Experience your best riding holiday ever with Horseback Safaris at Wait A Little horse and game ranch. Enjoy an old style riding adventure, where you see elephant, rhino, cheetah, buffalo and other game from horseback. Come riding for eight days on a Big Five Safari at the foot of the majestic Drakensberg mountains on the Karongwe Game Reserve. These high-class safaris cater for a maximum of four guests and therefore can be tailored to your needs.
WILDLIFE - KARONGWE GAME RESERVE
Karongwe Game Reserve covers an area of 8500ha prime African bushveld and has various ecosystems ranging from open plains, woodlands, hills and kopjes, to riverine and gullies. The three rivers that cross the reserve are the lifeline of the region and supports an impressive population of big trees, plants and wildlife such as hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, kudu, nyala, waterbuck and many different species of birds. Elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, gemsbok, eland and blesbok also occur within the reserve.
SAFARIS AND HORSES
The ranch works on a very high safety standard. Your Ranger is armed and well trained to handle any situation which could arise. There is always a back-up vehicle on stand-by and by monitoring game like Elephants and Lions there is always a clear picture of the game movement on the Reserve. Spend some time in the bush and encounter the wildlife in a natural way. Walk over hills to enjoy magnificent views, ride through rivers to see huge trees and plants, canter over open plains and enjoy the voice of nature. Feel the excitement when you see fresh lion tracks. The tracks and signs you leave behind are just hoof prints. Top priority is given to the care and well being of the horses. They are well trained, responsive, kind tempered and well mannered. All of them grew up in the bush. Breeds include the South African Boerperd as well as Arabs, Anglo Arabs and American Quarter Horse. Riding is on Leon Liversage trail-rider saddles - English saddles are also available. Chaps and helmets are provided. SAMPLE SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival time about 1.00 pm at Wait a little ranch. After you have moved into your rooms, you will be served a light meal over which the schedule, the rules and safety measures of the safari are discussed, followed by choosing the horses. The first day you go out for a short ride to give you time and confidence with your new partner. Watch the renowned African sunset while you enjoy sundowners before you return. Tonight you sleep in luxury safari tents on platforms with private open air bathrooms overlooking the Makhutswe river. A mixture of fine European and pan-African cuisine is prepared over the open fire and eaten under stars in an atmospheric lantern lit boma.
Day 2
After a light breakfast, saddle the horses to go out for a full day trail through the Karongwe Game Reserve. The tracks of elephants, cheetahs or giraffes will lead you through the reserve and show you the place where best to enjoy lunch. A river invites you for a swim on hot days - or stroll up a small hill to enjoy the view of the Drakensberg mountains. While taking roughly a two hour break, enjoy the generous meal waiting for you. After waking from a welcoming snooze in the long grass, return to camp to find the cool water of the swimming pool very inviting. Sitting around a fire where home made food is being prepared over a conversation about the excitement and adventures of the day.
Day 3
Wake and pack some spare clothes for the next three nights when you will stay in two different camps. Depart early morning, armed with water bottles and lunch packs on horseback, while the back up vehicle brings the baggage to the first camp. At lunch time indulge in a light meal at Wilderness Camp, where you can swim in the Karongwe River, have a shower or just relax under the thatched roofs of the camp. Start your afternoon ride in the area where wildebeest, zebras, giraffes and rhinos roam. In the evening sit around a huge camp fire and enjoy traditional South African cooking. Tonight you sleep out at beacon rock, which is situated on top of a rock with a magnificent view over the whole Lowveld escarpment.
Day 4
Tonight you will spend at the luxurious Edeni River Lodge, about 15km away. (Alternatively you can stay in a fly camp somewhere along the river.) After a five hour ride with lunch somewhere in between, enjoy the swimming pool and a lovely five course dinner at Safari Lodge. Edeni River Lodge has got private, lavishly appointed suits or tents, constructed with indigenous hardwood and furnished in the ethic, yet romantic style of days gone by. Every unit has got its own wooden deck, air condition, ceiling fans, en-suite bathroom and shower, facing the river.
Day 5
From Edeni you cross the Makhutswe river to the projects, where wild dogs and disease free buffaloes are kept in big areas for research and breeding reasons. Lunch is on the banks of the Makhutswe river. In the afternoon, join a game drive to see the game that cannot be approached on horseback. On a night drive, cats that are hunting at night like lion and leopard can be found, maybe even on a kill. Many other species only come out at night so the excitement is endless. Back at the Lodge sit in the beautiful Restaurant to get spoiled with international cuisine and selected wines overlooking the illuminated Makhutswe River.
Day 6
A ride through the river with huge sycamore figs trees, fever trees and a beautiful riverine vegetation, where waterbuck, bushbok, nyalas, hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of different species of birds occur, leads you back to Wait a little main camp. In the afternoon you may relax, read books from our library or simply enjoy the swimming pool. For sundowners, go in the land rover to enjoy the view of the majestic Drakensberg mountains.
Day 7
Once the horses have been saddled, ride on a dry riverbed (weather permitting) where the soft sand invites you for a sporty gallop or simply ride upon an animal path over hills and through gullies to a one of the large dams, where a generous lunch is waiting for you. After the Hippos, crocodiles, fish Eagles and other species have entertained you, return to main camp for a farewell dinner.
Day 8
After enjoying a short ride, await the transfer service and depart for the airport.
Additional Days
The safari can be extended while spending more nights in different camps. On request we can organize visits to the Kruger National Park, the famous Blyde River Canyon, Swadini Reptile Park and several other sight seeing spots.
FACILITIES
After an exciting, hot day you may enjoy a drink at the bar or relax in the swimming pool. An entertainment area with a library gives you the chance to read about the wildlife and flora and fauna of South Africa. A mixture of fine European and pan-African cuisine is prepared over the open fire and eaten under the stars in an atmospheric lit reed boma. | No. of Bedrooms | Accommodation is in luxury double-bedded canvas safari tents on platforms individually built and furnished in the old safari style with private outside shower and toilet. From the decks you enjoy a magnificent view over the Makhutswe River. On the exclusive eight day Big Five Safari, accommodation is offered in three different camps including the luxury Edeni River Lodge. |
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