ENTABENI BIG 5
6 DAY RIDES
This ride starts on Sunday and ends Friday. and is a mobile route combining different overnight locations where you spend only one night for each stop-over.
These are: A permanent tented camp where they spend the first and last night with rooms under canvas on the lower escarpment, in the middle of the big 5 reserve, the beautiful Kingfisher lodge set by the lake which is 5* within the rhino sanctuary (upper escarpment), our stargazing fly camp set up overlooking the plains on the upper escarpment of the reserve (note if weather is bad we will set up spacious canvas dome tents) and our traditional fly camp set up in an area with abundant buffalo (near lying reserve) and equipped with all amenities such as hot water bottles, robes, white linen, towels and turn down chocolates and gifts every evening.
This ride offers the same circuit as the 8 day ride, with the difference of the duration of stay. Ideal for the traveller who does not have as much time off.
INCLUSIVE OF:
- Riding activities/safari
- Game drives (all as listed in itinerary)
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee
EXCLUDES:
- Airport transfers from and to Johannesburg
- Beverages
- Spa treatments
- Gratuities ( suggested 10 Euro per person per day)
Itinerary 6 day or tailor made safari
Welcome song and sundowners on the deck
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve, which is about a 2.5 hour drive away, heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere. You will be welcomed by our team, at Ikhaya Nyati farm at our fly camp. The area will allow for wonderful sightings of buffalo, as well as giraffe. During your afternoon ride, you will be welcomed by the team, with traditional song and drinks at a lookout deck lit with camdles and lanterns before you head back to camp for a three course meal prepared over the fire and gas.
Night: Fly camp
Ride to Entabeni reserve, brunch at the fig tree, and game drive
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life and depart on your early morning ride, to Entabeni reserve. On route, you will stop at a beautiful shaded spot, close to the stables for an opulent brunch. You will then continue the ride to Entabeni, and head for a short game drive to Wildside tented camp where you will arrive in time for a game drive and dinner.
Night: Wildside tented camp
Game drive, ride to upper escarpment, lunch at natural rock pools and arrival at fly camp.
After morning game drive and breakfast, the horses will be waiting for you for your ride through big 5 territory, and ride to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas. You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. Arrive at the top of the mountain, where you will arrive at your fly camp where you will be welcomed by our team at the star gazing tents, or dome tents weather depending. The views onto the plains are spectacular, and you can expect abundance of game right inform of your “doorstep”.
Night : Fly camp
Sunrise ride to the top of the mountain and move to Kingfisher lodge 5*
Early start before sunrise, our horses will be waiting and tea, coffee and risks in your saddle bags. You will ride to the peak of the mountain to view the reserve for the highest point only accessible by horseback. Come back to camp for breakfast and head out to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you have the option of a ride or game drive returning to the beautiful lodge with views to the lake at the lodge where we have organized a and private dining area and suites for only our guests.
Night: Kingfisher lodge
Morning game drive and move to Wildisde lodge
After a game drive this morning, you will have breakfast at the lodge and meet your horses to ride back down the escarpment. To go down, we will not have a support vehicle, but it is not strenuous and worth the “leg stretch”.
You will ride through big game territory again, to arrive at the gates of Entabeni from where you will be transferred to Wildside lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have a game drive, after having completed 5 hours on horseback.
Back at the lodge for dinner
Night: Wildside tented camp
Morning ride and departure
After breakfast and game drive (possible in summer months) you will be picked up by a team member and transferred to the stables. You will have your last morning ride, with the option of trying a new horse on some nice sandy tracks.
Back at the lodge for showers and airport transfer.
8 DAY RIDES
This ride starts and ends on a Saturday and is a mobile route combining different overnight locations – one being a permanent tented camp with rooms under canvas, to indulge in the bush vibe amongst the big 5, a beautiful lodge set by the lake which is our 5* lodge within the rhino sanctuary (upper escarpment), and the other 5* lodge on the reserves lower escarpment with colonial feel, our stargazing fly camp set up overlooking the plains on the upper escarpment of the reserve (note if weather is bad we will set up spacious canvas dome tents) and our traditional fly camp set up in an area with abundant buffalo (near lying reserve) and equipped with all amenities such as hot water bottles, robes, white linen, towels and turn down chocolates and gifts every evening. We travel a considerable distance to discover the highest peaks of the reserve, beautiful and varied scenery and varied types of accommodation, wildlife and vegetation making this ride truly diverse
8 DAYS INCLUSIVE OF:
- Riding activities/safari
- Game drives/bush walks: as outlined in the itinerary
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee at lodge and fly camp
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages at fly camp,sleep out
- Accommodation at fly camp, lodge, tented camp, and any other location listed
EXCLUDES:
- Additional Game drives
- Airport transfers from and to Johannesburg (280 Euro p/p return 2 pax in vehicle – 120 pp return per person for more than 3 pax in vehicle)
- Gratuities (Recommended 10 Euro per person per day)
- Beverages while at lodge
Itinerary 8 Day Mobile Safari
You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport, by one of our representatives, to be transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve, which is about a 2.5 hour drive away, heading North to reach the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere. You will be welcomed by our team, at our “fly camp” set at the nearby farm in an area where buffalo roam abundantly as well as the rare sable antelope which we hope to see on horseback. Lunch is served, and you will receive an intro brief on the days to come. After we know a little more about you, and your preferences you will be matched with your horse. You will depart for your afternoon intro ride, and sundowners on the wood deck, looking over the waterhole. At dinner the staff will welcome you with some traditional singing and a three course meal under the African sky.
Night – Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Early wake up and breakfast before you set off on a 2.5 hour ride and come back for lunch at camp. You can have a rest and re-set in the wonderful surroundings before your afternoon ride, and drinks around the fire. Dinner and last night at this fly camp. Your bags will be packed for the following days move.
Night – Fly camp (Ikhaya Nyati farm)
Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with hot water boiling on the fire and a bush breakfast ready. You will ride out of the reserve, and to a beautiful spot near the stables, for your brunch under a great fig tree. Today will be the day to change or try a new horse should you want to. You will ride to the gate of Entabeni reserve, which is the adjacent farm. You will enter big 5 territory, and to the permanent tented camp, where you will arrive in time for a short break to settle in. There is a pool, so you may opt to skip the game drive if you would prefer some time at the pool. Your luggage will be waiting in your rooms, and the horses will have an afternoon off. Other wise, your game drive vehicle and guide will be waiting at 15:30 (in winter) 16:00 (in summer) to take you o a 3 hour game drive, with a stop for sundowner drinks. Have your camera ready, to hopefully capture lion or elephants up close!
Night: Wildside tented camp
A light breakfast will be served and you have the opportunity of another early morning game drive (this is only possible in the summer months) followed by breakfast at the lodge. Your bags will be ready for our logistics team to collect. You will be transferred to the horses which will be waiting at the reserve gate, and you will set off to explore the reserve heading in a different direction and new terrain, with the possibility of encountering different species of animals. You will walk up to the upper escarpment following a trail which was made by woman in 1994 and is the steepest man made road in southern Africa. For that reason, you will have to partially lead you horse up (dismount) so please let us know in advance if you require a vehicle to take you up the 600 meter road, which is at a 40 degree slant on the toughest areas. A game drive vehicle will be available should you not want to tackle the steep road on foot. You will have a beautiful lunch set up at the natural rock pools on the way up, to arrive at top section of the reserve, where you will be surprised by the open plains, and such different scenery. Rhinos are abundant here, and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. Arrive at the top of the mountain, where you will spend a night under star gazing tents with views onto the plains. Rhino do tend to “hang out” close to the tents, so be ready for abundant wildlife movement at this beautiful camping spot. We might opt for dome tents, in case of bad weather. Camp will be lit up with lanterns and candles to at the camp fire before starters are served and three course dinner served at this small mobile camp. Your bags for one night will be packed to move to the new location the following day.
Night: Stargazing tents or dome tents on the plains
You may make use of the pool, before your afternoon ride, in search for hippo, giraffe and rhino amongst other such as eland and other abundant game.
Night: Kingfisher lodge
Early start with tea, coffee and biscuits at the lodge, before your game drive or bush walk. Come back to a wonderful breakfast followed by your half day ride, coming back to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, you will set off on your ride covering the other side of the reserve.
Night: KIngfisher lodge
You will have the option of a game drive or bush walk, before breakfast. Your bags will be collected by the team, and you will set off on a long ride doing your 5 hours to the lower part of the reserve again. Ride sandy tracks, with great canter opportunity, to arrive at Hanglip Lodge, also 5* lodge, with views to the mountain you just came down. A colonial feel lodge, with mosquito nets and a spa should you wish to book a massage (extra charge, payable at lodge) afternoon will be spent at leisure or game drive as preferred.
Night: Hanglip lodge
Early morning, after breakfast you will go on your last morning ride, on the lower escarpment of the reserve, You might be able to squeeze in a game drive early enough before your ride. Your bags will be packed in the morning and when you return from your ride you have time for a shower and departure to the airport.
All rides depart for a minimum of 2 pax, and maximum of 8 pax
We reserve the right to use alternative lodges on the reserve should the outlined be fully booked. Should this occur, guests will stay at a lodge of the same standard, or higher. Itinerary may vary due to weather or animal movement.
From June to August, camping nights will be substituted by fly camp (mobile tents) as the nights become quite cold.
VALID UNTIL January 2024
