About us

Our passion for horses and the wild is at the heart of everything we do.

Its not a vacation, its a SAFARI.

The word Safari means long journey in Swahili. Out in Africa Encounters goes back to the original meaning of the word and takes you off the beaten track and close to nature on an African safari.

Our History

The Story of Out in Africa begins with the dream of Cecile Auersperg. She grew up in Spain and later pursued her studies in London, launching her career in PR and press across London, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. Despite her success, her true passion always remained with horses and the African bush. Driven by this love, she left everything behind to follow her dream, completing a guiding course in Kenya.

In 2011, Cecile founded her own safari business, starting her journey in the wider Kruger National Park Area but she went through countless concessions. Unable to fully realize her vision there, she searched for a new home and found it in the Waterberg region. Today, at the Entabeni Private Reserve, she brings her dream to life, offering unique horseback safaris surrounded by abundant wildlife.

Out in Africa Moments

Meet the Team

Passion is what drives us.

We take great joy in building personal connections with our guests, making you feel like part of our family. Join us and get to know the passionate individuals who are eager to share the magic of the African wilderness with you!

Cecile

Founder and Owner

Cecile is the woman with the dream. From building the camps to feeding the horses, she has personally carried out and perfected every step of the process, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. Now, with a capable team to support her, she focuses on managing the business while still being seen on horseback or in the camp.

Our core Values

Our core values guide everything we do.

Well beeing of the horses

The health and well-being of our horses is our highest priority. We believe that a happy, healthy horse is key to a successful safari experience. Our horses are carefully selected, well-cared for, and treated with the utmost respect. We do regular check-ups and ensure they have ample rest and nutrition.

Conservation Efforts

We are deeply committed to raising awareness about the natural world. Our safaris provide guests with a unique opportunity to experience South Africa’s wildlife and landscapes up close, while we share knowledge about respecting and preserving nature. The reserve has been carefully chosen for its commitment to conservation and follows a strict no-hunting policy.

Saefty

Safety is at the core of everything we do. We ensure that our guests are well-prepared for each ride and our guides and staff receives ongoing training to maintain high safety standards. While the wilderness is unpredictable, we take every precaution to create a secure and enjoyable environment for our guests, our team, and our horses.

Low Environmental Impact

We believe in exploring nature while leaving the smallest possible footprint. Our safaris are designed with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly practices and we continually seek ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Many of the ingredients used in our meals, like fresh herbs and vegetables, are grown on-site. We also have our own free-range chickens that provide us with eggs.

Our Horses

Meet (some) your companions for your next safari. The horses can't wait to have you here.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Our Herd of Boerperd crosses, hardy Thoroughbreds, and draft crosses are carefully selected for their temperament and ability. These horses come from diverse backgrounds, yet they all share key qualities—sure-footedness, bravery, and a kind nature—that make them ideal companions for safaris.

We prioritise the well-being of our horses, ensuring they are rotated regularly with a ratio of one day off for every day worked. Each horse takes part in a maximum of two safaris per month and is schooled between safaris to keep them happy and in top shape for exploring the bush. Every horse is personally trained by the owner, Cecile, who ensures they are well-prepared and responsive.

Most of our horses are ridden with snaffle bits, ensuring gentle communication between rider and horse. For our horseback safaris, we use comfortable trail saddles, designed for long rides through the wilderness. Each saddle is equipped with small bags for your convenience, allowing you to easily carry essentials like water, a hat, or small devices.

If you prefer, English saddles are available upon request.

Helmets are mandatory, so please bring your own for safety and comfort during your safari.

Our horses are trained in the English riding style, but they can be ridden with either two hands (English style) or one hand (Western style), depending on your preference. On the trail, we tend to ride with long reins, allowing the horses to stretch out and move more comfortably, ensuring they can clearly see where they’re placing their feet. Their independent thinking, sure-footedness, and versatility are just one of the many strengths of our bush horses.

Our rides can be fast-paced at times and may require quick reactions from riders due to unexpected wildlife encounters. As such, a certain level of riding experience is required. Riders should be confident in all gaits—walk, trot, canter and gallop. (See more here)

Our horses roam freely on the nature reserve, allowing them to build confidence and stay relaxed when ridden through diverse habitats. It’s not uncommon to find them grazing peacefully alongside wildlife as part of their daily routine. Each morning, they come in for feeding and exercise, and they receive a second feeding at sunset.

We take great care in their health and well-being, ensuring regular deworming and treatments to protect them from ticks, which are common in the area. All vaccinations are up to date, and they receive necessary supplements to maintain their overall health.

Most of our horses are barefoot, and our farrier visits every 6 to 7 weeks to ensure their hooves are in excellent condition.

To ensure both a safe and enjoyable safari experience, we require guests to have at least 10 years of riding experience. You should be comfortable riding a horse that is not your own and able to mount and dismount with ease. Riders must be confident at all paces—walk, trot, canter, and gallop, using light-seat. If you're unsure about your riding ability, please contact us and provide a video of your riding ability so we can assess your level and discuss suitable options.

If you're traveling with a child, please reach out to us. While we generally have a minimum age requirement of 14 years, this can be reviewed based on the child's riding proficiency.

What are you waiting for?

Africa is waiting for you! Book Your Next African Adventure on Horseback with Us or let us answer any questions you might have.

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Learn about us

Get to know our story and learn about the staff and horses

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Good to know

Helpful information for your upcoming journey

Kontakt

Contact us

Please fill out the form below if you have any further questions:

Cecile Auersperg

+27 787 193 703

Limpopo - South Africa