While the TWT riders were looking around Lapalala Wilderness School on the morning of Day 5, the horses were able to enjoy a rest and a good feed.

Ant Baber, who was leading the expedition, had them tacked up before coming too collect us from the environmental project.

The riders put on their chaps, helmets and suncream getting ready for the day ahead.

Ant’s horse was eager to get going.

A team photo was taken of the sixteen horses by Save The Waterberg Rhino and we were off.

It was a hot sunny day, the bush teeming with life after the rains.

We saw quite a bit of game on the plains, including warthog, zebra and wildebeest.

We also took time to learn a little about the trees and flowers.

Ant then took us down the valley to the Palala River, which flows northwards towards the Limpopo.

The back-up vehicle got stuck in a stream running down the the river. It looked serious as the ground was being washed away from under the Landcruiser but Ant winched it up the bank and all was well.

Most of us were pretty tired and a little dehydrated by this stage but horses and riders were able to relax in the shade at lunchtime.

That afternoon we were able to enjoy a long canter down the old road where the going was good.

We went through an old Transvaal cattle farm,

crossed the Melkriver and made it to Jembisa Lodge.

The horses had comfortable accommodation in the manager’s garden.

We passed a pod of hippo in the Palala River and drove up to the lodge for the night.

Dinner was held under the thatched veranda where everyone was able to relax for the evening and look forward to another day.