Horseback safaris, trail rides, cross-country riding and polocrosse – the lodge by the lake has it all!
The lodge by the lake offers an incredibly diverse horse riding experience in South Africa, just 2.5 hours north of Johannesburg. The comfortable lodge is idyllically situated by a lake and offers a wide range of amenities, including a swimming pool, hammocks and all-inclusive service! Regular guests particularly love the warm, family atmosphere at the lodge – you arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. Even solo travellers feel right at home here!

The lodge on the lake covers 25,000 hectares of land. The sandy soil is ideal for riding. Enjoy the Waterberg area and get to know the local bird and plant life. In the private game reserve, you can get up close to giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, warthogs and many other wild animals on horseback – a very special experience! After a ride, cool off with the horses in the lake. Sometimes you can also watch hippos sunbathing or mud bathing nearby.

Itinerary

Horse riding: A wide range of riding activities are available. You can ride for between 4 and 6 hours a day, depending on your preferences: trail rides, lessons, safari rides in the game reserve, polocrosse, western games and much more. The programme will be tailored to your individual needs on site.
You may also spend a day or two on a wilderness safari in one of the neighbouring game reserves, staying overnight in comfortable camps in the game reserve.

The horses: The lodge is proud of the quality of its horses. They are forward-going, responsible, intelligent and friendly. The herd consists of over 90 well-trained and educated Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Anglo-Arabians, Boer horses and crossbreeds. The saddles are mainly very comfortable South African McClellan saddles, which allow for comfortable, Western-style riding. English saddles and Australian stock saddles are also available. All horses are ridden with snaffle bits.

Polocrosse is a mixture of polo and lacrosse. On request, the rules and tricks will be explained to you and soon you too will be hooked on the game. Once a week, the players of the Waterberg Polocrosse Club come to the lodge.
Western games are great fun and improve your skills! You will be impressed by what you can do on horseback! There is plenty of action, for example in barrel racing, slalom races or relay races on horseback!

Cross country: For experienced riders, the cross-country course offers jumps of varying levels of difficulty, from log piles to challenging combinations. An international event is held at the lodge every year. The course was designed by South Africa's top course builder.Other activities and excursions: In addition to horse riding, the ranch offers many other activities: tennis, swimming, bird watching, walks or tours of the farm.

Atmosphere: At the lodge, every effort is made to give you an insight into the Waterberg area and the people who live there. On request, you can go to the local restaurant together in the evening and take a trip to Vaalwater, as most guests are interested in what is happening on the other side of the world.

Another attractive option is to combine this with the wilderness horse riding safari in the Comfort Camp – a real African horse riding adventure in the middle of the bush, in style of course, with large luxurious safari tents! This horseback safari can be booked on a daily basis in addition to your stay at the lodge on the lake. You will ride to the neighbouring game reserve, where you can observe a wide variety of wild animals. In the evening, you will reach the idyllic bush camp where you will spend the night: the Safari Comfort Camp was built in the heights of the Matlapeng Hill in the middle of the bushland. The comfortable tented camp with pool is harmoniously embedded in the landscape. The large safari tents are equipped with two comfortable beds and complete bedding. Each has its own bathroom with toilet, washing facilities and bush shower. A small wooden terrace with table and chairs and a magnificent view over the valley is also at your disposal.
Spending the night in the middle of the bush and sitting around the campfire in the evening is a very special African experience. The night-time sounds of the African wilderness will accompany you to sleep: the grunting hippos and calls of the jackals, as well as the roaring of lions from the neighbouring reserve in the distance.
The next day: Light breakfast and then further exploration of the reserve and its wildlife. Follow the tracks of zebras, wildebeests and giraffes. You are sure to encounter some antelope herds, such as the mighty eland, the graceful impalas, bushbucks and hartebeests. You will stop for lunch at a dam. A refreshing swim with the horses in the cool water is a great way to cool off! After a picnic lunch at the dam, you will ride back to camp, where you will be welcomed with sundowners. Enjoy dinner by candlelight under the sparkling African starry sky at the festively decorated table! Overnight stay in the bush camp (or return to the lodge).

Accomodation
The Lodge with a large veranda overlooking a pretty lake, which invites you to take a dip or provides a picturesque back for a stylish sundowner. Without TV and newspapers but with a wonderful pool, you can switch off in the best possible way. You can also unwind during a siesta with a good book in the hammock or with an evening drink at sunset on the wooden platform at lake . The cozy rooms are all tastefully furnished in African style and equipped with bath or shower/WC. There are also the spacious Garden Chalets, which offer a romantic atmosphere as well as a little more comfort and space - ideal for families or newlyweds. If you want to be really luxurious, you can also book a Luxury Chalet (upon request).

A light breakfast is served before the morning ride, followed by lunch and afternoon tea. An excellent 3-course dinner is served in the evening after sundowners. In addition to home-grown vegetables, there is home-baked bread and cake, accompanied by a ion of South African wines - bon appétit and enjoy! The satisfaction of the guests is of the utmost importance here - let yourself be pampered!

Saddle & Tack: McClellan, English and Australian

Experience: Less experienced to advanced riders rider. Trail experience and mastery of all gaits required. rider under 14 years of age must have sufficient riding skills in all gaits and their own riding helmet. Helmet compulsory.

Horses: Thoroughbred, Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Boerpferd, Saddler, Warmblood mix. Well trained, friendly and reliable.

Sorry, there is no feedback yet.