Horseback Africa Lodge

Horseback Africa

GENERAL SCORES /5:

Lodge/Hospitality: 5

Rooms: 4

Food: 5

Guiding: 5

Game Viewing: 4

OVERALL: 10/10

Vital Statistics:

Country: South Africa

Reserve: Horseback Africa

Management: Macrae Family

Year we stayed: Every year!

Approx price pppn then: $200

Horseback Africa Review Summary:

The perfect retreat for a night or two before or after a big game safari, this is a lovely, relaxing, family run place within easy reach of Johannesburg airport. Superb horseback safaris with guides who teach as well. You won't see the big 5 here, but will get unbelievably close to the many antelope, zebra and giraffe that abound. Then, after lunch, take the lions for a walk - yup, you read that right - take the lions for a walk; then play with the baby ones. Paradise.

Horseback Africa Review

OK, so I am biased here. The wonderful MacRae family who run Horseback Africa are very good friends of ours. However, they became such good friends because we visited so often because the place is so fantastic - so I figure this review is still valid!

There are two major draws to Horseback Africa (3 if you are into polo): the horseback safaris and the lion tours. But I will start with the rooms. The principal accommodation (there is the more rustic Bushman's Cottage if you prefer), officially 3-star, is in the lodge, which has just four homely twin rooms, all with en-suites. There is also a sitting room, but most people barely find the time to sit and do nothing - there is so much else to do! There is also a small swimming pool (and various dams if you prefer more natural swimming) and a bar, which is the general hang-out area. The food is superb. Dinner is usually a braai (BBQ) of steak and boerwurst (sausage) with a good helping of salad and vegetables. Vegetarians are ably catered for as well.

It is clear from the name that the raison d'etre of this place is the horseback safaris. It doesn't matter if you are an expert jockey with three Grand Nationals and two Kentucky Derbies under your belt or if you once saw a lame donkey in the distance on Blackpool's pleasure beach - there will be a horse to suit you here. What's more, that horse will be carefully chosen for you after you have been asked in detail about your riding experience, confidence, likes and dislikes. Then Colin or Brandon (his eldest son) will talk to you about the herd mentality of horses, why they behave how they do, their body language and how to act and behave with them - all before you even go near the horses themselves. It was this incredible service and attention to detail which so impressed me (a complete beginner) when I first visited Horseback Africa.

The teaching doesn't stop once you get going either - how may times have I heard "Heels down Steve"? - and there are opportunities for trotting, cantering, jumping and even full speed gallops for those brave and/or experienced enough. All of these activities are carefully managed in between wonderful game viewing opportunities. Also, because the animals have become used to the presence of horses, you can get incredibly close and photo opportunities abound - especially as much of the scenery is absolutely beautiful. There are various different lengths of safari available, but even the shortest is a fantastic experience.

A very popular attraction here, with both tourists and native South Africans, is the Lion Tour. Whilst learning about these magnificent creatures, you will take two or three of them for a walk! The ones you take out can be anything from 3 to 18 months old and you will have plenty of chances to get photos with them, even holding their tails as you walk along - really taking a lion for a walk! Once back in the garden area the cubs will come out to play. These might be anything from 2 weeks to 3 months old and are usually very playful. There will be lots of chances for photos, but keep your camera ready - these guys don't stay still for long. Also on the lion tour, various other animals are often introduced. These are usually animals that are being hand raised for a variety of reasons - usually orphaned or abandoned - and have in the past been baboons, snakes, giraffe, impala, springbok and wildebeest!

As mentioned in the summary, this is the perfect place to recover from your flight before hitting the big game parks or to rest after your safari, before your flight home. You can be as active or laid back as you like. Where else are you going to see a baboon giving a lion a cuddle in between the legs of a babysitting dog?