Our equestrian tours in South Africa

Horseback riding vacations in South Africa

South Africa is located, as one might expect, on the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Along its northern border, from west to east, lie Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, and to the northeast are Mozambique and Swaziland. Wholly-enclosed by South Africa, and situated in its eastern central plain, is the independent kingdom of Lesotho.
It is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing on horseback equals the best in Africa, and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?
It is one of the most geographically varied countries of the African continent, comprising territory that ranges from the rolling, fertile plains of the highveld and the wide open savanna of the Eastern Transvaal to the Kalahari desert and the peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains. While all of its diverse regions offer ample opportunities for adventure equestrian travel, the focus in South Africa--as in much of sub-Saharan Africa--is the wildlife safari - on horseback. In addition to possessing two of the world's most renowned wildlife reserves the country contains over a dozen smaller regional parks and reserves. In addition, with its excellent road and rail systems, its abundance of top-rated accommodations, and its bountiful farmlands and vineyards, South Africa allows visitors ample opportunity for more luxurious comfort along with adventuresome excitement.

Waterberg Region
The Waterberg area in the north-western part of South Africa is rich in minerals like iron, coal, tin, platinum, zinc, titanium and vanadium and crops like tobacco, groundnuts, maize, grain sorghum, sunflower seeds, wheat, cotton, citrus fruit and rice are grown here.
But this is also one of the country's premier wildlife areas and hosts the Lapalala Game Reserve and the Mabula Game Reserve. The Lapalala Wilderness Reserve is one of the last truly wild places in the country and was created as a sanctuary for rare and endangered animals. At Mabula Game Reserve, visitors can see the big five and many more animals.
The wildlife reserves are of diverse topography and vegetation ranging from wide-open plains to beautiful mountainous areas, enabling to naturally sustain the widest variety of game possible. They boast over 40 species of game including the rare sable antelope, nyala, oryx, eland, giraffe, buffalo, white rhino and well over 300 species of resident and migrant birds. In addition to game drives, the reserves offer a safe and secluded environment to allow guests of all ages to enjoy guided bush walks, horse rides, cycling and game drives.

The Western Cape
Every year more and more visitors flock, from all over the world, to this once unknown region with unrivalled geographical diversity. The Western Cape's 'West Coast' has beautiful unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountain ranges, and the most spectacular wild flowers which bloom in the spring. The West Coast area of the Cape consists of three main areas, West Coast, Swartland & Sandveld and Olifants River Valley.
The fertile green valleys of Cape Town's winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. Towns and villages have many historic homesteads and monuments, and every so often fruit orchards are to be seen, whose produce may be found in all corners of the world. It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall area of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and especially the areas of Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies.
The Breede River Valley is the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape and is South Africa's leading racehorse breeding area. The area stretches from Gouda in the west and McGregor in the south, to Montagu in the east and the Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the north. This semiarid area, part of the Little Karoo, offers magnificent scenery and is known for its indigenous fynbos and proteas. The clear mountain streams are in stark contrast with their rugged surrounds and the wildlife in the reserves offer visitors a chance to get a taste of the real African bush.

Wild Coast
This unspoiled tropical paradise takes visitors back to a better time when real things mattered like a beautiful sunrise or a walk on a pristine, deserted beach.
Blessed with sea, sun and plenty of things to see and do, the Wild Coast offers a lifestyle that allows one to forget about the rest of the world. Here on the East Coast of South Africa where waterfalls tumble into the sea, visitors can slow down and breathe to heartbeat of Africa. A horse riding holiday or Horse Safari along the Transkei Wild Coast is exhilarating and exciting; One Sweeping bay after another, rolling hillsides, river crossings and warm lagoons ensure adventure filled days of fabulous horseback riding. You will be enthralled by the wonderful combination of endless beaches and unrestricted cross country riding!