Heading Out

Equus Horse Safaris, for many years the leader in long distance riding safaris in South Africa, entered a new era in 2002 when owners Wendy Adams and John Miller acquired their own reserve from which to operate their horse safaris. The reserve encompasses 1000 hectares of unspoilt mountain wilderness at the top of the Kransberg peaks, which form the southern escarpment of the Waterberg mountain range in Limpopo Province. Perhaps the most spectacular aspect of the new reserve are the panoramic views across miles and miles of Africa.

Equus, established in 1989, initially operated for two years on Songimvelo Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, followed by five years on Touchstone Game Ranch and six years on Lapalala Wilderness, both in the Waterberg, Limpopo.

Their new land ranges across four distinctly different habitats: afro-montane, bushveld, grasslands and wetlands, and the diversity of flora and fauna associated with these habitats is astonishing. The sweeping grasslands of the main valleys offer fast riding while the ridges and mountain areas can be explored at a slower pace both on horseback and on foot. Accommodation for six guests is in three spacious, comfortable safari tents with electricity and en-suite facilities. Birding from the central thatch and stone lodge is excellent as it overlooks a small lily pond and has a sweeping view up the grasslands towards the distant ridges.

Wildlife occurring on the reserve includes kudu, mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck, duiker, common reedbuck, warthog, chacma baboon, leopard, caracal, black-backed jackal, brown hyena, aardvark, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, porcupine, scrub hare and mongoose. Due to the diversity of habitats, birdlife is prolific. The nearby Marakele National Park is home to the largest breeding colony of Cape Vulture in Africa and these, as well as many species of raptors, may be seen soaring on thermals above the ridges. Traversing rights on neighbouring reserves allow riders to venture out for a full day with saddlebag picnics to see a wider variety of African wildlife including all the common plains game.

Equus has a long standing reputation for their high standards and horse safaris are their top priority, however, non-riding guests are welcome on their new reserve. Well-marked hiking trails of 2 - 15 kms. in length traverse the reserve, the longer trails leading to spectacular mountaintop views.

Getaway, South Africa, September 2003.