Horizon Signature Safari

7 nights from €2850

The Signature Safari, set on a historic family estate, provides a unique horseback riding vacation with a diverse herd of over 100 horses, ensuring a relaxed yet adventurous experience in the heart of South Africa's natural beauty.

South Africa, Waterberg
Set arrivals; Sunday – Sunday
7 nights
4-8 hours of riding per day
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
Group size: 8 max

Experience the best Horizon has to offer in 8 days! A set weekly itinerary combining a variety of riding activities—such as polocrosse and Western games—with fantastic safari experiences. Includes one night at the safari camp!

“Words like adventure, relaxation, excitement, and great company seem insufficient to describe the best vacation we have ever had.” (Saddle Bag News, UK)

The Signature Safari is the original Horizon Horseback riding vacation, taking place on the historic family estate. We house a herd of over 100 free-roaming horses, catering to riders of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced tournament riders. It’s the perfect holiday for riders who want to experience a diverse riding vacation in South Africa in a relaxed atmosphere. You can ride with African wildlife, excluding dangerous large game such as lions and elephants. There are hippos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, leopards, brown hyenas, jackals, crocodiles, and aardvarks, not to mention over 300 species of birds.

Visit the Triple B Ranch north of Johannesburg and enjoy a ranch stay with lots of fun and sports from the back of a horse.

Laura and Shane’s cattle and horse farm offers a variety of activities in addition to wildlife observation: great rides into the beautiful surroundings, polocrosse, cattle herding, Western games, swimming with the horses, and, if desired, jumps over terrain obstacles. Two riding activities take place every day. Morning rides last 3 to 4 hours, and afternoon rides are shorter (approximately 1 to 2 hours). Jumping over terrain obstacles is also possible upon request. We strive to meet the wishes of our guests in every way and are as flexible as possible. The characteristic of this safari is the relaxed and warm atmosphere. We enjoy sharing this wonderful place and lifestyle with our guests, so come and be a part of us.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary, subject to changes and errors at any time.

Day 1

Arrival and Introduction Ride

Arrive and transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Horizon Safari Lodge (approximately 3 hours). In the afternoon, enjoy an introductory ride in the wildlife reserve, followed by a sundowner at one of our picturesque hippo dams.

Day 2

Wildlife Observation Ride

Explore the African bush landscape and its wildlife from horseback—a ride in an area of approximately 21,000 acres. The terrain, mainly sandy paths through the bush and open plains, ensures pleasant rides for both horses and riders. The thrill of riding towards a giraffe is unforgettable! Wildlife sees horses with riders as non-threatening, allowing us to move alongside them. Our zebras, accustomed to the horses, are quite curious.

Late morning, ride back to the lodge for lunch. During the midday heat, take a swim in the pool or a siesta to rest. In the afternoon, venture into the wildlife reserve. Your guide will introduce you to wildlife tracks and valuable native plants.

Day 3

Bellevue Lodge

There’s an early start today as we head from Horizon Lodge to the Bellevue Lodges in the south of the reserve. In some places the bush is dense, but after a while the landscape opens up with expansive views to the south and west. Here you get a first feel for the incredible expanse of the African steppe. The area has a very high concentration of game with herds of blesbok and eland.
When you arrive at the lodge you have time to relax by the pool. When the midday heat is over, head back to the saddle to explore the southernmost tip of the reserve and look for the Cape buffalo. They are one of the famous “Big Five” in Africa.

Day 4

Morning Ride and Game Drive

Another energetic morning ride takes you back to Horizon Lodge, following a different route than the day before. You have a good chance of spotting giraffes along this stretch!
After spending about five hours in the saddle in the morning, a jeep safari in a nearby Big 5 reserve is scheduled for the afternoon (not included in the tour price; participation is optional. Payable locally: approx. £50–£95 per person, depending on the number of participants). Alternatively, you can simply relax by the pool.

Day 5

Ride to Camp Davidson

Rides in a game reserve are always exciting, as you never know which animals you might encounter.
The day’s route takes you deep into the reserve, into an area with a true wilderness feel. After about three hours in the saddle, the riders reach a massive wild fig tree and enjoy a delicious bush breakfast prepared over an open fire.
In the afternoon, there is a ride to Camp Davidson, a wonderful bush camp. That evening, you can enjoy a sundowner on the camp deck and dinner under the stars—an unforgettable experience!

Day 6

Polocrosse

Today’s route takes you through the northeastern areas of the reserve to Sunset Lake. This lake is a favorite haunt for the reserve’s hippos and is home to crocodiles, otters, fish eagles, and other waterbirds. The route offers the chance for an exhilarating gallop through the shallows. After the ride, you return to Horizon Lodge.
There is a break for lunch, followed by a game of polocrosse—a mix of polo and lacrosse. Great fun is guaranteed.

Day 7

Fast rides and cross country jumping

One of the most popular activities at Horizon is rounding up the horses at dawn. The herd will follow you at an easy canter along the lake back to the stables. You then have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out on another game-viewing ride in the eastern part of the reserve.

In the afternoon, you will ride a course featuring numerous solid cross-country obstacles; naturally, those who prefer not to jump can simply ride around them. The team will be waiting on a small rise with sundowners, after which you will enjoy a relaxed ride back to the lodge.

Day 8

Final Ride and Departure

Conclude your vacation with a morning ride of your choice before departing after lunch.

PRICES

INCLUDED

All overnight stays in double rooms; All meals and beverages; All rides with a guide or specific riding activities at Triple B Ranch; Luggage transport; Team and logistics

NOT INCLUDED

Transfer; Tips; Special drinks; Activities not included in the program; Massages; Insurance; Single room supplement (on request); Overnight stays at Camp Davidson

Please note that for international bank transfers, you are responsible for all applicable bank fees.

ADDITIONAL INFOMATION

Single room supplement: from €1000.00 per person per week, depending on season and availability
Group transfer per person: from €190.00 Transfer to/from Johannesburg Airport, Arrival day – arrival at the airport before 9:30, Departure day – flight departure from the airport after 19:30

NEAREST AIRPORT

Johannesburg.

ENQUIRE NOW

The accommodation

The Horizon Lodge serves as the heart of Horizon. It welcomes you with warm and comfortable accommodations. At their table, they express love and appreciation for friendship through delightful food and enjoyable conversations. Meals are served in various locations, including the garden, veranda, dining room, or amidst the bush.

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In addition, the Horizon Lodge features two bedrooms, smaller and simpler in design, yet each equipped with an en-suite bathroom. These are ideal for guests desiring proximity to activities, families with younger children dining separately, or budget-conscious solo travelers.

Private Lakeside Chalets Both Lakeside Chalets are independent of other rooms, providing stunning lake views and private verandas. Offering luxury and privacy, they are perfect for couples.

Garden Chalets Situated away from the lake amid Horizon’s gardens, the beautiful and luxurious Garden Chalets feature a shared veranda, making them suitable for families, friends traveling together, and solo travelers seeking spacious luxury. The rooms are generously sized and well-equipped, with an option to add a third bed for children or a group of three.

Camp Davidson Horizon offers a permanent tented camp high in the mountains above the lodge. Staying here is a fantastic experience. Inspired by the old “Outspan” camps of E.A. Davidson, the camp captures the early camp atmosphere. Beautifully appointed canvas tents hug the sandstone ridges, overlooking grassy, wildlife-rich valleys. Each luxury tent has its own bathroom with a shower. The camp operates on solar energy and includes a small swimming pool. Wi-Fi is available.

Savannah Lodge Located on the southwestern side of the reserve, the SAVANNAH Lodge offers tastefully decorated accommodations with five double rooms and private bathrooms. The lodge features a large, comfortable living area and both indoor and outdoor dining areas. A small pool and a terrace overlooking a waterhole where wildlife often gathers are also included. The lodge does not have Wi-Fi facilities, and guests’ luggage is transported to the lodge with an accompanying vehicle.

Board During your stay at the Triple B Ranch and in Camp Davidson/Savannah Lodge, you will be wonderfully cared for with three delicious meals and an afternoon tea before the evening ride.

Your Hosts – Shane and Laura Horizon is led by Shane and Laura Dowinton, originally from England. They met while working in Australia and settled in the Waterberg region of South Africa in 1993. Their love for Africa has grown, and their patience and knowledge about horses are evident in each member of their cherished herd.

Shane’s horse experience ranges from horse racing in Lambourn to working in the jumping stables of Guernsey and the Clydesdale tournament teams of Sydney. His true passion lies in working with ranch horses, and in South Africa, he has become a specialist in breaking in young horses using gentle horsemanship methods.

Having spent most of his life in the bush, Shane’s enthusiasm for the wilderness matches his horsemanship. Laura, with her sociable nature, enriches life at Horizon with warmth, humor, and a love for good food and stories. Together with their dedicated team, they create one of the warmest and most relaxed equestrian destinations in Africa.