Setting off in a westerly direction, this ride tracks past a brown hyena den, skirts

past the upper reaches of the Horizon dam before crossing a wide grassy valley. At

one point the ride enters into dense woodland, home to shy species such as kudu,

bushbuck and Vervet monkeys. Emerging from the woods, the horses have a chance to stretch their legs along open sandy tracks. Finally the ride swings back to the north, through mixed bushveld and fascinating rock formations.

Two highlights of this ride are the jumping lanes and the chance for riders to swim

their horses bareback in the Horizon dam next to the main lodge. For many guests,

this is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Once dried off and back in

the saddle, the ride climb back up to Camp Davidson is particularly intriguing, as it

follows a mountain pass cut through boulders and outcrops.

After lunch, enjoy a sundowner ride across the plains on the reserve. We are very

fortunate to have a large herd zebra. Over the years, the herd has become quite

habituated to the horses and it is now possible to ride really close and experience

being part of the zebra herd. A wonderful way to watch the foals frolic.

Having left Camp Davidson for the final time, this ride heads south to the Game

Conservancy which is home to Savannah Lodge. The ride traverses a wide wetland,

home to reedbuck and grass owls, before entering dense woodland dotted with

wild fig trees and large fruited bushwillows. Here it crosses the watershed and

descends through open grasslands with sweeping views to the upper reaches of the Conservancy’s main water system.

The route passes the favored habitat of waterbuck and Cape buffalo. The open

plains that follow are aptly known as “Little Serengeti”; large herds of blesbuck,

eland, wildebeest and kudu are all on view, as are groups of elegant sable, swift red

hartebeest and impressive journeys of giraffe and Cape buffalo.

After a lunch at the lodge and a rest by the pool, the afternoon ride continues to

explore this game rich area, closing with sundowners overlooking the African plains.

We depart the lodge early and enjoy an exhilarating ride back to Horizon Lodge in

time to change before departing for Botswana at 09:30 am.

We arrive in Botswana in time for a light lunch. Enjoy an introductory ride to check

you are suited to your horse, before embarking on your first ride out to our Two

Mashatus Camp. This will be your first opportunity to experience the beauty of the

Mashatu Game Reserve and view the wildlife on horseback. Mashatu Game Reserve

is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming elephants on private land in Africa,

and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures.

As evening falls at Two Mashatus Camp, relax in the cool of the thatched lounge and dining areas, before enjoying a three-course dinner.

Sunrise, the dawn chorus and tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds

the start of your first day. After breakfast, it’s time to mount and depart from the

dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River and head towards the rocky hills that

delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of

Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herds of

elephants.

You will arrive back at Two Mashatus Camp in time for lunch and a cooling afternoon rest in the shady camp or lazing by the pool. That afternoon the group has the choice of an afternoon ride or a game drive to the south western side of the reserve. This is an area not reached on horseback during the African Explorer safari. It is rich in game with a resident pride of lion. The highlight of the the drive is a sundowner in the ancient landscape of rock formations or the Mmamagwa hills, which vast vistas into the setting sun.