Horseback riding in Waterberg, South Africa

Equestrian Home - Southern Africa - South Africa
- Waterberg Big 5 Adventure
  0 tours are queued for brochure printing. Click here to print brochure.
2024 | 2025 | Blog | Buddy Finder | Customer Login | Contact Us
Horseback riding vacations in South Africa, Waterberg

Horseback riding tours

Rides in South Africa

  Intro to South Africa

Trip in South Africa


Africa Overview

 
Botswana

 Mozambique


 
Namibia

 
Zambia

 
Zimbabwe




Equestrian tours in South Africa, Waterberg
Waterberg Big 5 Adventure


Itinerary for Waterberg Big 5 Adventure




NOTE: Please note that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events, the itineraries and accommodations used may change at the last minute.

The lower part of the reserve is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo) while the upper escarpment is a rhino reserve with plenty of giraffes and other ungulates. There are no lions and no elephants on the upper escarpment.

Sample Itinerary: 8-day program - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve (about a 2.5 hour drive), heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere.
You will be welcomed by our team, at our “fly camp” set at the nearby farm in an area where buffalo roam abundantly as well as the rare sable antelope which we hope to see on horseback.
Lunch is served, and you will receive a brief on the days to come. After we know a little more about you and your preferences, you will be matched with your horse.
You will depart for your afternoon intro ride, and later, you will enjoy sundowners on the wood deck, looking over the waterhole.
At dinner, the staff will welcome you with some traditional singing and a three-course meal under the African sky.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)

Day 2 (Sunday): Game Reserve Ride
Early wake up and breakfast before you set off on a 2.5 hour ride and come back for lunch at camp. You can have a rest and reset in the wonderful surroundings before your afternoon ride, enjoying drinks around the fire. 
This is your last night at fly camp. Your bags will be packed for the following days move.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)


Day 3 (Monday): Entabeni Ride
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with hot water boiling on the fire. You will ride out of the reserve, and to a beautiful spot, for your brunch under a fig tree. Today will be the day to change or try a new horse should you want to.
You will ride to the gate of Entabeni reserve and enter big 5 territory. We ride to the permanent tented camp, where you will arrive in time for a short break to settle in. Your luggage will be waiting in your rooms, and the horses will have an afternoon off.
Your game drive vehicle and guide will be waiting at 3:30 pm (in winter) or 4:00 pm (in summer) to take you on a 3-hour game drive, with a stop for sundowner drinks. There is a pool, so you may opt to skip the game drive if you would prefer some time at the pool.
Have your camera ready, to hopefully capture lion or elephants up close!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp


Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride Up the Escarpment
A light breakfast will be served, and you have the opportunity of another early morning game drive (only possible during summer), followed by breakfast at the lodge. Your bags will be ready for our logistics team to collect.
You will be transferred to the horses which will be waiting at the reserve gate, and you will set off to explore the reserve heading in a different direction and new terrain, with the possibility of encountering different species of animals.
You will go up to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest manmade road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas.
You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them.
You will spend a night under the stars, with mosquito nets. Camp will be lit up with lanterns and candles before your three-course dinner is served.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping under the stars (weather dependant)


Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to Kingfisher Lodge
Today, you wake up before dawn. Your horses will be ready for a “night ride” to reach a breathtaking spot at the top of the mountain, to watch the sunrise, with coffee in hand. Come back to camp for breakfast, taking in the views before you depart to the next lodge.
On your arrival, a well deserved lunch awaits, as you take in the views and hopefully see some hippos in the lake.
You may make use of the pool, before your afternoon ride, in search for hippo, giraffe and rhino amongst other such as eland and other abundant game.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kingsfisher Lodge


Day 6 (Thursday): Entabeni Ride
Early start with tea, coffee and biscuits at the lodge, before your game drive or bush walk. Come back to a wonderful breakfast followed by your half day ride. You will come back to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax.
In the afternoon, you will set off on your ride covering the other side of the reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kingsfisher Lodge


Day 7 (Friday): Ride Down
You will have the option of a game drive or bush walk, before breakfast. Your bags will be collected by the team, and you will set off on a long ride (5 hours) to the lower part of the reserve again.
Ride sandy tracks with great canter opportunity, to arrive at Hanglip Lodge, with views to the mountain you just came down. This colonial feel lodge, has a spa should you wish to book a massage (extra charge, payable at lodge).
Afternoon will be spent at leisure or game drive as preferred.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hanglip Lodge

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Early morning, after breakfast you will go on your last morning ride, on the lower escarpment of the reserve,
You might be able to squeeze in a game drive early enough before your ride.
Our driver will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast




Sample Itinerary: 6-day program - subject to changes

Note that this program can be shortened (minimum of 4 night's stay).

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve (about a 2.5 hour drive), heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere.
You will be welcomed by our team, at our fly camp. The area allows for wonderful sightings of buffalo, as well as giraffe. During your afternoon ride, you will be welcomed by the team, with traditional songs and drinks before you head back to camp for a three course meal prepared over the fire.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)

Day 2 (Monday): Entabeni Ride
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life and depart on your early morning ride. En route, you will stop at a beautiful shaded spot, close to the stables for an opulent brunch. You will then continue the ride to Entabeni, and head for a short game drive to Wildside tented camp where you will arrive in time for dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp


Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride Up the Escarpment
After morning game drive and breakfast, the horses will be waiting for you for your ride through big 5 territory. You will go up to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas.
You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them.
Arrive at the top of the mountain, where you go to your star gazing tents (or dome tents weather depending). The views onto the plains are spectacular, and you can expect abundance of game right at your “doorstep”.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping under the stars (weather dependant)


Day 4 (Wednesday): Mountain Ride
Early start before sunrise. Our horses will be waiting with tea and coffee in your saddle bags. Today, you will ride to the peak of the mountain to view the reserve from the highest point, only accessible by horseback.
Come back to camp for breakfast and head out to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, you have the option of a ride or game drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Kingfisher Lodge


Day 5 (Thursday): Ride Down
After a game drive this morning, you will have breakfast at the lodge before riding back down the escarpment. To go down, we will not have a support vehicle, but it is not strenuous and worth the “leg stretch”.
You will ride through big game territory again, to arrive at the gates of Entabeni from where you will be transferred to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have a game drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Wildside tented camp


Day 6 (Friday): Departure
After breakfast you will have the opportunity for a 2.5 hour “goodbye ride”. After this you will say farewell to the horses and depart to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
bar
Home    Reservation    Specials    Brochure       News    Contact Us    All Tours
© 2024 Hidden Trails, Ltd. All rights reserved.


















Waterberg Big 5 Adventure
Tour Code: IT-SAPR01
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : Available all Year

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 02/03 - 02/10 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
B 2024 02/11 - 02/16 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 02/17 - 02/24 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 03/02 - 03/09 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
B 2024 03/10 - 03/15 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 03/16 - 03/23 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 03/24 - 03/31 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 04/06 - 04/13 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 04/14 - 04/19 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 04/20 - 04/27 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 04/28 - 05/05 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 05/04 - 05/11 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 05/12 - 05/17 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 05/18 - 05/25 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 06/01 - 06/08 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 06/09 - 06/14 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 07/14 - 07/19 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 07/20 - 07/27 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 08/03 - 08/10 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 08/11 - 08/16 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 09/07 - 09/14 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 09/15 - 09/20 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 09/21 - 09/28 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 10/05 - 10/12 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 10/13 - 10/18 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 11/02 - 11/09 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 11/10 - 11/15 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
A 2024 11/24 - 12/01 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Sold Out
A 2024 12/07 - 12/14 8d / 7n 8 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 12/15 - 12/20 6d / 5n 6 day Safari 2 /8 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Trail saddles (some English saddles av...
Horses: Boerperd, Thoroughbred, Anglo Arab and...
Pace: Depending on weather, sightings and gu...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Johannesburg
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF