Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
SOUTH AFRICA : SAFARI ON THE SONGIMVELO GAME RESERVE, WITH COMFORTABLE CAMPING ACCOMMODATION...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
On the borders of Swaziland, the Reserve of Songimvelo shelters one of
the main governmental programs of conservation of the big White Rhinoceros
with the State of South Africa. It is not rare to see 5 or 6 in the day
on horseback! On more than 50 000 hectares, away from the tourist streams, Songimvelo offers vast spaces among which 5 % hardly are accessible with 4x4 and our base camp is the only residence existing in the reserve. You will thus cross no other guest except for rangers asked to stay up the multiple treasures of the reserve: white rhinoceros ,buffaloes, elephants... Songimvelo shelters four of Big Five: the rhinoceros naturally, but also the elephant, the buffalo and the leopard. You'll not meet the lions in the reserve. But what marked us during our travel in May, 2006 was the abundance and the variety of the crowds of herbivores: zebras, various sorts of antelopes, giraffes, hippopotamuses... This abundance coupled with the very good visibility in these opened spaces makes that you ride almost always with wild animals in sight! The residence is much simpler than for our Big Five safari (except for the first one and last night), to reserve for the amateurs of bivouacs in the middle of nowhere. The last night is spent in a Swazi traditional village, belonging to the local community which will make you share its traditions, its dances and its kitchen! |
It is now for all of us the last chance to discover the beauty and wilderness of the Songimvelo Game Reserve in 2008. South African government decided to close the access for riders from january 2009.
Take the last opportunity to visit this unique ecosystem !!! |
Have a look on our photo album of this Songimvelo horseback safari !
ITINERARY
Day 1 - sunday
Meeting point at 9.30 am to Johannesburg airport. Transfer to the
Dawson's Lodge approx 3 hours drive from Johannesburg.
On arrival at Dawson's Lodge settle into your room at the Homestead.
Lunch will be served in the dinning room. Later there will be a
briefing explaining how the safari will progress and an opportunity
to meet the horses and remainder of the team.
In the afternoon have your first ride for approx 2 hours, returning
to the lodge for dinner and a good night's sleep before setting
out on safari early the following day.
Day 2 - monday
An early start to set off on safari. The horses will travel ahead
by truck and you will transfer by vehicle (50 minutes) from Dawson's
Lodge into Songimvelo Game Reserve.
You set off riding for approximately 4-5 hours (with regular breaks)
riding on the plains towards Wind Hoek Base Camp, with numerous
river crossings, and a lunch stop at the Hippo pools.
These plains are abundant with wildlife, surrounded by magnificent
mountains and give you your first opportunity to feast on this beautiful
reserve.
Arrive at Camp mid afternoon. The support team will have set up
a comfortable camp, including a bucket shower and long drop toilet
facilities.
The rest of the afternoon is spent exploring and settling in to
your tents.
Dinner will be served (dependant on weather) either in the mess
tent or outside.
Day 3 - tuesday
The normal pattern on safari will be a morning call at c. 6.00am
(earlier in summer) followed by a full breakfast and tea or coffee.
You generally make your own saddle bag picnic and can choose from
a variety of different breads and tasty snacks and fillings.
Full day ride descending from mountains into the valley, game viewing
and riding through rivers and onto the plains.
Return to the base camp late afternoon.
Day 4 - wednesday
Today is a day of excitement and you will set off to explore more
widely into Songimvelo. Ride into the stunning mountains, with pack
horses and all equipment required to spend a night out under the stars!
After a spectacular lunch location you will ride on to the evenings
resting place and enjoy a simple (though delicious) evening meal.
This is challenging - though spectacular - mountain pass riding,
Sleeping bags will be provided for quite simply the most magical night
you could ever spend in the bush.
Day 5 - thursday
Breakfast will be served in the mountains and then descend the mountain
passes to Komati River plains. This area has great game viewing and
potential encounters with White Rhino.
Arrive at base camp for a late lunch, with time to relax before dinner.
Day 6 - friday
Today you explore gold mines and have another opportunity to spot
the abundant game. Ride for approximately 3 /4 hours in the morning,
and arrive back in camp for a late lunch and afternoon at leisure.
Day 7 - saturday
Ride to Ebutsini Village game viewing and enjoying the dramatic scenery
on the way through Songimvelo. Arrive mid afternoon and enjoy the
rest of the afternoon at leisure and settling in to the traditional
Rondavels. Evening will be spent at the village enjoying the entertainment
and catering - Swazi style!
Day 8 - sunday
A final morning ride from Ebutsini Village and a visit to the local
school where guests can donate any gifts they might have bought and
receive an amazing performance from the children. Depart from the
village and transfer to Johannesburg late morning. Lunch on the road.
Have a look on our photo album of this Songimvelo horseback safari !
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Extend your trip and visit the Kruger National Game Reserve, Cape Town
or Victoria Falls.
You can also combine this safari with one of our other ride : Big
Five Safari, Wild Coast
Trail, Cape Town area ride,
Okapuka safari, Okavango
delta, etc...
Contact us for further details...
Victoria Falls 3 days / 2 nights
90m high and 1800m long, Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful and impressive falls of the world. It's the border between ZAmbia and Zimbabwe. A famous you absolutly have to visit during your stay in South Africa.
The package includes :
- Flights Jo'Burg - Livingstone return ticket including airport taxes
(105 €),
- Transfers from and to Livingstone Airport,
- 2 nights in full board basis including local drinks and house wines,
- Activities : 1 trip to the Zambian side of the falls, laundry, dundown
cruise, mokoro trip, nature trails and village/school tour.
To add :
- Optional activities,
- Curio shop and office facilities,
- Insurances.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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Horses Our horses are of various breeds, but mainly thoroughbred/shire cross; Boerperd and Boerperd /Quarterhorse cross; Arab/Quarterhorse cross; Anglo Arab and Hanoverian /Boerperd cross. They range in height from 15hh to 17hh. All horses are selected with the same criteria as for a sport horse (pace, temperament, confirmation, ride ability) and are fit and in good condition. |
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Tack The tack is Australian or South African stock saddles designed for comfort and long hours in the saddle. Pelham bridles are used for control, although you will normally ride on a loose rein. |
Required riding level
For the Songimvelo Safari, you should be competent at walk, trot, canter
and gallop. Confident novice riders can be accepted, but should have an
independent seat and be secure in the saddle should they need to react
quickly. The riding is challenging and technical since it is wilderness
riding with steep climbs and descents, river crossings and tricky rocky
terrain to cross. There are some opportunities for fast riding on the
plains. It is not suitable for nervous riders.
There is a weight limit of 16 stone and on the Songimvelo Safari, clients
over 60 years should have confirmation from their doctor that they are
fit for the ride and that there are no medical conditions of which the
guide should be aware.
Competent teenagers aged 16 and over are accepted on the Songimvelo Safari.
Younger children who are experienced riders may be accepted as part of
a family group on a private Songimvelo Safari.
There are special dates each year set aside for children's safaris, however
all participants must be 10 years or older.
Guests of all ages are accepted at Dawson's Lodge, however children should
be aged 10 or over to ride.
All children under the age of 18 years must wear a hard hat when riding.
YOUR GUIDES
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Your guide Steven is an experienced horseman. He has lectured in
equine studies, competed in eventing at a top level in South Africa
and is a registered farrier. Nine years ago he established Limpopo
Valley Horse Safaris in Botswana which is now one of the leading horse
safaris. He has recently moved back to South Africa. |
ACCOMMODATION
Dawson's Lodge (first night)
Dawson's Game and Trout Lodge is a luxury lodge situated in Mpumalanga,
40kms from Songimvelo Game Reserve.
You will stay at the Homestead during the first night. It has six en
suite rooms, private dining area and pool.
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The Base Camp (four nights)
On safari, you normally stay in dome tents on camping beds with Swags, sheets and duvets, which are erected for you. A long drop loo and bucket shower is provided at each camp site. A mess tent is erected for dining should the weather be inclement.
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The Mountain Camp (one night)
On wednesday evening, you'll leave a true experience of bush : one night under stars if the weather permitted or inside a small hut in the middle of the mountains (average 2000m altitude). No shower available except for courageous ones who could experience the river).
Ebutsini Village (last night)
Ebutsini Village consists of traditional rondavels, though each room has
en suite facilities and electricity. The rooms are very comfortable and
private within the village. You'll spend the last night there.
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Meals
Breakfast of porridge, eggs and bread will set you up for
a day in the saddle. When on safari, you will make your own saddle bag
picnic from bread rolls, ham, cheese etc. In the evening, professional
chefs will cook delicious meals. Emphasis is placed on good South African
cooking. Vegetarians can be catered for with prior notice but other stricter
diets cannot be accommodated on the safari.
On safari you are provided with fruit cordial, bottled water, tea &
coffee. Beer and house wine is served with dinner, although the amount
is necessarily limited by space in the support vehicle. You may bring
your own duty free if you wish to have spirits.
At Dawson's Lodge, all bottled drinks, beer, wine and spirits are a personal
expense.
At Ebutsini the food is traditional African fare in the evening with a
cooked breakfast the following morning. Beer and house wine again will
be served limits as per safari.
DATES AND RATES
| 2008 | ||
| October 12 to 19 | 2470 € |
2 spaces |
| October 19 to 26 | 2470 € |
4 spaces |
| December 28 to January 03 (New Year Ride) | contact us |
full |
2008
Single supplement : 290 €
For people who absolutly want to have their own room and tent during the safari.
Options :
| Victoria Falls 3 days / 2 nights | |
| From october 01 2008 to January 10 2009 |
950 € |
Single supplement during the Victoria Falls trip :
+ 130 € from October 01 2008 to January 10 2009
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail as described in full board basis, drinks included (except
to the Dawson's Lodge),
- Transfers from and to Johannesburg international airport,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- drinks in Dawson's Lodge
- organization of any discover tour of Africa (Cape Town, Zulus area,
Sun City, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls..)
- any other service,
- tips,
- insurance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage,
repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurances only if you are an
european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with
your local insurance company.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Dorothee, the specialist for this destination !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
South Africa
LENGTH
8 days / 7 nights / 7 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
English
GROUP SIZE
3 to 8 riders.
ACCESS
CLIMATE
Summer months are October to March with the hottest months being October to February when temperatures may rise to mid 30's C. The rains can start in November with December to February being the wettest months. Winter is May to August. Since you are in the mountains, the evenings can be cold, with temperatures falling to 5C. Rain is unlikely in the winter months, but mist and heavy dew is possible and so you should have good quality raingear at all times to prevent feeling damp.
Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.
REFERENCE :
CH02-afriquedusud-songimvelo-en
