Saddlebag Safaris Testimonial.
The
white rhino stood together in the bush like ancient, primordial
rocks; still and brooding. On the opposite bank of a dry river
bed, metres away 4 riders watched, 4 horses alert and aware appraised
the situation second by second. Suddenly, as one, 7 rhino wheeled
and ran in a dust cloud away from the watchers. Horses and riders
remained quiet, held by the magnificence and mindful of the power
of the rhino in its domain where man is just a watcher.
This
was just one of many magical sightings of game in a week in Lapalala
wilderness with Saddlebag Safaris. Throughout our time in the
reserve we were constantly rewarded with herds of zebra, groups
of white and black rhino, kudu, impala, wildebeest as well as
a richness of birdlife. We came upon crocodile, were privileged
to observe a hippo family group and eavesdropped on the spectacular
and colourful conversation of baboons. Lapalala is caught in time,
with its preserved wildness, its grand rivers and expressive rock
formations, the history is literally etched on the land by passing
water and land changes as well bushman painting and later Iron
Age art. To put your hand where a bushman did it shamanic trance
is indescribably humbling as is the realisation that the rocks
which carry the hand prints are ever present and each man is only
passing through.
Saddlebag’s
guides are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness through
which they escort you and the pace and itinery was made intensely
personal by their willingness to stop to let the guests take a
better look, take photographs or just absorb the atmosphere. The
level of care and consideration for guests and horses alike is
superb and incomparable to any other holiday, horsey or otherwise
that my husband Jim and I have ever experienced, and we’ve
been on many.
The
horses are wonderful, willing, surefooted,exceptionally well-cared
for and have a special contentment and beauty rarely found in
a domesticated horse. My horse, a pretty bay Quarter horse called
Lefasa was pleasure from start to finish and looked after me admirably
at all paces across all terrain and in all situations. At close
quarters with rhino he looked to his rider for direction even
while his ears whirled like satellites and his heart beat was
audible. My husband Jim will kill me if I do not mention the horse
he rode the lovely and portly Serengetti who Jim has adored since
he met him as foal at Horizon and now rides at every opportunity
in the bush. Each horse is special and individual and his allocated
guest feels privileged to share a week with him!
Riding
into camp each evening in the exquisite light that I’m sure
only exists in Africa was lovely, especially as we were greeted
by the abundant graciousness of the capable backup-team who provide
welcome refreshments, smiles and willing ears for the days’
stories. The camps themselves were all beautiful, emerging from
the bush in shades of khaki and umber with roaring fires, hot
showers and enormous amounts delicious food.
The
safari was magical, luxurious and addictive, I think everyone
should experience the richness of Lapalala guided through the
perceptive eyes of Carmen and Chennay of Saddlebag Safaris at
least once if not twenty times in their lives.
Horizon
Horseback Adventures
PO Box 791, Vaalwater, 0530
Limpopo, South Africa.
Tel:+27 (0)14755 4003 Fax: +27(0)14755 4418
horizonranch@yebo.co.za
/ www.ridinginafrica.com
.
