Wait a Little Big Five Horseback Safari
Seven Days Riding Among the Big Five on the Karongwe & Makalali Reserves Near Kruger
Overview
For experienced riders, one South African destination stands apart: Wait a Little, run by Philip and Gerti Kusseler across the Karongwe and Makalali private reserves in the Limpopo lowveld near Kruger. This is the real thing — riding among the Big Five, including elephant, buffalo, rhino, and the possibility of lion and leopard, from the back of a horse. It is one of a tiny handful of operations on earth where you can do so, and it is emphatically not a beginner's ride. Over six nights you move through genuine Big Five wilderness on seasoned, brave horses, sitting quietly among dangerous game and covering real country at walk, trot and canter.
Wait a Little accepts only confident, fit, intermediate-plus and experienced riders with a genuinely balanced, independent seat — able to walk, trot and canter for sustained periods, bushwhack through thick cover, and, crucially, sit quietly and follow instruction instantly when the guide brings the ride close to dangerous game. The horses — around 30 to 40 Boerperd, Thoroughbred, Warmblood and Friesian crosses — are seasoned, brave and superbly schooled for big-game work. This seven-day journey blends the thatched main camp above the Makhutswe River with the Beacon Rock fly camp, where you sleep close to the wild, and the beautiful XiDulu lodge, whose infinity pool looks over a hippo dam.
Who It's For
Genuinely experienced riders only. You must control a fit horse at all paces, sit quietly among dangerous game, bushwhack through cover, and follow instruction instantly. This is not a place to learn or to overestimate yourself. Weight limit a firm 95 kg. Minimum age around 10 to 12 with proven competence and, for juniors, a supporting letter.
Package Highlights
Ride Among the Big Five
Elephant, buffalo, rhino and the chance of lion and leopard from the saddle
Brave, Schooled Horses
30–40 crosses seasoned and superbly trained for genuine big-game work
Beacon Rock Fly Camp
Sleep close to the wild at a classic mobile bush fly camp
XiDulu Hippo-Dam Lodge
An infinity pool overlooking a hippo dam in the lowveld wilderness
Real Distance & Pace
Sustained walk, trot and canter across true Big Five country
The Ride You Graduate To
South Africa's pinnacle of adventure riding for confident equestrians
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fly to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa (or drive roughly five hours from Johannesburg) and transfer to the thatched main camp, set above the Makhutswe River. After settling in, an assessment ride confirms your riding and matches you to a seasoned big-game horse, followed by a first ride into the reserve and dinner overlooking the bush.
🏨 Accommodation: Main Camp (thatched rooms above the river)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Your Route
Tap a marker to see each stop on your journey.
Featured Lodges & Accommodation
Main Camp
📍 Karongwe Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
Wait a Little's home base — thatched rooms set above the Makhutswe River, with a pool, an open dining area and stables at hand. Comfortable, unpretentious and steeped in the atmosphere of a working big-game riding operation.
From $980 per person per night
XiDulu Lodge
📍 Makalali Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
A beautiful lodge on a dam, whose infinity pool looks over resident hippo, with crocodile and elephant coming down to drink. The luxurious counterpoint to days of hard riding and the Beacon Rock fly camp.
From $1,150 per person per night
Pricing & Options
All prices per person sharing. Customize any tier to your preferences.
Big Five Camp Safari (5 nights)
(~$1,300/night)
A camp-based Big Five riding trail for confident, experienced riders — daily rides among dangerous game from the thatched main camp.
Get QuoteBig Five Safari (6 nights)
(~$1,317/night)
The classic mobile trail combining the main camp, the Beacon Rock fly camp and the XiDulu hippo-dam lodge — the full Wait a Little expedition.
Get QuoteRide & Dine (9 nights)
(~$1,211/night)
The longest and most indulgent programme — more riding, more country and the full luxury of XiDulu, for a small group of experienced riders.
Get QuoteWhat's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- ✓ 6 nights across the main camp, Beacon Rock fly camp and XiDulu lodge
- ✓ All meals and selected drinks
- ✓ Daily Big Five horseback riding with expert big-game guides
- ✓ Mobile expedition legs and fly-camp experience
- ✓ Reserve, conservation and traversing fees
- ✓ Road transfers from Hoedspruit / Phalaborwa airports
- ✓ Laundry service
✗ Excluded
- ✗ Flights to/from Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa
- ✗ Comprehensive travel and riding insurance (mandatory)
- ✗ Premium spirits and champagne
- ✗ Gratuities (recommended for guides and staff)
- ✗ Personal expenses and curio purchases
- ✗ Single supplement where applicable
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Travel
The lowveld rides year-round, but the cool, dry winter (roughly April–September) is best for riding comfort and for game concentrating at water. Summer (November–March) is hot with afternoon storms and lush, thick bush.
Why Choose This Package
Genuine Big Five Riding
One of a tiny handful of operations on earth where you ride among elephant, buffalo and rhino from the saddle.
Seasoned Big-Game Horses
Brave, superbly schooled horses trained specifically for the discipline of riding close to dangerous game.
Camp, Fly Camp & Lodge
A true expedition arc — the thatched main camp, the Beacon Rock fly camp, and the luxurious XiDulu hippo-dam lodge.
South Africa's Riding Pinnacle
The ride experienced equestrians graduate to — real distance, real danger, real reward, expertly guided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Experience the Wait a Little Big Five Horseback Safari?
From $6,500 per person | 7 Days / 6 Nights
⚡ Limited availability for peak season 2026 — book early to secure your dates