Hidden Trails - Tour Ratings

South Africa - Waterberg Safari Lodge IT-SASR03

Average ratings from 22 tour feedbacks (see details below)

Horses:

	(5) Excellent
	(4) Very Good
	(3) Good
	(2) Satisfactory
	(1) Not Satisfactory

Saddle/Tack:

Accommodations:

Meals:

Host/Guide:

other Riders:

Name

Horses

Saddle & Tack

Accommodations

Meals

Your Host/Guide

Other Riders

Date

Deborah Hollis

1/14/2015

Enjoyed the most

The riding with the wild animals and the food.

Bothered you

McClellans are bloody hard saddles. Maybe find some sheepskin covers?

Comments

I have worked with your company for many years now.

Bobbi Laurens

11/6/2014

Enjoyed the most

I enjoyed the wonderful canters through the bush, the fantastic food and of course interacting with the guides and staff. Truly wonderful people. I also enjoyed seeing how one young guest of about 8 was so excited because she got to canter for the first time. The staff there is fantastic with kids. The guides also tailor the rides to fit the riding ability of the riders. They take out experienced people separately from beginners. Be ready to put on a couple of pounds; the food there is excellent and there is plenty of it! I also got a kick out of "Cool Cat" the resident half domestic, half African Wildcat that lives at Ant's Nest. He is one large cool cat!

Bothered you

Not a thing.

Bobbi Laurens

6/1/2014

Enjoyed the most

Everything! The food was wonderful as always, the horses were fantastic, my gecko did his job well; no bugs in my room. The staff there did their utmost to spoil me. I've been to Ant's Hill numerous times, I've never been disappointed. The riding is great. What really makes the place special though (aside from the wildlife viewing via horseback) is the staff. Everyone there is just wonderful. I'm already planning another trip there.

Bothered you

Nothing.

Bobbi Laurens

10/22/2013

Enjoyed the most

The riding is always fantastic; lots of long canters. This trip there was a lady from South Africa (via London) who rode at the same level as I did, and the two of us got taken out for long, fast fun canters. The horses are so fit and well taken care of. I've got my favorites of course, and I am always given the option to ride those, and given suggestions for new ones to try! Also all the people working at the lodge are very kind, and will do their utmost to make your requests possible!

Bothered you

Nothing.

Comments

I've been booking with Hidden Trails for so long I don't remember exactly how I heard of Hidden Trails, most likely a search engine.

Bobbi Laurens

5/31/2013

Enjoyed:
The five other times I was there; I wanted to see banded mongooses, and never did. Despite the fact the guides and other staff told me they were all over the place. They told me mongooses were so common they were tripping over them, they made it sound as if they used them as loofahs in the shower they were so common. However not once on those five other trips; despite everybody's efforts to get me a mongoose sighting did I see one. Until this trip. I finally was able to not only see them, but to hold and play with two orphan mongooses (shouldn't they be mongoslings?, hey why not?)at Ant's Nest. It was the highlight of the trip for me.

Bothered:
Once again the gecko who lives in the room I stay in was unavailable. I guess he was on vacation. Seriously, nothing bothered me. Matter of fact, I'm already booked for another visit in October.

Other Comments:
This was my sixth trip to Ant's Hill. They say once you get the dirt of the Waterberg in your boots you come back, well I must have had a truck load in my boots! Every time I go there I have a wonderful time. Each time is different; always new things to see. New riders to meet and new horses to try. Although I do have my favorites. What is always the same is the high quality of the staff. They go out of their way to make guests feel comfortable and appreciated.
Ant's Hill is just a lovely place; great people, great horses and great food.

Donna Armstrong

4/16/2013

enjoyed:
The setting was beautiful, the horses are very well cared for and there is lots of choice so you can find the horse which suits you. My accommodation there was superlative, very clean. I felt very very well cared for

Other Comments:
It was really wise to put this trip at the beginning of my vacation. It got me used to riding and especially riding in Africa, thorn trees and horses and animals in a very professional well cared for setting. I met some amazing people at Ant's Hill and Ant's nest.
There are not as many animals to see there but because I was going elsewhere I was okay with what there was there. I think the whole experience exceeded my expectations

Nina Prenner

2/25/2013

Enjoyed the most?
The horses, the people, the landscape, "the good vibes"

Bothered you?
Nothing

Nancy Hynie

1/18/2013

enjoyed:
Excellent horses, fantastic wildlife sightings, excellent accomodations and food, great guides.

Bothered:
Nothing

Gisele Fuson

11/28/2012

Enjoyed?
Rides/wildlife viewing opportunities

Bothered?
Didnt realize it was a child-friendly lodge

Other Comments?
Top-notch lodge in every respect.

Bobbi Laurens

10/25/2012

Enjoyed the most:
The horses here are fantastic, and the staff is expert of at matching up riders to their horses. I was able to ride all my favorite horses, as well as getting to ride some new ones. The staff there is fantastic, they go out of the way to make guests feel comfortable and to make sure that guests have a wonderful time.

Bothered you:
Nothing.

Comments:
This was my fifth trip to the Waterberg Safari Lodge, and as always the staff spoiled me. The group that works there are extremely fun. The guides are very knowledgeable of the wildlife, plantlife and take great care of the horses. The lodge itself is well kept, clean and very comfortable. The meals that chefs Eric, Peter and Friday prepare from breakfast to dinner are always delicious!

Deborah Thompson

10/1/2012

Enjoyed the Most:
Being involved with the annual game census, which involved game capture and relocation. What a thrill to be on the horses for this and be a participant in this really unique week at the reserve!

Bothered:
Really nothing!

Comments:
I didn't know what to expect totally .... and everything exceeded any expectations I might have had. Everything about this trip was absolutely wonderful!

Elizabeth Russ

9/22/2012

Enjoyed the most:
This trip could not have been better! Everything about it was perfect down to the smallest detail. First, and most important, the staff was excellent. Everyone was so helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely friendly. The accommodations were beautiful, comfortable and immaculate. The horses were healthy happy and responsive. Every meal was a treat. But most of all, the property was exceptional for both fast riding and slow wildlife observation. As always, Hidden Trails seems to love exactly what we do - great service and great horses. Thanks again for an unbelievable trip!

Bothered you:
Nothing!

Tanya Smit

7/20/2012

Enjoyed the most:
Everything at Waterberg was exceptional. The accommodation and the meals were luxurious. The decor was exquisite. The staff did an outstanding job of accommodating each clients riding needs (particularly important as the riding needs of the clients during our visit was quite different). The staff were very friendly and managed the clients exceptionally well.

Bothered you:
The cost of the transfer from Johannesburg to Waterberg.

Comments:
Thanks. I look forward to reviewing Hidden Trails riding throughout the world for when I decide to do another ride somewhere. Other rides I have participated in within Australia have been more adventurous, but not as luxurious. The exceptional accommodation was a nice blend for me as we had, and were about to, be camping in other parts of Africa. The opportunity to do activities other than riding worked our very well for us, as one of our party was unable to continue riding due to a sore back but was still able to participate in alternative activities. Any enquiry that was made was answered promptly, in terms of Hidden Trails service. We had a very luxurious treatment and trip.

Bobbi Laurens

6/4/2012

Enjoyed the most
Coffee being brought to me every morning to my room with cookies. That and the riding.

Bothered you
That the Gecko in my room was hibernating. I didn't see him once on this trip.

Comments
Whether you've never sat on horse before or you are an experienced rider the Waterberg Safari Lodge is a fantastic riding vacation. The people are wonderful from the office manager to the ladies who clean the rooms. They are extremely professional and make a person feel welcome.

This was my 4th trip. The food is excellent, the guides are fantastic, the horses are fun and well trained. The folks are always willing to accomodate you. You can ride twice a day, or go for a nature walk in the bush with a guide, just ask and they will make the arrangements for you. On this trip I went on a night game drive and saw an aardvark, and bush babies. At night I could hear impala rutting outside my window. The animal life is varied and always interesting.

Judith Ramseyer

5/9/2012

Enjoyed the most
accommodations and host/guides

Bothered you
nothing

Comments
expectations were exceeded in ALL aspects

Bobbi Laurens

12/26/2011

Enjoyed the most
The horses, they have lovely horses.
This was the third time within a years time period that I went on the Waterberg Safari trip. The people there are wonderful, they are always helpful and willing to accomodate requests. I've already started planning my next trip back.

Bothered you
Nothing.

Comments
As always the folks at Hidden Trails are very professional; I've been booking riding tours through Hidden Trails for about 8 or 9 years and so far have never been disappointed by a trip or unhappy with Hidden Trails' service.

Bobbi Laurens

1/30/2011

Enjoyed the most
Tracking a sick water buffalo calf on horseback.
The people and the horses were wonderful.

Comments
The trip was fantastic. The view from my room was awesome, I could see a water hole in the distance, and every morning animals would come to drink.
I've already booked my next trip to Waterberg Lodge, that's how much I enjoyed the trip.

Patricia Cook

8/28/2010

Enjoyed the most: The horses

Ginny Owens

7/3/2009

Enjoyed the most: Meeting and riding with new "friends" from around the world.

Bothered you: This didn't really bother me, but I didn't realize there is no guarantee of seeing animals on a particular day since the animals move around a lot. We did see quite a few, but not all, of the animals. The riding was still lots of fun!

Comments: The accommodations, food, and staff were outstanding, as were the horses. The service couldn't have been better! This is a five star trip!

Allen Donaghy

5/3/2008

Enjoyed the most: The staff is marvelous and lots of fun. The relaxed and quiet atmosphere was a pleasant surprise.

Bothered you: Leaving.

Cor van der Linden

11/10/2007

Enjoyed the most: EVERYTHING The team, the hospitality, the horses and trails GREAT!

Bothered you: Nothing bothered us, we had a very great vacation!

Comments: Great trip! Recommended! Great meals, very good horses, trails are beautiful, accommodations are very good, the TEAM IS EXCELLENT, one of the best we ever met!

Shannon Corgan

10/1/2007

Enjoyed the most: I loved riding three hours in the morning and coming back to a huge breakfast with lots laughs and stories. But then the best was the afternoon ride (after tea) and ending up on a different spot on the reserve each evening (the top of a mountain or a plain) to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset on Africa!

Bothered you: There was nothing that bothered me. The service, the food, the rides and most of all the people were fabulous. They treated me like a queen. Loved it!

Comments: The Lodge was right out of a dream "of Africa". My room was huge, beautiful stone and wood with incredible views looking 180 degrees around on a cliff. It exceeded all my expectations. The horses were surefooted and quick. We did mile long cantors when the roads were soft, treks up and down rocky hills and through the bush. The animals were close and plentiful. White Rhino, giraffe, kudu, eland, cape water buffalo, zebra, baboons wildebeast and more. I really never expected to see everything they had listed in game reserve but I did. My biggest compliments have to go to the group of people running the lodge. They were outstanding. They cared about helping each person have the experience of a lifetime and we all did. I traveled alone and was delighted to meet 2 couples and another single lady, all Brits from England. The ladies were all advanced riders. Their husbands had started riding recently for this trip. The couples went out with two guides at was to be a slower pace but within a couple days the guys were cantering their hearts out and loving it. I rode out with the other single lady who was an advanced trail rider and two great guides. We had a great time and I am a better rider for it. I consider it one of my best adventures ever. I will always remember my new friends both staff and guests, a lot of laughing and some breathtaking rides.