Riding Ability:

This horse safari is only for experienced riders. Sporty and long canters require a good level of riding. Bushwhacking with little jumps is one of Philips specialities and with a good balance it is great fun. It is also an advantage if you are a fit and proficient rider and used to long hours in the saddle. Please understand, that no novices can be taken with on trail and will be dismounted if the riding ability is not sufficient or a threat to the rest of the group. 

Riding style

The riding style is English on Leon Liversage Endurance Saddles which are perfect for this way of riding. We regret no western riders. We keep our horses in a steady, fast pace in walk to keep it's attention at all time (and yours). We have a constant leg contact which is of advantage when all of a sudden an antelope jumps out of the bush. In canter, especially over long distances, we stand up to relax the horses backs. 

Type of horse:

We mainly ride a breed called ‘South African Boerperd’. A beautiful and elegant type of horse, sensitive, responsive, well tempered, forward going and very brave. Other appropriate breeds we use are Thoroughbreds and crosses, Warmbloods and Arabs (see Horse Gallery). The heights of our horses vary between 14,2 and 16,2 hands. There is a suitable horse (30 horses) for the competitive rider as well as for the steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider. All horses are getting trained in basic dressage in the riding arena. This ensures that your horse is responsive, well mannered and fun to ride. The training loosens their backs and softens their mouth so the horse is more in balance on trail. All horses are spirited and forward going, some obviously more than others.

Tack:

see saddles & tack

Weight Limit:

Maximum weight is 95kg (210lbs/15stone).

Guide and safety on trail:

All rides are lead by Philip Kusseler, a FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) qualified guide, who has gained the highest qualification, and followed by a back-up rider. All camps and vehicles have radio contact, research teams are monitoring the big game and the guide carries a hand held radio. A safety briefing is held at the beginning of the safari, how to handle big game situations.

Size of group:

Maximum of 6 guests.

Accommodation

Wait A little tented camp: Luxury, double-bedded canvas tents on platforms, secluded for privacy and equipped with hot and cold outside shower under a thatched roof and lookout toilet over the Makhutswe river. The dining area is furnished with African antiques and a good selection of books is available. From the swimming pool you can overlook the river as well whilst enjoying a sunbath in the lush green garden.

Beacon Rock: Sleep out camp, situated on a rock formation, the highest point in the area, with an magnificent view over the Lowveld Escarpment. We sleep on mattresses under the stars on top of the rock or under a shelter, having a huge campfire going, enjoying the sounds of the night.

Phiva: Built and designed by Silvio Rech, one of Africa’s most famous architects, this camp seems to have grown out of the African Bush. Silvio’s inspiration came from the colours of Africa; red like the soil, white like the bones, brown like the branches, orange and grey like the rocks. Clay, reed, wood, skulls and lots of other natural resources provided the materials to build this unique camp. As with all the Makalali camps, accommodation is in private chalets, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private salas for your relaxation.

Meals:

3 meals per day are served. A light breakfast before the morning ride, lunches with fresh salads, home made bread and meats/fish. Dinner is always generous and a fine international cuisine is served. Emphasis is made on venison, pasta, fresh fish if available and lovely barbecues over open fires. (see Culinary Experience)

Length of Rides:

Between 4 and 7 hours a day

Terrain:

With the background of the Drakensberg mountains, Wait A Little Horse Safaris rides over an area of 30 000ha of prime African bushveld. The reserves have various ecosystems ranging from open plains, woodlands, hills and kopies, to riverine and gullies. There are lot's of rivers which are the lifeline of the region and supports an impressive population of big trees, plants and wildlife such as hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, kudu, nyala, waterbuck and many different species of birds.

What game do you have on the Reserve?

Game is plentiful on the Reserves including elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, bushbuck, steenbok, duiker, impala, waterbuck, blackbacked and sidestriped jackal, honey badger, baboon, vervet monkey, mongoose, warthog, bushpig, tortoise; special nocturnal creatures are porcupine, aardvark, civet, genet, caracal, serval, spring hare; water species are hippo, crocodile, otter and terrapins. Lot's of bird species are seen, especially at the big dams and along the rivers.

Other Activities:

The area around the Kruger National Park is full of tourist attractions. Trips in the Park, Blyde River Canyon, the beautiful mountains of Magkobaskloof, visit of the orphan animal project at Tshukudu Game Lodge, the Snake Park, Kapama Cheetah Project or Moholoholo Bird Sanctuary can be organised. Very exciting is to join a research game drive on the Reserve. All these activities are on extra costs.

Children:

We do accept children above the age of 12 years and they have to be competent riders. We do give 20% discount for children between 12 and 16 years.

Single Supplement:

This is only enforced when the client will not share a tent, than we would have to ask 50% supplement.

What to bring, what to leave behind:

Jodhpurs or any kind of riding trousers, half or full chaps, light cotton trousers to wear under chaps or in the evenings, shorts for the midday break, long sleeved shirts give protection from the sun whilst riding, T-shirts, swimming costume, socks, rubber Flip Flops, riding shoes comfortable riding boots with thin treat and low heels, other shoes, casual evening outfit, sweat shirt or jersey, warm Jacket in Winter (May to August), hat, sun cream, sunglasses, riding gloves, torch, insect repellent, Antihistamine Cream, camera, films, binoculars.

For the right safari outfit please have a look under www.safarigear.co.uk .

Laundry can be done at base Camp (Wait a little). Beds are complete with sheets, duvets, duvet covers and towels are provided in all camps.

Insurance:

An international travel insurance is highly recommended.

Medical:

A first aid kit is carried on each ride. At base camp stretchers and a full medical kit is available. Guides are professional first aiders. The next hospital is 45 min away.

Malaria:

Malaria occurs occasionally in the summer month September to May. We are situated next to a river (flowing water) and have hardly any mosquitoes. Actually non in the month of June to August. The national health organisation still describes the area around the Kruger Park as a low risk Malaria area.

ANTI-MALARIA TABLETS (PROPHYLAXIS)

There are a number of different types of anti-malaria tablets available. Choosing one depends both upon the particular area being visited, and the traveller's own medical history. Within South Africa's borders, SAA Netcare Travel Clinics www.travelclinic.co.za recommend either Mefloquine (Mefliam) or Doxycycline as being the most effective anti-malaria tablets. Both of these drugs require a prescription. A combination of chloroquine and proguanil can be used as prophylaxis against malaria. and is available without a doctor's prescription. This combination is more difficult to use than the simpler Mefloquine and Doxycycline regimes, and is believed to offer less protection. If you want to consult a doctor please ask him for Malarone, a new Product on the market without any side effects.

PERSONAL PROTECTION MEASURES

Avoid being bitten by the use of an appropriate insect repellent containing di-ethyl toluamide (also known as DEET), the wearing of clothing to conceal as much of the body as practical especially in the evenings before sunset.

Where do you operate?

45 min from the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger National Park, between Hoedspruit and Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

How to get there:

By Air: Daily scheduled flights to Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit by SAA Airlink. Transfer available from airport to camp. Rates on application.

By vehicle: From Johannesburg Airport you take the R21 to Boksburg to get on the N12 to Witbank/Nelspruit. The N12 leads into the N4 where you turn off at Belfast. From Belfast go through Dullstrom, towards Lydenburg, through Lydenburg on the R36 through Ohrigstad. Follow the Abel Erasmus pass through the JG Striydom tunnel and approximately after 10km turn left towards Tzaneen. After another 10km take the second turn off on the right towards Gravelotte (there is a sign already). Follow the sand road through the boom gate for 14km. Before the bridge over the Makhutswe River you will see the WAIT A LITTLE sign on the left hand side. Enter the gate and follow the signs to the camp.

Tourist Safety:

You should take the same precautions you would in any other international city or town, particularly if sightseeing in built-up urban areas. Avoid the unnecessary display of valuables including jewellery, cash or audio/visual according equipment. The rural areas are very safe and especially here at Wait a little you can be assured to find all our doors open. Whilst travelling by car you should always manage to reach a place before dark, cows and people in the road are the reason that travelling at night is quite dangerous. In general I have to say are the people in South Africa that are working in the hospitality industry very, very friendly and very helpful.

The use of Credit Cards is more advisable than that of large amounts of cash. Traveller cheques are save, but cost you a lot and is a nightmare to get exchanged at the local banks. Get cash from the ATM with your Credit Card and your PIN, they have the best exchange rate, it is quick, safe and you have access at any time.

Petrol:

Petrol Stations in large towns and on principal road routes are usually open day and night. Please notice, that you cannot pay with Credit Cards at Petrol Stations, although most of the other places like bigger supermarkets and shops do accept it.

Weather conditions:

We are blessed with almost year-round sunshine, it can get rather hot in the summer month (October-March) averaging 32°C. Don’t be surprised to find your late afternoon growing heavy with pregnant clouds and being punished with short drenching thunderstorms. Winter (April-September) is a sunny season of chilly early mornings, warm to hot midday’s (25° C) and cool to cold nights (can get down to 5° C at night in June and July).

Information we require:

Age, weight, height, and riding experience. Any specialised diet or allergies. Please complete our booking form when making a reservation.

Indemnity:

Clients will be ask to sign an indemnity before going on safari.

Others:

Clients are given personal attention, a limited assortment of chaps and riding helmets are kept at base camp.