Horizon Horseback Safari Lodge

Prepare to feel immediately at home when you arrive at Horizon. The rambling main house and numerous smaller cottages overlook rolling lawns and an enormous dam. There's a huge garden with large shady oaks, and a swimming pool perfect for post-ride dips. A broad stoep surrounding the house has plenty of cushy seating for lazy afternoon naps or evening cocktails. Meals are plentiful and fresh, with light pre-ride breakfasts; lunch served beneath the shady syringa tree in the garden; lavish teas mid-afternoon; and three-course dinners served at elegantly set tables.

There are three double rooms in the main house, metres away from the lily-pad laden lake, and all are ensuite with either a bath or shower. Set apart from the main lodge are seven double rooms, three with private verandas overlooking the lake. Additional African-style rondavels scattered throughout the grounds have a more rustic ambience but are nevertheless perfectly comfortable. All have either a large double or two twin beds, mosquito nets, quality furnishings, and en-suite bathrooms with high-pressure rain showers - and space to kick back if you're not keen on horseriding.

Where to start! With your horse you can, of course, take take two (3 to 4-hour) guided rides a day, but you can also play polo cross, swim in the dam (atop your horse no less), ride the cross country course, or jump, play gymkhana games and help to muster the cattle on the ranch. When you're thighs tell you you've been in the saddle long enough, take a tour of the cattle ranch, shop in the Beadle Craft Workshop, enjoy the Lehlabile Cultural tour and or ride out on the unmissable night-star safari of the incredibly clear Waterberg skies.