BIG 5 COMBO - SOUTH AFRICA

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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 departures) or as traditionally on mobile camping safari (Apr-Nov departures).

Trip length 9 days/ 8 nights Ride only price 2009: £1,939 for static safaris £2,039 for mobile safaris Departure dates 2009: Static safari - 31 Jan; 11,17,21,26 Feb; 3,8,13 Mar; 11,19,21,26 Nov. Mobile safari - 13, 18, 27 Jun; 8 Jul; 24,28 Aug; 10,14,20,24,29 Sep; 3, 14*,29 Oct. *14 Oct safari in reverse (starting in Botswana) Approximate riding time per day 4 - 6 hours Riding ability required Intermediate to experienced. Min age 10. Group size 2 - 8 Meeting point (getting there) Premier Arrivals Lounge at the Johannesburg Intercontinental Hotel, South Africa. Transfer 2009: £200 per person return Flight guide London - Johannesburg return £500 - £750. See below for flight info. Single supplement None if willing to share or 50%.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - BIG 5 COMBO

Day 1
Guests will be transferred from the airport to Dinaka lodge (approximately a 3 hour drive). Guests will arrive in time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This first ride provides an opportunity to acquaint yourself with the horse chosen for your safari and settle into riding in the African bush and gives a good opportunity to view the hippo. The day will finish with sundowner drinks on a viewing platform positioned high over the Palala river. What a fabulous way to start your horse riding holiday.

Day 2
We will take you on a ride to visit the ‘Small Serengeti Plains’ where you will be able to look and interpret the behavior 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 the you may be able to go on a little cross country jumping or ride amongst beautiful big trees

Day 3
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, baboons, African rock python, rock dassies, klipspringers and cape vultures. This ride follows a valley that leads deep into the Waterberg escarpment. The path follows a crystal clear stream and passes 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 to both horse and rider. A Dinaka guide will escort you on an informative game drive, where you will visit another area inhabited by the 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 for 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 found and one last gallop along these 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 – a transfer of approximately 3.5 hours. Upon arrival at the stunning camp afternoon tea will be served and guests will have a chance to settle in and relax. The afternoon will also bring a introductory ride to familiarize riders with their horses.  The ride goes to the Confluence camp, where the Majale and the Limpopo meet. The ride follows the course of the Limpopo, which has the majestic Mashatu trees all along its course. Upon arrival at the camp, you will be met by the luxury of a well-deserved sundowner overlooking the river and a hot shower under the stars. Our well renowned bush cook serves dinner before retiring to your very comfortable beds set up in the comfort of your tent. Let the night bush sounds serenade you to sleep….

Day 6 (please see alternative itinerary below for those on the static camp)
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 you will pass by Kanda Corner where the giraffes sometimes are browsing on the mopane bush, as well as the aptly named Elephants Valley! The morning ride is 6-7 hours as you explore the area teeming with general game, while heading in a northerly direction. Lunch will be enjoyed at Jwala Camp under the shade of the Ana tree, as the horses graze around you. In the afternoon you will be taken on walk into the hills of Jwala to explore up close the beauty of the area, your guide will enlighten you to the wonder of the following tracks and signs of the bush.   On return to camp sundowners await you around the campfire and dinner is served under the Ana tree. Enjoy the peace and quiet interrupted only by the occasional sounds of lions, hyenas and jackals.

Day 7
Today is another early start as you will be again in the saddle for up to 6-7 hours; a good breakfast will fortify you for this day! The route goes in a westerly direction and takes you to the most outlying part of Mashatu, the Kgotla Camp amidst the most amazing sandstone formations and with some amazing baobabs trees. You will be following mostly old elephant trails, made over great periods of time, truly the land of the giants!! This ride brings the opportunity of jumping some of the fallen logs, pushed over by elephants. Lunch will await you under a splendid Mashatu tree, and then after a lunchtime siesta you head out to the Mmmagua ruins to experience how ancient communities in the area used to live. You will also meet the Baobab where Cecil John Rhodes engraved his initials while he was in the area. It is a fascinating insight into the area and its history. Back at the camp, dinner is served under the stars, and tonight you also get to sleep out under the stars as you are inside a “boma”. An unbeatable experience!

Day 8
The dawn chorus will awake you, as a sumptuous breakfast is prepared over the fire. Another long day in the saddle, this ride will be the longest up to 4 hours in the morning followed by a good break during the heat of the day, and another 2 hours in the afternoon are spent in the saddle. 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. You also have to thread your way through the “maze of Elephants and Thorns” And pass by a local community, Lentswe le Morit. Upon reaching the “Liana” camp you will be meet by a refreshing drink in a dry riverbed, over hung with the Liana or Babbon vine. This afternoon you have the choice of going on a game drive, in search of the cats which you will no doubt prefer to see from the safety of a vehicle! Sundowners are enjoyed in the bush, usually overlooking a Kopie, and you can soak up the atmosphere of a true African experience…Back at camp another delicious meal, cooked over the fire is served, and as the night draws to a close you can enjoy a night cap around the fire. 

Day 9
After a final breakfast around the fire, you will head off for a final ride in the direction of Nels Vlei, a good chance to catch a final glimpse of elephants here, as this is one of their favorite 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 last lunch before heading off for the border and the 5.5 hours drive to JHB.

NOTES - BIG 5 COMBO

Alternative itinerary for those on the static camp in Botswana:

The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

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