This horse riding holiday offers you the unique combination of horse riding and a jeep safari in the Big Five Reserve. This allows you to experience the whole diversity of Africa from different perspectives: high on horseback and comfortably by jeep. Discover Africa's nature and scenic beauty with all your senses! You will stay in comfortable accommodation: six nights at the 5-star equestrian lodge and one night at the exclusive 5-star lodge in the Big Five Reserve.
The first few days will be spent riding in the lodge's private game reserve, where you will encounter numerous wild animals on horseback, including giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, ostriches, warthogs and many more. The terrain is varied: bushland, mountains and lakes invite you to ride. Your riding ability is irrelevant. There are reliable horses for beginners, who ride in separate groups, and for advanced riders there are fast-paced safari rides.
During this week, you will spend one night in a Big Five reserve, from where you will have the opportunity to go on a game drive and, with a little luck, spot the famous Big Five: elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalos and leopards, as well as crocodiles, antelopes and much more.
Riding programme:
The main attraction is, of course, the unique horseback safaris, an unforgettable experience for advanced riders! You will ride at a brisk pace on eager, well-trained horses through the varied landscape of the approximately 5,000-hectare private animal reserve. The challenging riding terrain and the magnificent sandy trails for galloping will make every rider's heart beat faster! The terrain is varied, ranging from open grassland and bushland to mountains and valleys with streams to cross and lakes where riders and horses can enjoy a welcome refreshment!
Safaris on horseback are a unique experience for anyone who wants to combine the pleasure of riding with their love of the wilderness and the thrill of an African safari: an adventure that brings you closer to Africa's nature, atmosphere and culture. Horses and riders become one with their surroundings, sharing the same sights, smells, sounds and, in short, the entire exciting atmosphere of the African wilderness.
As you roam the plains on horseback or tackle challenging climbs in the hilly terrain of the vast reserve, each ride offers you incredible views of a wide variety of wildlife: suddenly you find yourself riding through a herd of impalas or wildebeests, and countless warthogs let you approach them at close range before finally trotting off.
You will see herds of zebras, giraffes, kudus, ostriches, bushbucks, waterbucks, nyala antelopes, klipspringers, baboons, ibexes, reptiles and much more. Not to mention the hundreds of bird species! With a little luck, you may even encounter a shy leopard.
A professionally trained gamekeeper accompanies you and introduces you to the secrets of South Africa's flora and fauna.
You don't have to be an expert on horseback to finally take part in a horseback safari. Beginners ride separately from advanced riders. The riding programmes are tailored to the wishes and abilities of each guest. After an eventful day of riding, you return to the lodge and enjoy your extremely comfortable accommodation. Relax by the pool and enjoy refreshing drinks on the huge lodge terrace – or retreat to the private veranda of your luxury suite with a good book from the extensive multilingual library. The lodge is also famous for breeding noble thoroughbred Arabians – you can see them frolicking in the seemingly endless pastures.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg. You will be met at the airport and driven to the 5-star lodge (transfer approx. 5.5 hours), where you will be welcomed with a cool drink and some snacks. Enjoy the magnificent views from the lodge, which is picturesquely nestled on a mountain ridge. After checking into your luxurious suites, you will drive down to the stables by jeep, where you will meet the horses and the team. On the way, you are guaranteed to encounter some of the first wild animals in the bush, perhaps an antelope or two or some playful warthogs.
After a traditional African sundowner drink in the bar in the evening, you will move to the stylish restaurant, where you will be treated to an excellent 4-course meal prepared by the head chef himself. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will set off at around 9 a.m. on a 2-hour exploratory ride to get to know the riding area and your horse. You will ride on absolutely reliable, well-trained safari horses, allowing you to relax and enjoy the rich flora and fauna of the huge game reserve. Not far from the stables, you will encounter the first herds of impalas and you are sure to come across numerous zebras, bushbucks and wildebeests.
Lunch at the lodge, followed by time for a siesta, perhaps by the pool, on the large terrace or in the library. In the afternoon, you will set off on another safari ride, where you are sure to encounter giraffes. Round off your first exciting day of safari with drinks around the campfire. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 3: Early in the morning, you will set off on safari again on horseback, as there is still much to discover in the vast reserve! Follow the tracks of wild animals and find the shy, rare nyala antelopes, waterbucks and ibexes – the abundance of wildlife is impressive! It is equally impressive to experience how close you can get to the wild animals on horseback – a unique experience and unforgettable encounters! Around midday, you will return to the stables. In the afternoon, you will go on another exploratory ride in the surrounding area and enjoy plenty of wildlife viewing. Along the way, you will stop for a well-chilled sundowner at a particularly beautiful spot with magnificent views – let the vastness of Africa work its magic on you! Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 4: After breakfast, you will go on a morning ride. You will ride briskly through the pleasantly cool morning air on sandy, winding paths through the bush. A surprise awaits you in the middle of the bush: a delicious bush breakfast! While the horses graze peacefully, you can fortify yourself at the richly laid table. After lunch, you will set off for the Big 5 Reserve, which can be reached in about 45 minutes. There you will be welcomed and, after some time to yourself, you will have the opportunity to go on a game drive – get ready for lots of wildlife sightings! The game reserve is home to Africa's famous Big Five, the big game animals that were once notorious among hunters: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard. Exciting wildlife encounters in the bush are therefore guaranteed! You will be accompanied by professional guides who can tell you a lot about the wildlife and life in the bush. Upon return to the camp, there will be a second breakfast or lunch and an opportunity to relax. Enjoy the many amenities of the camp, such as the spa (treatments not included).
(Days 3 and 4 can be swapped)

Day 5: After a hearty breakfast, you will set off very early in the morning on another jeep safari. By jeep, you will have the opportunity to get close to mighty white rhinos and buffalos dozing in the morning sun. After lunch, you will be taken back to the lodge. From there, you will go on a leisurely afternoon ride and have the opportunity to discuss the day's experiences over a delicious dinner.


Day 6: After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go on a leisurely morning ride before discussing your wildlife sightings over lunch and planning the afternoon ride. You will have time to relax and then ride for about 1.5 hours in the surrounding area. Enjoy the charming combination of magnificent natural scenery and abundant wildlife before heading back and looking forward to a hearty dinner.


Day 7: Today you will explore the landscape on horseback during a morning and afternoon ride. It never gets boring in the bush, where you will constantly discover new animal species and marvel at the beautiful landscape!



Day 8: A final short ride will sweeten your departure. With countless impressions and lots of photos in your luggage, you will then set off for Johannesburg, where you will board your flight home. Transfer approx. 5-6 hours.

(Subject to change)Additional activities (e.g. for non-riders):

Game drives in open safari vehicles, guided bush walks with wildlife viewing, archery and clay pigeon shooting are further options for active holidaymakers.
The well-maintained 9-hole golf course in Pongola, complete with clubhouse, is easily accessible by car in 30 minutes (transfer is available for a fee). The lodge's library contains more than 6,000 books in German, English, French and Spanish, including many historical treasures for bibliophiles.

Accomodation
5-starLodge (6 nights)
The eight very spacious, individually furnished suites, each with a deluxe bathroom, lounge and large terrace, meet the European 5-star standard. The solid brick construction and ceiling heights of over 8 m create an incomparably pleasant indoor climate that can otherwise only be found in the legendary tropical luxury hotels of bygone eras. 
The large rock pool with its sun decks in the middle of the tropical garden and magnificent view offers refreshment and relaxation.
In the central main building, you can relax and socialize in the spacious lounges, in the huge, multilingual hotel library with its rare bibliophile treasures, the rustic Hunters Bar and the spacious terrace with fantastic views far into the kingdom of Eswatini. It is also cozy in the evenings around the large fireplace, where you can talk about your riding adventures during the day. 
Let yourself be pampered by the exquisite quality of the cuisine, the range of wines and the personal service of Lodge ! The hotel's restaurant is known throughout South Africa for its excellent cuisine - here the chef creates a fantastic 4-course menu every evening and the breakfasts and lunches are always delicious!

5-star Amakhosi Lodge (1 overnight stay)
The luxurious 5-starLodge is located not far from Pongola in the middle of a huge big game reserve. The diversity of wildlife is impressive: hippos, rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalos and leopards - with a bit of luck, you really will see a lot of animals here!
You will stay in one of the 8 comfortable double rooms with minibar, air conditioning, balcony and bathroom. In addition to the restaurant and bar / lounge, Lodge also offers you a pool, spa area and coffee shop as well as free internet.

Saddle & Tack: Very comfortable English saddles and endurance saddles.

Experience: From beginners (lessons and quiet rides in a separate group) to advanced riders rider - there is a suitable riding program and horse for everyone. Rider weight max. 85 kg.

Horses: Very well groomed Boer horses and Arabian mix, carefully trained and ridden. Eager to run and with a friendly character. There is a suitable horse and temperament for every rider .