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Wait a Little Safari

8 days - Hoedspruit to Hoedspruit

Set in a private game reserve, Wait a Little offers challenging and varied riding. With the Drakensberg Mountains as a backdrop, this 8500 hectare reserve covers prime African bushveld, ranging from thick bushveld and riverine bush to spectacular rocky outcrops. Three rivers cross the reserve and are the lifeline of the area, supporting an impressive variety of trees, plants, birds and wildlife including the 'Big Five', cheetah, wild dog and a host of antelope species. To maximise your game viewing experience, you will stay in two totally different luxury camps with a night spent en-route sleeping out under the stars. Rather than just encountering big game, your guide will impress you with his knowledge of tracking game on horseback enabling you to 'get up close' in a safe and controlled manner.
Day 1 (D)
You will be met at Hoedspruit and transferred to Wait a Little. On arrival 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 ride. 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 your horse and the riding style. You 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.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
After a light breakfast it is time to mount your horse and go on safari. The weather will dictate the day's activities. If it is cooler, you'll ride take a full day ride into the bush to visit Croc Dam. Crocodiles, fish eagles, hippos and lots of water birds can be seen in the biggest dam on the reserve.
Day 3 (B,L,D)
Spend the morning tracking spoor in the riverbed, possibly encountering cheetah or leopard. The thrills of the morning's sightings are relived over lunch, served on the terrace. The afternoon is dedicated to unwinding. Mandi, the aromatherapist can ease away any aches or strains (payable locally) and a long siesta by the pool perfectly complements her handiwork.
Day 4 (B,L,D)
The morning's ride will offer new and exciting sites and sounds of the bush. After lunch depart Wait a Little and ride between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. The gently undulating roads in this area lend themselves to long fast canters. Giraffe, zebras or wildebeest may pick up the pace and run by your side, elegantly manoeuvring through the veldt. Tonight will be spent at Beacon Rock, 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 watch the sun set behind the Drakensberg Escarpment. You will sleep under the stars, around a campfire, surrounded by the horses.
Day 5 (B,L,D)
Wake to the sunrise and a reviving cup of coffee and breakfast around the campfire before embarking on your longest ride of your holiday. Continue into the 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, your camp for the night. This camp is truly spectacular. 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. Dinner is served either at the edge of a big dam, in the dining area or outside under the stars in a torch lit boma. Makalali's chefs are famous for their cuisine with a mixture of European and East African flavours.
Day 6 (B,L,D)
Spend the day exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees. 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. Refreshed after lunch and a well deserved siesta, ride to a nearby dam, where hippos wallow during the heat of the day.
Day 7 (B,L,D)
Another long ride back to Wait A Little arriving in time for lunch. A chance to relax or perhaps enjoy a short afternoon ride.
Day 8 (B)
A final morning's ride before transferring back to Hoedspruit.
South Africa
  • Cost per person:
  • Ride Only: £1,730
  • Includes: Accommodation and meals as indicated, drinks at Wait a Little and all riding. Please note that the park entrance fee of South African Rand 130 for Makalali and drinks at Makalali are not included and must be paid for locally.
  • All Inclusive: From £2,495 depending on the season.
  • Includes: Flights, transfers, accommodation and meals as indicated, drinks at Wait a Little and all riding.
  • Single Supplement: None if prepared to share. £420 if unwilling to share. Please note that that some people don't like the way Makalali sets up their twin rooms. They just put 2 mattresses next to each other on the same bed in the place of an ordinary king size mattress. A supplement of £50 can be paid to ensure a single room at Makalali.
  • Departure Dates: Saturdays throughout the year. Departures from the UK are one day earlier.
  • The Accommodation: Accommodation at base camp is in luxury walk-in tents with en-suite shower and toilet. The night 'fly camping' at Beacon Rock is much more basic - sleeping out under the stars. Accommodation at Makalali's Phiva camp is in private chalets, each equipped with en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower and a private sala for your relaxation.
  • Food & Drink: Delicious home made food expertly prepared, with a wide selection of European and African specialities. Freshly baked breads, high quality meat, venison and fish, fresh salads, fruits and vegetables are served on a nicely decorated table. To complement your dinner a special selected range of high quality South African wine can be chosen. Vegetarians can be catered for but more restricted diets are not possible.
  • Laundry: Laundry can be done whilst at Wait a Little and is free of charge.
  • Children: Children of 12 years or over are accepted on the ride however they must be competent riders and accompanied by an experienced adult rider.
  • Non-Riders: Not suitable.South Africa