Combine 4 nights in South Africa with 4 nights in Botswana and ride
with game in stunning wilderness areas.
| Country |
South Africa and Botswana |
| Duration |
8 Nights/9 Days |
| Season |
Year Round |
| Trip Type |
Fixed/private departures |
| Average Price Per Person |
US $ 3,980.00 – US $ 4,187.00 |
| Age Restrictions: |
Please inquire |
Day 1: Johannesburg
– Limpopo Province, South Africa.
11.00 am. Guests are met at the Johannesburg Intercontinental Hotel. Here
guests can enjoy a choice of full English or continental breakfast and can
relax whilst their fellow companions arrive. 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.
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: Limpopo
Province, South Africa.
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 you may be able
to go on a little cross country jumping or ride amongst beautiful big
trees.
Day 3: Mountain
exploration – Limpopo Province, South Africa
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: Limpopo
Province, South Africa
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’ (barbecue) evening where guests relax around
the fire, enjoy the African night sky and toast their experiences whilst
a feast is served.
Day 5: Limpopo
Province, South Africa – Southern Botswana
We transfer you to Southern Botswana today. On arrival at the Botswana
border post, called Pontdrift you will be meet by your guide West or Cor
and transferred to the Two Mashatus camps by open game drive vehicle,
a drive of about 30 minutes which is a good opportunity to spot some game
along the way.
Upon arrival at the stunning Two Mashatus’s camp a light lunch will
be served and guests will have a chance to settle in and relax. Guests
will be taken by vehicle to the stables for an introductory ride to familiarize
riders with their horses, followed by sundowners at the stable bar. Upon
return to the Two Mashatus’s camp, you will be met by the luxury
of 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: Southern
Botswana
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 which 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 giraffes, elands, kudus and other game which sometimes browse
on the mopane bush, as well as ample elephants! The morning ride is 4-5
hours as you explore the area teeming with game, while heading in a northerly
direction to Zederburg camp. After arrival at the camp, and a well deserved
lunch, your guide will enlighten you to the wonder of following tracks
and signs of the bush during a bush walk. On return to camp sundowners
await you around the campfire and dinner is served. Enjoy the peace and
quiet interrupted only by the occasional sounds of lions, hyenas and jackals.
Day 7: Southern
Botswana
Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours takes you to our Liana camp. The
ride is coming down from the Zederberg Hills and on to the open Pitsani
plains with the possibility of a fast canter with zebras, wildebeest or
giraffe. 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 on a bush
walk. Back at the camp, dinner is served under the stars. Enjoy the comfort
of sleeping under the baboon vines that the camp is named after, in an
old river bed. An unbeatable experience!
Day 8: Southern
Botswana
The dawn chorus will awake you, as a sumptuous breakfast is prepared over
the fire. Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours will take you back to
the Two Mashatus camp. This ride goes through the central game area and
you have good opportunity to look for Leopards in the Mashatu trees overlooking
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
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: Southern
Botswana
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. Back at the
stables a last pat and a fond farewell to you horse, you have the chance
to have a good shower and lunch before heading off for the border and
the 5.5 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.
Arrival and departure airport transfers as per itinerary
All accommodation
All meals
All drinks
All Activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
All transfers between camps
Services of the guides
All riding equipment
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