SOUTH AFRICA
Nkomazi Game Reserve
Set in the Nkomazi Private Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa, this safari is suitable for strong intermediate to experienced riders. Stay at a luxury five-star tented camp lakeside lodge. Part of the experience with this riding safari is the spectacular accommodation, with each tent having its own private pool and air-conditioning. The camp has excellent food and hospitality, with all the bells and whistles.
Set on a 15,000 hectare reserve, where lowveld meets highveld, home to lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo and elephant, riders can get some great wildlife viewing and personal encounters with many of the more exciting larger game species. Plains wildlife include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and hartebeest to name but a few! The reserve offers endless beauty, with a mixture of open plains, hills, rocky koppies, rivers and mountains.
There are generally two rides out on the beautiful reserve per day, in the morning and late afternoon, with sun-downers at sunset, surrounded by the horses. Game drives are also included in the cost of this experience.
With a team of fourteen experienced safari horses to choose from, this is an experience not to be missed!
Location: Emanzana, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Nights: Flexible, we recommend 2-7 nights.
Rider Limitations: Strong intermediate - experienced riders.
Season: January - December (all year)
Dates: Flexible - choose your own dates.
Riding: 4-5 hours per day.
Included: All-inclusive of all riding, game drives, accommodation, all food, tea, coffee, water.
Not Included: Flights, insurance, airport transfers, soft drinks and alcohol.
Extra Costs: Conservation levy: £16 per night per person.
Flights: Flights must be booked to arrive and depart from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.
Internet: Wi-fi available at the accommodation.
ACCOMMODATION
The luxury tented accommodation is more 'glamping' than camping!
Each tent has its own private sundeck area, pool and air-conditioning.
The tents are also kitted out with complimentary coffee, teas and biscuits, a hairdryer, international plug sockets, bathrobes and slippers, and a safe.
Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, but also includes an outside bath and shower, so you can immerse yourself in nature!
Three different types of tented accommodation are available:
Deluxe Tent: The six Deluxe Tents are framed by nature, offering panoramic views of the reserve.
They are well appointed, comfortable and spacious, at an average of 40 m² each.
These tents sleep a maximum of two adults.
(King or twin beds).
Luxury Tent: The six Luxury Tents are surrounded by nature, but offer extra proximity to the soothing surrounds as they are river-facing.
These tents feature luxurious amenities that make for a comfortable stay and are spacious, at an average of 40 m².
They sleep a maximum of two adults.
(King or twin beds).
Family Tent: The two Family Tents offer proximity to nature and have been wonderfully appointed with luxury amenities.
These tents are generously spacious, at an average of 80 m² each, and both sleep a maximum of two adults and two children.
(King bed and two twin beds).
A spa is also available at the lodge with all the usual treatments and massages, at an extra cost.
Rates
High Season
1st - 11th January
15th - 31st December
Deluxe Tent
Single: £395 per night
Per Person: £295 per night
Child: £155 per night
Luxury Tent
Single: £430 per night
Per Person: £315 per night
Family Tent
Single: £465 per night
Per Person: £340 per night
Child: £175 per night
Mid Season
12th January - 30th April
1st July - 14th December
DeluxeTent
Single: £370 per night
Per Person: £275 per night
Child: £145 per night
Luxury Tent
Single: £390 per night
Per Person: £295 per night
Family Tent
Single: £450 per night
Per Person: £330 per night
Child: £170 per night
Low Season
1st May - 30th June
DeluxeTent
Single: £355 per night
Per Person: £265 per night
Child: £140 per night
Luxury Tent
Single: £370 per night
Per Person: £285 per night
Family Tent
Single: £430 per night
Per Person: £315 per night
Child: £175 per night
3 Night Safari (mid season): £825 per person sharing
4 Night Safari (mid season): £1100 per person sharing
5 Night Safari (mid season): £1375 per person sharing
6 Night Safari (mid season): £1650 per person sharing
7 Night Safari (mid season): £1925 per person sharing
Sample Itinerary
Based on a four night, five day safari.
Please note this is a sample only, individual experiences may vary slightly.
This itinerary acts as a guide to give you an overview of what your safari will be like.
Day 1: Arrive at the lodge, settle into your luxury tent, take in the views, and take a luxurious shower after your travels.
Lunch will be available between 1.30 - 3.30pm.
Meet your safari horse after lunch, and saddle up for your first ride out on the reserve! Take in the stunning scenery, and get up close and personal with some wildlife as you bond with your horse.
Dismount at a beautiful location in the reserve for sundowner drinks and snacks, and take in your first African sunset surrounded by the horses!
After sundowners, ride back to the lodge in time for dinner at 7pm.
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Day 5:
If you have the time before your flight or further travel plans, tack up for the final time for a casual morning ride, or go out on one last game drive.
Otherwise, relax at the lodge, take a dip in the pool, or laze on the deck.
By now you will have well and truly bonded with your horse, and made lots of everlasting memories together.
It's time for a sad farewell.
Day 2: An early rise today, with coffee and snacks at sunrise in your tent.
Mount up around 6am and set out for an early morning ride. At this time in the morning the wildlife in the reserve is very active, and you will have plenty of wonderful sightings of various different species. Have a few canters through the reserve to wake yourself up further! After a 2-3 hour ride, you will return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast.
Spend a few hours enjoying the lodge and its amenities; take a dip in the pool, relax on the deck, and fully unwind.
Meet up again at 4pm for your afternoon ride, this time heading deeper into the reserve where we hope to have a chance to see the elephants.
Tonight, the horses will sleep out in a boma on the reserve. We will have sundowners while the horses are being settled in for the night. Enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks at the lodge, before retiring for the night to dream about all that you saw today!
Day 3:
You will be collected again from the lodge at 6am to be taken out to the horses at the boma.
This morning we will take a longer ride, up to a higher part of the reserve, where we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, and see some ancient bushman paintings, while the horses have a break on the highveld.
We will ride back, spotting wildlife as we go. Species you may see include zebra, giraffe, cheetahs, buffalo, as well as many species of antelope! You will be back at the lodge around 1pm for lunch.
After lunch we will ride the horses out to the Eastern part of the reserve to explore for an hour or two. The horses will sleep in an enclosure safe from lions and other predators. While the horses are being settled in for the night we will enjoy sundowners, then head back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 4:
We will head out to the horses early in the morning, and go out for a ride for 2-3 hours. Canter across the open plains, scramble up hills to get the best views, and discover the fauna and flora of South Africa. Ride among herds of zebra and hartebeest, peer up at the elegant giraffes, and come up close to buffalo as they graze!
Dismount after an hour or two for a break, leg stretch and light bite to eat, before heading back to the lodge for lunch.
Go out on a game drive in the afternoon to spot lions and other predators, and hopefully get closer than you can on the horses. You will have plenty of opportunity on the drive to get some amazing photos to take home.
Enjoy dinner and drinks with your guides on your last evening at the reserve.
