Combine four nights in the Tuli Block, Botswana and four nights in the Waterberg, South Africa for an unforgettable Big Five riding adventure.
Dinaka is in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Safari is based on a private reserve in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of the last true wilderness areas of South Africa. Species to be seen include rhino, hippo, buffalo, black impala, giraffe, ostrich and zebra. In addition riders will encounter a wide variety of antelope, including the impressive eland and sable and the exquisite steenbuck.
The Tuli Block in Botswana is known as "The Land of the Giants". It is also home to a multitude of wildlife species such as lion, leopard, elephant and hyena and remains untouched by the invasion of man. The riding trails cover both the riverine terrain and the true African mopane bushveld, including the famous sandstone formations of the Tuli. The Botswana part of the safari can now be done either enjoying the added comforts of a static camp (Feb, March, Oct and Nov departures) or as traditionally on mobile camping safari (Apr-Sep departures).
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2010 - static camp: £969/€1,075/$1,455
2010 - mobile camp: £1,019/€1,135/$1,529
SAMPLE ITINERARY - BIG 5 COMBO
Day 1:
Guests are met at the Information desk in the arrivals hall at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Our driver will then transfer all guests to Dinaka, a stunning stone and thatch safari lodge set high above a large hippo dam, offering a sweeping view of the surrounding plains. Guests will arrive in time to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings and to meet with their guides and fellow safari group. A late lunch will be served to revive the weary travellers. Late afternoon, guests will have their first opportunity to acquaint themselves with their selected horse, to take in the wonderful open spaces around them, and to go in search of game in the soft afternoon light. This ride will give guests their first taste of the stunning variety of game on Dinaka. The day will finish with sundowner drinks and a sumptuous three course evening meal.
Day 2:
Today, we will ride to the “Small Serengeti Plains”, where you will be able to observe and interpret the behaviour of various plains game species. Your guides will have a surprise of bush “games” up their sleeve. On the Dinaka plains riders will encounter the dense game populations this beautiful reserve is renowned for. Sightings of up to 15 rhino, together with 11 other species in your view, are not uncommon. The open plains provide great opportunities for fast riding. Riders are also able to experience that dream canter alongside herds of antelope as they gallop and pronk across the open savannah. Back at the lodge guests can sunbathe above the hippo dam and watch these family-orientated creatures interact and play in the heat of the day. This afternoon you may be able to go on a little cross country jumping or ride amongst beautiful big trees.
Day 3: Mountain exploration. After an early breakfast we will set out on a hunt for some of the reserves more elusive mountain species - leopard, mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, baboon, African rock python, rock dassie, klipspringer and Cape vulture. This ride ascends a valley that leads deep into the Waterberg escarpment, following a crystal clear stream and passing several picturesque dams along the way. The bush is dense and full of birdcalls. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at one of the dams along the way, returning to the lodge in the early afternoon in time for a cooling swim and siesta. The afternoon is a gentle pre-sunset ride to one of the larger dams hosting some of the many hippos on the reserve.
Day 4: A ride to another area of the reserve, where Dinaka runs its highly successful breeding programme for highly valued species, which include white blesbuck, sable antelope and bontebok. En route the ride crosses a particularly fertile plain where riders can experience the exhilaration and thrill of cantering amongst herds of game, with many different species galloping together across the plains.
The afternoon proves a welcome break for both horse and rider. A Dinaka guide will escort you on an informative game drive, where you will visit another area inhabited by buffalo and some unusual red wildebeest. The guide, who is responsible for the feeding and monitoring of the rhino on the reserve, will accompany the guests on a very special opportunity to approach and observe some of the rhino on foot. The last night is the final ‘braai’ evening where guests relax around the fire, enjoy the African night sky and toast their experiences whilst a feast is served.
Day 5:
In the morning there is a last chance to find any species not yet seen and enjoy one last gallop along the endless sandy lanes. After a hearty brunch and sad goodbyes, guests are transferred to their next destination - on the other side of the Botswana border! You will depart the lodge at approximately 10.30 to Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris – a transfer of approximately 4 hours. After crossing the mighty Limpopo River either by cable car or through the dry river bed, you arrive at the stunning Two Mashatus camp. Built in traditional Botswana style, two round huts with Lala palm roofs serve as lounge and dinning area under a majestic Mashatu tree. Your accommodation is A-frame walk-in tents with comfortable beds and an en-suite loo and shower. Guests are taken on an introductory ride in the afternoon to familiarize riders with their horses; with a stable of 34 horses we aim to find you the perfect match!
Day 6: After an early rise and a light breakfast, you will head out to explore the Limpopo Valley, including a natural marshland called “Nels Vlei”. The ride offers lots of possible game sightings such as giraffe, eland, kudu and zebra as well as the abundant elephant! The morning ride is 4-5 hours which will take you to your next destination- Zeederberg Wilderness Camp. A well-deserved lunch awaits you upon arrival. After a relaxing afternoon you can join your guide for a bushwalk around the area, following in the footsteps of legends such as Cecil John Rhodes. On return to camp sundowners await you around the campfire and dinner is served. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the African bush, interrupted only by the occasional calls of lion, hyaena and jackal.
Day 7:
Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours takes you to Liana camp, descending from the Zeederberg Hills and on to the open Pitsani plains with the possibility of a fast canter with zebra, wildebeest or giraffe. This ride offers the opportunity of jumping some of the fallen logs pushed over by elephant. Lunch awaits you under another splendid Mashatu tree. A lunchtime siesta follows before heading out on a game drive with a Mashatu ranger, in the hope of seeing some of the big cats or African wild dogs. Enjoy the special situation of this campsite set in an old river bed overhung by the twisted Liana vines after which it is named.
Day 8: The dawn chorus will wake you to a light breakfast. Todays ride of about 4-5 hours will take you back to Two Mashatus camp, passing through the central game area where you will have a good opportunity to look for leopard in the Mashatu trees along the Majale river. Follow the course of the river and enjoy the winding canters through the bush. This afternoon you have the choice of going to the local village on a game drive or enjoying a relaxing sundowner along the Limpopo. Back at camp another delicious meal cooked over the fire is served, and as the night draws to a close, enjoy a night cap around the fire.
Day 9:
After breakfast around the fire, you will head off in the direction of Nels Vlei with a good chance of catching a final glimpse of elephant as this is one of their favourite areas. Back at the stables, after a last pat and a fond farewell to your horse, you have the chance to have a good shower and enjoy lunch before heading off for the border and the 5 to 6 hours drive to JHB airport.
Please be aware that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events the itinerary may be changed at the last minute. We will endeavor to keep everyone informed of any changes and the reason for them.
NOTES - BIG 5 COMBO
Alternative itinerary for those on the static camp in Botswana:
Day 6
After an early rise and a light breakfast you will head out to explore the Limpopo Valley, including a natural marshland called ”Nels Vlei”, the Majale island witch is guaranteed to keep you on your toes as this is where the Majale Island pride of lions hang out. Possibly out to Kanda Corner where the giraffes sometimes are browsing on the mopane bush, as well as the aptly named Elephants Valley! The morning ride is 3-4 hours as you explore the area teeming with general game. Lunch will be enjoyed under the Mashatu Tree back at the Confluence Camp, as the horses graze around you. In the afternoon you will be back on a fresh horse and you can enjoy the thrill of a natural cross-country course or a leisurely ride along the Limpopo. Dinner is another unforgettable meal under the stars.
Day 7
Today is another early start as you will be again in the saddle for up to 4 hours, a good breakfast will fortify you for this day! This fascinating ride will focus on the history of the area with interesting tales about the Anglo-Boer War. Depending on where the game is, you could end up on the Pitsani Plains enjoying a fast gallop, and if you’re really lucky zebras, wildebeest and giraffe will join you! In the afternoon guests can choose to go on a game drive (or can go for another leisurely afternoon ride). If you choose to go on the game drive, you will spend the late afternoon and evening on the "hunt" for the beautiful and awesome cats which are so much a part of the Mashatu experience. Sundowners are enjoyed on a great koppie and at nightfall the spotlight is used for following Africa’s big cats on ‘the hunt’.
Day 8
The dawn chorus will awake you, as a sumptuous breakfast is prepared over the fire. Another long day in the saddle, 4 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon.. You pass through a range of vegetation types: riverine forests, savannah acacias, terminalia shrubland and areas abundant in shepard's trees, there is a good chance of seeing Elephants, many species of birds and a wide range of antelopes. The afternoon ride will head towards the rocky outcrop close to Rock Camp where waterbuck, rock dassies, and black eagles are likely to be spotted. On your way back you can head out to the Dam wall for a great view of Mashatu! Your dinner will be cooked in front of you tonight as its “Braai night” enjoy the comfort of a well earned meal around the fire.
Day 9
After a final breakfast around the fire, you will head off for a last ride in the direction of Nels Vlei, a good chance to catch another glimpse of elephants here, as this is one of their favourite areas. Some final jumps over our natural cross country course. A last pat and a fond farewell to you horse, you have the chance to have a good shower and lquick lunch before heading off for the border and the 5.5 hours drive to JHB.
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, all riding and other activities mentioned, guides, all meals, drinks, bush walks and game drives.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights to Johannesburg, transfers, tips and items of a personal nature. A single supplement of 50% will be charged only to guests not willing to share with someone of the same sex.
Horse riding for all levels on the beaches of the Baltic Coast with comfortable hotel accommodation and many non rider options including spa.
Glacier Trail - Iceland
Ride along miles of glorious golden sands, cross rivers, ride through the forests and along the cliffs and admire the glorious countryside of mountains, lakes and green fields. Majorca Beach and Forest - Spain Lovely finca dedicated to the world of horses. On-site Spa. Trail rides to explore the island. Families and singles welcome.
Fast & exciting mobile tented safari for experienced & adventurous riders only. The Tuli Block is also home to a multitude of wildlife species and remains untouched by the invasion of man.
Why not spoil yourself with a few days on a tropical beach after your safari? We recommend one of our Mozambiquan Beach Extensions as an ideal way to round off a safari.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
17, Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
This Website and all of its contents are copyright of Unicorn Trails.
Under no circumstances is any part of this site to be copied or used without written permission.
