Preliminary daily program. We reserve the right to use alternative lodges on the reserve should the outlined be fully booked. Should this occur, guests will stay at a lodge of the same standard, or higher. Itinerary may vary due to weather or animal movement
Day One: You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve, which is about a 2.5 hour drive away, heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere. You will be welcomed by our team, at our “fly camp” set at the nearby farm in an area where buffalo roam abundantly as well as the rare sable antelope which we hope to see on horseback. Lunch is served, and and you will receive an intro brief on the days to come. After we know a little more about you, and your preferences you will be matched with your horse. You will depart for your afternoon intro ride, and sundowners on the wood deck, looking over the waterhole. At dinner the staff will welcome you with some traditional singing and a three course meal under the African sky. Night – Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Day two: Early wake up and breakfast before you set off on a 2.5 hour ride and come back for lunch at camp. You can have a rest and re-set in the wonderful surroundings before your afternoon ride, and drinks around the fire. Dinner and last night at fly camp. Your bags will be packed for the following days move.
Night – Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Day Three: Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with hot water boiling on the fire and a bush breakfast ready. You will ride out of the reserve, and into Entabeni reserve, which is the adjacent farm. You will enter big 5 territory, and ride to the permanent tented camp, where you will arrive in time for a short break to settle in, followed by lunch. There is a pool, and spa for your use. Your luggage will be waiting in your rooms, and the horses will have an afternoon off. Your game drive vehicle and guide will be waiting at 15:30 (in winter) 16:00 (in summer) to take you o a 3 hour game drive, with a stop for sundowner drinks. Have your camera ready, to hopefully capture lion or elephants up close!
Night: Wildside tented camp
Day Four: A light breakfast will be served and you have the opportunity of another early morning game drive, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Your bags will be ready for our logistics team to collect. You will be transferred to the horses which will be waiting at the reserve gate, and you will set off to explore the reserve heading in a different direction and new terrain, with the possibility of encountering different species of animals. You will walk up to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by women in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas. You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. Arrive at the top of the mountain, where you will spend a night under star gazing tents with views onto the reserve. Camp will be lit up with lanterns and candles to at the camp fire before starters are served and three course dinner served at this small mobile camp. Your bags for one night will be packed to move to the new location the following day.
Night: Viewpoint/stargazing tents
Day Five: Very early wake up, before dawn. Your horses will be ready for a “night ride” to reach a breathtaking spot at the top of the mountain, to watch the sunrise, with coffee and risks in hand. Come back to camp for breakfast taking in the views before you depart to the next lodge, for some pampering and comfort.
Kingfisher is set on the lake, and is the 5* lodge on the upper escarpment of the reserve, where you have a semi private area for your group of riders, overlooking the lake and private dining area. You might see some hippos in the lake where the lodge is set. You may make use of the pool, before your afternoon ride, in search for hippo, giraffe and rhino amongst other such as eland and other abundant game.
Night: Kingfisher lodge
Day Six: early start with tea, coffee and biscuits at the lodge, before your game drive or bush walk. Come back to a wonderful breakfast followed by your half day ride, comig back to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, you will set off on your ride covering the other side of the reserve.
Night: Kingfisher lodge
Day Seven: You will have the option of a game drive or bush walk, before breakfast. Your bags will be collected by the team, and you will set off on a long ride doing your 5 hours to the lower part of the reserve again. Ride sandy tracks, with great canter opportunity, to arrive at the lodge, with
views to the mountain you just came down. A colonial feel lodge, with mosquito nets and a spa should you wish to book a massage (extra charge, payable at lodge) afternoon will be spent at leisure or game drive as preferred.
Night: Hanglip lodge or Wildside tented camp
Day Eight: Early morning, after breakfast you will go on your last morning ride, on the lower escarpment of the reserve, 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.
