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SOUTH AFRICA : GARONGA SAFARI - ON THE BIG FIVE TRACK - FULL-LENGTH VERSION ...

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  

You will be picked up at either Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport by our transfer service.  On arrival to the reserve a light lunch or afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. The team, including Philip, Gerti, Debbie and Trevor are there to welcome 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 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 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. 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. After a quiet snooze, in the grass we remount our horses to begin the meander home. Later that afternoon we take our ride back. All of a sudden Philip stops, fresh tracks… cheetah. He immediately follows the 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.

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 are about him.

The thrills of the morning’s sightings are relived over lunch, served on Wait a little's terrace. Fresh salads, homemade breads, pizzas and quiches are served together with light meats and cheeses amply satisfy the hunger brought on by a long ride.

The lovely smell of Ana's homemade cake ensures you awake in time for an evening drive to the buffalo project, where, drink in hand, you will encounter close at hand these magnificent animals.

Day 4

Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we get ready for a long ride. Entering the Greater Makalali Game Reserve, dominated by huge open planes, where you might find yourself cantering next to giraffes, zebras or wildebeest. Spectacular views, over big distances show you the way to Phiva, our camp for the next two nights.

Our arrival at camp is heralded by the first glimpses of thatched spires through the trees. As it gradually reveals itself, it seems to have been inspired by Africa herself: red like the soil, white like the bones, brown like the branches, orange and grey like the rocks. Designed by one of Africa’s most famous architects, Silvio Rech, all of Makalali’s camps have been built using the natural materials found around their locations: clay, reeds, wood and skulls have been put to innovative use to make these camps unique, yet firmly nestled in their surroundings. As with all the Makalali camps, accommodation is in private chalets, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private salas for your relaxation.

The afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive, orientated towards searching for lions. An open top Landrover will follow the directions of your native tracker as he reads the signs left by the big cats during the day. 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, may complete your day’s excitement.

Dinner is served by Harold, our camp manager, and cooked by Makalali’s chefs, famous for their fuse a mixture of European and African flavors.

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, kudu or wildebeest 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.

Served on banana leaves, we have fresh salads, meats and cheeses for lunch on Makalali’s veranda, whilst we watch nyala, waterbuck, kudu or other little animals roaming the river systems.

Refreshed after a well deserved siesta, we ride to a nearby dam, where Hippos live during the heat of the day. Let them entertain you, playing in the water, rolling and laughing. With luck, a crocodile is relaxing on a sandbank, enjoying the warm evening sun.

Day 6  

Today we direct ourselves toward 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 rejoining 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.

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. 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

Today promises to be another full day in the saddle as we make our way across the reserve for our return to the main camp.

At home, the team eagerly awaits our exciting tales, which are the perfect accompaniment to one last, sad farewell sundowner on open plain. The African fever is sure to have taken hold and the good bye can be hard. But it mustn’t be pre-empted, for there is one last sumptuous dinner to be enjoyed, when Gerti chooses something special – perhaps game fillets, such as Kudu or Eland – to crown the final evening.

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. Thanks so much for your visit.

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 :
- Wild Coast ride
- The Cape ride
- Combination South Africa - Botswana
- Botswana (Okavango Delta)
- Namibia
- Kenya

Contact us for further details...

Victoria Falls 2 nights

	90m high and 1800m long, Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful and impressive falls of the world. It's the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. A famous you absolutly have to visit during your stay in South Africa.
	The package includes : - Flights Nelspruit - Livingstone and Livingstone - Johannesburg (when flights book through Randocheval) - Airport taxes (135 €), - Transfers from and to Livingstone Airport, - 2 nights in full board basis including local drinks and house wines, - Activities : 1 trip to the Zambian side of the falls, laundry, dundown cruise, mokoro trip, nature trails and village/school tour.
	To add : - Optional activities, - Curio shop and office facilities, - Visa fees (average 50 USD depending to your nationality), - Insurances.   Consult rates.

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.

Required 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

The safari begins at our main camp to select the horses. On the fourth day early in the morning we start moving. There are two Makalali camps and the Garonga Safari camp used on the ride.

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.

Phiva camp in Makalali (2 nights)
Makalali, means "Place of Rest" in Shangaan language.
You won't find another lodge quite like Makalali. From its curious mix of rugged thatched spires and earthy walls, to its ancient mystical ornaments and luxury appointments, Makalali offers a truly unique experience.
Nestled on 14 000 hectares of conservancy, Makalali prevails as one of the finest private game lodges in the world. Exclusive camps, each consisting of six spacious suites adjacent to a stilted Sala set amongst Jackalberry trees, are equipped with all the modern conveniences you could wish for. Luxury accommodation is offered and each air-conditioned suite has a King Size bed, an en-suite bathroom, an outside shower, a private deck, a fireplace and a raised timber "sala" which doubles as a lounge or dayroom, or as a viewing platform. The rooms are decorated in african design styles with sculptured ceramic taps and basins.
All rooms are fitted with mosquito nets, and guests are supplied with insect repellent, but please note that Makalali is a Malaria Area and malaria tablets are recommended all year round.
Amenities on offer at each camp include a uniquely designed swimming pool, boma, and an enclosed dining and lounge area.

Garonga Safari Camp (3 nights)

Equally impressive is the Garonga Safari Camp, inspired by the ochre-red spires of nature's termite mounds; accommodation has been designed to reflect the textures of the earth. Thick earthen columns, generous cushions on low beds and billowing white fabrics epitomise this oasis in the middle of the South African bush.

All camps are limited to 12 guests.
Services Provided: All lodges have a dining area, launches, swimming pools, sun decks, en suite bathrooms, outside showers, king size beds, private decks, private fireplaces, three meals from excellent cuisine, aromatherapy, bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners, picnics, special diets.

DATES AND RATES

Other departure can be organized on request. Please consult us.

- Single room supplement : + 1750 €
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 : - 700 €


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.


OPTION : Discover Victoria Falls 2 nights

Single supplement :

+ 170 € until October 31, 2009
+ 75 € from November 01 to May 31 2010
+ 95 € from June 01 to October 31 2010
The single supplement will have to be paid at the booking time if you travel alone.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Please contact Dorothée for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

In the Southern hemisphere the seasons are inverted, so summer is from December to March. On the period the weather is hot but so much thanks to the altitude. It's possible it rains a little bit during the evening. It's never a problem to pratice horse riding during the day.

From april, it starts to be colder. The weather is dry and temperature are perfect to ride on the game reserve. Be careful, evenings, and nights can be fresh or cold (sometimes 0°C during the night in july).
Finaly you ride this Big Five Safari all year long in very good weather conditions.

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

Garonga Lodge