Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

SOUTH AFRICA : ON THE BIG FIVE TRACK...

ITINERARY

This Safari allow you to discover one of the very few places in the world where you can see wildlife in its natural environment from horseback. Following itinerary is example and not guaranteed, as wildlife will determine our daily activities.

Day 1
Arrival in Jo'burg airport, and connecting flight to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa. Welcome at airport by our team, and transfer to the game reserve. On arrival at camp a light lunch or afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. Philip, your guide, 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 giraffe or zebra. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains , are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by handpicked 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 most probably the most exciting one. Accommodation for these first two nights is in luxury safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at our 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. The search for the wild game can begin! Whatever tracks Philip finds he will try to follow. An elephant track often leads towards the Kufunyame River , where huge palm trees an tall river reeds provide a good meal for an elephant.
Lunch will be served on our camp's terrace. Fresh salads, homemade breads, pizzas and quiches are served together with light meats and cheeses.
The lovely smell of homemade cake ensures you awake in time for the afternoon ride. We ride to a huge dam, where Hippos live during the heat of the day. Let them entertain you, playing in the water, rolling and laughing. With luck, one will be relaxing on a sandbank, enjoying the warm sun.
Tonight is "Ranger’s Pub" when friends, guides, rangers, researchers and other employees from neighbouring lodges come for a drink or two. It is a great chance to meet some of the human characters on the reserve and to become part of the over-grown family, when you listen to the exciting news rangers or researches can tell you about animals and their behaviour.

Day 3
When we hear a leopard roaring in the night, Philip looks for tracks in the riverbed to show you this impressive cat. You find him; he stands up, stretches, and stalks to a shadier spot. Philip guides you closer, and everyone is silent as the excitement of entering his world grabs you. Simply by observing him, you share a moment in harmony with an animal that is just as curious about you as you about him.
In the afternoon we pack our bags, leaving for another camp. The luggage will be brought by vehicle, whilst we set off on horseback. We ride south, passing with baited breath 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. Suddenly Philip dismounts and considers the ground around him, before turning to you to say, come! I think the wild dogs are close.
Beacon Rock, the first 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, surrounded by our horses, is where we spend the night. We listen to the call of the hyenas or jackals, which might visit us during the night. Steaks or chops, cooked over the open fire, with baked potatoes and milies are the perfect fayre to help us into a deep sleep tonight.

Day 4
Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we revive the fire for coffee and breakfast before embarking on our longest ride. Today we cross from the furthest South Eastern point into the North Western corner of the reserve. Demonstrating the rich floral diversity, we follow rhino road, always scouting for tracks of this ancient beast. Sandy roads and riverbeds give us the ground for the right pace we need to cover this distance.
We arrive at Bush Lodge, tired, ready for a drink and a good lunch in the shade of the veranda. The horses take a well earned rest while we join a game drive in the afternoon. Tonight the search is on for lions specifically and other nocturnal creatures that we cannot see from horseback. A huge fire and traditional South African cooking awaits us to the lantern lit boma of Bush Lodge. We are lodged in luxury safari tents along the Makhutswe River .

Day 5
What are we missing out? Of course Buffalo. Today we ride into the Buffalo projects, where these disease free animals are kept for breeding and research purposes. They are very curious about visitors, seeking out as eagerly as we look for them!
At lunch time we relax at the swimming pool. The elephants love to play in the river outside the lodge, vying with the mud- bathing rhino for your attention. Sometimes, when you are lucky, you see the big male lion, scratching and cleaning himself in front of the platform. It is where we have sundowners, with an ice-cold drink in our hand, watching and listening to the sounds of the African bush.

Day 6
The ride back to our first camp follows the Makhutswe River. Many antelopes including nyala, waterbuck, kudu as well as many bird species, choose the riverine vegetation as their habitation.
We arrive at camp at lunch time and decide to spend the afternoon on the swimming pool, go for another short ride or visit Jessica, the tame Hippo in the area. Anna’s excellent cake will definitely be welcome once again.

Day 7
The weather will create our day. If it is cooler, we ride out all day to visit Croc Dam. Crocodiles, fish eagles, hippos and lots of water birds can be seen in the biggest dam on the reserve. Under a big tree in the shade we unpack our picnic from the saddle bags. Later that afternoon we take our ride back. All of a sudden Philip stops, fresh tracks… cheetah. Let’s change our route to go and look for this beautiful cat, the fastest animal in the world. If we are lucky we can follow them hunting or join their peaceful repose as they relax on a termite mount.
The last sundowner on the open plain will be sad, but beautiful, impressive and absolutely unique. The African fever might have caught you as well and the good bye can be hard. For your farewell dinner Gerti chooses something special - perhaps game fillets like kudu or ostrich served on pasta with sherry sauce. It is also one of the staff’s favourite meals!

Day 8
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.

Typical day program (can vary depending to the season and the meteo) :

5.30 am : Wake up with the sound of nature, or the smell of coffee or tea.
6.00 am : Breakfast.
6.30 am : Horseback safari (2h30 or 3h) at fast pace.
11.30 am : Lunch and free time to relax in front of the swimming pool or have a siesta in a unique environment and comfort.
3.30 pm : Tea/coffee and cakes.
4.00 pm : Horseback safari (2h30 or 3h) at fast pace.
7.00 pm : Sundowner in the bush or at camp.
8.00 pm : Dinner.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extend your trip and visit the Kruger National Game Reserve, Cape Town or Victoria Falls.
You can also combine this safari with one of our other ride : in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, etc...
Contact us for further details...

We can also suggest you to extend your stay with :   - A Victoria Fall's trip   - A visit of Cape Town   Please contact us for any other project.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
The horses are essentially South African Boerperd, and warmblood. They are particularly adapted to the African environment, and have been especially selected since hundreds of years in South Africa for this type of work.
They are kind, sure-footed; they will make you discover safely the African wildlife.

Tack
The saddles are trail saddles type (no western saddles) and english saddles are available too.

Recommended riding level
It is necessary to be at ease at all gaits, and be able to control your horse in a wild environment that can be unforeseeable. This point is very important for your safety and the safety of the group and our guides on the spot reserve the right to make dismount a rider who would not have the requested level.
4 to 7 hours on horseback everyday.
Maximum weight : 95 kg

YOUR GUIDES

All days on horseback are accompagnied by an attorney guide from FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) and a second assistant guide. All camps and vehicles are equiped with radio, and our team is trying to locate animals to avoid surprising meetings. Our guide is always equiped with a radio and an arm (he never uses it, because he knows the security distance to keep toward wildlife).

On first day, we will ask you to follow our security briefing. For safety reason, as for ride quality, groups are limited to six riders.

ACCOMMODATION

Base camp (first 3 nights + last night)
Accommodation is in double-bedded canvas safari tents on platforms individually built and furnished in African safari style with private outside shower and toilet. From the decks you enjoy a magnificent view over the Makhutswe River.
After an exciting, hot day you may enjoy a drink at our bar or relax at the swimming pool. The main area is equipped with a library giving you the chance to read about the wildlife, flora and fauna of South Africa. For a personal experience, we will accompany you throughout your stay and share the excitements together.
Extra beds are provided for people sharing a room.

Outside experience (1 night)
On the top of a mass of rock, highest point of the area, ahead a fantastique view on the Lowveld cliffs. Night on a mastress under stars (or under a shelter) around a big fire camp.

Makalali Lodge (2 nights)
A very particular camp where the braai (place of the fire camp) is an old spring and where you'll enjoy traditionnal meals.
Night under luxuous tents builts along the river and equiped with private bathroom. Swimming pool available.

DATES AND RATES

- Single room supplement : + 1460 €
Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation.

- For children between 12 and 16 years old : - 590 €

Flights to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa

Please contact us to check the best available rates from your country.

- the trail as described in full board basis, drinks included (except in Makalali reserve)
- the transfers from and to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airports.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

- flights to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa. Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.
- drinks in Makalali reserve
- organization of any discover tour of Africa (Cape Town, Zulus area, Sun City, Victoria Falls..)
- any other service,
- tips,
- insurance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurance company. More information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Please contact Jennifer for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.

Base Camp

Makalali Lodge