Botswana and South Africa - African Explorer
This safari combines game viewing on horseback in both South Africa and Botswana, together with discovering elements of South African history. Not only will you see the African bush and it’s magnificent wildlife, but you will also learn about the rich history of the area.
In the late 19th century Ted Davidson one of the first members of the Baber family to settle in the Waterberg was a young man trading by ox wagon to remote cattle outposts. A good day of travelling may have been only five miles or so by rugged track, and so an itinerant life in the Waterberg meant a life by the campfire. Horizon has captured this early camp atmosphere in creating Camp Davidson where your African adventure begins.
The second half of your safari takes you north to the Tuli Block of Botswana. The riding trails here cover both the riverine terrain and the mopane bushveld. The area is famous for its large herds of elephant but you should also see eland, impala, giraffe, hyena and hopefully also leopard, lion and perhaps cheetah and wild dog.
The pace is walking for game viewing with possible faster riding along the dry riverbeds and longer canters in between.
In Botswana you are riding in areas of dangerous game and so this ride is only suitable for experienced riders who are confident and secure in the saddle. There are quite a few very steep river banks to descend and climb as well as some ditches and natural obstacles and riders should be confident in the outdoors at all paces with some jumping.
The horses are a mixed herd of Anglo-Arabs, Thoroughbreds and Boerperds - a hardy South African breed with a responsive, kind and honest temperament - and range in height from 14.3hh to 17hh. They are in excellent condition and fit for their work. All are very sure footed and with good temperaments.
The horses are ridden in South African Trail saddles.
The usual minimum age is 16 years but exceptions can be made for private groups or very competent riders. Riders under 12 years of age cannot be accepted.
Hard hats are mandatory.
In South Africa you stay three nights at Camp Davidson and one night at a lodge on the nearby Bellevue Plains. You are then transferred to the Tuli Block, Botswana where you spend the following three nights.
At Camp Davidson you stay in decked canvas tents nestled amongst the sandstone ridges overlooking grassy valleys. Each tent is appointed as it would have been in Ted's day with classic items that would have been essential to the traveller accustomed to regular nights in the bush. The A-frame tents have beds sheets and duvets. Each tent also has an ensuite bathroom area with bucket showers. There are jug and basin hand wash facilities and flushing toilets. There is also a small plunge pool.
Bellvue Plains is a game farm which borders Horizon Lodge/Triple B Ranch. You usually stay at Savannah Lodge which has five en suite rooms which can be made up as a single, twin or double. The veranda which overlooks a watering hole on the plains is a wonderful place to relax in the afternoon sun or enjoy dinner with a view. There is a main lounge area with comfy sofas and log burning fire for you to relax in during the cooler winter evenings. The lodge has its own plunge pool, with wonderful views of the plains beyond. Take a dip and then recline in one of the sun-loungers – a perfect way to relax after a day in the saddle.
In Botswana you normally stay at Two Mashatus and the Treehouse camp. At Two Mashatus you stay in canvas 'A' frame tents with beds (made up with sheets and duvets) and additional blankets for colder nights. Treehouse camp is built on raised wooden decking. All of the tents are close together on a platform within the trees under the shade of the neighbouring woodland. This camp has shared outdoor shower and toilet facilities. The camps are not enclosed and it is very exciting to see game in and around camp.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Explorer | 7 Apr 2023 - 14 Apr 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 14 Apr 2023 - 21 Apr 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 21 Apr 2023 - 28 Apr 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 28 Apr 2023 - 5 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer Two | 1 May 2023 - 8 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 5 May 2023 - 12 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 12 May 2023 - 19 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 19 May 2023 - 26 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 26 May 2023 - 2 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 2 Jun 2023 - 9 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 9 Jun 2023 - 16 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 16 Jun 2023 - 23 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 23 Jun 2023 - 30 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 30 Jun 2023 - 7 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 7 Jul 2023 - 14 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 14 Jul 2023 - 21 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 21 Jul 2023 - 28 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 28 Jul 2023 - 4 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 4 Aug 2023 - 11 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer Two | 7 Aug 2023 - 14 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 11 Aug 2023 - 18 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 18 Aug 2023 - 25 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 25 Aug 2023 - 1 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 1 Sep 2023 - 8 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer Two | 4 Sep 2023 - 11 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 8 Sep 2023 - 15 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 15 Sep 2023 - 22 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 22 Sep 2023 - 29 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer | 29 Sep 2023 - 6 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 6 Oct 2023 - 13 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 13 Oct 2023 - 20 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 20 Oct 2023 - 27 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer Two | 23 Oct 2023 - 30 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 27 Oct 2023 - 3 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 3 Nov 2023 - 10 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 10 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Full | |
| African Explorer Two | 13 Nov 2023 - 20 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 17 Nov 2023 - 24 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 24 Nov 2023 - 1 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $3,148.82 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 1 Dec 2023 - 8 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 8 Dec 2023 - 15 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 15 Dec 2023 - 22 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Book | |
| African Explorer | 22 Dec 2023 - 29 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,836.59 |
|
Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; riding and Laundry.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A single supplement of 50% is payable to guarantee a single tent. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips; Conservancy fee of USD30 per person payable on entry to Botswana; Optional Mashatu Game Drive (if available) USD 75 per person; Optional Night Sky Safari (if available) (ZAR 400 per person).
NEAREST AIRPORT Johannesburg
TRANSFERS Shared transfers from Johannesburg to Camp Davidson by road, from Camp Davidson to Botswana by road and then from Botswana back to Johannesburg by light aircraft cost $610.63 per person.
The shared transfers are from Johannesburg airport to Camp Davidson in South Africa, from Camp Davidson to Two Mashatus Camp in Botswana, and then by light aircraft from Two Mashatus Camp back to Johannesburg.
On the first day your flight should arrive in Johannesburg by 10:15 at the latest. On departure day flights should depart after 20:00.
NB: It is possible in exceptional circumstances that the light aircraft transfer is replaced by a road transfer. A minimum of 4 pax is also needed to confirm the air transfers.
This two-centre ride combines riding in the heart of the Waterberg Plateau in South Africa with riding in the Tuli Block in eastern Botswana. Nearest airport is Johannesburg.
In the Waterberg it is dry and mild in winter, warm to hot in summer with occasional summer storms. The main rains are from the end of November to January.
Botswana has a mainly temperate climate. May to August days are clear and sunny. Early mornings and evenings can be cold. From October onwards day time temperatures time can rise to high 30s. December to February are the main rainy months when thunderstorms can occur.
Great riding holiday on good horses in a beautiful terrain. We saw all the wild animals, did swim with our horses, long canters on the Savannah and had game drive while the sun went down. High service. Dream holiday, exactly as we had hoped for. Now the savings start for the next riding holiday :-)
Sine Oergaard Olsson ,
Overall rating: 5/5A head torch is an essential item of kit for camping.
In The Saddle says
Riding in two such diverse areas will give you a true flavour of Africa.