Big 5 Safari

7 nights from €4550

An 8 day highly personalised and specialised riding safari for experienced riders, run by Gerti and Philip Kusseler on the Karongwe Private Game Reserve close to the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa.

South Africa, Limpopo
Set arrivals
7 nights
4-8 hours of riding per day
Hoedspruit Airport
Group size: 8 max

Experience a one-of-a-kind adventure and ride with the Big Five over 30,000 hectares! This safari is a combination of trail ride and star ride, thus combining all the advantages with scenic variety and enough time to track down the Big Five to watch them from the saddle.

You will spend the week in 2 different camps with all the facilities that Africa has to offer, so that the adventure is cherished. Another night will be spent under the African stars by the campfire!

Ride over a total of 30,000 hectares in two private big-game reserves in South Africa. In 1999, Philip and Gerti Kusseler founded Big Five riding at the Wait A Little Horse and Game Ranch. Today, the Kusselers’ safaris are among the most famous in southern Africa (and rightfully so)! Here, you can not only expect exciting and sporty rides with the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino – and many other animals such as giraffes, zebras and a variety of antelopes, but also enjoy your stay in luxury with the comfortable and spacious safari tents, along with the imaginatively prepared meals with excellent South African wine.

Wait A Little Horse Safari is a member of the renowned African Horse Safari Association (AHSA), whose members are represented in Germany by pferdesafari.de.

In February 2013, we went on this ride with Ingrid Klimke! And because it was so beautiful, we traveled to Wait A Little again in December of 2016 and have been back a number of times since!

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary – subject to change at any time.

Day 1

Arrival

Arrive at Hoedspruit Airport via Johannesburg International Airport, where the transfer service will be waiting for you. Upon arrival at Wait A Little, the team is there to welcome you and show you around the camp. You will have some time to settle in before tea and cake after which Gerti will brief you on all the safety precautions before you go on your first evening safari ride. The orientation ride introduces you to the area around the camp and allows you the chance to relax and unwind after your long flight. You will become accustomed to the horses and riding style whilst perhaps spotting your first zebra or giraffe. Sundowners whilst watching the Drakensberg mountains over the river are followed by a three-course dinner.

The first night, with all its fantastic sounds, is probably the most liberating night of the whole horseback riding holiday in South Africa. You will sleep in large safari tents, built on platforms above the Makhutswe River, with en-suite bathrooms and lounge decks.

Day 2

You will be woken up bright and early in the morning with some warm tea or coffee, then after a light breakfast, head out on your first full morning ride. The weather determines the daily routine of this riding holiday. However, you will usually ride for 3 to 4 hours in the morning and about 2 hours in the afternoon.

When you return to the camp, a richly laid table awaits us with homemade quiches, pizzas, or pancakes; homemade bread, various types of salad and vegetables as well meat and cheese. Ana, the cook, freshly prepares all the meals for you every day!

After lunch, the most difficult part of the day begins – a siesta! You can enjoy your well-deserved break in your room or cool off in the pool. Perhaps you would even like to deepen your knowledge of Africa and browse through some of the books in our library or enjoy a massage by the in-house masseuse.

Tea and coffee (and some delicious cake) strengthen you for a shorter afternoon ride. You will head out in search of some more wildlife and ride home into the exquisitely-coloured African sunset.

Day 3

The morning is similar to the day before, however, this afternoon you will enjoy a relaxing game drive.

At lunchtime, you have the opportunity to fully enjoy a relaxing massage with our therapist (optional). A well-equipped massage room is also available to provide comfort when necessary.

Today, there will also be an opportunity to purchase something from the shop. From fleece sweaters and sweatshirts, t-shirts, tops, hats; to bathroom accessories. There is a varied selection of safari outfits.

In the afternoon, we take a break from the saddle and embark on a game drive that will take us to a stunning spot to enjoy a few sundowners while watching the sunset.

Day 4

Another delightful morning ride, followed by Ana’s delicious brunch.

In the afternoon, you pack your bags and head to two other camps where you will spend a total of 3 nights. Your luggage will be transported by vehicle, whilst you ride to the next camp on horseback. You will head south and ride through the twin rocks, Lion and Leopard Hill. The great terrain of the paths in this area invites you to enjoy long, pleasant canters, and if you’re lucky, encounter giraffes, zebras, or wildebeests who canter alongside you.

Beacon Rock, the fly camp, is situated on a gigantic rock formation from where you have a beautiful view of the entire area. A quick climb takes you to the top and rewards you with a spectacular panorama over the entire reserve. This is the perfect vantage point to watch a blood-red sun descend behind the Drakensberg.

Gathered around the campfire under the stars and surrounded by our horses, we’ll spend the night listening to the sounds of the hyenas and jackals that may be watching us at night. There will also be succulent steaks prepared over an open fire, along with baked potatoes and salads, followed by a perfect deep-sleep afterward.

Day 5

Wake up to the warm colours of the sunrise, whilst the team prepares coffee and breakfast over the campfire (which is still burning from the previous night) before setting off on the longest ride of the week. Long canters across the numerous open savannahs of the Makalali Game Reserve, with vast spaces, where large herds of zebra or wildebeest may accompany the riders. Spectacular views in the far distance accompany our journey on the way to XiDulu, which is where we will be staying for the next 2 nights.

XiDulu is built on the edge of a small dam where hippos live. Enjoy the scenery of the dam, where a variety of animals frolic to quench their thirst or just enjoy the water. Here, you can relax on the sundeck or take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool, which is even better!

All the rooms are impressive with discreet luxury and equipped with indoor and outdoor showers, bathrooms and air conditioning, with a large veranda.

Elephants often drop by for a swim in the dam, whereas lions and hyenas are mainly seen and heard in the evening.

An afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive. Your guide, Patson is a very experienced tracker and guide, who knows everything there is to know about the bush and wildlife. In the game vehicle (which is open at the top), he follows the tracks of the big cats or other animals. After a gin and tonic (enjoyed while watching the sunset in peace and quiet), the game drive continues in the dark. With a bit of luck, you might see some of the nocturnal wild animals, which consist of bush babies, owls and maybe even a leopard to round off the day’s shenanigans.

Dinner is served in the dining area or outside around the campfire, just under the canopy at the water’s edge. The Wait A Little team will also ensure a culinary highlight during your stay at XiDulu!

Day 6

Today, you explore while we canter through the veld, weaving through the trees (what Philip calls “bushwhacking”), along with your sure-footed horse taking you safely through the undergrowth. With the changes of direction as our guide changes course, the horses have at least as much fun as we do. Here and there, there’ll be a tree knocked over by an elephant, which makes for a little jump. Once we reach the top of the hill, we take a little rest whilst miles and miles of untouched Africa stretches out in front of us. Black rhinos are also often in the area and Philip or Jo would love nothing more than to follow their tracks to see what the massive beasts have in store today.

In the afternoon we’re back on one of Patson’s irresistible game drives.

Day 7

After a light breakfast, we make our way back to Wait A Little, leaving XiDulu behind. You’re probably wondering what you will see on your ride. Our path traces the tracks and paths of elephants, lions, rhinos and giraffes that could cross the path at any time. Arriving home to Wait A Little, the team will already be waiting and thrilled to hear about our stories while we enjoy Ana’s delicious lunch again.

Although the final sundowner at Wait A Little will be a bit sad, it will also be beautiful, awe-inspiring and utterly unique. The “Africa fever” may have gotten hold of you too and saying goodbye is correspondingly difficult. For our farewell dinner, Gerti prepares something special – possibly a venison-fillet of kudu or eland, served with pasta and sherry sauce.

Day 8

Departure

An early start to the day to experience a last short, but lively ride. As soon as you arrive back at camp, you will pack up your belongings and have a final breakfast before the transfer service takes you back to the airport.

The Wait A Little team bids you farewell and hopes to see you again soon!

Getting there

International airlines fly on a day-to-day basis from Germany and Europe to Johannesburg. There, you go through customs with your luggage (it cannot be checked through to Hoedspruit!) From Johannesburg, take a domestic flight to Hoedspruit on the western edge of the famous Kruger National Park. A transfer service to the farm can be organised from Hoedspruit. Alternatively, you can take a land shuttle from Johannesburg Airport to Hoedspruit. However, the journey time is approximately 5 hours.

DATES

This safari runs weekly, with some exceptions. Arrival and Departure on Saturdays.

PRICES

INCLUDED

All overnight stays are in a double room or tent. All meals are selected with drinks. A riding Guide. Laundry service in the main camp. A jeep safari as described in the itinerary. Luggage transport. National Park fees as part of the program.

NOT INCLUDED

Arrival and transfers. Massages. Additional jeep safaris or other activities. Special wines, champagnes, spirits. Personal expenses and tips. Insurance. Please note that you have to bear the bank charges incurred for transfers from abroad.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

There is one single tent available, which is allocated on a first come – first serve basis free of charge.

NEAREST AIRPORT

Hoedspruit.

TRANSFERS

Road Transfers from Hoedspruit Airport are available. Please ensure your flight arrives before 14:00 on arrival day and departs after 14:00 on departure day. Costs 2026:
from €80.00 per person for groups of 4 or more people
from €95.00 per person for groups of 3 people
from €120.00 per person for for 1-2 people

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The accommodation

On the Big 5 Safari you stay at 3 unique camps. Three nights at Wait A Little camp, one night at Beacon Rock, two nights at Xidulu, and one night again at Wait A Little camp.

Wait A Little

is the main camp overlooking the Makuthswe River.

At Wait A Little, the main camp of the Big Five ride, you will sleep in a traditional safari tent. The tents are on wooden platforms where you have a great view over the Makhutswe River. Individually and comfortably furnished, along with their own shower and toilet, the tents are reminiscent of the old “Africa Safari days”. Sitting on the platform, you can watch game along the river or just relax and listen to the calming sounds of the African bush. At Wait A Little, there is a recreation room with exciting books about nature and animals in Africa, as well as a viewing deck and a swimming pool.

Beacon Rock

is an outdoor camp where you sleep under the starry sky by the warm campfire.

Beacon Rock camp is situated on a rock formation, which is the highest point in the region. The view of the Drakensberg and the entire Lowveld is unique. The Beacon Rock Camp brings the riders back to the roots and is intentionally simple in terms of equipment. The horseback riding safari team will ensure your comfort, making beds on the floor and cooking food over the campfire. Your horses will be grazing just a stone’s throw away from you, whilst you listen to the sounds of the African bush at night.

Xidulu

is a luxury camp on the Makalali Game Reserve.

Xidulu is a luxury camp on the Makalali Game Reserve. Beautifully situated on a small dam, it dazzles with its understated luxury and a pool overlooking the lake, where a variety of animals cavort to quench their thirst or relax in the water. All rooms are equipped with indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning, baths, toilets and a private veranda. A small selection of toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, insect repellent and a hair dryer are provided in all rooms/tents at Wait A Little and XiDulu. All accommodations are also equipped with mosquito nets.