African Explorer

Day 1. Fuelling our thirst for challenges.

We meet in the Johannesburg Airport and head to the camp where we meet with our horses. As any experienced person knows, there should be a natural relationship between the rider and the horse. We make sure to choose a partner compatible with our experience and thirst for challenges. We then start our first ride along the Matlapeng reserve. At sunset, we reach the Red Lake, where we may see hippopotamus herds.

Day 2. In the search of the true African fauna.

We spend the whole day in the reserve, tracking herds of giraffes, antelopes, zebras, kudus and impalas. We can let the horse alter the established path and get lost amid narrow landscape, between wild fauna, to become one with the unforeseeable nature. We have lunch by the riverside, in an abandoned route where pioneers used to gather to go to church on Sundays. We can rest there, or we give ourselves in to the flows of the river while horses graze. Afterwards, we return by the plains while the light dims during the afternoon.

Day 3. Let the Sotho tradition get to you.

An intense day of cavalcade. We reach the historic farm of Baber and have lunch all together by the pool. We visit the Sotho town and have some tea with its inhabitants. We get acquainted with the local idiosyncrasy, visit their traditional homes and get soaked in their culture. We leave ourselves and let ourselves be possessed by the Sotho traditions. We head back to Camp Davidson and rest under the stars, which rumour has it, are brighter, more radiant, in Africa, especially after having rode for hours in the plains.

Day 4. The big five.

Early in the morning, we go safari searching for the big five: rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. When we return, we visit Beadle, a centre of craftwork specialized in leather, and, why not, equestrian helmets. Lunch will be served by the pool in the Horizon Horseback Signature Safari Lodge, before heading back to the camp to go on a walk through the reserve at sunset.

Day 5. Taking in colours, aromas and textures in the way towards Limpopo.

Last journey through the reserve. We soak in the colours, the smell, the texture of the African savannah, early in the morning, until we reach the Lodge Signature. We are transferred to the Limpopo safari, in Botswana. We get to the stables where we familiarize with the horses during this part of the journey. We ride our horses until Two Mashatus, where we have lunch and freshen up.

Day 6. The certainty of a new day reflected on the African animals.

As a general rule, wildlife is active at sunrise hours. The animals rested during the night and now they are looking for the caress of the sun, the certainty of a new day. We look for the same feeling reflected in the famous Tuli elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelope, hyenas and, maybe, who knows, lions. Later, we will ride our horses to the Limpopo river, under the trees. There is also the chance to walk into the Mothabaneng town to watch local ladies manufacture traditional baskets.

Day 7. Exploring ourselves.

We continue with the exploration of fauna, paying attention to the nature surrounding us, a land rich in animals and mystery. To ride horses in Africa is wondering not only about nature, but also, deep inside, about our new condition. We can shift rhythm, stop, relax or defy our limits and feel the adrenaline triggered by speed.

Day 8. Farewell cavalcade.

We say goodbye to our horses, our partners, of who we were while we were immersed in nature as if we were part of that wildlife. We say goodbye to that part of us that will stay in Botswana forever, among bushes and rivers in the plains. We take a quick bath and grab a reception bite before we are taken to the Johannesburg Airport again.