Horseback Riding Vacations in South Africa

South Africa: “Rainbow Nation”

South Africa is one of the countries with the highest number of safari reservations in the world. Kruger National Park is its most popular safari destination. There we have the opportunity to spot cheetah, hippo, giraffe, zebra, antelope, wildebeest and, above all, the mythical “Big 5” (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant).

Nelson Mandela coined the term “Rainbow Nation" to describe the extraordinary diversity of landscapes and cultures that this incredible country has.

The Republic of South Africa occupies the southernmost part of the African continent stretching from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south.

Due to its pluralism, South Africa has three capitals: Cape Town (seat of Parliament), Pretoria (administrative) and Bloemfontein (justice). The country’s financial and industrial heart is the city of Johannesburg.

South Africa's landscape consists mainly of a large plateau that occupies about two-thirds of the country’s total area, with the characteristic veld (African fields).

The plateau can be divided into three main regions: the High Veld, the Lower Veld and the Middle Veld, differentiated by their elevation.

South Africa also comprises a portion of the Kalahari Desert and a section of the Namibian desert.

The coasts, where golden and white sandy beaches abound, are surrounded by forests in the east and deserts in the west. Other highlights include the area of the Northern Cape.

The best horseback routes in South Africa

South Africa is a wild Nation but, on horseback, it is a safe adventure.

Your horse is always aware of the trail and every smell and sound around him. And being local and experienced, he will be able to handle all that information.

If the horse lowers its head to eat, you can be very sure that there are no dangers in the area. If it feels uncomfortable or refuses to walk, your experienced guides will look for signals of a possible danger.

Of course, guides know the areas and habits of their routes like the back of their hands, and they will be watching the spoor, paying attention to the behaviour of wildlife and horses and, therefore, they will know what to do.

Your safety relies on two things: your guide’s capacity to keep you safe from danger and your capacity to stay on your horse.

Waterberg Meander

The Waterberg Meander is a 350-kilometer equestrian route that takes horsemen right through the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere.

Aside from the various game and nature reserves, there are also a number of community projects, cultural and historical sites, geological and archaeological wonders and some of the finest examples of the ubiquitously stellar Waterberg vistas.

The town of Vaalwater is worth a stop for handmade crafts and a good coffee in the leafy courtyard at The Black Mamba. A little out of town, there's also Beadle, a community project that produces handcrafted leather accessories.

When the horses are not being ridden, they graze and roam among big game including buffalo, giraffe, kudu and rhino, and the wildlife's familiarity with the horses affords particularly close and relaxed encounters for riders.

Cape Winelands route

Another extraordinary horse ride in South Africa is the Cape Winelands route, a challenging and complete ride for experienced and fit riders, which comprises 235 km of trails and stops at Cape wineries along the way.

Do something different and visit Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek in Cape Winelands on horseback.

Enjoy their incredible vistas of green vines and a tour around the local wineries of the wine region of this country. Feel like a king through the intricate trails while riding and enjoying the magnificent mountain ranges, the lush vineyards and local farms.

Some equestrian tourism outfitters in South Africa

Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill and Cape Winelands Riding are two companies that offer several routes and we recommend taking a look at them.

Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill

Located in the area of Waterberg’s Biosphere, offer the opportunity for some of the greatest game viewing in the African bush – from horseback.

Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are two beautiful bush homes located on their own private game reserve, nestled in the folds of the magnificent Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province. Are owned and run by their owners, Ant and Tessa Baber. The Baber family were one of the earliest pioneers in the area, settling here in 1886.

Its team is incredibly hospitable and will welcome you as a guest and they ensure you will leave as a friend!

The Waterberg’s charismatic beauty and bio diversity, which covers 14,500 km², has been recognised worldwide in being awarded the status of a World Biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the only savannah biosphere in the world.

Its beauty lies in its superb vistas, mountain gorges, crystal clear streams and rolling bushveld hills.

You can canter along open sandy tracks or traverse high ridges with spectacular vistas.

The pace can be as fast or relaxed as the riders would like and horses will know how to follow your pace perfectly.

They have fit, reliable and responsive horses, providing a choice for both the professional rider and the absolute beginner. The herd of almost 90 horses is made up of big thoroughbreds and Arab-Boerperd crosses and includes some fabulous children’s ponies.

Each ride is led by two competent guides and the emphasis is on safety at all times.

See all the rides and activities they offer on their web site: waterberg.net.

Cape Winelands Riding

Situated in the heart of the Cape winelands, offers day rides and riding holidays with a difference that you will notice as soon as you arrive there.

Take exquisite South African wine country, dramatic Cape Mountains and orchards, tastings on exclusive wine estates, luxury accommodation and vibrant local culture and cuisine, all just 40 minutes from the Cape Town International Airport.

Cape Winelands Riding guests booking a centre-based riding holiday can choose from a five-star boutique hotel, a mid-range guest lodge or homely on-site farm accommodation. They cater for all tastes.

Unless otherwise stated, all meals are in fist-class, local restaurants with fixed or a la carte menu. These restaurants have been carefully selected for your enjoyment and they offer the food and the wines that made this region famous.

Its routes

Upon arrival, guests get together with the staff and plan an itinerary of different duration or difficulty, to make everybody happy. They also consider several aspects – riding experience level, the group size and the duration of your stay.

Their rides are diverse so every rider can personalize their experience.

The guides are qualified and bilingual professional riders. They have a stable of exceptional horses for riders of all levels, you have the makings of an unforgettable riding experience that will leave you wanting more.

Their horses

Their horses are their priority. They are gentle souls for riders of all levels and are schooled for both the holiday trails as well as understanding flat work.

Their herd consists of a wide variety of breeds from Warmbloods to Thoroughbred as well as a mixture of local breeds. They have Friesian, American Saddler, Arab, Shire, Boerperd, Nooitgedacht, Basotho Pony, Thoroughbred, Appaloosa and many more different crossbreeds.

All chosen or bred for their nature and personality as well as versatility and work rate. They are bred for an ultimate purpose – being suitable for riders from all around the World.

They mostly use trail saddles on long rides but also have English style General Purpose saddles for those who feel more comfortable with classical tack.

You can find more information if you go to their web site: www.capewinelandsriding.co.za.

Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes; sandy beaches lapped by two oceans; an elephant silhouette on the plateau; star-studded desert skies. This truly is a country of astounding diversity and to explore it on horseback will be your best choice.

Do you also love the idea of exploring Africa on horseback?

Download our free eBook on equestrian tourism in Africa and discover the essence of Africa on horseback through these breath-taking landscapes. It includes countries, tour operators and horseback tours of the African continent recommended by the Ampascachi team.