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Wait a Little
Wait A Little is run and owned by Philip and Gerti Kusseler. In small groups (max 6 guests) and on well-schooled quality horses you will be personally guided by Philip through a private game reserve close to the Kruger National Park with the background of the Drakensberg Mountains.
| Area: |
near the Kruger National Park |
| Length: |
7 night safari, 4 - 6 hrs riding per day. Runs year round (except Jan) from Sat to Sat. |
| Level: |
Experienced |
| Price: |
From £1,960 per person sharing excluding flights and transfers |
| Highlights: |
riding with the Big 5 |
This has to be one of the most beautiful wilderness regions in the world. There are various ecosystems ranging from open plains to wooded areas, from hills and rocky outcrops, to gullies. The reserve is the home to wildlife such as elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, impala, warthog and many different species of birds.
The classic 7 night 'Big 5 Safari will provide you with amazing opportunities to see the game at close quarters. On this safari you will spend 4 nights at the main Wait a Little camp, with one night in a simple fly camp and 2 nights in the very comfortable Phiva camp. A 9 night option is also available, the Makalali Safari.
This is a fast ride with lively canters with lots of dashing in and out of the bush. You should be secure in the saddle at all paces and riding fit. You will ride in endurance saddles specially designed for long distance riding or an English saddle can be provided for you if preferred.
Wait a Little tented camp: Luxury, canvas tents on platforms, secluded for privacy and equipped with hot and cold outside shower under a thatched roof and lookout toilet over the Makhutswe river. The dining area is furnished with African 'antiques' and a good selection of books are available. Fly camp at Beacon Rock: Sleep out camp, situated on a rock formation, the highest point in the area, with an magnificent view over the Lowveld Escarpment. You will sleep on mattresses under the stars on top of the rock or under a shelter, with a campfire. Phiva: Built and designed by Silvio Rech, one of Africa’s most famous architects, this camp seems to have grown out of the African Bush. Silvio’s inspiration came from the colours of Africa; red like the soil, white like the bones, brown like the branches, orange and grey like the rocks. Clay, reed, wood, skulls and lots of other natural resources provided the materials to build this unique camp. As with all the Makalali camps, accommodation is in private chalets, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private salas for your relaxation.
BIG 5 SAFARI RIDE ITINERARY (subject to change due to local weather conditions)
| Day 1 |
You will be met at Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airport and transferred by road to the Wait a Little base. Meet Philip your guide, over a light lunch or afternoon tea, then meet and try the horses on a short evening ride. Dinner and overnight at Wait A Little main camp. |
Day 2
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Depending on the weather, today could be spent riding to Croc Dam to see crocodile and hippo submerged in the dam and fish eagles and other waterbirds diving from overhanging trees, or perhaps you will spend the morning tracking cheetah, stopping to watch as they stretch out on a termite mound. A picnic lunch out riding then return to camp for dinner and the night. |
Day 3
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Today's ride may track leopard or wild dog heard calling in the night. Return to Wait a Little for a leisurely lunch and in the evening set off by vehicle to search for buffalo. Dinner and night at Wait a Little main camp. |
Day 4
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Set off riding south to a fly camp at Beacon Rock. The rock formation that overlooks the escarpment offers panoramic views of the whole reserve and the night is spent sleeping out under the stars around the campfire. |
Day 5
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Breakfast in camp then set off on the longest ride of the week, into the neighbouring Makalali Reserve and on to the spectacular Phiva camp. The open plains of Makalali are home to giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. Dinner and the night at Phiva. |
Day 6
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The day to explore the wilder areas of the Makalali Reserve with chances for some fun canters, twisting and turning between the trees. Return to Phiva for dinner and the night. |
Day 7
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Breakfast and begin the long ride back to Wait a Little perhaps encountering elephant, rhino, lion or giraffe en-route. A sundowner on the open plains and a delicious farewell dinner before final night in camp. |
Day 8
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An early breakfast and a chance for a final morning ride before your road transfer back to the airport. |
The price of the ride includes: accommodation; all meals; all drinks; riding; game drives; guiding; laundry service at base camp; chaps can be provided. We recommend that you take your own riding helmet to ensure a good fit.
The price excludes: transfers to/from WAL; telephone calls, tips, gate fee and drinnks at Makalali.
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Intermediate
