Anyone for a horse riding holiday in South Africa? From seeing South Africa’s greatest wildlife from the saddle, to easy canters through the countryside, South African getaways offer a variety of horseback getaway experiences.
LIMPOPO
At Mabula Game Lodge in the Bela Bela area, horseback safaris offer an exciting angle on wildlife viewing. Your ranger will accompany you on a wonderful adventure viewing wildlife from the saddle in this Big Five game territory.
Ants Hill and Ants Nest in the Waterberg also offer fabulous horseback safari experiences. These experiences are available to professional riders as well as beginners. Lessons for non-riders are available, so that guests can learn to rideat Ants Hill and Ants Nest. Almost 90 horses make up the herd – large thoroughbreds and some wonderful children’s ponies. Each ride is led by two competent guides and the emphasis is on safety at all times. The enthusiastic rider may wish to ride twice daily and turn their stay into a luxury riding safari. The pace can be as fast or relaxed as the riders would like. Mail us.
Kololo Game Reserve is another horse trail destination in Limpopo. They offer horseback safaris in the beautiful Waterberg, in collaboration with Savannah Horse Trails, which is 30 minutes by car away from the lodge. Ride on a terrain of open savannah plains, river valleys and rocky hillsides, providing stunning views. The horse riding experiences are open to both experienced and novice riders. Mail us.
KWAZULU-NATAL
Five-star Pakamisa Lodge is set in a predator-free reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. Horse riding safaris are a special feature at Pakamisa; they are professionally guided, often include bush breakfasts or picnics and are tailored to suit the guests, each guest being carefully matched with his or her “holiday horse”. Some of the horses at Pakamisa are Pure Arabians and others are crossbreeds. The reserve is home to giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, a multitude of antelope, warthog and monkeys. Animal viewing is also done both on game viewing vehicles and on foot. Mail us.
At Sani Valley Lodge in Drakensberg South, guests can explore the game reserve on horse back. View wildlife up close and enjoy the birds and idyllic beauty of this region, well known for its its tranquil, picturesque landscapes. Mail us.
EASTERN CAPE
At Haga Haga on the Wild Coast, Miarestate is a 5 star holiday haven that offers horse riding amid rolling hills and on the beach. Both beginners and advanced riders are accommodated. Mail us.
Zuurberg Mountain Village in Addo area is a great destination that has horse riding among its activities. Horse riding trails are offered in the Zuurberg section of the Addo Elephant National Park which is 500 meters from the hotel. Trails vary in length and cater to both beginners and experienced riders. Mail us.
WESTERN CAPE
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve at Walker Bay has its own stables with well-trained horses. Whether you’re a well-seasoned pro or a beginner just starting out, Grootbos has something to offer you. Explore a magnificent 2500-hectare fynbos reserve in the saddle and enjoy tons of flowers and birds, with stunning sea and mountain views. For the little ones, pony rides provide plenty of fun and wonder. There’s also a 3-hour beach ride into the Walker Bay Nature Reserve for the more experienced rider, combining a ride through dune fynbos with a gallop or canter along the shoreline. Mail us.
Two hours away from Cape Town, Aquila offers a horseback safari day trip in the Karoo wilderness. No experience is necessary to enjoy this horseback adventure.
GARDEN ROUTE
Situated at the foot of the Robinson Pass on the Garden Route, between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, Eight Bells Mountain Inn is a great option for a family holiday with horse riding available. Both paddock rides and guided outrides are offered, and there are horses available for both novice and experienced riders. Mail us.
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve on the Garden Route offers horseback safaris ranging from 1 – 3 hours for riders at all levels, as well as 3.5 hour outrides for experienced riders. The reserve is situated between Mossel Bay and George. Mail us.
Mail us to book a horse riding getaway – or any other kind of holiday, or call us on +27 21 797-7122.
