Day 1 – Arrival and Game Drive
Riding: No riding.
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport and transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve, which is about a 2.5 hour drive away. On arrival you will be welcomed by the team at Wildside Tented Camp with a drink before you freshen up. During lunch you'll receive an introductory brief on the days to come including your horse preferences so that you can be allocated a horse you'll enjoy. Tonight you will enjoy an afternoon game drive to make the most of the photographic opportunities from the vehicle and recover from your long journey. Hopefully you will catch the photogenic pride of lions on camera. After a couple of hours you will be welcomed back into camp for your three-course dinner and first night in the comfortable spacious permanent tented camp, with opportunity to charge your electronics before you set off into the bush the following day with the horses.
Overnight at Wildside.
Night: Wildside
Day 2 – Moving day – Ride and walk -Lower Escarpment to upper escarpment with brunch on route
Breakfast will be served at 9:00 and you will be transferred to the horses to start your ride on the lower escarpment, through big game territory. After about an hour and a half in the saddle, you will reach Waterberry picnic spot for brunch at appx. 11:00 before you start your climb up the escarpment. There will be a support vehicle with ranger accompanying the ride up the escarpment, so if the walking becomes tiring, you are welcome to jump into the vehicle! The ride continues after a short rest, to climb the escarpment which is separated from the lower escarpment by 600m high cliffs, where you will partly
leading your horse over one of the steepest roads on South Africa, which has a gradient of 40 Degrees at some points. As you reach the top, you will have some time to refresh yourself in the natural rock pool with spectacular views and crystal clear water. The ride continues onto the plains – an idyllic scene hopefully spotted with game. You will reach fly camp at Boukenhout at about 3:00pm in time for high tea and settling into the place you will call home for the next 4 nights. Dinner will be served around the glistering fire, at 7:00pm
Night: Boukenhout Fly Camp
Day 3 – Full day ride with packed lunch
Starting after breakfast, you will have lunch packed in your saddle bag. The ride will take you along flat rock valley, until you reach a waterfall (flowing in summer only) or alternatively heading towards yellow wood rim and the viewpoint with spectacular views of the lower escarpment. You will stop for lunch and a well deserved rest. Back at fly camp in time for a snack before dinner is served. You can relax in the hammocks or chill out area at fly camp enjoying a drink watching the sun set. A great end to a long day in the saddle!
Night : Fly camp
Day 4 – Kgamakutla point Sundowner and romantic dinner in the riverbed
Later start after a light breakfast, to ride long east long west where your guide will point out animals tracks and signs along the way, in hopes of finding some of Africa’s giants. You will arrive back in camp after a two hour ride, for brunch – followed by some time to take a plunge in the river, laze in a shady spot on a picnic blanket or hammock… At 3:00pm high tea will be ready, before you mount for your afternoon ride which will take you to a magnificent spot on the pleins for some elaborate sundowners – just like a scene from Out of Africa. You will arrive back into camp for a beautifully set table and fire in the riverbed, listening to the sounds of the bush come to life with a wonderful South African wine to set the scene.
Night: Fly camp
Day 5 – Plains ride and Sleep-out under the stars
Early breakfast, and on your horse for departure. You will ride west on sandy tracks with some opportunity to pick up speed. We head towards Ingwe valley, with some chances of spotting some more illusive animals in the thicker vegetation and past a lake with some chance of seeing hippos. The ride continues onto the wide open grass plains and back to camp for lunch. After Lunch, bags will be packed, for one night in the bush under the open skies (weather permitting) the ride will set out for another 2 and a half hours, as the day gets cooler to varying the trail to experience different scenery, including a memorial spot in monument valley, and up to high ground with spectacular views. Walking can be expected where terrain gets tough. On arrival at the viewpoint, camp site will be lit, fire ready for a romantic dinner and drinks, and a basic wash up area, with hand towels and toiletries ready for your night under the stars. The views and sunrise are spectacular! After breakfast the following morning, you will ride to
the lodge from our sleep out point.
Night: Sleep out OR fly camp (weather depending)
Day 6 – Moving day to Lakeside Lodge
After full breakfast at Lakeside at 9:00 upon arrival from the sleep out point, you will have time to settle in and rest in the comfort of the lodge. In the afternoon, you will ride to an idyllic spot with a natural plunge pool and deck with another awe-inspiring view where you can stop for a snack. The ride continues as it gets cooler across open grassland. You will arrive at your lodge before sunset. Drinks and a three course dinner at the lodge awaits you.
Night: Lakeside Lodge
Day 7 – Outer Rim scenic ride
An early start after a light breakfast, just in time to catch the stunning morning views and crisp air from the outer rim, overlooking the views of the lower plateau. The ride will take you into a different scenery, riding some rocky ledges, and taking a swim in the dam with the horses, as it gets warmer. You will return to the lodge after a two hour ride for brunch – You will have some time to relax at the lodge and maybe make use of some well deserved spa time (at extra charge). You afternoon ride will leave the lodge at 3:30 pm appx to ride for another few hours to Hanglip viewpoint with good chances of seeing abundant
game on the open areas and Ungululu. You will stop at the viewpoint, for some stunning pictures with your horse, and back to the lodge along Tswene. On return to the lodge, your bags will be packed for the following days move to the lower escarpment. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Night: Lakeside Lodge
Day 8 – Last ride and departure
Early morning, after a light snack and tea or coffee you will go on your last morning ride, on the upper escarpment of the reserve, or moving down to the lower escarpment, depending on animal movement, weather or flight times. You might be able to squeeze in a game drive early enough before your ride. Your bags will be packed in the morning and transferred by our logistics team. Our driver will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your flight.