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| Viewing: Equestrian Extravaganza |
Package ID: 1931 |
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| Equestrian Extravaganza |
From wild horses to riding in the wild, if you are a horse lover and would like to spend time on horse back, this is the tour for you. There are rides through hills, bushveld, beaches and mountains.
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From wild horses to riding in the wild, if you are a horse lover and would like to spend time on horse back, this is the tour for you. There are rides through misty hills, bushveld, beaches and mountains. The tour will be conducted in air-conditioned vehicles to drive between the attractions that we will be visiting. There is a horse ride or activity at every overnight stop with the exception of Kruger National Park; well we don’t want those big cats to get hold of us!
Day 1 and 2 – Johannesburg
We will pick you up from Johannesburg Airport and take you to Africa Sky Guest House where we will be spending the next two nights. Dinner will be served at the guest house. After a leisurely breakfast on day 2 we will head out to the Kyalami Equestrian Park. Here you will see a performance by the Lipizzaners. The South African Lipizzaners have earned the honour of being the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna which are recognized by and affiliated to the Spanish Riding School and close association is maintained between the two. The Lipizzaners only perform on Sunday mornings, so the ideal would be to arrive at Johannesburg on a Saturday.
Day 3 and 4 – Kaapsehoop
On this morning we head for Kaapsehoop on the ridge of the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga. This area draws thousands of birders every year with its wide array of endangered bird species. There are also roughly 200 feral horses that roam the area. There are many tales as to where these wild horses came from. It is believed that they escaped during the Anglo-Boer War and settled in the mountains. On day 4 we will have breakfast early and then depart on a horse ride in the mountains. Birds and wild horses abound, they may be found anywhere within the area… After the ride we return to town to spend some time in the curio shops.
Day 5 and 6 – Kruger National Park
We then enter the world-renowned Kruger National Park at Orpen Gate. This park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa and the world. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. We take a leisurely game drive to Lower Sabie Rest Camp in the park, where we will be spending the night. This is one of the best areas to find leopard and lion in the park. We will have four game drives inside the park looking for the ‘Big 5’ and everything else that shares this vast bushveld with them.
Day 7 and 8 – Swaziland
This small independent kingdom is a landlocked country bordering Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and Mozambique. We will visit the oldest and most visited Swazi park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a tranquil retreat for the weary and a scenic family paradise. We will explore the area on horseback on day 8, riding with the wildlife in the park.
Day 9 and 10 – Pakamisa
We head south through Swaziland and exit via Golela border post. From here we make our way towards Pakamisa Game reserve. This malaria free wilderness covers 2500 hectares and as it is restricted, you can enjoy the exclusive experience of natural African bushveld. Animals that can be seen in the park include giraffe, zebra, red wildebeest, warthog, Bushpig, kudu, nyala, impala, bushbuck, common reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey- and red duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, baboon as well as many smaller mammals, predators and reptiles. These you can all see on horse back on day 10 as you will take a ride in the reserve.
Day 11 and 12 – St. Lucia
We then continue due south along South Africa’s East Coast. We enter the St Lucia Wetland Park, which has been granted world heritage status. The park is home to South Africa’s largest hippo and crocodile populations. We will spend the next two nights in St Lucia where we will venture up the estuary on a boat cruise and on day 12 take a horse ride along the beach. Many different bird species can be found while on the ride.
Day 13 and 14 – Mooi River
Next on the itinerary, day 14, is the lovely Summerhill Stud in Mooi River. This Thoroughbred Stud has been producing world class racehorses since the 1930’s, sending out the winners of every major race on the South African Calendar. Summerhill is renowned for its exceptional facilities, an internationally trained workforce and one of the finest stock-raising environments in the world. We spend a day on this beautiful farm with and around horses. You will also be taken on an outride, overlooking the renowned Drakensberg.
Day 15, 16 and 17 – Himeville
Himeville is situated at the foot of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal. On day 16, after an early breakfast, we set off to conquer Sani Pass. The Sani Pass is a spectacular mountain road that is a well-known entry point into Lesotho from South Africa’s Natal Drakensberg Park. We climb to an altitude of 2874m, zigzagging upwards beneath towering cliffs, buttresses, past waterfalls and unique flora and bird life. Day 17 then brings us to the last day of the tour. We spend it on horse-back through the valleys of the foothills of the Drakensberg. The horses are hardy and bred to be friendly, obedient and sure-footed on mountain paths. Professional guides will lead you into the mountains with extraordinary views, crystal bubbling streams and pristine lakes. Linger at our various viewpoints, canter along the plains, or simply soak up the silence Look forward to a light meal or refreshments and a cliff jump off a waterfall!
Day 18 – End
We bid the Drakensberg farewell and head towards Durban. You will be dropped off at the airport or hotel of your choice.
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