South Africa - Horizon Horseback
Horizon Horseback is one of our most popular destinations in Africa. The horses and riding are great, the climate is good all year round and you will receive a welcome and hospitality second to none.
The Horizon lodge is based at Triple B Ranch, a small working cattle and game farm in the Waterberg. The area lends itself to superb riding, the going is easy and though in places the bush is thick, much of the country is open and flat. There are many opportunities for excellent riding across the huge Triple B Ranch and its neighbouring reserves. Polocrosse is very popular at Horizon. An amalgam of polo and lacrosse, this sport provides intermediate to experienced riders with loads of fun and can be highly addictive.
Horizon is situated at about 1,500 metres above sea level giving it comfortable year round temperatures. It lies within the Waterberg which is considered a non malarial area.
While riding at Horizon you may see some of the plains game living on the ranch including giraffe, hippo, jackal, hartebeest, impala, kudu, zebra and baboon.
Children are welcome at Horizon. Early dinners can easily be arranged for younger children and separate rides are organised for family groups.
While at Horizon you may want to spend one or two nights at Camp Davidson. This is a tented safari camp high in the bushveld above the Matlapeng Valley. This is normally booked and paid for locally.
Click on top left symbol on the map below for the day to day itinerary, then select an individual day/night for further information and photos. Alternatively, click directly on the route lines or map symbols for more details.
Horizon Lodge is suitable for all riding abilities from beginners, to experienced riders. There are some 80 horses - Boerperds, Friesians, Anglo-Arabs and Thoroughbreds. All are well cared for and schooled under the leadership of Shane Dowinton, who has been using round pen and natural horsemanship techniques for many years.
At Horizon the daily activities are organised to suit everyone. Rides are taken out in small groups so that experienced riders can enjoy faster rides, whilst novice riders are brought on at a speed appropriate for them. The pace of rides is varied to suit the rider, with plenty of challenging riding for the experienced rider.
The rider weight limit is 90 kg although it may be possible to accept riders over this weight limit depending on rider ability.
Hard hats are mandatory.
Horizon Lodge has been tastefully refurbished over the years while retaining all its old charm. With no television or newspapers, this is the perfect spot to get away completely. A large colonial veranda or stoep overlooks the lake providing the perfect spot for relaxing with a drink whilst absorbing the beautiful surroundings and enjoying the company of friends. The jetty on the lake provides sunbathers with a private haven and there is also a swimming pool in the garden for you to relax beside.
There are three main room types available: two Standard rooms, four Garden Chalets (Twin Peaks rooms and the two downstairs rooms of Hippo Suite) and three Luxury Chalets (Rock Lodge, Lakeside and the large upstairs room of Hippo Suite). All rooms have en suite bathrooms and can be booked as a single, twin or double. It is possible to put a third bed into any room but the Standard Rooms can only take a child on the third bed. The Garden Chalets are spacious and have shared varandas. The Luxury Chalets afford the most privacy and have their own verandas.
At Camp Davidson you stay in a canvas tent sited on decking and nestled amongst the sandstone ridges overlooking the valleys. There are comfortable beds made up with sheets and duvets. Each tent also has an en suite bathroom area with bucket showers. There are jug and basin hand wash facilities and flushing toilets. There is a super little pool at Camp Davidson in which to cool off after a hot dusty ride.
Bellevue Plains is a game reserve which borders Horizon Lodge/Triple B Ranch. It is normally possible to ride to Bellevue Plains during your stay at Horizon and it may be possible to book and stay for one or two nights at a lodge on the reserve.
Stays at Camp Davidson or at Bellevue Plains are booked and paid for locally.
Horizon Lodge is open year round and has no set arrival days, so you can stay for as long or short a time as you want.
Sample Itinerary for Horizon Lodge
Sample Itinerary for Camp Davidson
Select your preferred arrival date:
Stays of any length are possible but we recommend stays of at least three nights.
Following is the cost for a 7 night stay at Horizon Lodge. Please do contact us if you would like a quote for a different number of nights.
| Per person sharing (7 nights) | Luxury Chalet | Garden Chalet | Standard Room |
| 1 March - 30 June 2023 | $2,247.36 | $2,247.36 | $1,912.46 |
| 1 July - 31 December 2023 | $2,643.95 | $2,643.95 | $2,291.43 |
| Single occupancy (7 nights) | Luxury Chalet | Garden Chalet | Standard Room |
| 1 March - 30 June 2023 | $3,375.45 | $2,476.50 | $2,247.36 |
| 1 July - 31 December 2023 | $3,965.93 | $2,908.35 | $2,643.95 |
Stays at Camp Davidson or Bellevue Plains are arranged and paid for locally.
Child discounts are available for children under 16 on the basis of the child sharing with another person. There are also reduced child rates for a child sharing with 2 adults and there are single supplements if the child is on his/her own. Please ask for details.
INCLUDES Seven nights accommodation; meals; drinks; riding; ranch based activities.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT To guarantee a single room the single occupancy rate applies. If you are willing to share a Garden or Luxury Chalet the shared rate applies. It is not possible to book a Standard Room on a willing to share basis.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips; off ranch visits such as to Entabeni and Vaalwater; massage treatments.
NEAREST AIRPORT Johannesburg.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers at set times are $161.16 per person each way. Private transfers are also available.
Transfers can be arranged from Johannesburg airport. The options are as follows:
Shared transfer leaving Johannesburg airport at 11:15 latest. Your flight must be scheduled to arrive before 10:15. For the return journey to Johannesburg, the shared transfer leaves the lodge at 14:00 and your flight must depart after 19:30. These transfers cost £128 per person one way.
Semi-private transfers cost £255 per booking one way. Your flight should be scheduled to arrive between 06:55 and 10:55. A driver will meet you on your arrival but you may have to wait up to 60 minutes for people on slightly later flights. Semi-private transfers are not available on the return journey to Johannesburg.
Private transfers cost £300 per vehicle one way. You will not have to wait for anyone else and can stop off en route to shop, if you wish. On private transfers, hotel collections and drop-offs can be arranged but might be an extra cost depending on the location of the hotel. These transfers are available both to and from Horizon.
In the heart of the Waterberg Plateau, a few hours drive north of Johannesburg. Nearest airport is Johannesburg.
Dry and mild in winter. Warm to hot in summer with occasional summer storms.
Very good, comfortable saddles for long rides A lovely holiday, the team at Horizon could not have done more, so down-to-earth, friendly and helpful.
Horses a delight to ride, responsive, well-schooled and pretty much bomb-proof.
The scenery and general ambience was a delight, good to get way from it all
Andrea ,Dorset
Overall rating: 5/5
Stay for at least a week to enjoy all the activities available and combine with at least two nights at the beautiful Camp Davidson.
In The Saddle says
Lots of different riding activities to choose from, with wonderful horses and a warm welcome.