Visas: Visitors from the UK to South Africa do not currently require a visa for entry into South Africa.

Weight Limit: Maximum weight is 210 lbs (15 stone)

Weather: 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).

Sample itinerary for 7 night Wait a Little ‘Big Five’ safari

Day 1: You will be collected from either Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport by our transfer service. On arrival at Wait a Little a light lunch or afternoon tea or coffee awaits you. Philip, your guide, will introduce you to the safety procedures before going on your first riding safari. This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to new horses and a different riding style. You might even see the first giraffe or zebra. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains, are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in the dining area, furnished with antique African art. The first night, with all its fantastic sounds and noises, is most probably the most exciting one. Accommodation for these first two nights is in luxury safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at the Wait A Little main camp.

Day 2: We wake you with tea or coffee in the morning. After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. If it is cooler, we ride out all day to visit Croc Dam. Crocodiles, fish eagles, hippos and lots of water birds can be seen in the biggest dam on the reserve. Under a big tree in the shade we unpack our picnic from the saddle bags. After a quiet snooze, in the grass we remount our horses to begin the meander home. Later that afternoon we take our ride back. All of a sudden Philip stops, fresh tracks… cheetah. He immediately follows the route to go and look for this beautiful cat, the fastest animal in the world. If we are lucky we can follow them hunting or join their peaceful repose as they relax on a termite mount.

Day 3: When we hear a leopard roaring in the night, Philip looks for tracks in the riverbed to show you this impressive cat. You find him; he stands up, stretches, and stalks to a shadier spot. Philip guides you closer, and everyone is silent as the excitement of entering his world grabs you. Simply by observing him, you share a moment in harmony with an animal that is just as curious about you as you about him. The thrills of the morning’s sightings are relived over lunch, served on Wait a little's terrace. Fresh salads, homemade breads, pizzas and quiches are served together with light meats and cheeses amply satisfy the hunger brought on by a long ride. The afternoon is dedicated to unwinding. Our aromatherapist can ease away any aches or strains and a long siesta by the pool perfectly complements her handiwork. The lovely smell of Ana's homemade cake ensures you awake in time for an evening drive to the buffalo project, where, drink in hand, you will encounter close at hand these magnificent animals.

Day 4: Whatever tracks Philip finds he will try to follow. On our morning ride an elephant track leads us towards the Kufunyame River, where huge palm trees and tall river reeds provide a good meal for an elephant and plenty more besides. In the afternoon we pack our bags, leaving for another camp. The luggage will be brought by vehicle, whilst you set off on horseback. Riding south, passing with baited breath between the twin rock formations of Lion and Leopard Hill. The gently undulating roads in this area lend themselves to long easy canters. Giraffe, Zebras or wildebeest may pick up the pace and run by your side, elegantly manoeuvring through the veldt. Suddenly Philip dismounts and considers the ground around him, before turning to you to say, come! I think the rhinos are close. Beacon Rock, our fly camp, is situated at a giant rock formation from where you can overlook the whole Lowveld escarpment. A quick scramble up to the top rewards you with a spectacular panorama over the whole reserve and the perfect vantage point to witness a blood red sun fall behind the looming Drakensberg Escarpment. Under the stars, around a campfire, surrounded by our horses, we spend the night. Listening to the call of the hyenas or jackals which might visit us in the night. Steaks or chops, cooked over the open fire, with snake bites, baked potatoes and salads are the perfect fayre to help us into a deep sleep tonight.

Day 5:  Waking to the rich colors of the sunrise we revive the fire for coffee and breakfast before embarking on our longest ride. Entering the Makalali Game Reserve, dominated by huge open planes, where you might find yourself cantering next to giraffes, zebras or wildebeest. Spectacular views, over big distances show you the way to Phiva our camp for the night. This camp is truly spectacular. 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 colors 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. Chalets along the Makhutswe river, each with en-suite baths, outside showers and private salas. Dinners are in different venues, either down by the dam, in the dining area or in a candle lit booma. Makalali is well known for their food which is a mix of east African and international specialties.

Day 6: Today we go exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees “what Philip calls bushwhacking” and your surefooted horse carries you nimbly through the undergrowth, changing direction as you guide his course, having just as much fun as you. Here and there a tree, felled by an elephant, provides an irresistible jump. Or perhaps the eland, or kudu, seeing us pass, fall in front of us to show us the best path. At the top of the hill you pause for thought, as mile after mile of unspoiled Africa stretches away before you. Served on banana leaves, have fresh salads, meats and cheeses for lunch on Makalali’s veranda, whilst you watch nyala, waterbuck, kudu or other little animals roaming the river systems. Refreshed after a well deserved siesta, we ride to a nearby dam, where Hippos live during the heat of the day. Let them entertain you, playing in the water, rolling and laughing. With luck, a crocodile will be relaxing on a sandbank, enjoying the warm evening sun.

Day 7: A long ride lies ahead of us, leaving the Makalali camp Phiva behind us, riding back to Wait A Little. What will we see on our way? This is always open to the wildlife, tracks of elephant, lion, rhino, and giraffe determine Philips path. Home at Wait A Little the team eagerly awaits your exciting tales whilst we enjoy another one of Ana’s fantastic lunches. The last sundowner on Wait A Little's open plain will be sad, but beautiful, impressive and absolutely unique. The African fever might have caught you as well and the good bye can be hard. For your farewell dinner Gerti chooses something special - perhaps game fillets like kudu or eland served on pasta with sherry sauce.

Day 8: An early wake up will get us on the horses quickly, so you can enjoy a short, sporty ride before the transfer service brings you to the Airport for your return home.

Camp Version: Mainly outrides from and to Wait a little. Very often we spend the whole day in the bush carrying our picnic with us in saddlebags. We might include a sleep out.

Sample itinerary for 9 night / 10 day Wait a Little ‘Makalali’ safaris

 Wait A Little offers select groups a highly exclusive, specialized Horse Safari on the renowned Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. These are absolutely unique 9 nights, 10 days, accommodated in some of the worlds best known lodges and mounted on Wait A Little’s own seasoned top quality horses, with set departure dates.

Situated on a 22 000 hectares conservancy, Makalali remains as one of the finest private game lodges in the world, with its thatched spires and earthy walls, ancient mystical ornaments, and Pan-African cuisine.

Equally impressive is the Garonga Safari Camp, inspired by the ochre-red spires of nature's termite mounds; accommodation has been designed to reflect the textures of the earth. Thick earthen columns, generous cushions on low beds and billowing white fabrics epitomise this oasis in the middle of the South African bush. All camps are limited to 12 guests.

To ride among wild animals enjoying the beauty of the African nature combined with the experience of some of Africa 's top lodges is the thrill of this unique Horse Safari.

Day 1: You will be picked up at either Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport by our transfer service.  On arrival at Wait a Little a light lunch or afternoon tea and coffee awaits you. The Wait a Little team, including Philip, Gerti, Debbie and Trevor are there to welcome you. Philip, your guide, will introduce you to the safety procedures before going on your first riding safari.  

This orientation ride takes you through the area surrounding the camp as you unwind from your journey and forget yourself in the peace of the African bush. This is your chance to become accustomed to our horses and riding style. We might even see the first giraffe or zebra. Sundowners, looking out towards the Drakensberg Mountains, are a perfect prelude to the generous 3 course dinner, accompanied by hand-picked South African wines, which awaits you in our dining area, furnished with antique African art.  

The first night, with all its fantastic sounds and noises, is probably the most exciting one. Accommodation for these first two nights are in old style safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, mounted on platforms above the Makhutswe River at the Wait A Little main camp.

Day 2: We wake you with tea or coffee in the morning. After a light, continental breakfast we are ready to mount our horses and go on safari. The weather will create our day. If it is cooler, we ride out all day to visit Croc Dam. Crocodiles, fish eagles, hippos and lots of water birds can be seen in the biggest dam on the reserve. Under a big tree in the shade we unpack our picnic from the saddle bags. After a quiet snooze, in the grass we remount our horses to begin the meander home. Later that afternoon we take our ride back. All of a sudden Philip stops…fresh tracks…cheetah! He immediately follows the route to go and look for this beautiful cat, the fastest animal in the world. If we are lucky we can follow them hunting or join their peaceful repose as they relax on a termite mound.

Day 3: When we hear a leopard roaring in the night, Philip looks for tracks in the riverbed to show you this impressive cat. You find him; he stands up, stretches, and stalks to a shadier spot. Philip guides you closer, and everyone is silent as the excitement of entering his world grabs you. Simply by observing him, you share a moment in harmony with an animal that is just as curious as you as you are about him.

The thrills of the morning’s sightings are relived over lunch, served on Wait a Little’s terrace. Fresh salads, pizzas, home baked breads and quiches are served together with light meats and cheeses amply satisfy the hunger brought on by a long ride.

 The lovely smell of Ana’s homemade cake ensures you are awake in time for an evening drive to the buffalo project, where, drink in hand, you will encounter close at hand these magnificent animals.

Day 4: Waking to the rich colours of the sunrise we get ready for a long ride. Entering the Greater Makalali Game Reserve, dominated by huge open planes, where you might find yourself cantering next to giraffe, zebra or wildebeest. Spectacular views, over big distances show you the way to Phiva, our camp for the next two nights.

Our arrival at camp is heralded by the first glimpses of thatched spires through the trees. As it gradually reveals itself, it seems to have been inspired by Africa herself; red like the soil, white like the bones, brown like the branches, orange and grey like the rocks. Designed by one of Africa ’s most famous architects, Silvo Rech, all of Makalali’s camps have been built using the natural materials found around their locations; clay, reeds, wood and skulls have been put to innovative use to make these camps unique, yet firmly nestled in their surroundings. 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.

The afternoon siesta is followed by a game drive, orientated towards searching for lions. An open top landrover will follow the directions of your native tracker as he reads the signs left by the big cats during the day. After a long, slow Gin, watching the sunset, the drive continues into the night, where, with luck, some of the nocturnal wildlife will show its face. Bushbabies, owls, maybe even a leopard, may complete your day’s excitement.

Day 5: Today we go exploring, cutting through the veldt at a canter, twisting and turning around the trees’ what Philip calls ‘Busgwhacking’ and your surefooted horse carries you nimbly through the undergrowth, changing direction as you guide his course, having just as much fun as you. Here and there a tree, felled by an elephant, provides an irresistible jump. Or perhaps the eland, kudu or wildebeest see us pass, fall in front of us to show us the best path. At the top of the hill you pause for thought, as mile after mile of unspoilt Africa stretches before you.

Day 6: Today we direct ourselves toward a more northerly part of the reserve and the luxuries of Garonga safari camp. Tucked into the edge of a steep cliff, overlooking a tributary stream, Garonga is different again to what we have so far experienced. Fusing the familiar sight of the termite mound with the light airy feel of old colonial expedition, Garonga spoils you for tranquil relaxation. Owned and run by Bernardo Smith, the camp is particularly personal in its approach and your every desire can be catered for here.

Our long ride this morning will have seen us cantering through the grassy plains and tracking over hills and valleys that rise between the camps. Long hours in the saddle, over numerous days, mean that you will definitely have earned the right to spoil yourself with an aromatherapy treatment this afternoon. Or perhaps a long siesta and a strong sundowner is more to your taste! There is even a ’bush bath’ set in the veldt, in which you can wash away the smell of leather, up to your ears in bubbles, whilst listening to the sounds around you. Whatever helps you more, you are free to choose how you spend this afternoon before rejoining the party for another excellent meal.

Dinners are served as a group, where all guests of the lodge eat together, or individually, as a party in torch lit boma.

Day 7: After all that pampering yesterday afternoon, we are fit for another full day ride. Today we head out towards Garonga’s tree house. Our route takes us over one of the highest points in the reserve; the view from this point is truly birds-eye and can only emphasize the sheer grandeur of the immense space around us. Literally coming off the top of the world, we are once more embraced by the bush as we venture deeper and deeper into the world we have just surveyed. Coming across a dam we watch some hippos cavorting in the water before we casually look up: waiting for us, half way up a Marula tree, is Bernie and the rest of the team. A true old style picnic has been laid out for us on the deck, so we can continue watching life on the water from our eagle-eyed vantage point.

Day 8: Whatever has thrilled us most so far can be tracked down again this morning as we ride out with the sun on our backs to warm us. Perhaps the elephants are snoozing in the river reeds, or a rhino is having a mud bath in one of the little waterholes.

With our return to camp we have ample time to gather our thoughts before embarking on the afternoon’s activity. Again, this is your choice – perhaps a bird walk appeals, another game drive in search for something not yet encountered, or another relaxed afternoon by the pool.

Day 9: Today promises to be another full day in the saddle as we make our way across the reserve for our return to Wait a Little.

At home, the Wait a Little team eagerly awaits our exciting tales, which are the perfect accompaniment to one last, sad farewell sundowner on Wait a Little’s open plain. The African fever is sure to have taken hold and the good bye can be hard. But it mustn’t be pre-empted, for there is one last, sumptuous dinner to be enjoyed, when Gerti chooses something special – perhaps game fillets, such as Kudu or Eland – to crown the final evening.

Day 10: An early wake up call will get us on the horses quickly, so we can enjoy a short, sporty ride before the transfer service brings you to the airport.

The 2008 cost of the Makakali ride is £2520 per person, and includes accommodation in top class game lodges and tented accommodation at Wait a Little main camp, all meals, drinks at wait a Little and Garonga, all rides, game drives, guiding, chaps, and helmets provided. The rate excludes transfers to/from Wait a Little, staff gratuities, drinks at Makalali camps, selected wines, telephone calls, aromatherapy and laundry.

Prices are inclusive of all activities and accommodation as described in the itinerary but not the international flights and transfers. As ATOL licence holders 6445 Wild and Exotic can arrange the international flights for this safari with British Airways or Kenya Airways.

Please contact Wild and Exotic for furher information, or to reserve a place on any of these riding safaris. We can also arrange a private bespoke safari for the exclusive group of your own family or friends during dates to suit you. Telephone 01439 748401 Email info@wildandexotic.co.uk