Overview
Signature Safari, located in the Limpopo province of the Waterberg region in South Africa, is one of the most loved horse safari destinations in the world. Set in a region of outstanding natural beauty, this lodge offers a unique combination of excellent riding, warm hospitality, and a relaxed, flexible atmosphere that keeps guests returning year after year.
With a herd of over 100 well-trained horses, the Lodge caters for all ages and riding abilities, making it the perfect choice for solo travellers, couples, families, non-riders and groups with intermediate and advanced riding experience. Guests can enjoy rides with game viewing, long canters to exhilarating cross-country jumping, polo-crosse, swimming with horses, visits to the local school, and western games.
What sets this riding holiday apart is the opportunity to ride amongst abundant African wildlife without the presence of dangerous game such as elephant and lion. From giraffe and zebra to wildebeest, sable, hippo, roan, eland, warthog, buffalo and more, every ride brings new and exciting encounters.
Accommodation
The Signature Lodge offers stylish, comfortable stays to suit every guest. Elegant rooms at the lodge feature private bathrooms and stunning views, and the Bellevue Private Lodge offers a peaceful retreat with ample animal spotting. While the luxury tented Camp Davidson provides a true bush experience without sacrificing comfort. Every option offers a peaceful retreat after a day of riding and wildlife adventures.
Dining
Dining is a highlight of every stay. Guests enjoy three delicious meals daily, afternoon tea before rides, and unforgettable bush breakfasts cooked over an open fire during rides into the reserve. Evenings often finish with sundowners as the sun sets, followed by chef-prepared dinners in beautiful settings. With all drinks included, from wine to beer, basic spirits and inspired dishes created by talented chefs, dining at Horizon is every bit as memorable as the riding.
Details
- All year round
- Lodge based
- Time in the saddle 2 – 5 hours a day
- Pace – Variable, depending on the nature of the terrain. There will be some opportunities for faster riding each day.
- Fixed seven-day itineraries from Sunday to Sunday
- Caters to all intermediate, intermediate plus and advanced riders
- Non-riders are welcome and other activities can be arranged
- Weight limit – 85 kilos / 187 lbs
Riding Ability:
The set itinerary caters to intermediate, intermediate plus and advanced riders of all ages. With a herd of over 100 well-trained horses, there is a perfect match for every guest, whether you are a confident intermediate, or an experienced rider.
Rides are offer three paces and fast canters where tracks allow, allowing everyone to enjoy a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. Families, friends, or groups with mixed abilities can ride together on the flexible itinerary, each on a horse suited to them, while still sharing the excitement of exploring the African bush and encountering its abundant wildlife.
Horse Breed:
The Signature Lodge has a herd of over 100 well-trained horses, carefully selected for their temperament, reliability, and suitability for riders of all abilities. The herd includes a mix of breeds, predominantly South African Boerperd crosses, Apaloosas, Fresian crosses and Arab crosses, chosen for their athleticism, calm nature, and versatility across different riding disciplines.
At the Signature Lodge, the horses roam freely across the estate’s paddocks and open reserve when not riding, enjoying space to graze and socialise. This natural lifestyle keeps them calm, healthy, and ready for every ride.
Group Size:
Rides at Signature Lodge are kept to a small, manageable group size, usually around 4–8 riders, ensuring personalised attention, safety, and a relaxed pace. Rides are led by two experienced guides, ensuring personalised attention, safety, and a memorable experience for every rider.
Ride durations vary depending on the activity:
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Outrides and game viewing: 1–3 hours
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Conservancy rides: 2–3 hours
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Bush breakfasts or special rides: Half-day or full-day options available
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Polocrosse, cross-country, and western games: 1–2 hours per session
- Sundowners in the Bush and wine tastings
Type of Tack:
The saddles used for riding are South African McClellans with a sheepskin pad over the seat. Small saddlebags are provided and a water bottle. The saddles are designed for long hours in the saddle and comfortable for both horse and rider over long distances. English saddles are used only for jumping activities. The majority of our horses are ridden in snaffle bridles, ensuring a gentle and effective ride for riders of all levels.
Helmets and international travel insurance is mandatory.
Dates and prices: Flexible itineraries
Rates: 2026
The rates are calculated in British Pounds and Snaffle Travel uses the ANZ bank conversion rate CHECK HERE to get an indication. All rates are based on twin-share accommodation. Please ask us for non-rider rates.
Set itinerary – double/twin room per person (7 nights)
LOW SEASON – 5 January to 1 March 2026 – £2132.00
MID SEASON – 2 March – 30 June – £2319.00
HIGH SEASON – 1 July – 4 January 2027 – £2698.00
If you would like to book for 2027, you can secure your place with a deposit now. We will honour the 2026 rates until the 2027 rates are released at the end of the year.
**Single rooms: Please ask us for the rates**
ROAD TRANSFERS – All transfers are an additional cost. Collection and transfers from Oliver Tambo (ORT) International (Johannesburg, South Africa) airport are organised with the partner company Saddlebag Shuttles. The drivers will meet you in the arrivals hall as you land. The transfer from ORT airport is approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic and stops en route.
The rates are based on the British Pound and are subject to currency fluctuation until final payment. We use the ANZ sell rate to convert from the British Pound to the Australian dollar. Please contact us for the most up-to-date pricing for your riding holiday.
Includes
- The price includes 8 days/7 nights accommodation
- All riding (including swimming with the horses), full board, beverages including local beers, wines and a selection of basic spirits, and internal transfers (excluding airport transfers).
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, sundowners including snacks, and three-course dinner
- Includes one night at stay at Bellevue Lodge and one night at Camp Davidson.
- Six main riding activities: outrides and game viewing, conservancy ride, polocrosse, swimming your horse, western games and cross
country jumping. - Swimming pool
- Free Wi-fi and daily room cleaning
- Free laundry
Not included
- The price does not include international flights, travel insurance (compulsory), airport transfers, staff tips, and additional activities not listed on itinerary.
- Extra Activities: Guided bush walks, Cycling, Zekhalo Zipline, Fishing, massage, night sky safari with a local astronomy guide, visit to the local Waterberg Living Museum, visit local primary school and Telekeshi Ramasobane Cultural Village.
- Extra private Game drives from £98.00 pp
- Additional incidents, merchandise and tips for staff can be paid by cash or card
- Visas and inoculations
- Single supplements
PLEASE NOTE: The excursions can be changed according to weather, horses, rider’s experience level, or circumstances beyond our control
by the management of the Lodge. Safety is the primary concern.
Transfers from ORT Tambo Airport are 3 hours. If you stay for 7 nights the transfers are from £150.00 pp return. Sunday group transfers depart ORT Tambo airport at 11:15 am and return from the Lodge on Sunday at 2 pm and arrive at ORT Tambo airport at 5 pm.
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: (D) Sunday – Signature Lodge
You will be picked up from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport for a 3-hour drive to the lodge, where you’ll arrive in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have an introductory ride, designed for a relaxed experience to help you acclimate to your new environment and get to know the horses. As you ride across the open plains, you’ll have your first opportunity to encounter wildlife from horseback, including ostriches, impalas, zebras, kudus, elands, and giraffes.
Before heading back to the lodge for a delightful three-course dinner, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking viewpoint, where you can enjoy sundowner drinks and savour your first taste of Africa after your long journey.
Day 2: (B,L,D) Monday – Signature Lodge
On this first full day on Horizon Game Reserve, guests start to truly appreciate the wide open spaces and natural beauty of the Waterberg. Riding with wildlife in their natural habitat is a magical experience, with chance encounters intermingled with the excitement of tracking a particular species. The animals are unperturbed by the horses, and so you can ride really close to them and observe them going about their business.
This is a great day for a splashy canter along the edge of the dam, especially in summertime. And also you can have your first swim with your horse to cool off. The afternoon ride typically ends with a sundowner at a beautiful viewpoint with the riders walking the horses back to the lodge at dusk in high spirits.
Highlights: Explore the reserve – splashy canter
Day 3: (B,L,D) Tuesday – Bellevue Lodge
An early start is needed for the long ride from the Horizon Lodge to either Savannah Lodge in the far southwest of the reserve, or Seringa Lodge in the southeast. The first part of the route covers country that riders will now be somewhat familiar with, but soon enters new terrain. In places the bush is thick but after a while the scenery opens up to grasslands with sweeping views to the south and west. Riding through this landscape gives riders a sense of the vastness of the African plains. The area boasts a very high concentration of game with herds of over 300 blesbok, or 80 eland, often sighted. Other species which are home to the plains include red hartebeest, tsessebe and ostrich. There are plentiful zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe, and smaller groups of sable, roan and waterbuck. The final stretch to Savannah Lodge is along a wooded stream where kudu and bushbuck are likely to be seen. After a relaxing time around the pool and within the sophisticated lodges, it is time to ride to the southern most areas of the reserve in search of Cape buffalo. These are members of Africa’s famous “Big Five” and deserve their formidable reputation. Riders therefore need to be alert and responsive to the guides’ instructions. This area is known for its spectacular sunsets as the sun sets over the distant headlands of the Waterberg escarpment – a fitting end to an eventful and memorable day in the African wilderness.
Highights: Longer ride to Bellevue Lodges and searching for buffalo
Day 4: (B,L,D) Wednesday – Signature Lodge
Another long ride through game rich country returns riders to the heart of the operation, Horizon Lodge. The route taken is different from that on the outward leg, turning this part of the safari into an exciting journey passing through diverse landscapes and ecosystems. Game species typically prefer different habitats, with nyala and bushbuck for instance occupying dense forest-like sections of the reserve while blesbuck and hartebeest stick to the open plains, and waterbuck and reedbuck, unsurprisingly, are normally seen close to streams and other waterways. Riders arrive at a giant wild fig tree for a delicious bush breakfast prepared on an open fire. After this hearty meal the route back to the lodge passes through a dense forest area where some of the shyer species like to shelter. Swimming with your horse in front of our Horizon Lodge is the perfect end to this special morning ride.
This afternoon we go on a game drive to a nearby reserve, where we can see the Big 5, including elephants, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lions.
Highlights: Bush breakfast, swim your horses and game drive.
Day 5: (B,L,D) Thursday – Camp Davidson
This morning we head towards Camp Davidson for an exciting night under canvas. The camp is perched high on a ridge overlooking a vast wilderness area to the east. Wildlife often encountered in the area includes baboon, bushpig, kudu and klipspringer. Porcupines are frequent nocturnal visitors to the camp and leopard spoor outside the tents is not uncommon. Today’s route to Camp Davidson covers the north-eastern areas of the reserve, tracking through untouched bush to the upper reaches of Sunset Lake. This lake is a favourite haunt of the hippo on the reserve and home to crocodile, otter, fish eagle and other waterfowl, such as the beautiful African jacana. Guests ride along the water’s edge and must be constantly on the lookout for the hippo. These animals, while having a reputation for being some of the most dangerous in Africa, are not a threat during the day but will often honk and blow as they observe the riders go by. The route offers an opportunity for exciting splashy canters and extended canters, off-piste riding with very scenic views across the highlands of the Waterberg.
Day 6: (B,L,D) Friday – Signature Lodge
Ride through the neighbouring conservancy to search for sable. These magnificent antelope have striking markings and long sweeping horns. If conditions allow, we end the ride with another chance to enjoy a splashy canter along the edge of the Horizon Lodge dam. After the morning’s exertions, guests can relax around the swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful unspoilt surroundings. The afternoon activity is polocrosse, an amalgam between polo and lacrosse. The game is highly addictive and is sure to bring out competitive passions! Horses which are used to playing the game are used and no previous experience of playing polocrosse is required. What is guaranteed is a great deal of fun.
Highlights: Searching for sable polocrosse.
Day 7: (B,L,D) Saturday – Signature Lodge
This morning, we offer guests the chance to ride into another of our neighbour’s conservancies, where Cape buffalo can be spotted. An early start is required for this longer morning ride. The thrill of cantering alongside wildebeest is a highlight. The land opens up to offer long, extended canters along broad tracks that skirt through pristine bush. In the afternoon, riders follow a route interspersed with optional cross country jumps on the way to sundowners in a stunning spot with views over the rolling hills. A slow ride back to the Lodge at dusk completes the day’s adventure.
Tonight’s dinner starts with a wine tasting, each wine is paired with a complimenting amuse-bouche. This is a brilliant introduction to South Africa’s famous wines.
Highlights: MGB Ride and wine tasting evening.
Day 8: (B,L) Sunday
Final ride and Transfer back to the Airport. By now riders are well versed in all aspects of the safari experience, and in consultation with their guides can suggest a favourite ride for their final experience. This is a last opportunity to ride amongst Africa’s incredible antelope species through a beautiful environment on superb horses. Following lunch in the garden, it is time to embark on the road transfer back to the airport in Johannesburg.
Highlights: Favourite ride for their final experience.
Note: Shorter and longer programs are available. All programs and itineraries are weather-dependent; in the face of adverse or unexpected weather conditions, reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding.
All programs are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
Other Information
Location
Signature Lodge is located in South Africa’s Waterberg region, about three hours’ drive north of Johannesburg. Set on the historic Baber family estate, the lodge sits within a private game reserve covering more than 15,000 acres.
The area features a mix of open plains, sandy tracks, and bushveld, offering excellent terrain for riding and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, hippo, buffalo and various antelope species. Being malaria-free, it is an ideal destination for horseback safaris in a safe and scenic environment.
Weather
Weather website: https://www.weathersa.co.za/
Activities
During the ride, you will enjoy sightseeing and see Game. The property has a swimming pool, bikes to hire and massage is available for a fee.
Game Viewing: Plains game, including giraffe and zebra, hippo, leopard (rare sighting), hyena country. Prolific birdlife. Over 330 species to be seen. Optional game viewing at private game reserve to see the BIG 5.
Guided Bush Walk: For a change of pace and a chance for more in depth information on the flora and fauna on the area, our guides will escort you on
a walk through the game reserve. A walk is a chance to see the smaller details in the bush and also with over 250 different species of bird on the reserve, it is
an ideal opportunity for bird watching.
Cycling: Nestled in the beautiful Waterberg mountains, riders of all levels will enjoy 30-40km of cross-country mountain biking that consists of singletrack, trails, gap jumps, drop-offs, and even a rock bridge. The less adventurous can ride on open farm roads or visit nearby sites.
Night Sky Safari: Optional: An amazing opportunity to be guided through the night sky by a local astronomer, Dr Phil Calcott. Wrap up warm in the provided blankets as you are directed to view constellations, planets and galaxies.
Lekhalo Zipline: Optional: An exciting two-hour tour down six lines between 150m and 90m. Admire stunning views and wildlife before devouring the best burgers in town for lunch.
Fishing: Fishing can be arranged with one of our staff in one of the many dams on the reserve. Bass and Barbel are readily caught and can be cooked for supper! Just make sure you catch enough for everyone.
Massage: Massages can be booked with Lydia, our resident masseuse. There is an additional cost for all treatments.
Sunday Service: Those interested are very welcome to join us at the local church service (non-denominational) held every Sunday at 9:30am. Dress is informal, dirty jods and chaps are more than adequate. We can organise a short ride before the service.
Waterberg Living Museum: The Waterberg Living Museum is a living classroom, a natural & cultural history museum, an exhibit of living creatures, and a botanical garden, all in one place. This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Waterberg area and its vast history that stretches back to before man.
Bullseye Taxidermy: Look around this family owned taxidermist and see what is under the skin of a taxidermy animal.
Vaalwater Shopping Trip: Spend the afternoon exploring Vaalwater, visiting The Vaalwater Market, The Black Mamba, Kamotsogo Crafts and Afrihouse for
African curios and decor.
Telekeshi Ramasobane Cultural Village: Telekeshi is a community tourism project situated on communal land adjacent to Masebe Nature Reserve. Nestle at the base of the noth-eastern Waterberg escarpment, the site has access to this pristine and inaccessible landscape with breaktaking views and impressive geomorphological formations. Features include a 1.5 and 3 hour hike up the escarpment to view rock art, 18th and 19th century settlement sites, Middle and
Stone Age tools and an initiation site.
Languages spoken
English
Closest Airport
The closest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, approximately three hours’ drive from the lodge.
Terms and conditions
This holiday is calculated using British Pounds and is subject to currency fluctuation. We will update the final invoice 7 days prior to final payment. This itinerary is subject to our terms and conditions. The deposit is 25% and is non-refundable. Please ask for our *terms and conditions which apply to riding holidays.
Snaffle Travel is more than happy to arrange airfares, transport, extra accommodation, any other travel arrangements, and insurance. Please contact Snaffle Travel for further information, riding holiday booking terms and conditions to info@snaffletravel.com.au
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