South Africa - Wait a Little

Day 1: On arrival at Hoedspruit you will be met and transferred to the start of your riding safari with Wait A Little. On arrival at Wait A Little sandwiches and afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. The Wait A Little team, including Philip and Gerti, are there to welcome you. Gerti will introduce you to the safety procedures before going on your first riding safari. This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to our horses and riding style. We might even see the first giraffes or zebras. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains, are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by hand hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in our dining area, furnished with antique African art. Accommodation for these first three nights is in old style safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at the Wait A Little main camp.

Day 2: We wake you with tea or coffee in the morning. After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. But usually we ride for 3 – 4 hours in the morning and approximately 2 hours in the afternoon. After we return from our morning ride a big lunch, made by Ana our chef, awaits us with homemade quiches, pizzas or pancakes, freshly homemade bread, different types of salads and greens, meats and cheeses. After lunch the hardest time of the day has arrived, siesta. You can spend your well-deserved rest in your room or at the swimming pool or maybe you would like to improve your knowledge about Africa by reading one of the books provided in our library. Afternoon tea and coffee strengthen us for our next adventure. Our afternoon ride ends at a beautiful sundowner spot where, drink in hand, we enjoy an often colourful sunset!

Day 3: Another exciting day awaits you. The morning is similar to the one on day 2, but today we will go on an exciting drive to our buffalo project in the afternoon. Your guide will take you to the furthest northern corner of the reserve, all along the Makuthswe River to hopefully find the beautiful beast. Here we enjoy our sundowner followed by a night drive back home to Wait A Little.

Day 4: Another beautiful morning ride followed by Ana’s famous brunch. In the afternoon we pack our bags, leaving for another camp, where we will be staying for three nights. The luggage will be brought by vehicle, whilst you set off on horseback. Riding south, you will pass between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. The gently undulating roads in this area lend themselves to long easy canters. Giraffe, Zebras or Wildebeest may pick up the pace and run by your side, elegantly manoeuvring through the veldt. Beacon Rock, our fly camp, is situated at a giant rock formation from where you can overlook the whole Lowveld escarpment. A quick scramble up to the top rewards you with a spectacular panorama over the whole reserve and the perfect vantage point to witness a blood red sun fall behind the looming Drakensberg Escarpment. Under the stars around a campfire and surrounded by our horses, we spend the night listening to the call the hyenas or jackals, which might visit us in the night. Steaks or chops, cooked er the open fire with snakebites, baked potatoes and salads are the perfect fayre to help us into a deep sleep tonight.

Day 5: Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we revive the fire for coffee and breakfast before embarking on our longest ride. Entering the Makalali Private Game Reserve, dominated by huge open planes you might find yourself cantering next to giraffes, zebras or wildebeest. Spectacular views, over big distances show you the way to XiDulu our camp for the next two nights. XiDulu is built at the edge of a dam with a resident pod of hippos. Enjoy the game from the deck of your chalet or the viewing platform or even better whilst enjoying the infinity pool. XiDulu’s rooms are all equipped with inside and outside showers, baths, aircon and a big veranda. Elephants often come for a swim during the day, whilst at night lions and hyenas are often seen or heard near the camp. The afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive. After a long slow drink watching the sunset, the drive continues into the night where, with luck, some of the nocturnal wildlife will show its face. Bushbabies, owls, maybe even a leopard, will complete your day’s excitement. Dinner is served in the dining area or outside around the fire place under the stars at the water’s edge

Day 6: Today we go exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees what Philip calls bushwhacking and your surefooted horse carries you nimbly through the undergrowth, changing direction as you guide his course, having just as much fun as you. Here and there a tree felled by an elephant, provides an irresistible jump. Or perhaps the eland, or kudu, seeing us pass, fall in front of us to show us the best path. At the top of the hill you pause for thought, as mile after mile of unspoiled Africa stretches away before you. The afternoon is open to either join another game drive or enjoy another ride.

Day 7: After a light breakfast we head back to Wait A Little leaving XiDulu behind. What will we see on our way? This is always open to the wildlife and tracks of elephant, lion, rhino, and giraffe determine your path. Home at Wait A Little the team eagerly awaits your exciting tales whilst we enjoy another one of Ana’s fantastic lunches. The last sundowner on Wait A Little’s open plain will be beautiful, impressive and absolutely unique. For your farewell dinner Gerti chooses something special such as game fillets like kudu or eland served on pasta with sherry sauce.

Day 8: An early wake up will get us on the horses quickly, so we can enjoy a short sporty ride. Once back you can finish your packing and then indulge in Ana’s final breakfast before being transferred to Hoedspruit in time to check in to you flight back to Johannesburg.

Notes: The price of this itinerary is fully inclusive of food, alcohol and all activities described, but not international or domestic flights or transfers. A single supplement is available for those not willing to share, although there is one tent reserved for single travelers at no extra cost available on a first come first served basis. A deposit of 50% must be paid in order to secure a booking. Booking forms are available from Wild and Exotic Ltd, telephone 01439 748401 or email info@wildandexotic.co.uk

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for Wait A Little’s Big Five Camp Safari

Day 1: On arrival at Hoedspruit you will be met and transferred to begin the start of your 5 night Big 5 camp safari with Wait A Little in single tent where sandwiches and afternoon tea and coffee awaits. The Wait A Little team, including Philip and Gerti, are there to welcome you. Gerti will introduce you to the safety procedures before going on your first riding safari. This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to our horses and riding style. We might even see the first giraffes or zebras. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains, are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by hand hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in our dining area, furnished with antique African art. Accommodation for these first three nights is in old style safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at the Wait A Little main camp.

Day 2: We wake you with tea or coffee in the morning. After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. But usually we ride for 3 – 4 hours in the morning and approximately 2 hours in the afternoon. After we return from our morning ride a big lunch, made by Ana our chef, awaits us with homemade quiches, pizzas or pancakes, freshly homemade bread, different types of salads and greens, meats and cheeses. After lunch the hardest time of the day has arrived, siesta. You can spend your well-deserved rest in your room or at the swimming pool or maybe you would like to improve your knowledge about Africa by reading one of the books provided in our library. Afternoon tea and coffee strengthen us for our next adventure. Our afternoon ride ends at a beautiful sundowner spot where, drink in hand, we enjoy an often colourful sunset!

Day 3: Another exciting day awaits you. The morning is similar to the one on day 2, but today we will go on an exciting drive to our buffalo project in the afternoon. Your guide will take you to the furthest northern corner of the reserve, all along the Makuthswe River to hopefully find the beautiful beasts. Here we enjoy a sundowner followed by a night drive back home to Wait A Little.

Day 4: Another beautiful morning ride followed by Ana’s famous brunch. In the afternoon we pack our bags, leaving for another camp, where we will be staying for three nights. The luggage will be brought by vehicle, whilst you set off on horseback. Riding south, you will pass between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. The gently undulating roads in this area lend themselves to long easy canters. Giraffe, Zebras or Wildebeest may pick up the pace and run by your side, elegantly manoeuvring through the veldt. Beacon Rock, our fly camp, is situated at a giant rock formation from where you can overlook the whole Lowveld escarpment. A quick scramble up to the top rewards you with a spectacular panorama over the whole reserve and the perfect vantage point to witness a blood red sun fall behind the looming Drakensberg Escarpment. Under the stars around a campfire and surrounded by our horses, we spend the night listening to the call the hyenas or jackals, which might visit us in the night. Steaks or chops, cooked er the open fire with snakebites, baked potatoes and salads are the perfect fayre to help us into a deep sleep tonight.

Day 5: Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we revive the fire for coffee and breakfast before setting off. Today we are heading south to the Karongwe River where the hyenas often have their den. It’ll be a long ride back to Wait A Little, where we yet enjoy another of Anna’s wonderful lunches.
There is another chance for a massage over lunch too. The last sundowner on Wait A Little’s open plain will be beautiful, impressive and absolutely unique. For your farewell dinner Gerti chooses something special such as game fillets like kudu or eland served on pasta with sherry sauce.

Day 6: An early wake up will get us on the horses quickly, so we can enjoy a short sporty ride. Once back you can finish your packing and then indulge in Ana’s final breakfast before being transferred to Hoedspruit in time to check in to your flight back to Johannesburg.

Notes: The price of this itinerary is fully inclusive of food, alcohol and all activities described, but not international or domestic flights or transfers. A single supplement is available for those not willing to share, although there is one tent reserved for single travelers at no extra cost available on a first come first served basis. A deposit of 50% must be paid in order to secure a booking. Booking forms are available from Wild and Exotic Ltd, telephone 01439 748401 or email info@wildandexotic.co.uk

Wait A Little Garonga ride (10 days, 9 nights mobile safari)

Wait A Little Horse Safaris was formed in 1999 by Philip and Gerti Kusseler, and operates in a vast area adjacent to the Kruger National Park, with the Drakensberg Mountains forming a stunning backdrop to their riding adventures. The landscape is home to elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, impala, and warthog. Please note, that this itinerary is an example only and not a guarantee, for wildlife determines our daily activities. Please help us to preserve nature by respecting our guidance throughout your trip. Good riding skills and fitness are essential.

Day 1: You will be picked up at preferably Hoedspruit or possibly also Phalaborwa airport by our transfer service. A pick up from Johannesburg OR TAMBO direct can also be arranged, note that travelling time is 5 hours. On arrival at Wait A Little sandwiches and afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. The Wait A Little team, including Philip and Gerti, are there to welcome you. Gerti will introduce you to the safety procedures before going on your first riding safari.
This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to our horses and riding style. We might even see the first giraffes or zebras or whatever else is in the vacinity. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains, are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in our dining area, furnished with antique African art. The first night, with all its fantastic sounds and noises, is probably the most exciting one. Accommodation for these first three nights is in old style safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at the Wait A Little main camp.

Day 2: We wake you with tea or coffee in the morning. After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. But usually we ride for 3-4 hours in the morning and app 2 hours in the afternoon. After we return from our morning ride a big lunch, made by Ana our chef, awaits us with homemade quiches, pizzas or pancakes, freshly homemade bread, different types of salads and greens, meats and cheeses. After lunch the hardest time of the day has arrived, siesta. You can spend your well-deserved rest in your room or at the swimming pool or may be you would like to improve your knowledge about Africa by reading one of the books provided in our library. Afternoon tea and coffee strengthen us for our next adventure. Our afternoon ride ends at a beautiful sundowner spot where, drink in hand, we enjoy an often colourful sunset!

Day 3: Another exciting day awaits you. The mornings and afternoons are similar to day 2, where you will go on outrides tracking animals, cantering alongside some plains game, crossing rivers, jumping some logs, whatever is in our way. Over lunchtime you are welcome to have a relaxing massage by our therapist. There is a well prepared massage room where everything is there for your comfort. This is also the time to pack our bags as we will be away for 5 nights. Today is also the chance to acquire some of our merchandise material. From fleeces, fleecy jackets and sweatshirts to shirts, T-shirts, golf tops, hats, beanies to bath utensils there is a beautiful and fashionable selection of safari outfits available.

Day 4: Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we get ready for a long ride. Entering the Makalali Private Game Reserve, dominated by huge open planes you might find yourself cantering next to giraffes, zebras or wildebeest. Spectacular views, over big distances show you the way to XiDulu our camp for the next two nights. XiDulu is built at the edge of a dam with a resident pod of hippos. Enjoy the game from the deck of your chalet or the viewing platform or even better whilst enjoying the infinity pool. XiDulu’s rooms are all equipped with inside and outside showers, baths, aircon and a big veranda. Elephants often come for a swim during the day, whilst at night lions and hyenas are often seen or heard near the camp. The afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive. After a long slow Gin watching the sunset, the drive continues into the night where, with luck, some of the nocturnal wildlife will show its face. Bushbabies, owls, maybe even a leopard, will complete your day’s excitement. Dinner is served in the dining area or outside around the fire place under the stars at the water’s edge. The Wait A Little team in their usual fashion will be responsible for your culinary experience at XiDulu.

Day 5: Today we go exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees – what Philip calls bushwhacking – and your surefooted horse carries you nimbly through the undergrowth, changing direction as you guide his course, having just as much fun as you. Here and there a tree felled by an elephant, provides an irresistible jump. Or perhaps the eland, or kudu, seeing us pass, fall in front of us to show us the best path. At the top of the hill you pause for thought, as mile after mile of unspoiled Africa stretches away before you. The afternoon is open to either join another game drive or to go on another ride.

Day 6: Today we head towards a more northerly part of the reserve and the luxuries of Garonga safari camp. Tucked into the edge of a steep cliff, overlooking a tributary stream, Garonga is different again to what we have so far experienced. Fusing the familiar sight of the termite mound with the light, airy, feel of an old, colonial expedition, Garonga spoils you for tranquil relaxation. Owned and run by Bernardo Smith, the camp is particularly personal in its approach and your every desire can be catered for here.
Our long ride this morning will have seen us cantering through the grassy plains and tracking over the hills and valleys that rise between the camps. Long hours in the saddle, over numerous days, mean that you will definitely have earned the right to spoil yourself with an aromatherapy treatment this afternoon. Or perhaps a long siesta and a strong sundowner is more to your taste! There is even a “bush bath” set in the veldt, in which you can wash away the smell of leather, up to your ears in bubbles, whilst listening to the sounds around you. Whatever helps you more, you are free to choose how you spend this afternoon before re-joining the party for another excellent meal. Dinners are served as a group, where all guests of the lodge eat together, or individually, as a party in the torch lit boma.

Day 7: After all that pampering yesterday afternoon, we are fit again for another full day ride. Today we head out towards Garonga’s tree house. Our route takes us over one of the highest points in the reserve: the view from this point is truly bird’s-eye and can only emphasize the sheer grandeur of the immense space around us. Literally coming off the top of the world, we are once more embraced by the bush as we venture deeper and deeper into the world we have just surveyed. Coming across a dam we watch some hippos cavorting in the water before we casually look up: waiting for us, half way up a Marula tree, is Bernie and the rest of the team. A true, old style picnic has been laid out for us on the deck, so we can continue watching life on the water from our eagle-eyed vantage point. Our horses wait patiently below, snacking on their own, natural picnic from the veldt, until we choose to head off in pursuit once more of Africa’s finest. Back way after lunch time we spend the afternoon relaxing or going on another game drive.

Day 8: Whatever has thrilled us most so far can be tracked again this morning as we ride out with the sun on our backs to warm us, pick-nicks in our saddle bags. Perhaps the elephants are snoozing in the river reeds, or a rhino is having a mud bath in one of the little waterholes. With our return to camp we have ample time to gather our thoughts before embarking on the afternoon’s activity. Again, this is your choice – perhaps a bird walk appeals, another game drive to search for something not yet encountered or another relaxed afternoon by the pool.

Day 9: Another full day in the saddle as we make our way across the reserve for our return to Wait A Little. This is the longest ride of the week (app 7 hours); prepared with lunch packages in our saddlebags the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains makes this ride incredibly beautiful. At home, the Wait A Little team eagerly awaits our exciting tales, which are the perfect accompaniment to a farewell sundowner on Wait A Little’s open plain followed by a final delicious dinner.

Day 10: An early wake up will get us on the horses quickly, so we can enjoy a short, sporty ride before the transfer service brings you to the Airport.

Notes: The price of this itinerary is fully inclusive of food, alcohol and all activities described, but not international or domestic flights or transfers. A single supplement is available for those not willing to share, although there is one tent reserved for single travelers at no extra cost available on a first come first served basis. A deposit of 50% must be paid in order to secure a booking. Booking forms are available from Wild and Exotic Ltd, telephone 01439 748401 or email info@wildandexotic.co.uk

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for riding with Wait A Little in South Africa

Location and Terrain: Against the backdrop of the Drakensberg mountains, Wait A Little Horse Safaris rides over an area of 30 000 ha (75 000 acres) prime African bushveld on the Karongwe Private Game Reserve and the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. The reserves have various ecosystems ranging from thick bush to open plains, woodlands, hills and koppies, to riverines and gullies. Our river systems are extensive and are the lifeline of the region and support an impressive population of big trees, plants and wildlife. We are located one hour from the Phalabora Gate of the Kruger National Park, between Hoedspruit and Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Weather: We are blessed with almost year-round sunshine. It can get rather hot in the summer months (October-March), averaging 32’C; don’t be surprised to find your late afternoon growing heavy with pregnant clouds and being punished with short drenching thunderstorms. Winter (April-August) is a sunny season of chilly early mornings, warm to hot middays (25’C) and cool to cold nights (can get down to 5’C and less at night in June and July).

What Game Do We Have on the Reserves? Game is plentiful and includes elephant, black and white rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, sometimes wild dogs, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, bushbuck, steenbok, duiker, impala, waterbuck, blackbacked and sidestriped jackal, honey badger, baboon, vervet monkey, mongoose, warthog, bushpig and tortoise. Amongst the endemic nocturnal creatures of special interest are porcupine, aardvark, civet, genet, caracal, serval and spring hare; water species are hippo, crocodile, otter and terrapins. A wide variety of bird species can be seen, particularly at big dams and along rivers.

ACCOMMODATION

Wait A Little Tented Camp: Wait A Little has got 4 rooms in total: three tented camps on platforms overlooking the Makuthswe River and one Rondavel in the garden overlooking the horse paddocks.

Tent 1 and 2: These tents each have a king size double bed and optional single bed. The bathroom is thatched overlooking the Makuthswe River with an outside shower, bath, toilet and washbasin.

Tent 3: This tent is bigger than the others with two king size double beds, a sitting area and a huge platform overlooking the river. This room is for single travellers sharing or honeymoon couples. The bathroom is also thatched with an outside shower, bath and basin. The private toilet also has a wash basin.

Rondavel: This room is available for single travellers not wanting to share. It has a queen size bed and its own bathroom Rondavel with a shower, toilet and washbasin.

All rooms are equipped with mosquito netting, insect repellent, adapters (two point to SA and English adapters) and hairdryers. All rooms have electricity and hot and cold water. The water is excellent drinking water. A daily laundry service is offered.

WiFi is available throughout the camp (though not between the hours of 12noon and 3pm; please ask for the code.

After an exciting, hot day you may enjoy a drink at our bar: The fridge is always kept well stocked with cool drinks and ice and you are welcome to help yourself at any time; or you may prefer to relax at the swimming pool. Our lounge area is equipped with a generous supply of reference books, giving you the chance to read about the flora and fauna of South Africa. Please feel free to browse in our adjacent shop at any time; it also doubles as our massage sala, where our qualified therapist will be delighted to offer full body or back, neck and shoulder massages

Beacon Rock: Sleep out camp, situated on a rock formation, the highest point in the area, with a magnificent view over the Lowveld Escarpment. We sleep on mattresses under the stars, with a huge campfire, enjoying the sounds of the night.

XiDulu: Is a stunning private lodge within the Greater Makalali Game Reserve exclusively used by the owners and Wait A Little guests. Situated at the edge of a large dam, Xidulu affords superb sightings of game as they come to the water to drink along with a huge wealth of birdlife and is complete with its own resident pod of hippos. Generous open-plan accommodation is offered within and a large outside deck area with bar, infinity pool and viewing platform wraps around the lodge. Guest rooms are located along the edge of the dam and through the bushveld. Mangwa (meaning Zebra) is the master suite and is situated directly on the dam with a super-king size bed which can be converted into 2 single beds, a dressing room, bathroom, inside and outside shower, bath overlooking the dam, a fireplace, air conditioning and a private sala. Nhongo (Kudu), Nyala (Nyala) and Hongonyi (Wildebeest): These three rooms are identical to each other with a king size bed (one room can be turned into a twin room), inside and outside shower, bath, viewing deck, air-conditioning and dressing area.

Garonga Safari Camp: An exclusive 12-bed camp in the Greater Makalali Game Reserve. This unassuming sanctuary promises an intimate wildlife encounter in an unhurried environment where you can unwind, sleep deeply and be yourself. The accommodation at Garonga Safari Camp reflects the surroundings of the textured, earthy colors of the bush and clean lines have been incorporated with fine linen to ensure pure comfort: a tempting place to lie and meditate for hours. The Tented Rooms are situated overlooking a dry riverbed – each with a wooden deck complete with hammock that commands spectacular views. The rooms are light, airy and spacious with large, draped beds. In addition to the indoor shower, there is an outdoor shower, providing the perfect link between the luxury of the suite and the allure of Mother Nature.

Timings and Meals: Wake up time is 5:30am in summer, 6:30 in winter. A light breakfast is served in the lounge ½ hour later and another ½ hour later we will depart for our ride.
The length of rides is determined by the weather, but we usually ride for 3-4 hours in the morning and approximately 2 hours in the afternoon.

A generous buffet lunch is served after your return from your morning safari with fresh salads, homemade bread and meats or fish. You are then free to relax in your room or by the pool until afternoon tea is served at 3:30pm or 4pm in winter, followed by an afternoon ride or game drive (please consult your itinerary).

A sumptuous three-course dinner is served at around 8pm or 7:30 in winter and a fine international cuisine is served. Emphasis is made on venison, pasta, fresh fish if available and lovely barbecues over open fires. Please remind us of any dietary requirements / allergies you may have on arrival

Single room: One single room is provided for single travellers who don’t want to share their accommodation without having to pay single supplement.

Single Supplement: 50% single supplement is charged if guests are not prepared to share their room or use the single room provided.

ABOUT THE RIDING

Riding Ability: Please note that this horse safari is only for experienced riders. Sporty and long canters require a good level of riding. “Bushwhacking” (winding canters through the bush) is one of our specialties and with a good balance it is great fun. It is of great advantage if you are a fit and proficient rider and used to long hours in the saddle. Please understand, that no novices or inexperienced riders can be taken on trail and will be dismounted if the riding ability is not sufficient or a danger to the rest of the group.

Riding Style: The riding style is strict English on Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddles with a small number of trail saddles used only for particular horses. The reins are kept long in walk to allow the horses to stride out, but shortened in canter. Please get out of the saddle and use the light seat in canter and if jumping. A good leg contact is important and riders should have an independent seat not balancing themselves on the reins.

How to Ride Our Horses:

– Please leave the reins long in walk so that your horse is able to stride out. Don’t hold the reins too short as it makes the horse stiff and uncomfortable and it won’t walk forward.
– Have your reins shorter in game situations, tracking an animal or over difficult terrain (such as going up or down hills or riding through thick bush)
– When there is enough space please ride next to each other in walk; only when the terrain doesn’t allow it ride in single file
– Please take your reins shorter in canter and stay in single file. Don’t pass each other and never overtake the guide
– Never let your horse run downhill, always try and keep it walking. Catch up with the rest of the group when it is safe and even ground
– Please have your hands on the reins at any given time, but in particular in a game sighting and when taking pictures
– Horses are allowed to graze when we are watching animals or standing still, however they should not eat during the ride
– As soon as we dismount please be patient and hold your horse until we help you. Never tie the horse by the reins!
– Please note that each horse needs a different saddle and each saddle is fastened differently. Although we welcome any offers of help, we would appreciate it if you would leave the saddling of the horses to us to prevent any problems.
– We would also appreciate if you would use the mounting block to get on your horse. Please try to mount softly.

Type of Horses: The main breed used is the South African Boerperd, a beautiful and elegant horse, sensitive, responsive, well-tempered, and forward going and very brave. Other appropriate breeds are Thoroughbreds and crosses, Warmbloods Shire – and Frisian crosses. Their heights vary between 14.3 and 17 hands. There is a suitable horse (app 40 horses) for the competitive rider as well as for the steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider. All horses are trained in basic dressage in the riding arena in the method the GFN (German National Equestrian Federation) recommends. This ensures your horse is responsive, well-mannered and fun to ride. All horses are spirited and forward going, some obviously more than others.

Tack general: Our top priority is the care and well-being of our horses and their equipment. All effort is made to fit the right saddle and bridle. The equipment for the trail is carefully chosen to ensure the horses and riders comfort on long distance rides.

Saddles: Bates Caprilli Dressage Saddles: a wonderful soft saddle in the dressage style, which helps you gain a comfortable seat with longer stirrups for distance rides. A very small number of trail saddles are used for horses that require them.

Comfort: We do offer seat saves and sheepskins, but our saddles are so soft, that rarely anyone uses them.

Bridles: Almost all horses go in a loose ring snaffle, however, some benefit from a little stronger bit.

Gear: Jodhpurs and half or full chaps, comfortable riding boots, please bring whatever you usually wear to ride in. New equipment is not a good idea, rather come with something you are most comfortable in. A light weight riding helmet, preferably with a good circulation is highly recommended. We do have a little assortment of chaps and helmets, but best is to bring your own equipment, which fits better and will be more comfortable.

Other Aids: None

Weight Limit: Maximum weight is 95kg (210lbs/15stone).

Length of Rides: Between 4 and 7 hours a day

Guide and Safety on Trail: Rides are led by Philip Kusseler, a FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) qualified guide, who has gained the highest qualification or Rusty Steel also qualified by the association and followed by a back-up rider. All camps and vehicles have radio contact and the armed guide carries a hand held radio. A full safety briefing expanding in detail on the above points and explaining how we approach game sightings will be held at afternoon tea on your arrival day. Please note that international travel insurance is compulsory and clients will be asked to sign an indemnity before going on safari.

Size of Group: Up to a maximum of 7 guests, groups of 8 might be considered.

Children: We do accept children above the age of 12 years and if they are competent riders. We do give 20% discount for children between the age of 12 and 16 years.

Medical: A first aid kit is carried on each ride. At base camp a full medical kit is available. Guides are professional first aiders. The nearest hospital is 45 minutes away.

Malaria: Malaria occurs occasionally in the months of September to May. We are situated next to a river (flowing water) and have hardly any mosquitos and none in the months of June to August. The national health organisation still describes the areas around the Kruger Park as low-risk Malaria areas. Avoid being bitten by the use of an appropriate insect repellent and the wearing of long shirts and trousers especially around sunset and take your anti-malarials as advised by your doctor.
TOURIST SAFETY

If travelling on to sightsee in built-up urban areas you should take the same precautions as you would in any other large international town or city. Avoid the unnecessary display of valuables including jewellery, cash and audio or visual recording equipment. The rural areas are very safe and especially here at Wait A Little you can be assured to find all our doors open. If travelling by car you should always try to reach your destination before dark; cows and people in the road are the reason that travelling at night is quite dangerous. In general, the South African people are very friendly, helpful and hospitable.

The use of Credit Cards is more advisable than that of large amounts of cash. Traveller cheques cost a lot in bank charges and are a nightmare to get exchanged at the local banks. Get cash from the ATM with your Credit Card and your PIN, they offer the best exchange rate, it is quick, safe and you have access to it at any time whilst you are traveling.

BEFORE YOU START YOUR JOURNEY TO SOUTH AFRICA

There are a couple of things that are quite important before you start packing your bags:

1. Bring the riding gear you are the most comfortable in as you will be spending many hours in the saddle, probably more then you are used to. New riding gear needs to be worn in, so not a good idea to do this on an 8 day horse safari where you can spend up to 7 hours in the saddle in warm climate!

2. Pack some jods and riding shoes in your hand luggage, a change of underwear and a toothbrush and whatever else you think is absolutely necessary. If your bag gets lost during your travel it is of great advantage to have your well-fitting riding gear in hand. We can help you out with leisure clothes, chaps, and helmets, but it is good to have some comfortable riding gear (in particular your boots)!

3. We do recommend wearing helmets, however it is not compulsory. A good ventilated helmet is of advantage. We do have a great collection of helmets, but your own helmet fits better and will be safer!

4. You have to have medical/travel insurance. Make sure you are covert if you decide not to wear a helmet, as most insurance companies won’t insure you unless you wear a helmet. Have your travel documents, passports, money and your travel/medical insurance details always close to you! Do not put these items in your luggage or any luggage that might be out of your sight!

5. Always collect your luggage on arrival at Johannesburg Airport and take it through customs. Most of the South African smaller Airports don’t have a customs clearance! Even if the airlines tell you that your luggage can be checked through to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa, it is not true!!! It will not make it!!!

6. At Johannesburg Airport there are a lot of porters who can be of great help if you are in a hurry to find your check in counter or your gate. However they are sometimes a bit cheeky asking a lot of money. R 50,00 is more than enough to give them when they have been of great help, if they have only pushed the trolley, R 20,00 should be enough.

7. If you travel by car and police stops you for speeding or something else you might have done wrong, don’t give them any cash money, always ask for a ticket. If they persist, ask to speak to their supervisor.

South Africa general information and map

Capital: Johannesburg

Getting there: There are regular flights from the UK to Johannesburg and Cape Town every day of the week, most are overnight flights arriving into Africa the following morning. The flying time from London to Johannesburg is approximately 11 hours and from London to Cape Town 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Time: GMT plus two hours

Try not to miss: The Kruger National Park, a vast region of rolling plains interspersed with mopane woodland and riverine forest that is hope to all of the continent’s Big 5, as well as a selection of exclusive and private reserves found on the periphery These include Sabi Sands, one of the best places in the world to watch wild leopards, the Madikwe Game reserve, which is home to both black and white rhino as well as a pack of endangered wild dogs, and the Thorneybush Game Reserve.

Cape Town for her cutting edge hotels, fine cuisine and lovely climate during the English winter, not to mention the surrounding winelands. Visit nearby Hermanus between June and November to watch the whales or cage dive amongst great white sharks. Mossel Bay marks the start of the famous Garden Route, which shadows the Southern Coast all the way to Port Elizabeth, passing through a scenic landscape of sensational beaches, forests and lakes as well as the historic settlements of George, Kynsa and Plettenberg Bay.

On the opposite side of the Cape and approximately one thousand miles to the North, Rocktail Bay in Kwa-Zulu Natal lies within a private concession of the Maputuland coastal forest reserve, a unique World Heritage Site where loggerhead turtles emerge from the Indian Ocean each summer to lay their eggs amongst the sand dunes. Activities here include world class diving on pristine reefs. Kwa-Zulu Natal is also home to Fugitives Drift the setting for internationally acclaimed battlefield tours.

Phinda Reserve is a special favourite of ours, a small gem of a reserve in unique sand forest environment close to Richard Bay that is home to rare indigenous wildlife where our guests can track rhinos and enjoy walking safaris.

Visas: No visa is required for visits of up to 90 days for UK citizen but there are strict requirements for children travelling to and from South Africa:

Two parents travelling with children (under the age of 18 years) will need to show the child’s Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC). (This does not need to be translate)

One married parent travelling with a child will need to show the UBC and either a Parental Consent Affidavit  (PAC)  from the parent not travelling or a letter of special circumstances, or a copy of Court order in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005, authorising a minor to enter or depart from the Republic in the absence of parental consent of either parent

Widowed parent travelling with a child will need to show the UBC and a death certificate of deceased parent.

Children travelling with family friends will need a UBC, PCA, copies of parents passports,  and contact details of parents.

Airlines will forbid children to fly without the correct documentation. We recommend that you speak to the South African Embassy if in any doubt.

Why South Africa: South Africa is celebrated for its magnificent and diverse landscape, and the quality of her wildlife viewing. South African guides enjoy an enviable reputation and are acknowledged to be amongst the best in the world.