WILD INSIDE ADVENTURES
Riders Gone Wild
Equestrian Escape
Based in Middleburg, South Africa, this working riding holiday gives equestrian enthusiasts the opportunity to volunteer with horses and explore a 4500-hectare reserve.
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Volunteer caring for highly trained trail horses, in return for riding. Discover the joys of South Africa from between the ears of a horse, with some beautiful encounters with wildlife on the reserve.
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​Wildlife on the reserve includes giraffe, zebra, sable, eland, kudu, red hartebeest, springbok, klipspringer, impala and nyala. Stay in the heart of the reserve, and be lulled to sleep most nights by the sounds of wildlife calling.
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​The herd of highly trained trail horses need continued attention and care. Volunteers become part of the family, and establish deep bonds with each of the horses.
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Eat. Sleep. Ride. Repeat.
The idea of this equestrian escape, is to allow riders to experience a riding holiday in South Africa, at a much reduced rate. With full riding safaris costing in the range of £2800-£4400 per week, this opportunity just isn't affordable for everyone.
Volunteers pay just £500 per week, to cover their accommodation, food, and conservation fees within the reserve, and receive the rest of their trip free of charge, in return for helping out with the horses between rides.
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Work is not strenuous, as the horses live out, so there is no mucking out. Expect to spend 1-2 hours a day working with the horses, including feeding twice daily, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and hosing down or brushing off the horses after rides. Volunteers act as an extra pair of hands, providing the horses with even more love, care and attention.
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Volunteers spend between 2-5 hours per day in the saddle, keeping the horses fit, exploring the reserve and encountering wildlife!
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We believe that life is best viewed from between the ears of a horse, and this work exchange programme is a great way to explore the wonders of South Africa, and it's wildlife. Whether you want a unique holiday, are taking a gap year, need a career break, or just want to get back in touch with horses, this trip has a little something for every equestrian addict.
Riders must be over 18 years old, and experienced riders.
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If you are interested in going on a full riding safari holiday, without the volunteering element, visit our sister website- wildinsidehorsesafaris.com.
INFORMATION
You will be volunteering with ‘Wild Ride Safaris’, owned by Lin
Pearson. Lin has over forty years’ experience with horses and wildlife, and has spent many years running lodges in South Africa and Botswana. She has a passion for natural horsemanship, which is the basis of most of her training methods, and loves to pass on her knowledge of the bush.
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During your stay you will be based at Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve. The surrounding area is around 4500 hectares (11,000 acres), and is teeming with wildlife. Wildlife species that you may see includes giraffe, zebra, warthogs, buffalo, and many different species of antelope such as impala, kudu and nyala to name but a few.
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As the animals are wild, we cannot guarantee what you will see and when. You may come back from a ride having seen lots, or you may not see anything. This is all part of the fun in finding them!
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The reserve is not a Big Five reserve, so we do advise to not arrive expecting to see every single species of wildlife. The idea is to give riders the taste of what riding safaris are like, at a much-reduced rate, and allow riders to immerse themselves in the African way of life and nature.
Visits to other Big Five reserves nearby for game drives can be arranged to fill in the gaps of species that are not on the property (at the volunteers own cost, on days off).
Expect to ride for around 2-5 hours per day during your stay. Work time with the horses is around 1-2 hours per day.
ACTIVITIES
Due to the fact that you will be riding in open areas, and in the bush, this experience is only for experienced riders. You must be in balance and in full control at all times in all four paces, and able to handle a variety of different horses. Rides can get very fast, so you must be a confident rider.
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Work is not strenuous as the horses live out (no mucking out), and mostly consists of feeding twice a day, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and hosing down or brushing off horses after the rides.
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The idea is to get a mini riding holiday, at a fraction of the cost, in return for some help with the horses in between rides.
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​​Grooming + Tacking Up
Daily grooming of the horses before and after rides. This is a great way to form a bond with the horses in the herd. As part of the daily grooming, you will check the horses over for any sores or wounds, and help with keeping them in top condition. In South Africa, horses also need to be regularly 'dipped' to prevent tick infestations, and the nasty diseases they can carry. You will also need to tack up for rides, and untack and brush off or hose down the horses at the end of the ride.
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Tack Cleaning
Important for keeping the horses happy and healthy, volunteers assist with cleaning tack, and checking tack over for wear and tear.
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General Husbandry:
The horses all live out, so there is no mucking out or strenuous hard work! But you will be involved with feeding and checking on the horses twice daily.
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Riding
The main focus of your experience will be riding, and keeping the herd fit. You will ride every day (weather dependent). The You are likely to get some close encounters with wildlife on the rides, as they are well habituated to the horses and do not see you as a threat. Taking pictures and videos is a must, but we do recommend trying to take a smaller camera, as larger ones can become awkward to use from horseback.
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As the riding establishment in South Africa is family run, your assistance and help is greatly valued.
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There is no 'set day', every day is different, and usually contains some kind of adventure!
ACCOMMODATION
Volunteer accommodation is basic but comfortable, with volunteers staying in A-frame ‘glamping’ style tents.
There is a small pool to relax by or swim, but don’t be shocked if a zebra or two turn up to join you for a drink!
Tents are shared between 2 volunteers, withen-suite bathrooms. You will have hot running water, but may have an outdoor bathroom or shower attached to your room.
Staying on the reserve means you can often hear the calls of wildlife around you at night! The area is secure and safe, due to substantial electric fencing and limited access to outsiders, and you will spot wildlife passing by in daylight hours, while
enjoying a coffee outside.
You will have access to a kitchen where you will be expected to make you own breakfast and lunch from the food provided. Dinner is cooked for you, and is usually a delicious and
nutritious home-cooked meal. Vegetarians and vegans can becatered for.
