Free Rein Africa

Working Riding Holiday

Looking for an African horse-riding work/holiday adventure? Combine your love of equines and experience the rugged African bush from horseback. Experience glittering nights under a canopy of stars, while listening to the whooping calls of the spotted hyena, or the chilling rasp of the leopard as he slinks through the bush.

Feel the “hoofbeat” of Africa… you will be forever changed.

Riders are based in Limpopo, South Africa, at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains, at Timbavati Nature Reserve.

Explore a 650 hectares neighbouring reserve with the horses (1600 acres), home to an abundance of plains wildlife, including zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and various different antelope species.

Participants assist with the care of the herd of 20 plus safari horses, and get plenty of opportunity to explore the reserve on herseback. There is nothing quite like encountering African wildife from the saddle, with the feel of being at one with nature!

Canter through the rugged African landscape, or peacefully watch majestic giraffe. Track game through the bush, all the while learning and gaining valuable horse riding experience.

ACTIVITIES

Feeding, Grooming and Tacking Up: Daily grooming and feeding of the horses before and after rides. This is a great way to form a bond with the horses in the herd. As part of the daily grooming, you will check the horses over for any sores or wounds, and help with keeping them in top condition. In South Africa, horses also need to be regularly 'dipped' to prevent tick infestations, and the nasty diseases they can carry. You will also need to help tack up for rides, and untack at the end of the day.

General Husbandry: Mucking out, feeding and watering of any stabled horses, if needed. You may also take part in show preparation, any veterinary care the horses may be receiving, and other tasks as needed.

Tack Care: Important for keeping the horses happy and healthy, volunteers assist with cleaning tack after rides, and checking tack over for wear and tear.

Riding: Participants ride for approximately 2-3 hours per day, usually split between two rides. Riding is tailored to your experience level. The majority of riding is out on the reserve, however, there is also an arena to ride in. This is useful for more novice riders, who may want o brush up their skills or have a lesson before heading out on the reserve.

ITINERARY

The below information is a rough guide only, to give participants an idea of what they will be doing.

Monday to Friday: Weekdays are spent riding, participating in horse care, and participating in conservation exercises, tracking and bushlore. Participants usually ride twice a day (roughly 2-3 hours riding per day).

Timbavati Foundation: One day per week is spent doing charity/community outreach work at the Timbavati Foundation. Participants get involved at the local school. If you have any special skills that you can teach the children, you are more than welcome.

Weekends: Saturday and Sunday are off days, and volunteers can either explore and go on excursions in the area, or relax at camp. Participants can also get involved with trail rides, if there are any!

Extra Activities: During your stay, you will also be taken on a game drive once per week in a Big Five reserve. Bush walks are also included in your experience.

Horse rider and giraffe encounter a giraffe on safari.

Horse and rider galoping in the African bush.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is at a comfortable lodge in Timbavati Nature Reserve. Inside, there is a complete kitchen, set up for self-catering, and a communal living area. Outside, there is pool for participants to relax at, and braai (barbeque) area.

This experience is self-catering, with participants being taken to the shops to buy groceries on arrival. You will have access to a full kitchen, where you can prepare food. You will be taken on a weekly shopping trip in to town to buy groceries and other supplies.

Coffee/tea/water/full cream milk/concentrated mix juice, and drinking water are included (please bring your water bottle), Yoghurt, muesli, fruit for breakfast are also included.

Rooms are shared between two people.

Wi-fi, and laundry facilities are available at the accommodation.