provided with was immense.
One thing I did think of is that a basic " I Spy" booklet could be provided to give some background info on the animals we may see, fascinating. I shall be back, especially in Botswana.
Thank you SO MUCH.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: I'm so sorry to hear about your knees - that can be so painful when they rub on the saddle. We will certainly follow up with the stables in South Africa but I'm so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the riding up in Botswana and found a horse that you loved.]