South Africa: Big 5 horseback safari with Out in Africa Encounters

O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa
A mobile Big 5 horseback safari across 5 distinct ecosystems, linked by the dramatic Yellowwood Escarpment. This is a moving safari combining wilderness, diversity, adventure and attention to detail
South Africa
Intermediate, Strong Intermediate, Advanced
min 2 max 10 riders
8 Days

Styles

• Trail Riding
• Point to Point Trails
• Guided tour
• Package program
• Expedition
• Solo-riders, familiers, couples, teens

Key information

• Daily rides 3-5 hours, 25 – 30 km, coverage area: 22 000 hectares in the spectacular Entabeni Game Reserve
• Sunrise ride on moonlight night when conditions allow
• Varried terrain: rocky climbs (slow pace or walking), open areas (fast canters)
• English speaking guide and English tack
• All meals, snacks, tea /coffee at bush camps, non-alcoholic and limited alcoholic drinks, all equipment
• Five days of Game drive and 6.5 days horseback

Highlights

• Enjoy the vaied terrain of savana horseback (some sections will require leading your horse).
• Track wildlife on horse and from off-road vihecle: lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, leopards.
• Taste lodges, tent camps and fly camps – all the variety of safari accomodations.
• Swim in the natural rock pool.
• Participate in local tribes dancing and singing.
• Fell safe: Entabeni Game Reserve is malaria free 22 000 hectares.

Price per person in a DBL/TWIN room / tent starts from 3465€. For 6 days: 3465€, single supplement 264€. For 8 days: 4340€, single supplement 434€
3465 €

CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP!​

The organizer has discretion over price and availability for each inquiry

This is a moving safari combining wilderness, diversity, adventure and attention to detail. Lower Escarpment: dramatic backdrops with encounters such as elephant, buffalo, cheetah, crocodile, hippo. Upper Escarpment: open plains and more technical riding (rhino, abundant general game and close rhino and giraffe encounters) Yellowwood ascent is a challenging activity with a support vehicle available. Rock pool swim and scenic lunch en route.

Wildside Tented Camp, Kingfisher Lodge and Fly Camp

Day 1: Arrival, Intro & Afternoon Game Drive – Night at Wildside Tented Camp

Airport meet and greet followed by transfer to Wildside Tented Camp. Arrive in time for lunch, meet your guide and receive a rundown of the week to come. After lunch, enjoy your first game drive with a chance to see the Big 5 from the vehicle. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Wildside Tented Camp.

Day 2: Full Day Ride Lower Escarpment & Bush Lunch – PM Game Drive
– Night at Wildside Tented Camp

Breakfast at 6:30, and transfer to the horses for a short intro ride before entering the reserve. Ride for 2.5 hours before you stop for a bush lunch at 12:00, catered from the back of the game drive vehicle, by the dam. Continue the ride for another 2.5 hours before returning to the lodge to freshen up. Get ready for a game drive at 15:30 to capture some more impressions and hopefully some of the Big 5 on camera. Dinner at 19:00 (season-dependent), and overnight at Wildside Tented Camp.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Climb Yellowwood Escarpment, Lunch at Rock Pools – Night at Fly Camp

Start with a 6:00 game drive followed by breakfast at 9:00. Our ride starts later today when the lions feel lazier. At 10:00, ride through the lower escarpment and climb the steep Yellowwood Escarpment (some walking is required, and there is a vehicle accompanying the group if anybody wishes to drive up). Stop for lunch at the rock pools (with optional swim). The ride continues with scenic views and wildlife as you conquer the mountain and the plains open up before you, dotted with game. Arrive at Fly Camp by 15:30 after a 4.5-hour journey on horseback and about 40 minutes on foot, up the steepest man-made road in Southern Africa. Enjoy welcome drinks and wildlife views from camp. Guests should have comfortable shoes to walk in and chaps for this stretch.  Night at Fly Camp.

Day 4: Sunrise Ride, Afternoon Ride – Night at Fly Camp

Sunrise ride of 2.5 hours to a magnificent spot high above the reserve. You will set off in the dark, listening to the bush come alive around you. Return to Fly Camp for an opulent breakfast. Leisure time to relax and hopefully see some game roam nearby. Lunch is served at 12:30, then another 2.5-hour afternoon ride on the upper escarpment. Return for a three-course candlelit dinner and drinks around the fire, and stories of the day’s happenings. Overnight at Fly Camp.

Day 5: Full Day Ride with Lunch in the Bush – Night at Fly Camp

Breakfast followed by a 3-hour morning ride with some more technical riding as you meander rock formations and stop by one of the dams with possible hippo sightings. Bush lunch from 12:30 to 13:30. Continue riding until 15:30. Return to camp, freshen up, and enjoy a candlelit three-course dinner. Overnight at Fly Camp.

Day 6: Moving Day – Ride to Kingfisher Lodge & Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, the staff will most probably urge you to join in on their dance and songs as they sing you farewell from Fly Camp. With your bags packed, ride for 3 hours to Kingfisher Lodge. Arrive in time for lunch at the five-star lodge for some luxury and comfort after a few days in the saddle. Soak up some sun at the private pool or pre-book a massage before your afternoon game drive. Come back for dinner, possibly at the boma. Overnight at Kingfisher Lodge.

Day 7: Descend to Lower Escarpment, Lunch & Game Drive – Night at Wildside Tented Camp

Early breakfast, and the logistics team will take care of moving your luggage. Meet your horses at Hippo Boma, which is a short walk from your rooms and ride from 9:00 to 13:00 descending the escarpment and traversing the upper and lower escarpments on horseback. The descent again involves some walking, but is less strenuous than uphill, which is why we urge all to walk and not make use of a vehicle. Should you need one, please book in advance. Transfer to Wildside Lodge for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Overnight at Wildside Tented Camp.

Day 8: Farewell Ride & Departure

Optional morning game drive depending on flight times. After breakfast, enjoy a final 2-hour farewell ride on the lower escarpment closer to the stables with some nice sandy tracks allowing you to pick up some speed. Freshen up at Wildside before your transfer to the airport. Transfers typically depart around 13:00 for the 3-hour drive to OR Tambo.

Please confirm flight details to adjust if needed.

Riding hours and activities may vary depending on weather and wildlife movement, ensuring an adaptable and authentic safari experience.

 

The 6-day safari runs alongside every 8-day departure and follows the same route.
We offer 3 fixed departures per month with one open week, which is available on request.

  • 02 January 2027 – 09 January 2027: Saddles available
  • 09 January 2027 – 16 January 2027: Saddles available
  • 16 January 2027 – 23 January 2027: Saddles available
  • 06 February 2027 – 13 February 2027: Saddles available
  • 13 February 2027 – 20 February 2027: Saddles available
  • 20 February 2027 – 27 February 2027: Saddles available
  • 06 March 2027 – 13 March 2027: Saddles available
  • 13 March 2027 – 20 March 2027: Saddles available
  • 20 March 2027 – 27 March 2027: Saddles available
  • 03 April 2027 – 10 April 2027: Saddles available
  • 10 April 2027 – 17 April 2027: Saddles available
  • 17 April 2027 – 24 April 2027: Saddles available
  • 01 May 2027 – 08 May 2027: Saddles available
  • 08 May 2027 – 15 May 2027: Saddles available
  • 15 May 2027 – 22 May 2027: Saddles available
  • 05 June 2027 – 12 June 2027: Saddles available
  • 19 June 2027 – 26 June 2027: Saddles available
  • 03 July 2027 – 10 July 2027: Saddles available
  • 10 July 2027 – 17 July 2027: Saddles available
  • 17 July 2027 – 24 July 2027: Saddles available
  • 07 August 2027 – 14 August 2027: Saddles available
  • 14 August 2027 – 21 August 2027: Saddles available
  • 21 August 2027 – 28 August 2027: Saddles available
  • 04 September 2027 – 11 September 2027: Saddles available
  • 11 September 2027 – 18 September 2027: Saddles available
  • 18 September 2027 – 25 September 2027: Saddles available
  • 02 October 2027 – 09 October 2027: Saddles available
  • 09 October 2027 – 16 October 2027: Saddles available
  • 16 October 2027 – 23 October 2027: Saddles available
  • 06 November 2027 – 13 November 2027: Saddles available
  • 13 November 2027 – 20 November 2027: Saddles available
  • 20 November 2027 – 27 November 2027: Saddles available
  • 04 December 2027 – 11 December 2027: Saddles available
  • 11 December 2027 – 18 December 2027: Saddles available

Local English-speaking guide and observation team

ENTABENI GAME RESERVE (MALARIA FREE) – LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA

All meals, snacks, tea /coffee at lodge and bush camps, non-alcoholic and limited alcoholic beverages at the bush camps

  • Daily guided horseback safaris
  • Accommodation: Wildside Tented Camp, Fly Camp, Kingfisher Lodge
  • All meals
  • All drinks at Fly Camp (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • Professional Big 5 guides
  • Game drives
  • Conservation fees
  • Flights
  • Transfers from and to the airport
  • Drinks at lodges (Kingsfisher, Wildside)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa
  • Spa treatments
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities (recommended 10€ per guest per day)

Fly to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Book the transfer.

This is based on Return transfer Johannesburg International Airport and the
Entabeni Game reserve:

Vehicle 2 – 3 pax: € 388
Vehicle 4 – 10 pax: € 268

For the riders responsibility: 30% deposit to secure your saddle, balance payment not later than 60 days before departure.

– Cancellation more than 8 weeks prior to travel date = 30 % of total cost is charged / or full deposit is forfeited (if no deposit paid = 30% of total amount)
– Cancellation between 8 to 4 weeks prior to travel date = 50% of total cost is charged
– Cancellation less than 4 weeks prior to travel date – 100% of total cost is charged.
Cancelation from our side if the group does not collect will be communiated to you not later than 60 says in advace. The deposit will be refunded.