Big Five Ride & Dine Safari

9 nights from €5950

An 10 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
9 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&3

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 there is time for 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 4&5

You wake up with the sunris and prepare for a long day in the saddle. It is moving day and the route takes you into a neighboring reserve: Makalali. You will spend two nights at Clives Camp, where your hosts Claudia and Robin will spoil you with delicious meals. In the afternoon of day five a special Bush Lunch will await you, followed by an exciting game drive and sundowner drinks.

Day 6&7

Another moving day. It is a short ride from Clive’s Camp to the next Lodge, Xidulu, where you will spend another two nights. Enjoy the spacious loge with the infinity pool and the views of the waterhole, where hippos live and other animals come for a refreshing drink. With any luck you will spot the elusive black rhino in this erea. Mornings are spent on horseback and in the afternoons you will enjoy a game drive with a very experienced guide and tracker. Enjoy a Gin and Tonic before the spectacular Dinner under the stars.

Day 8&9

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 your stories while you enjoy Ana’s delicious lunch again. The last days will follow a familiar rhythm, with plenty of hours in the saddle on the lookout for the most exciting animal sightings.

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 10

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

22 – 31/10/2026; 22/04 – 01/05/2027; 23/09 – 02/10/2027
Additional dates for private groups 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

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

ENQUIRE NOW

The accommodation

On the Big 5 Ride and Dine Safari you stay at 3 unique camps. Five nights at Wait A Little camp, two nights at Xidulu, two nights at Clive’s 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.

Clive’s Camp

a luxury camp with traditional Rondavels

This camp features five luxurious, thatched-roof chalets. All chalets are equipped with a private wooden deck, air conditioning, a bathroom, a private outdoor shower, and ceiling fans. The lodge offers two outdoor lounge areas—each with a fire pit and barbecue facilities—as well as a pool for a refreshing dip.

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.