Horizon’s Jembisa / The Limpopo Valley
“Big 5” Safari
For an unforgettable big five riding adventure combine four nights in South Africa with Horizon
Horseback Safaris and four nights in Botswana, with Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris. This
horseback safari combines responsive well-loved horses with the magic of riding with game in
stunning wilderness areas.
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Horizon is in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Safaris are based on private reserves in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of the last true wilderness areas of South Africa. Species to be seen include rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe,
ostrich and zebra, brown hyena, hippo.
In addition riders will encounter a wide variety of antelope, including the impressive eland and sable and the exquisite steenbuck. Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris is in the Tuli Block, home to Mashatu Game Reserve and known as "The Land of the Giants".
This is an area of great diversity, magnificent vistas and land formations as ancient as time itself. It is also home to a multitude of wildlife species and remains untouched by the invasion of man.
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The riding trails cover both the riverine terrain
and the true African mopane bushveld, including the famous sandstone formations of the Tuli.
The richness of the Mashatu horse safari experience is complemented by the prevalence of
regularly sighted species such as lion, leopard, elephant and hyena.
Example itinerary
Day 1: Guests will be transferred from Johannesburg airport to Jembisa, our stunning stone
and thatch safari lodge in the Waterberg, where they will arrive in time to relax and explore
the beautiful surroundings and to meet with their guides and fellow safari group. Lunch will be
served to revive the weary travellers. Late afternoon, guests will have their first opportunity to
acquaint themselves with their selected horse, to take in the wonderful open spaces around
them, and to go in search of game in the soft afternoon light. The day will finish with
sundowners on a rocky expanse with views over the mountains, followed by a sumptuous
three course evening meal.
Day 2: In the morning guests go on a long and adventurous ride that explores the
escarpment area. Riders pause en route to climb down a rocky ledge and observe san rock
art, evidence of the hunter-gatherers who lived in the area over 400 years ago. The ride
explores kloofs and valleys, riding through varied terrain that is home to white rhino, giraffe
and a variety of plain’s game. The lengthy morning’s ride is rewarded by a superb ‘surprise’
bush brunch, set up under a shady thatched awning with wonderful views of the reserve and
looking down at a watering hole below. Guests can relax and sip champagne, whilst sharing
the morning’s experiences and feasting on a delicious spread.
The afternoon provides a welcome respite and an opportunity to visit an orphan black rhino
that resides close by. The owner Konita Walker, wife to renowned artist and conservationist
Clive Walker, is always keen to share her experiences over the past 12 years raising not only
orphaned white and black rhino, but also orphaned hippo.
Day 3: Riders set off prepared for a full day’s riding with a picnic lunch. We ride across the
Phalala river, where the hippo are often seen basking beneath the bridge, and into a
neighbouring reserve where rarer game species can be encountered. This 5,000 hectare
reserve is the home to white rhino, buffalo and the rare and exquisite roan and sable
antelope. You will have almost certainly encountered your first two of the “big five” by the end
of the day!!
Following a lengthy rest welcomed by both horse and rider together with an elaborate picnic
lunch, guests continue with a late afternoon ride into the plains where the rhino are most likely
to be seen. The rhino females are often seen with a calf at foot, or larger groups occasionally
congregate more socially.
This evening the horses are left in a camp on this reserve while guests are driven back to
Jembisa lodge for dinner set attractively under an umbrella of trees.
Day 4: After an early rise, guests are transported back across the valley to continue riding on
the far side of the reserve in an area abundant with wildlife. We return to the lodge for
another impressive lunch and guests can relax or take the opportunity to have a massage in
their room or outdoors on the deck.
In the afternoon we return to ride back through the reserve, picking our way carefully across
the river and stopping to enjoy a sundowner at a secluded ‘look out’ vantage point on the
edge of the escarpment.
The final evening’s dinner is a ‘braai’ evening, set up on the deck amidst a glow of lanterns.
Day 5: After a final spin on the horses, some last minute photographs, and a hearty brunch,
guests are transferred to their next destination - on the other side of the Botswana border!
You will depart the lodge at approximately 11.30 to Limpopo Valley horse Safaris – a transfer
of approximately 3.5 hours. Upon arrival at the stunning camp afternoon tea will be served
and guests will have a chance to settle in and relax. The afternoon will also bring a
introductory ride to familiarize riders with their horses, as well as to give a little taste to just
what is in store over the next four days. The ride goes to the Confluence camp, where the
Majale and the Limpopo meet. The ride follows the course of the Limpopo, which has the
majestic Mashatu trees all along its course. Upon arrival at the camp, you will be met by the
luxury of a well-deserved sundowner overlooking the river and a hot shower under the stars.
Our well renowned bush cook serves dinner before retiring to your very comfortable beds set
up in the comfort of your tent. Let the night bush sounds serenade you to sleep….
Day 6: After an early rise and a light breakfast you will head out to explore the Limpopo
Valley, including a natural marshland called ”Nels Vlei”, the Majale island which is guaranteed
to keep you on your toes, as this is where the Majale Island pride of lions hang out. As well as
Kanda Corner where the giraffes sometimes are browsing on the mopane bush, as well as
the aptly named Elephants Valley! The morning ride is 6-7 hours as you explore the area
teeming with general game, while heading in a northerly direction. Lunch will be enjoyed at
Jwala Camp under the shade of the Ana tree, as the horses graze around you. In the
afternoon you will be taken on a walk into the hills of Jwala to explore up close the beauty of the
area, your guide will enlighten you to the wonder of the following tracks and signs of the
bush. On return to camp sundowners await you around the campfire and dinner is served
under the Ana tree. Enjoy the peace and quiet interrupted only by the occasional sounds of
lions, hyenas and jackals.
Day 7: Today is another early start as you will be again in the saddle for up to 6-7 hours; a
good breakfast will fortify you for this day! The route goes in a westerly direction and takes
you to the most outlying part of Mashatu, the Kgotla Camp amidst the most amazing
sandstone formations and with some amazing baobabs trees. You will be following mostly
old elephant trails, made over great periods of time, truly the land of the giants!! This ride
brings the opportunity of jumping some of the fallen logs, pushed over by elephants. Lunch
will await you under a splendid Mashatu tree, and then after a lunchtime siesta you head out
to the Mmmagua ruins to experience how ancient communities in the area used to live. You
will also meet the Baobab where Cecil John Rhodes engraved his initials while he was in the
area. It is a fascinating insight into the area and its history. Back at the camp, dinner is served
under the stars, and tonight you also get to sleep out under the stars as you are inside a
“boma”. An unbeatable experience!
Day 8: The dawn chorus will awake you, as a sumptuous breakfast is prepared over the fire.
Another long day in the saddle, this ride will be up to 4 hours in the morning
followed by a good break during the heat of the day, and another 2 hours in the afternoon are
spent in the saddle. You pass through a range of vegetation types: riverine forests, savannah
acacias, terminalia shrubland and areas abundant in shepard's trees, there is a good chance
of seeing Elephants, many species of birds and a wide range of antelopes. You also have to
thread your way through the “maze of Elephants and Thorns” And pass by a local community,
Lentswe le Morit. Upon reaching the “Liana” camp you will be meet by a refreshing drink in a
dry riverbed, over hung with the Liana or Babbon vine. This afternoon you have the choice of
going on a game drive, in search of the cats which you will no doubt prefer to see from the
safety of a vehicle! Sundowners are enjoyed in the bush, usually overlooking a Kopie, and
you can soak up the atmosphere of a true African experience…Back at camp another
delicious meal, cooked over the fire is served, and as the night draws to a close you can
enjoy a night cap around the fire.
Day 9: After a final breakfast around the fire, you will head off for a final ride in the direction of
Nels Vlei, a good chance to catch a final glimpse of elephants here, as this is one of their
favorite areas. Some final jumps over our natural cross country course and your back at FJ.
A last pat and a fond farewell to you horse, you have the chance to have a good shower and
last lunch before heading off for the border and the 5.5 hours drive to JHB.
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