Horseback safari, from South Africa to Botswana

Meet at 11:15 am at Johannesburg Airport . Upon arrival, go to the information desk in the arrivals hall and ask the driver for your estimated departure time (which will be no later than 11:30 am). Transfer to our bush camp in the heart of the Waterberg. Upon arrival, enjoy a late lunch and settle into your tents. Then, meet the guides and discuss your experience level and expectations for this horseback safari. Meet the horses : our guide will take special care to ensure you find the right mount and fully enjoy this South African horseback safari. Finally, it's time to set off in search of wild animals in the heart of the Matlapeng Reserve . We explore the African savannah and pass near the lake where hippos often bathe – a truly unique encounter! As the sun begins to set, we enjoy a drink while watching this magnificent spectacle. We get back on our bikes and head to camp where we enjoy our first dinner in the African bush, admiring the interplay of light between the glowing sun and the clouds. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp in South Africa.

We depart early to take the riding level test with the guides. This test assesses your ability to participate in the safari. It takes place on the second day, after an initial introduction to our horses the previous day. During a ride through the bush, we participate in a canter in single file. Then, we ride independently between three points under the supervision of the guides, alternating between collected and extended canter. The aim is to demonstrate that we can control our horse at a steady pace within the group, and then independently.

We then set off for a day of exploration in the reserve, first on the tracks, then off-trail to observe the animals. We cross "Sunset Lake", habitat of the African Fish Eagle.

Return to camp for lunch and relaxation by the pool in the afternoon.

We set off again on horseback, with a good chance of spotting hippos and hearing their bellows. End of this beautiful day. Dinner and overnight stay at Camp Davidson.

This morning, in addition to our horseback safari, we enjoyed some exhilarating gallops on the trail with a few jumps. We finished our morning with a swim with the horses in one of the reserve's many lakes before returning to camp for lunch.

After lunch, we set off again on horseback until sunset to reach the stables. We occasionally encounter herds of zebras accustomed to horses. The sounds of the African bush and the calls of savanna animals accompany our ride.

The sun begins to set, we return to camp and gather for a well-deserved dinner after this day of adventures. Dinner and our last night at Davidson Camp.

Today we are heading to a new reserve and will sleep in a new lodge tonight.

So we pack our bags before setting off on horseback. Arriving at the lodge, we enjoy a superb lunch on the terrace, overlooking the plain.

In the early afternoon, we take advantage of the pool to cool off or relax.

In the afternoon, we set off again on horseback in search of giraffes, zebras, elk, wildebeest, impalas, hartebeest, buffalo and ostriches.

We return at sunset for dinner and spend our last night in South Africa in the new lodge: the Bellevue Plains Lodge.

This morning, we got up early for one last horseback ride in South Africa before our 9:00 AM departure for Botswana . We arrived at our treehouse lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we went for a short introductory ride to get acquainted with our new horses. We reached our camp before sunset and had dinner in this new reserve in Mashatu.

Please note that your guide reserves the right to refuse you entry on this horseback safari in Botswana if your riding level is insufficient. Those who do not pass the Botswana riding test will have the opportunity to participate in non-riding activities over the three days, including walks and excursions.

An early wake-up and a light breakfast around the campfire before heading into the bush. It's important to respect the natural rhythms of the animals, many of whom are most active at the first light of dawn!

Our horseback safari unfolds at this pace, dictated by the rhythm of time, the animals, and the sun. The wildlife we ​​encounter is exceptionally rich and diverse, and if we're lucky, we'll be able to spot almost all the "big animals" of the reserve. We'll almost certainly have the chance to enjoy some exhilarating rides with the giraffes – a must!

The Mashatu reserve is very well preserved and has a large population of elephants, but also hyenas, leopards, lions, kudus... Return to camp for lunch.

In the afternoon, we have the choice of continuing our horseback riding to explore the reserve or taking a guided walk along the Limpopo River. Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite under the beautiful, centuries-old Mashadu tree.

We are awakened by the smell of tea and coffee, which leads us to the campfire, where we all have breakfast together.

We spend the morning riding to our new camp: Tree Camp ! This reserve offers us many opportunities for encounters and observations of animals such as antelopes, giraffes, zebras, bat-eared foxes, jackals, hyenas, and perhaps even lions, leopards, or cheetahs! Of course, it will be impossible to miss the herds of elephants and giraffes that roam here!

This afternoon, we'll let our horses rest. We have the choice between a "Game Drive," a jeep safari in the reserve (at an additional cost), or a guided bush walk. Dinner and our last night in Botswana under the stars.

Wake up at dawn, enjoy breakfast, then set off for one last horseback exploration of the reserve . A few more wonderful moments of sharing and connection with our horses, and a final chance to observe the animals and take unforgettable photos. After a refreshing shower, a final lunch with our guides, then departure by car to reach Mashatu airfield at 2:30 pm for the return flight to Johannesburg by light aircraft.

Departure around 3:30 PM - flight duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Return flight scheduled from 8:00 PM (at the earliest). Dinner and overnight flight.

Your stay is over, you are back home.