AFRICAN DREAM HORSE SAFARI
Equine & Wildlife Holiday Programme
Lowveld, Limpopo, South Africa
This programme has been designed for enthusiastic travellers, aged between 18 to 35, who are looking for an unforgettable experience by combining their love for nature with their passion for horses.
African Dream Horse Safari is a totally unique project with opportunities and experiences that differ greatly from other horse safari, volunteer and internship venues that you'll find in South Africa, with an emphasis on living and learning in a relaxed and fun filled environment. The programme is available to experienced riders and novices alike!
During your stay you will be exposed to a variety of both equine and wildlife aspects, such as understand the correct way to ride, handling of horses, general horse and equipment care, basic yard management, safety, instruction, schooling basic veterinary, riding skills both through the bush and in an arena, horse behaviour, natural horsemanship, as well as horse trails.
As far as wildlife is concerned volunteers will also be taken on game drives in an open safari vehicle on a Nature Reserve open to the Greater Kruger and home to The Big 5. Here an emphasis is placed on conservation education, including nature guiding in the natural environment, basic knowledge of ecosystems, identification, tracks and signs, animal behaviour and so much more.
Besides the day to day activities which make up the programme, volunteers will partake on outreach work in the local communities, as well as be given enough free time to explore the many beautiful spots in the area, including the Blyde River Canyon (largest green canyon in the world), the world famous Kruger National Parks, God's Window in Graskop and many more. Look at possible day trip excursions here.
The owner of African Dream Horse Safari's is Traci Thomson who is a devoted guide, accomplished competitive rider and dedicated conservationist. Her team is made up of Shannon, who manages the stable yard, works with both the horses and riders, as well as conducts the outreach and Ryan, who is the administrator, maintenance man and assists with the nature activities, such as game drives on the Big 5 reserve.
Overview
Duration
African Dream Horse Safari has a minimum stay of 2 weeks.
Start dates
Arrivals/Departures are on a Monday or Friday only.
Daily to Day
Weather permitting, the weekly schedule will combine equestrian with nature, where volunteers will either be at the stables or in the bush (4 game drives per week. Saturday's will prove one with an opportunity to experience one of the various excursions and every Wednesday, volunteers will spend some time helping out on outreach work. This outreach work will predominantly take place in the Sigagule village, assisting dogs and other animals in desperate need of medical care, as well as improving their living conditions.
Cost (2023 Rates)
1 week £975
2 weeks £1450
3 weeks £1910
4 weeks £2370
Additional weeks at £460 per week
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Fully Stocked Kitchen
Min Stay 14 Nights
(Monday or Friday arrival)
Age 18 to 35
Weight limit of 75kg for Horse Riding
What's included:
- Transfers for arrival and departure on a Monday/Friday to/from Hoedspruit, Limpopo
- Linen (except towels)
- Housekeeping
- All Equestrian Activities
- All Wildlife Activities
- Transport Within the Programme
- Unlimited WiFi
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at The African Dream House, which is situated within walking distance from the African Dream stable yard and on the secure Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.
The house consists of 1 guides room and 5 volunteer rooms, which can sleep 2 volunteers each with all rooms having bathrooms en-suite.
Other facilities include:
- An indoor and outdoor lounge area
- Swimming pool
- Boma area to relax around an open fire or enjoy a braai (BBQ)
- Self service laundry
- Scullery
- Fully equipped and stocked kitchen for self service breakfast and dinner. Lunch will be prepared by the Africa Dream Horse Safari team on most days.
There are running and cycling paths within the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate for those looking to exercise or explore the bush in other ways. (Bicycles are provided).
Equestrian/Stables
For those wishing to further their equestrian knowledge and riding skills, experience trails from horseback, show jumping/dressage and stable yard management, whilst doing so within a wildlife environment, African Dream Horse Safari is the chosen destination.
The Equestrian centre is situated within a 700 hectare residential wildlife estate, known as the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. The estate has leopard, zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala and many other antelope, reptiles, primates, carnivores, birds, insects and their relatives that you find in the Savanna biome.
Wildlife
If watching wild animals while driving through the African bush, sitting around a campfire listening to the calls of the wild or sipping a well-deserved drink, while watching the African sunset sounds appealing, then African Dream Horse Safari is the place for you to visit.
The main objective here is to create a love and awareness of the environment with conservation as the main drive. Volunteers will have the opportunity to do 4 game drives per week, where they will experience the incredible African nature and learn about basic conservation practiced within a Big 5 reserve.
Outreach
Every Wednesday, the volunteers will join in the outreach work in the Singagule village, assisting dogs and other animals in desperate need of medical care and an improvement in living conditions.
An opportunity may come up to lend a helping hand to other non-profit charities in the Hoedspruit area, such as Nourish and Hoedspruit Paws.