African Explorer
8 Daysย |ย From ยฃ1869pp
South Africa ( Best airport: Johannesburg)
The African Explorer takes you to two countries in one trip and covers a range of different topography and terrain, combined with excellent and wide ranging game viewing.
The South African bushveld is soft going for the horses, with wonderful sandy tracks to canter along and beautiful blue dams to swim with your horse.
In Botswana there is an ancient landscape of rock formations, and open plains dotted with giant Baobab trees and riverine bush. This place feels very wild and will definitely get your adrenaline flowing!
Level of Riding and Fitness
As youโll be riding amongst wild game, this holiday is for experienced, confident and calm riders with a sense of adventure. The guests should ride regularly and be comfortable at rising trot, light seat canter and gallop, as well as be able to control a horse independently at all paces and jump small natural obstacles. You should be able to mount and dismount unaided. Good riding fitness is expected as youโll be spending 4-7 hours in the saddle each day.
Before each safari, every rider will take a short riding test to ensure they are competent enough for the safari and fall into the above guideline. The decision of the manager conducting the test is final. Hard hats are mandatory and the weight limit is 95kg.
Guides and Group Size
The guides have many years of experience in leading safaris and they have grown up in the area. They know the bush like the back of their hand and are qualified by the Botswanan Qualifications Authority.
Maximum number of riders in a group is 10. Groups over 8 are split into two groups for rides, unless one ride is specifically requested by a private group.

Accommodation and Dining
Camp Davidson was modelled on the old โoutspanโ camps of E.A. Davidson (great grandfather to one of the founding partners of Horizon Horseback) when he was selling goods across the area from his wagon in the early 1900s. Horizon has captured the early camp atmosphere in Camp Davidson. Beautiful decked canvas tents are nestled amongst the sandstone ridges overlooking grassy game filled valleys. Each luxury tent has an en-suite bathroom. The camp is completely run on solar energy and has a small swimming pool.
Two Mashatus Camp is nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees, and the heart of the camp has two traditionally built Lala palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. Guest accommodation is in large A frame walk-in tents set on teak platforms, each with en-suite bathrooms. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree in the bush, not far from the main area. Each tent has a small deck area in front where guests can relax privately during the afternoons. Two Mashatus also has a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for guests to enjoy.
Tree Camp is a very unique camp; any childhood dream of sleeping up in the arms of a tree will be completely fulfilled here! Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees, this Seligna deck, 4 metres off the ground, will be your retreat for the night. Two guests each share an airy and cool sleeping pod. Along a short walkway, shared showers and toilets are under the Leadwood trees. The spacious dining and lounge area flow from the sleeping pods and overlook the Majale River. This truly extraordinary camp is one that will be remembered and spoken about for years to come.
Get a free African Explorer mini-brochure in PDF format.
Itinerary
African Explorer
8 days / 7 nights / 6 full days of riding
ยฃ1869pp
Single supplement is 50% of the ride cost for single riders who do not want to share with another rider
Do NOT book flights until you have received the โBooking Confirmation Emailโ from saddletravel.com.
Please plan your flight to arrive at Johannesburg airport (South Africa) by 9:15am on Day 1 of your holiday.
Your departure flight on Day 8 of your holiday should be after 6.30pm.
Transfers 2023
Road transfers cost ยฃ385 return pp
Road and flight transfers cost ยฃ480 return per person. Includes a charter flight from Botswana back to Johannesburg on the final day.
- 6 full days of riding
- Shorter rides on arrival and departure days
- Shared accommodation
- All meals
- Drinks
- Game drives (excluding Mashatu Main Camp drive)
- Bush walks
- Sundowners
- Laundry
- All arrangements for duration of holiday
- Services of guides
- Flights
- Drinks at the bar
- Transfers
- Tips