Comfort
On this riding safari you will stay for four nights at the main tented camp, one night in a simple bush camp and two nights at XiDulu Camp.
Wait a Little main camp - They have four luxury thatched rooms all overlooking the Makuthswe River. The camp has a communal area with open dining, lounge and bar area, a viewing deck, and a fire pit. Outside, there is a swimming pool and a boma. There is a laundry service there.
Beacon Rock - This fly camp is the highest point on the Reserve. This is the true African Experience, sleeping under the stars and having a real Braai (the Afrikaans word for barbecue).
XiDulu - This private camp is situated on a big dam with a resident pod of hippos, lots of crocodiles, and many animals frequently come for a drink. There are 5 rooms, plus the main area has an infinity pool and a viewing platform.
Meals
Breakfast is usually light as you set off early in the morning.
Lunch includes lots of fresh salads, home made bread and meat/fish.
Dinner is generous and a mixture of international cuisines: fresh fish, venison, pasta and plenty of vegetables, with the chance for a braai (BBQ's) over the open fire.
Drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are included.
Note: Vegetarian diets can be accommodated, please inform us at the time of booking.
Climate
It can get rather hot in the summer months (October- March), averaging 32’C; don’t be surprised to find your late afternoon growing heavy with clouds and short drenching thunderstorms. Winter (April-August) is a sunny season of chilly early mornings, warm to hot middays (25’C) and cool to cold nights (can get down to 5’C and less at night in June and July).
Tips
A customary tip would be around €10-15/£8-13/$13-17, per person per day which is then split between the team.
Packing list
Important: Wherever possible you should wear neutral colours, such as beige, brown or natural bush colours for riding as bright colours, such as red, yellow or white can startle the wildlife and they will see you long before you've seen them.
Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- Waterproof jacket - required all year round but especially in the rainy season
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged (they can also be hot!).
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for when not riding
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Nightwear
Pyjamas
Other useful items
- Swimsuit for the pools.
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take or needed for this trip
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
- Anti malarial tablets and Yellow Fever Certificate if required (check with your doctor)
Our Recommendations
- In your hold luggage: Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant over 100 ml and all bottles can be decanted into small, clear, plastic Ziplock bags. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- In your hand luggage carry any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc. We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
