Horse Back Safari

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armywag

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Has anyone been on one? What do you think?

I havnt looked into it in detail yet it was just a suggestion by someone for our honeymoon..
 
I worked for a horse safari company for my gay year 2 years ago. Bhangazi horse safaris in St Lucia on the east coast of South Africa, it was a wonderful experiance, and seeing the wildlife from horse back a dream come true... Now you can go to some amazon luxury camps and you can split your time from riding and other activities!!
 
Thanks guys, sounds fab!

My worries also re the lions thinking the horse was lunch - do they not?!

I was also thinking what if you happened to fall off and left stranded?!
 
armywag said:
Thanks guys, sounds fab!

My worries also re the lions thinking the horse was lunch - do they not?!

I was also thinking what if you happened to fall off and left stranded?!
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Lions kept well away, it was the elephants we were told to worry about ;)

At Limpopo you have a ride leader and a rear escort, both have rifles so if you were attacked they can defend you. Cor had a bullwhip- like Indiana Jones- and he could crack it like a gunshot- that was enough to scare off anything that got curious- he said the paperwork is ridiculous if you actually shoot something :eek: They would NEVER leave you if you fell off, the rear escort would be with you in seconds and he would then radio the leader to pull up and bring the ride back (no one fell off on ours)
 
Fab fab fab, go do it!! I've done a few in the past - been to Waterberg (Dinaka, Equus, Limpopo reserve), and Songimvelo in Mpumalanga when Steve Rufus was there; had a fabulous time, every time. I'm sure you'll be very well looked after. For me nothing beats viewing game from horseback, so much more 'real' than from a game vehicle.
 
I have done both in South Africa and horse back beats a vehicle every time. We were told to be aware of crocodiles and rhino not lions!
 
Another vote for horse back safaris, I also went to Dinaka, Equus, & Limpopo Valley; although Equus was really good (that's where my user name came from, it's the name of a lovely little horse that I rode there) I preferred the other 2.
We saw lions twice at Limpop but it was fine, the guides know what they're doing, I remember the bull whip Cor used to crack when we got back to camp so sombody would come out & open the gates.
 
Off topic but I always wondered if you came from Kenya, Turkana, as this is the name of a tribe there. I was born in Kenya and learnt to ride there!! There are also riding safaris in Kenya but dont know how they compare. I really like the look of the Botswana camps though.
 
cavalo branco

I found out the Kenya connection after I got back (from watching Bruce Parry) I chose it because I like the sound of it.

The are some good safaris in Kenya but they used to be more expensive than the South Africa & Botswana safaris which is way I chose those holidays.
 
Darkly_Dreaming_Dex said:
We had a fabulous horseback honeymoon- this one :)

http://www.inthesaddle.com/RideDetails.aspx?rid=459

Cor from Limpopo came to visit us last year and went hunting on my Dexter :)
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We did one in S.A. at Dinaka and also one in Botswana at Limpopo and both were good for different reasons. Dinaka in S.A. was more luxury with solid walls, proper beds in fixed accomadation with fridges etc.
A nice place.

Limpopo was camping and tents but with beds etc and your own loo. Considering i hate camping it was pretty good, I would highly reccommend Limpopo. We travelled from one camp site to another.
The horses were amazing at Limpopo, i think mine was called Rhodes and he was great, really responsive.
No need to worry too much about the Lions as Cor carries a big gun, although their roars did keep me awake one night. Quite weird sleeping in a tent with lions outside making a racket.

Both horseback safaris were great, saw plenty of wildlife which is what its all about really and the riding was great as well.
 
I did the same trip as Lagartijamick last September & it was amazing - I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a lot of riding though - circa 6 hours per day.

There is also a lodge at Horizon which is a bit more luxurious and quite popular with Honeymooners.

There are a few companies you can book through - I booked through Unicorn trails - I don't know how the prices compare to In The Saddle - but they are the same holidays.
The horseback safaris in Kenya are also supposed to be fantastic.

Have fun :D
 
http://www.okavangohorse.com/

(at risk of being accused of spam!!!)

BIG vote for Pj and Barney Bestalink in Botswana - they are friends of friends of mine, and the reason my friends now live in Africa.... they are truly lovely people,and the horses and holidays are amazing....

have an incredible time - its amazing !!!
 
Racergirl said:
http://www.okavangohorse.com/

(at risk of being accused of spam!!!)

BIG vote for Pj and Barney Bestalink in Botswana - they are friends of friends of mine, and the reason my friends now live in Africa.... they are truly lovely people,and the horses and holidays are amazing....

have an incredible time - its amazing !!!
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Heard a lot of good things about the Okovanga Delta, if I ever go on another safari it will likely be there.
 
Now i'm home i can show some pictures :)

In Botswana, i'm riding an SA chesnut TB called Tommy :)
SarahTommy.jpg


WE climbed to the top of King Solomons wall to watch elephants in the Limpopo river whilst drinking G&T :D Cor loved my OH's hat so much he left it with him when we went home :cool:
RogSarahLimpopo.jpg


and this is Cor (on dark bay Dexter)visiting our hunt for autumn hunting- its a bit fuzzy as it was 6am :eek: He thinks they need cobs in Botswana :D
cordex.jpg



They do camping- which we did and LOVED but they also have lodges now if you want more luxury :cool:

*whispers* they often have deals if booking direct.. http://www.lvhsafaris.co.za/team.html
 
I would LOVE to go on a horse safari - been looking into it for years, but unfortunately it's the money that's stopping me!

I'm not just horse mad, all animal mad so to go on safari riding a horse is like a dream to me! lol

I find that they are really expensive, £2000-£4000 for 7 or 10 nights but that doesn't include flights - a very expensive dream, better start saving!

I hope you find the holiday your looking for :)
 
I went to Okapuka in Namibia in June last year and can't recommend it enough. Game viewing was incredible (they don't have lions/elephants in the area, which may be disappointing to come, but i still loved it, and meant there was no fear of getting eaten or squished when going for a wee behind a bush!). And the riding was brilliant, a perfect mix of walking whilst viewing game, and canters that went on forever, mile upon mile of sandy tracks on endurance fit arabs (my two rides were very feisty!...not a trip for the novice!)

Did an adrenaline pumping mountain ride one day (galloping up mountainsides is a huge rush) and viewing mountain zebra, so not all rides are the same. The accomodation and restaurant were gorgeous too. We stayed for 7 days i think and the total cost incl flights was just over 2000.00, so not bad in comparison with a lot of other places.

Do it do it do it!!!!
 
KatPT were you not warm in half chaps? And did you find jods were ideal for hot sunny climbs? Am planning an adventure in the USA and pondering what to wear - its supposed to be very hot during the day and freezing cold at night (mountains in Montana). ;)
 
I was actually fine in my half chaps, but the weather in June in Namibia is not that hot. It probably got up to 25degrees at mid-day and then at night hit Zero. So that sort of clothing for my trip was perfect...although I'm glad I packed an extra fleece at the last minute cos it was very chilly at night!

I've done a fair bit of riding in the US/Canada/NZ through work and always stick to jeans or jodhs and half chaps and am always fine. I rode across the Andes a couple of years ago from Argentina to Chile, which was really hot in the day and cold at night, and I would advise layers for your top half that are easy to strip off/put on. But your legs should be fine!
 
This is another vote for Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris - I have done a couple of their sfaris and can't wait to go back! Horse back safaris are a fabulous experience and you can get so close to the wildlife!
 
KatPT said:
I was actually fine in my half chaps, but the weather in June in Namibia is not that hot. It probably got up to 25degrees at mid-day and then at night hit Zero. So that sort of clothing for my trip was perfect...although I'm glad I packed an extra fleece at the last minute cos it was very chilly at night!

I've done a fair bit of riding in the US/Canada/NZ through work and always stick to jeans or jodhs and half chaps and am always fine. I rode across the Andes a couple of years ago from Argentina to Chile, which was really hot in the day and cold at night, and I would advise layers for your top half that are easy to strip off/put on. But your legs should be fine!
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Thank you very much for that info - VERY helpful. Am making a list of things I need. The ride specifies average 6 hours in the saddle per day (for 5 days) but have been advised by someone who has been on this particular ride that it could be 8-10 hours! Looking for a nice western sheepskin seat saver!!! Anyone got one second hand. (I ride my horses western anyway so it WOULD get used before and after the ride!). Thank you KatPT.
 
SuenRoux said:
Thank you very much for that info - VERY helpful. Am making a list of things I need. The ride specifies average 6 hours in the saddle per day (for 5 days) but have been advised by someone who has been on this particular ride that it could be 8-10 hours! Looking for a nice western sheepskin seat saver!!! Anyone got one second hand. (I ride my horses western anyway so it WOULD get used before and after the ride!). Thank you KatPT.
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PM me if you don't have any joy finding a second hand seat saver, I have a nice brown sheepskin one which am not really prepared to sell as although I rarely use it it's jolly useful to have, but could perhaps lend it just for your holiday. You've seen the new ones on horsedreams.co.uk? Pullman Western also have them.
 
Another one whose been to Okapuka & loved it. I was lucky enough to win my trip in a comp (big grin!). The food at the hotel was lush & there were meerkats running around the bar as well. I sat in the pool watching weaver birds going in & out of their nests, lilac breasted rollers & eagles. Sigh!
 
Hairycob, which horses did you ride? I was so impressed with mine, fast, responsive, but would walk on the buckle straight after a fast canter...although mine were both strong minded feisty chestnut mares!
 
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