This safari offers guests an informative, private and unique bush experience on horseback where attention is paid not only to the mammals, but also to all aspects of the local ecology.
Bush walks
Horse riding
Bird watching
Game viewing
This is home to Equus Horse Safaris. Formed in 1989, they are the longest established horse safari specialists in South Africa. In a vehicle, you are remote from the excitement around you; on horseback your senses come alive as you look for birds and game or simply track their spoor. The combination of riding and game viewing makes for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Environment This safari covers four distinctly different habitats: afro-montane, bushveld savannah, grasslands and wetlands resulting in a great diversity of flora and fauna. Other features of the landscape are open sweeping grasslands, wetlands and dams, and hidden mountain streams that shape the valleys. Wildlife has survived the pressures of human encroachment and the land is not game fenced. Kudu, mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck, duiker, common reedbuck, warthog, chacma baboon, leopard, caracal, black-backed jackal, brown hyena, aardvark, bushpig, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, porcupine, scrub hare, mongoose are found on the property. Over 140 birds have been identified. Of special note are the Cape vulture from the largest breeding colony in Africa situated in nearby Marakele National Park and the Blue Crane who roost and feed in the grasslands in the summer months.
For those guests who want to see the "big five" (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard), game drives or overnight stays on neighbouring private game reserves can be arranged.
Heritage Guests are introduced to the culture of the area in various ways including visits to a local rural school; walks to the Iron Age ruins and another stone-walled settlement built for defensive reasons; constructed with upright slabs, somewhat like monoliths; probably built by Nguni speakers. Guests are "Introduced" to Eugene Marais. Based on his life in the Waterberg, he wrote two pioneering studies of animal behaviour - The Soul of the White Ant and The Soul of the Ape, and an essay Road to the Waterberg.
Horseback Equus caters for novice, intermediate and advanced riders. The minimum riding requirement is the ability to post to the trot for ten minutes at a time and canter confidently. The weight limit is 95 kgs. (210 lbs.). Maximum of six riders on a ride with a lead guide. Regretably, beginner riders cannot be accepted, but non-riding guests, hikers and birders are welcome.
Equus clicker training At equus, the horses have been trained using Equiclicks. This concept is founded on the sound scientific principles of Behaviourism. The central principle is simple - desirable behaviour is rewarded and undesirable behaviour is not rewarded (neither is it necessarily punished other than withholding the reward). The clicker method has shown itself to be a kind and enjoyable method of training for both horse and rider.
Day 1 Check in to your tented camp at 2 pm. You can settle in and then have a brief introduction to the reserve, camp and activities. We suggest an introductory ride of about two hours later that afternoon to become familiar with the horses, tack and surroundings. The ride moves up through the grasslands to a magnificent position overlooking the Waterberg where we will stop for sundowners and watch the cliffs for baboon settling down for the night. As dusk falls there is always the chance of spotting brown hyena, jackal, aardvark or bushpig. Return to camp and relax with drinks around the campfire followed by a fine dinner accompanied by South African wines.
Day 2 Wake up to tea or coffee on your verandah, followed by breakfast at the lodge as the early morning light washes over the valley. Walk over to the stables, mount up and set off on an exploration of the open grasslands of a neighbouring reserve. Sandy tracks are good for long, steady canters and the woodland areas for spotting giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest, eland, impala, warthog, kudu or reedbuck. Your guide is knowledgeable on the flora, fauna and spoor of the area and will share as much of this with you as you wish to know. Light refreshments are carried in saddlebags and we stop near a stream, picket the horses and rest in the grass for a short while. The ride is approximately three hours, followed by lunch and a siesta at the camp. The afternoon ride explores our streams and valleys where sightings may include warthog, kudu, reedbuck and klipspringer. In spring and summer, the area is carpeted in a profusion of wildflowers. On clear days, a variety of raptors may be seen soaring overhead. Enjoy a couple of long canters through the grass with high ridges all around before turning for home after about two hours. A well deserved dinner after a long day in the saddle.
Day 3 Set off on a spectacular mountain route along our eastern boundary, on the lookout for Cape vulture soaring above and shy klipspringer among the rocks. We pick our way along the ridge between giant sandstone boulders, enjoying 360 degree views of the Waterberg, before finally dropping down into the valleys for an exhilarating canter before returning to lunch at the camp. The afternoon is spent at your leisure. Perhaps you would like to take a walk in the rich evening light to the Iron Age ruins, located at a most spectacular lookout, to speculate on the origins and occupants of years before. In the evening we'll enjoy drinks around the fire and dinner in the outdoor boma.
Day 4 Depart this morning on a full day ride across two neighbouring reserves, carrying our lunch in saddlebags. There is a chance of seeing a wide variety of African plains game including such species as zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, blesbok, waterbuck, nyala, impala, red hartebeest, kudu and eland. Our route traverses open plains, explores areas of woodland and follows a rushing river to a shady lunch spot where we will untack, picket the horses and enjoy a refreshing dip in the river. Siesta under the trees after lunch before turning homeward. Dinner and drinks around the fire after a long and exciting day in the saddle.
Day 5 This morning, explore the remote valleys of the mountain wilderness area. Our route slowly climbs higher, following streambeds, ridges and grassy valleys until we arrive at a high point of the Waterberg Mountains with breathtaking views of the escarpment. We'll be looking for elusive species of birds and wildlife amongst the hills and tall golden grass before returning to camp for lunch and check out at midday.
The following activities can be incorporated into the itinerary at an extra charge: - game drives on a neighbouring reserve to see elephant, rhino, lion, giraffe and common plains game - game-viewing and scenic drives to Marakele National Park
ecoQuest Community: Equus Education Fund The fund has been established to channel guest donations to support bursaries for students from a very disadvantaged community at Meetsetshehla Secondary School. Guests will have the opportunity to visit this school during their stay at Equus and to contribute to the fund should they be willing.
The first beneficiary of the EEF will receive financial assistance for her school fees and uniforms in the 2005 school year. The other beneficiary, a matric student to be announced in December, will receive financial assistance toward fees, transport, room and board for his or her tertiary education. Pictured here with John is Fransina Kgadima, the first bursary recipient.
Footprint Resources - garden is fertilized by horse manure and food compost, providing vegetables for guests and all staff. Power - all electric lines on the reserve are buried underground. Water - gravity-fed system; a natural spring is the source of year-round water for Equus Reserve. Fuel - burn alien vegetation, i.e., bluegums as firewood instead of indigenous trees. Waste - separated into bins of glass, metals, plastics, compost, tins, and burnables.
Photos copyright Franco Barbagallo, Rene van Bakel, Equus Horse Safaris.
Family If children are 12 or older AND can ride confidently, they are welcome. Younger children who are competant riders may be considered on request only. Families with young children who can ride are welcome to book out the whole camp.
Rate includes All riding, accommodation, meals, teas and coffees, other activities, guide services, laundry and 14% VAT are included. From 2005, all drinks will also be included.
Rate excludes Excludes transfers from Johannesburg, drinks, gratuities and items of a personal nature. Road transfers between Johannesburg and Equus (three hours): 1 passenger R 1815 + R 454 admin fee per person return 2 passengers R 1090 + R 273 admin fee per person return 3 passengers R 1210 + R 303 admin fee per person return 4 passengers R 1020 + R 255 admin fee per person return 5 passengers R 815 + R 204 admin fee per person return 6 passengers R 680 + R 170 admin fee per person return
5 day Waterberg Horse Safari
Community: Equus Education Fund
