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 of great advantage if you are a fit and proficient rider and used to long hours in the saddle. Please understand, that no novices or inexperienced riders 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 strict English on English or Leon Liversage Endurance Saddles which are perfect for this way of riding. We regret no western riders.

- Please leave the reins long in walk that the horse is able to stride out. Don’t hold the reins too short, as it makes the horse stiff and uncomfortable and it won’t walk forward.

- Have reins shorter in game situations, tracking an animal or difficult terrain, such as going up or downhill or riding through thick bush.

- When there is enough space please ride next to each other, only when the terrain doesn’t allow it ride in single file.

- Please take reins short in canter and stay in single file. Don't pass each other and never overtake the guide.

- Never let your horse run downhill, always try and keep it walking. Catch up with the rest of the group when it is safe and even ground.

- Please have your hands on the reins at any given time, but in particular in a game sighting taking pictures!

- Horses are allowed to graze when we are watching animals or standing still, however they should not eat during the ride.

- As soon as we dismount please be patient and hold your horse until we help you. Never tie a horse by the reins!!!

- Unfortunately each horse needs a different saddle and each saddle is fastened differently. Feel free to ask but we would appreciate if you would leave the saddling of the horses to us to prevent saddle sores.

- We would also appreciate if you would use the mounting block to get on your horse. Please try to mount softly.

Type of horse:

Many of our horses are 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, Frisian crossbreds, Warmbloods and crossbreed and Arabs (see Horse Gallery). The heights of our horses vary between 14,3 and 17 hands. There is a suitable horse (43 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 to 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.

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:

Between 6 and 7 guests.

Accommodation

Wait A little tented camp: Luxury, double-bedded canvas tents on platforms, secluded for privacy and equipped with hot and cold outside showers 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 whilst enjoying a sunbath in the lush green garden. The single room is a so called "Rondavel" (round hut), situated in the garden with its own "Rondavel" bathroom. Single travellers can enjoy privacy without having to share accommodation

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.

Makalali: 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 in the Karongwe and the Makalali Private Game Reserve. 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.

Children:

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

Single Supplement:

50% single supplement is charged if guests are not prepared to share their room or use the single room provided.

What to bring, what to leave behind:

Riding helmet (we do recommend to buy a light weight ventilated helmet), 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 or any 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.

Please note, riding with helmet is compulsory.

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

Laundry can be done at base Camp (Wait a little).

click here to download clothing list

Insurance:

An international travel insurance is compulsory.

Medical:

A first aid kit is carried on each ride. At base camp 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 the South African people are very friendly, helpful and hospitable.

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