discovery safari

all year | from £1725pp | south africa

RIDE WILD on this discovery safari

‘An unforgettable African riding safari across South Africa - incredible wildlife encounters, scenic trails and nights spent in a beautiful camp’

Overview

This flexible safari in South Africa takes you deep into some of the country’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich landscapes, where days spent exploring the bush bring you closer to Africa’s wildlife in a way that very few other experiences can. Whether you're an experienced rider looking for exhilarating time in the saddle or a novice hoping to discover the magic of a riding safari, there are riding options to suit a range of abilities, from relaxed scenic rides to faster-paced adventures.

The horses are a huge part of what makes this safari so special: brave, responsive and beautifully suited to the environment, allowing you to move quietly and naturally through the landscape. With the flexibility to tailor the riding experience to different levels, it's an opportunity for more people to enjoy the freedom of exploring the African bush on horseback. For those travelling without riding, there are also opportunities to enjoy the surrounding wilderness and wildlife through a range of non-riding activities.

This is South Africa at its wildest, most beautiful and most unforgettable: an immersive African safari that brings together incredible wildlife encounters, wonderful horses and the freedom to experience the bush in your own way.

What you need to know

Horse riding in South Africa
Low season (Jan & Feb) from £1725pp
Mid season (Mar, Apr, May, Jun) from £1830pp
High Season (July - Dec ) from £2115pp
Runs all year
Minimum of 5 nights
Encounters with giraffes, elephants, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas & more
Max 5.5 hours riding every day
All meals and accommodation included
Generous and friendly hosts
Limited wifi and cell reception

ask for more info

OVERVIEW

Dates: All year, minimum 5 nights

Price: From £1725pp low season, from £1830pp mid season, from £2115pp high season

Location: South Africa

Operator: Horizon Horseback

Riding level: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Riders will be grouped and ride with others of the same level

Time in the saddle: max 5.5 hours a day

Horses: Boerperds, Warmbloods, Appaloosas & Friesians.

Weight limit: 85kg

Currency: South African rand (ZAR, recommended to also bring GBP, USD or EUR)

Saddle type: McClellan trail rider

Airport: OR Tambo, South Africa

Adventure level:

Need to know

Accommodation during the trip
All riding activities
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks & beverages

What’s included:

Flights into and out of South Africa
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips at your discretion (a minimum of £10 pp/pn is recommended and can be paid in GBP, USD or EUR)
Transfer package: 2x road transfers @292pp
Travel insurance (you must have this)
Visas

What’s excluded:

Food: Meals consist of fruits, cereals, yogurts, bread etc for breakfast. Lunch is a smaller meal such as venison wraps, ostrich burgers, chicken pesto pasta etc. Dinner tends to be meat such as spiced lamb chops, grilled venison, pork chops etc with roasted veg / potato options on the side and small starters available, with dessert after if you can manage it :) Snacks throughout the day consist of fruit, nuts, popcorn etc. There are always GF & vegan options and all dietary requirements can be accommodated.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is in the Signature Safari Lodge. You have the option to share or have your own room. The minimum stay is 5 nights but we recommend staying for at least 7 and enjoying the full experience that a South African safari brings.

All rooms in the lodge are en suite with either a shower or bath or both facilities. There is a large living area, dining room and large stoep (or veranda) for guests to enjoy. Three delicious meals are served a day with afternoon tea before the ride. The lodge has a swimming pool alongside the lake.

Accommodation and food

The horses at Horizon Horseback are the heart of the business and they’re managed as a free roaming herd within large tracts of natural pasture in South Africa.

With over 180 horses (110 in South Africa and 70 in Botswana), you’ll have access to responsive, subtle and honest rides (most of the horses are like this).

A high proportion of the horses are Boerperds which is a hardy South African breed, perfect for the rigors of safari life. They also have some Warmbloods, Appaloosas and Friesians, all selected for their endurance, courage and responsiveness.

Find out more about how the horses at Horizon Horseback are cared for here.

Horses

Riding hat (mandatory - you can hire one if needed), gloves and comfortable riding boots
Light and loose layers of clothing - neutral colours are best such as green, brown, navy, beige etc. It’s recommended to avoid colours such as white and cream.
A light rain jacket (depending on time of year you go)
Sunglasses & snood (for the dust)
Sun hat
Sun cream
Mosquito repellent
A water bottle
Bum bag
Warm clothes for sleeping
A power pack for charging your phone (only up to 100 watt-hour ones are allowed and must be carried in your hand luggage)
A charging adapter (type c, m, and USB charging ports available)
A book for entertainment
Toiletries (remember lip balm, hand cream and moisturiser), towel, jodphurs etc
Swim suit
Camera gear & head torch

See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.

What to pack:

If you would like to purchase any spare sanitary products or have any old clothes etc that you no longer want/need and have any space in your luggage for, it would be gratefully received. Horizon are involved with a lot of the local schools and creches, and many young girls cannot afford to buy period products and have to miss school and exams due to this. It’s not necessary to donate anything, but sanitary products would be a great donation along with any unwanted clothes, books & stationary.

Apply to join this ride:

request to book

A safari tent with a pitched roof on a rocky landscape, surrounded by trees and bushes, under a clear sky.

An open-concept thatched-roof hut with stone accents, cozy interior lighting, and a wooden dining table set for four with flamingo-themed decor.

riding activities offered

You’ll ride across an area of approximately 21,000 acres. The terrain is mostly sandy tracks through the bush and open plain areas. The going is easy on the horses and riders and most of the horses are unshod. The game does not view a horse and rider as a threat, which enables you to ride amongst the game. Horizon are particularly fortunate on the reserve as the zebra are habituated and are quite inquisitive too. As with all wildlife viewing, nothing can be guaranteed, and if it was, it wouldn’t be such a thrilling experience.
A full day ride west of the lodge takes you to the conservancy game reserve. This ride offers lovely long canters on sandy tracks and great game viewing opportunities on large plains, populated by a plethora of game: large herds of wildebeest, hartebeest, sable, eland and blesbok and impressive journeys of giraffe. Buffalo, ostrich, kudu, zebra, waterbuck and impala are also encountered.
After a lunch at the lodge and a rest by the pool, the afternoon ride continues to explore this game rich area, riding back to the Signature Safari lodge in time for sundowners. Guests can choose to do as a day ride or overnight at one of the lodges within the conservancy.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to play this game, we can strongly recommend it. You’ll be taught how to play and novice riders can take part. Most guests get quite competitive after a chukka or two.
This game is a combination of polo and lacrosse, which uses a soft ball and lacrosse like sticks. Players are organised into teams of three: scorer, centre and defence.
The game starts with a line-out, where the umpire throws the ball into play. Then a graceful, and sometimes not so graceful, dance around the field ensues, with players trying to pick up, throw and rob the ball or ride opponents off the pitch. It’s lots of fun, but does come with a warning: it is addictive!

If you’ve never done this before, it is a ‘must do’. After a morning ride, you have the chance to take your horse swimming in the dam in front of the lodge.
The horses do actually swim, not just paddle, which is an amazing feeling when you realise they are swimming underneath you. The motion is bit like an old fashioned horse merry-go-round carousel at a fair. It is the perfect way to cool off after a morning ride.
A favourite with the children obviously, but also remarkably popular with most adults. The team of guides run a Western games afternoon which is packed with fun exercises to test even the best of riders’ skills: pole bending, barrel racing, thread the sword through the stirrup, find the marshmallow, musical horses, the list is endless.
It always make for a fun few hours in the saddle and again really brings out the team spirit in guests.
For those with jumping experience, cross country jumping is offered on a small cross country course. Jumping will be for individuals or small groups. After a warm up and few practice jumps, enjoy jumping on the course around the lake.
Around the reserve, there’s also a number of small jumps and jumping lanes that can be enjoyed by all level of rider on the outrides.
English jumping saddles are used when specifically doing the cross country course. If you would like to wear body armour, please bring your own with you.
There is a small village, Lehlabile, on the greater farm. There are about 40 Sotho dwellings and a small primary school and creche. Many of the staff at Horizon Horseback were born in the village and have grown up there.
This ride meanders through the village to the local school. It is very interesting to see the traditionally painted houses and chat to some of the villagers.
The children at the school are always very keen to meet the riders and horses. Sometimes they will sing and dance. Crayons, pencils, paper, paint, playdough, second hand reading books and toys make wonderful donations for the school, if you would like to support them.

Apply to join this ride:

reserve your saddle

why riders love this ride

Incredible daily wildlife encounters on horseback.
The luxury standard of the lodge and camp accommodation.
The flexibility of chosen nights stayed.
The chance to swim with the horses.
Splashy canters and playing polo crosse.

this ride is right for you if:

You love animals ✔
You want to view big game a more natural way, animal to animal ✔
You prefer to travel in style and want to stay in luxury lodges ✔
You’re a novice, intermediate or advanced rider ✔
You want to join in with different activities such as swimming with your horse and playing polo crosse ✔

About south africa

South Africa is renowned for its vast open landscapes and exceptional wildlife, offering some of the most immersive safari experiences in Africa. Located at the southern tip of the African continent, it is a country of remarkable geographical and cultural diversity, where dramatic natural scenery meets a rich and complex history. From wide savannahs and river valleys to remote wilderness areas, these regions are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife including elephants, giraffes, antelope, big cats, and a rich array of birdlife. Beyond its safari regions, South Africa also features the towering peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, the semi-arid beauty of the Karoo, lush coastal forests, and the fertile vineyards of the Western Cape. Exploring this landscape on horseback allows for a quieter, more connected way of moving through the environment, offering close encounters with nature while respecting the rhythm of the land.

Weather: what to expect

South Africa has a varied climate but much of the country enjoys mild, sunny conditions for most of the year. Summers (October to March) are generally warm, with daytime temperatures often ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), and in many inland parts, afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winters (May to August) are typically dry and clear, with daytime temperatures between 15°C and 20°C (59°F to 68°F), though nights can be cold and sometimes close to freezing.

frequently asked questions

Is it safe to ride around the wildlife?

Yes. Obviously there is some risk that comes with riding around wildlife, especially the bigger animals, but your guides are extremely knowledgeable and will only follow or track animals from a safe distance.
do i need any vaccinations?

It’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations such as the MMR and diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccine. Beyond this, please make sure to contact your GP who will be able to give you more information on extra vaccines you may need. If coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you will need that vaccine. This does not apply to the UK.
What kind of wildlife will I see?

Whilst you won’t be guaranteed to see specific types of wildlife, it’s likely that you’ll come across zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, hippos, waterbucks, ostriches and more.
what's the best time of year for this ride?

Generally the best time of year will be during the winter months from May to October. It’s cooler in these months with wildlife gathering at water sources and less vegetation.
What should I pack for a riding safari?

Like most riding holidays, the best things to pack are layers. The days can often be warm with very cool nights so make sure you have a range of clothing to keep you both warm and cool. It’s always best to wear neutral colours such as beige, brown and green. It’s best to avoid colours such as white and cream.
is this safari for riders of all abilities?

It’s not for riders of all abilities, but it is for most. Unfortunately beginners aren’t able to join this ride but if you’ve got some riding experience and are a novice level or higher, this is the perfect ride for you!

your guides

Tourists riding horses in a grassy field with giraffes and zebras on a hillside in Africa.

The team at Horizon Horseback will be your guides and hosts during your trip. They’ve been operating since 1993 and have been voted the best horse riding safari in Africa. Their dedicated team have all been chosen for their love of horses and people, the bush and Africa, so you’ll be in great and very knowledgeable hands.

Rides are taken with 2 guides, the senior guide will lead you through the bush and both will assist you and share with you their knowledge of the local landscape and wildlife. They all hold a number of horse riding, bush knowledge and guiding qualifications and will no doubt have some interesting stories to tell.

The horses are just as much a part of the team as the guides & support staff are. With over 180 horses across South Africa & Botswana, consisting mostly of the hardy South African Boerperd breed, they’re managed as free roaming herds within a protected space.

They’ve all be chosen for their courage, responsiveness and calm nature meaning you are well within good hands.

How to book

Choose your ride
Submit the application form under ‘request to book’
Wait for us to confirm space with the operator (we aim to get back to you within 24hrs)
Pay your deposit (20%)
Full balance is due 65 days before departure

cancellation policy

Cancellation terms vary by operator and are specific to this ride.

Deposit is refundable until 90 days before departure less a £100 cancellation fee
If you cancel between 60 - 45 days before departure, you’ll receive a refund of 80%
If you cancel between 44 - 30 days before departure, you’ll receive a refund of 50%
If you cancel less than 30 days before departure, no refund will be provided