The Quiet Safari – Experiencing Wildlife from the Saddle
The Waterberg is one of my favourite, lesser-known safari destinations in South Africa. It’s in the Limpopo province, only a three-hour drive from Johannesburg. The landscapes are truly stunning, with dramatic ochre cliffs contrasting with endless views of the dry savannah bushveld. There is something about these vast spaces in Africa that calms my mind and relaxes my body. It was just what we needed after a busy few months!
I wanted a family escape that felt like a safari but with additional activities. While I can spend hours on a safari vehicle driving through the wilderness, my family prefers something more active and engaging. Ant’s Hill fits these requirements perfectly. They offer activities personalised to your group or family. What I loved most was their flexibility when our family wanted to do different activities. Everyone got to do what they wanted to do, which meant that each family member was happy!
On the first morning, my daughter and I went on a horseback safari, and my husband and son fished in the dam. We all did rhino tracking, getting close to these magnificent, prehistoric-looking beasts on foot. The family split up again the following afternoon when my husband and I did a guided mountain bike trail on the reserve, taking care to avoid the buffalo, and our kids practised some archery with a guide. On the day of our departure, we all went for a horseback ride in the reserve.
I’m a novice rider, having done a lot of horseback riding when I was my daughter’s age, but I hadn’t ridden properly for many years. My daughter was a beginner, having taken some lessons, and my seven-year-old son had never ridden a horse before. My husband is an all-around sportsman, so he was up for anything. The horses at Ant’s Hill were exceptional, as was our guide, Jenica. My son had a very well-behaved, patient pony, and I had a horse with a little more spirit. The team places a strong emphasis on selecting the right horse for the rider.
The most eye-opening thing for me was how much more a part of the natural world you feel when on a horse. The antelope and giraffe completely ignored us, and we were able to get much closer to them than when we were on our mountain bikes. The horses at Ant’s Hill live among the wildlife on the reserve and are accepted as non-threatening by the animals. It was a unique feeling to be integrated with nature in this way!
My kids loved their horse-riding experience, and we were all able to enjoy an easy canter up the last hill, which was incredibly exciting and a lovely family bonding experience.
In summary, I highly recommend a horseback safari for people of all riding levels and experience. However, it’s important to choose a trusted operator with good horses and expert guides to make the experience safe and memorable.
Leopard specialises in curating extraordinary journeys – get in touch with us when the desire to experience an unforgettable horseback (or regular) safari tugs at your heart in a way that you can’t ignore.
We’d be honoured to design a journey tailored perfectly for you.
Happy travelling,
Diana
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