SOUTH AFRICA
Waterberg, Signature Lodge Safari
Set in the Waterberg area of South Africa, this safari is suitable for all levels of rider, from beginner to experienced. Stay at a luxury lakeside lodge, with stunning stables and horses all around you, and tailor your own riding safari holiday.
There are generally two rides out on the beautiful reserve, or riding activities per day. Morning rides last around 3-4 hours (or less if requested by the rider), and afternoon rides are usually shorter, around 1-2hrs. Rides are tailored to suit each individual guest.
There are many species of wildlife to observe, including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, blesbok, nyala, jackal and impala, but the absence of more dangerous species, such as elephant and lion, make this the perfect experience for less experienced or more nervous riders.
Other riding activities include jumping, polocrosse, western games and our favourite … swimming with your horse!
This riding holiday is extremely flexible and there are a number of non-riding activities on offer, including 'sundowners', bush walks and game drives. If you get tired from all the hours in the saddle, you can relax by the tranquil pool area, or enjoy a massage.
Location: Waterberg, South Africa.
Nights: Flexible, tailor make your own holiday.
Rider Limitations: Suitable for any level of rider from beginner up. Children also welcome.
Season: January - December (all year)
Dates: Flexible - choose your own dates.
Riding: Flexible hours in the saddle depending on rider. 2-6 hours per day.
Included: All-inclusive of food and drinks, accommodation and airport transfers.
Not Included: Flights, insurance (mandatory).
Extra Costs: Tips for staff. Recommendation is around £15/$18 per day.
Flights: Flights must be booked to arrive and depart from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Internet: Wi-fi available at the lodge.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is at a beautiful, colonial style, luxury lodge overlooking a lake, and adjacent to the stables.
The lodge is nestled within the reserve, allowing guests to feel at one with nature.
A pool area allows guests to relax between activities, as well as the large lounging area, dining room and deck.
All rooms have an en-suite bathroom with either a shower, bath, or both.
Various styles of rooms are available. Please contact us for a brochure.
Three delicious meals are served a day, with afternoon tea and cake before the afternoon ride.
All drinks are complimentary, including tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol.
Special dietary requirements can also be catered for on request.
PRICES
Low Season
(January, February)
7 Nights
Per person sharing
£2012
Mid Season
(March - June)
7 Nights
Per person sharing
£2187
High Season
(July - December)
7 Nights
Per person sharing
£2523
Above prices based on a 7 night safari, per person sharing. Contact us for a quote on other lengths of stay.
RIDING ACTIVITIES
The following riding activities are available to all guests.
SAFARI OUTRIDES; WILDLIFE VIEWING
There is no better way to see the African bush, and its wildlife, than from between the ears of a horse!
There are generally two rides out on the reserve per day; morning and evening. Depending on the time of year, rides may go out early and late to avoid the heat of the day, giving an amazing opportunity to take advantage of South Africa’s spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Morning rides last around three to four hours, and afternoon rides are usually shorter, around one to two hours. Rides are tailored to suit each individual guest, beginner and novice riders can take it at their own pace.
The lodge is situated inside of the reserve, with around 21,000 acres to explore. Wildlife does not view a horse and rider as a threat, allowing you to literally ride among any animals you encounter, and observe them for as long as you like. You will never be as close or as connected to wildlife as from a horse.
Species on the reserve includes giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, impala, nyala, blesbok and jackal to name but a few! As with all wildlife viewing, nothing can be guaranteed, and if it was, it wouldn’t be such a thrilling experience.
The terrain is mostly sandy tracks through the bush, and open plain areas. More experienced riders enjoy exciting canters down long sandy tracks.
CONSERVANCY RIDE
A full day ride west of the lodge takes you to the conservancy game reserve. This ride offers lovely long canters on sandy tracks and great wildlife viewing opportunities on large plains, populated by a plethora of game: large herds of wildebeest, hartebeest, sable, eland and blesbok, and impressive journeys of giraffe. Buffalo, ostrich, kudu, zebra, waterbuck and impala are also encountered.
After a lunch at the lodge and a rest by the pool, the afternoon ride continues to explore this wildlife rich area, riding back to the Signature Safari lodge in time for sundowners.
Guests can choose to do as a day ride or overnight at one of the lodges within the conservancy.
VILLAGE RIDE
A cultural experience, with a ride to the small village of Lehlabile. The village consists of around forty Sotho dwellings, and a small primary school and creche.
The ride meanders through the village, with its traditionally painted houses, chatting to some of the villagers along the way, and eventually reaching the local school. The children at the school are always very keen to meet the riders and horses and often show of for riders by singing and dancing.
SWIMMING WITH HORSES
If you’ve never done this before, it is not to be missed!
After a morning ride, you have the chance to take your horse swimming in the dam in front of the lodge.
The horses do actually swim, not just paddle, which is an absolute;y amazing feeling! This is the perfect way to cool off after a morning ride!
Many people ask us; ‘but what about the hippos and crocodiles'? Luckily the dam at the lodge is crocodile and hippo free (we aren’t quite that crazy)!
Meaning you get to have a nice, relaxing, horse-friendly swim.
POLOCROSSE
If you’ve never had the opportunity to play this game, we strongly recommend it!
Even novice riders can take part and most guests get quite competitive after a chukka or two.
This game is a combination of polo and lacrosse, which uses a soft ball and lacrosse like sticks. Players are organised into teams of three: scorer, centre and defence. The game starts with a line-out, where the umpire throws the ball into play.
Then a graceful, and sometimes not so graceful, dance around the field ensues, with players trying to pick up, throw and steal the ball, or ride opponents off the pitch.
It’s lots of fun, but does come with a warning: it is addictive!
CROSS-COUNTRY
For those with jumping experience, riders can go jumping on a small cross-country course. Jumping can be for individuals or small groups.
After a warm up and few practice jumps, enjoy riding the course around the jumping lanes over small natural obstacles.
Around the reserve, there are a number of small jumps and jumping lanes that can be enjoyed by all level of rider on the out-rides.
WESTERN GAMES
A Western games afternoon which is packed with fun exercises to test even the best of riders’ skills; pole bending, barrel racing, thread the sword through the stirrup, find the marshmallow, musical horses, the list is endless.
GAME DRIVES
As there are beginner and novice riders going out on the reserve, there are no larger, or more dangerous wildlife species, such as lion, elephant and buffalo.
A game drive at a nearby reserve is gives guests the chance to see the Big Five; elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo and lion, from the comfort of a vehicle.