Horse riding holidays in South Africa

‘Everyone should take this ride at least once in their lifetime! Seeing the animals up close while on horseback is definitely a bucket list item. The guides, horses, staff, food, and rooms all exceeded my expectations. Every day was magical, but two experiences stand out. During our first ride, we were in awe of being able to see zebra and giraffe with their babies, and we couldn’t believe how close we got. Another highlight was swimming with the horses—so much fun! I wish I had the chance to do it more than once. The accommodation was just beautiful, with staff coming in every evening to close windows, pull curtains, and close mosquito netting—an unexpected bonus. The daily laundry service was amazing! The food was excellent, with gluten-free and vegetarian options that showed much care, and the wine pairing from Chef G was a delightful surprise. The quality of the horses was fantastic, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure we were happy. They always asked for our preferences and made sure we enjoyed our rides. The guides were knowledgeable, sharing insights about local flora and fauna, and they were great at capturing our moments with photos and videos. I would definitely recommend this ride to a friend, and I would book with Globetrotting again without hesitation!’

‘This ride was a fantastic way to see a part of South Africa that I would never have been to otherwise. The setting was truly great, with a wonderfully relaxed environment. The riding was excellent, the accommodation was good, and the food was simply amazing. But what really made this experience so special was the fantastic staff and the lovely group of people I got to share it with. The other guests were a great mix, all very supportive, and we had such fun dining together. I can’t recommend this ride enough.’

‘South African Explorer – what an AMAZING week that was. From fabulous unique accommodation – think beautiful individual bungalows, gorgeous tents with open-air shower, and a stunning tree camp – to fantastic food, guides, horses and AFRICA. I would never have imagined being so close, so aware of the grace of a giraffe, the cheekiness of a warthog, the subtle power in a cheetah, or the size of an elephant. For just a moment, they allowed me to be inside their space – how lucky we are. The horses are ready – to race with you across open ground, hop over logs and obstacles, or splash through water. Polocrosse was a blast – it doesn’t matter if you have absolutely no skills, everyone, including the other team, is giving advice and cheering you on, and the horses know what they are doing. Stunning night skies, eerie sunrises in the mist, great food, great friends – Thank you Kate and Laura, for another life-changing experience.’

‘The South African adventure was another magical experience and particularly as I was able to share it with my daughter. The Lodge was an amazing base and our beautiful room overlooked the lake and dam. Watching an early morning muster from our balcony was a highlight as the sight of the horses coming over the dam as the mist rose from the water was magical. As was the sound of the hippos calling at night. The food, from our first lunch outside in the garden to our last amazing degustation dinner with wine tasting beforehand, was delicious and plentiful. The guides and volunteers that looked after our group were amazing in their ability to cater for every level of rider and each day we were divided into groups that enabled everyone to be within their comfort zone. There were therefore opportunities to ride at every pace, at speed through water and over cross-county jumps but there were also some magical moments of stillness when we just watched the animals in their natural habitat. Seeing my first giraffe and watching families of Zebra grazing and warthogs at play were truly magical moments. I was so impressed at how the wonderful horses we met were matched to the riders and I loved having the opportunity to ride a variety of different horses who were all responsive and fun to ride. The adventure was a very special and joyful shared experience that really was a dream come true.’