Ten riders from Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland and the Netherlands gathered at Horizon Horseback Safaris on 25th January 2015.

After an evening ride to ensure everyone was happy with their mounts,

we set off over the hills, taking on the challenge to find a route across the Waterberg plateau on horseback. Our week in the saddle proved quite an adventure.

We had some wonderful game viewing.

Being on horseback we could get remarkably close to animals

especially zebra used to grazing with the horses.

Some sections were challenging

and we crossed through territory new to the horses.

There were other stretches where we pushed on

and picked up speed.

There were mornings when we cantered for miles, afternoons when we had to dismount to walk up stony hillsides – all be good for the inner thigh.

We found ourselves going through very beautiful country.

We spent long days in the heat,

but it was high summer in South Africa and the bush was verdant.

Making our way through the game rserves, crossing rivers

and plains where herds of wild animals were grazing was exciting.

We rode with zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, warthog, jackal, red heartebeest, blesbok, impala, greater kudu, waterbuck, mountain reed buck, duiker, eland, oryx and saw nyala, sable, springbok, baboon, vervet monkey, slender mongoose, tree squirrel, ostrich, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, crocodile and even a debra – the hybrid foal of a zebra mare and donkey stallion.

We saw amazing creatures, great

and small.

Some saw sable antelope

and we even came across other horses, grazing in the Africa bush.

 After six days on horseback we made it to the Palala River and could celebrate the fact that we had covered somewhere in the region of 200kms.

Everyone agreed that it had been a great expedition accomplished by a wonderful team.

Before flying home we had time to meet staff at the Waterberg Welfare Society

and see around the hospice and Timothy House children’s centre.

Very many thanks go to all those who sponsored the riders and supported such a good cause. Funds are still coming in but we hope to let you know the total raised soon and report on the details of projects we will be able to finance. The riders all paid their own expenses and brought generous donations, with gifts for the local children.

I was able to take beautiful books, stationary and clothing to the farm school where they were very much appreciated.

If you would like to add a donation via our Justgiving page please click here.

Grateful hanks also go to those who hosted us and looked after the riders so beautifully: Horizon Horseback Safaris, Koshari Game Reserve, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill, Lindani Game Reserve and Jembisa, who treated us to dinner under the stars on our last night.

If you would like to join us on another Waterberg Charity Ride, please contact us using the Comments box below.

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