Big Five Camp Safari – horse safari

Big 5 Camp Safari

5 nights from €3250

An 6 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
5 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. One 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

On arrival at Hoedspruit airport, you will be met and transferred to Wait A Little in time for afternoon tea. You will be shown to your room and introduced to the team before a safety briefing and your first 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 with a stunning view of the Drakensberg mountains, followed by a three-course dinner.

Your first night in the African bush is probably the most exciting as the sounds of the bush echo around you.

Day 2

You will be woken early with tea or coffee in your room. After a light breakfast, you set out on your first full morning ride. Whatever tracks your guide may find will determine the route you take. As the reserve has an abundance of game you will see lots of animals on your way and hopefully already encounter one of the Big Five.

Return to camp for lunch and a siesta through the heat of the day. After tea/coffee, you set off on a shorter afternoon ride, ending at a sundowner spot where you can watch a colourful African sunset.

Day 3

On this morning’s ride, you may be on a different horse, you will set off to explore more of this beautiful area. It can take you through dry riverbeds or flowing rivers, past rock formations, and over open areas, always with a view of the Drakensberg Mountains.

During your lunchtime siesta, you may wish to have a relaxing massage – this is available at extra cost.

In the afternoon we go for a game drive to give your body a rest from the long hours in the saddle. Driving along the Makuthswe river you will hopefully find buffalos, elephants, lions or other animals, followed by sundowners in a beautiful spot. We return to camp in the dark using the spotlight to seek out nocturnal species.

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 our 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 fantastic morning of riding through the reserve, perhaps finding the elephant splashing through the river, or the lion relaxing on the sands.

After lunch, you pack your bags to head off on a further adventure. The gently undulating roads lend themselves to long canters as you pass between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. At Beacon Rock you can scramble to the summit for a view over the entire lowveld escarpment and the whole reserve, watching the sun set behind the Drakensberg escarpment. Spend the night around the campfire, surrounded by your horses, having enjoyed a traditional braai that is cooked over the fire before settling down to sleep under the stars.

Day 5

Wake to the rich colours of the sunrise and set off on a long ride into the South of the Reserve.

You’ll be back at Wait A Little in time for lunch and another siesta. The afternoon ride and sundowner will be sad, but beautiful as you watch the African sunset for the final time. The farewell dinner is usually something special, such as kudu or eland fillets with a sherry sauce.

Day 6

Departure

An early wake-up call to ensure there is time for a quick and sporty final ride around the reserve. Brunch will be served on return to camp before being transferred to the airport.

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

27/06 – 02/07/2026; 11 – 16/07/2026; 29/08 – 05/09/2026; 28/11 – 03/12/2026; 20 – 25/02/2027; 13 – 18/03/2027; 10 – 15/04/2027; 05 – 10/07/2027; 24 – 29/07/2027; 14 – 19/08/2027
Further dates upon request.

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

PAYABLE LOCALLY

Tips

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

ENQUIRE NOW

The accommodation

On the Big 5 Camp Safari you stay at 2 camps. You spend four nights at Wait A Little main camp plus one night at the sleep-out camp – Beacon Rock.

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.