Safari Information

AGE LIMIT
On the Songimvelo Safari, clients over 60 years should have confirmation from their doctor that they are fit for the ride and that there are no medical conditions of which the guide should be aware.

RIDING ABILITY
For the Songimvelo Safari, clients should be competent at walk, trot, canter and gallop. Confident novice riders can be accepted, but should have an independent seat and be secure in the saddle should they need to react quickly. The riding is challenging and technical since it is wilderness riding with steep climbs and descents, river crossings and tricky rocky terrain to cross. There are some opportunities for fast riding on the plains. It is not suitable for nervous riders.

Novice riders are accepted for the riding at Dawsons Lodge and the riding will be tailored to the ability of the clients.

TACK
The tack is Australian or South African stock saddles designed for comfort and long hours in the saddle. Pelham bridles are used for control, although you will normally ride on a loose rein.

SAFETY
The Songimvelo Safari is led by Steven Rufus, a professional guide, qualified to guide in areas of dangerous game. A 458 rifle is carried during the safari. There is cell phone communication emergency services. A GPS is carried. A briefing is given at the beginning of the safari on how to handle big game and emergency situations.

LENGTH OF RIDING
On Songimvelo Safari, clients will ride for between 4 and 6 hours each day. A full breakfast will be had in camp and riders will set off at between 7am/8am. There will be stops for refreshments and picnic lunch during the day, arriving back to camp between 3pm/4pm. The daily schedule is determined by the guide with the best interests of the group and horses in mind and taking into consideration the terrain and weather conditions. The riding at Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge will be tailored to suit clients but will average c. 4 to 5 hours per day. This will normally be a morning and shorter afternoon ride.

GROUP SIZE
Maximum of 8 guests on the Songimvelo Safari. Larger groups can be accommodated at Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge.

ACCOMMODATION
On the Songimvelo Safari clients spend the first night at the Homestead at Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge. This has six en suite rooms which can be adapted to twin or double beds.

On safari, clients normally stay in dome tents with comfortable beds, duvets and blankets if required. The tents and beds are erected for the clients. A long drop loo and bucket shower is provided at each camp site. A mess tent is erected for dining should the weather be inclement. The last night will be spent at Ebutsini Village a traditional Swazi village with entertainment, a wonderful way to end the safari!

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
It may be possible for some clients to have single rooms at Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge on payment of a single supplement. When on safari, clients should be prepared to share a tent (with someone from the same gender).
There are a limited number of rooms and tents for singles. A single supplement of £150 (net) is payable to guarantee a single room at Dawson 's Lodge, Swazi Village and a single tent. Otherwise, clients must be prepared to share on safari.

MEALS
Wilderness Safaris - Clients will have three meals a day. Full breakfast will set up clients for a day in the saddle. When on safari, clients will make their own saddle bag picnic from bread rolls, ham, cheese etc. In the evening, professional chefs cook two course meals. Emphasis is placed on good South African bush cooking. Vegetarians can be catered for with prior notice but other stricter diets cannot be accommodated on the safari.

Ebutsini Village - The emphasis is on traditional delicious Swazi cuisine.

Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge - All meals are catered by superb chefs.

DRINKS
On safari, clients are provided with fruit cordial, bottled water, tea & coffee. Beer and house wine is served with dinner, although the amount is necessarily limited by space in the support vehicle. Clients may bring their own duty free if they wish to have spirits.

NOTE: all beverages at Dawsons Lodge are at personal expense .

CHILDREN
Competent teenagers aged 16 and over are accepted on the typical Songimvelo Safari. Younger children who are experienced riders may be accepted as part of a family group on a private Songimvelo Safari.
There are special dates each year set aside for children's safaris, however all participants must be 10 years or older.
All ages are accepted at Dawson 's Lodge; however children should be aged 10 or over to ride.
All children under the age of 18 years must wear a hard hat when riding

WEATHER
Summer months are October to March with the hottest months being October to February when temperatures may ride to mid 30's C. The rains can start in November with December to February being the wettest months. Winter is May to August. Since you are in the mountains, the evenings can be cold, with temperatures falling to 5C. Rain is unlikely in the winter months, but mist and heavy dew is possible and so you should have good quality raingear at all times to prevent feeling damp.

GETTING THERE
There will be scheduled departures for car transfers from Johannesburg on the first day of the safari. This car will leave at 0930 to arrive at the lodge for midday. You must allow time for clients to come through customs and baggage in time for this transfer.

On the last day of safari the car transfer will be organised to collect guests from the Swazi Village between 11.00 / 12.00 to allow guests to have lunch on the way to the airport (not provided in cost) and ensure they are on time for evening flights.

If you are booking a full group (8 people) then the flight arrival time can be more flexible, as long as everyone is aware that if guests arrive later they may miss the afternoon introductory ride at the lodge.

Set Rate for clients travelling on shared car transfer GBP115.00 per person return. Not included in ride price

If you are booking an internal flight to our nearest airport (KMIA - Nelspruit) you must book your inbound flight to arrive no later than midday to ensure that you arrive at Dawson's in time for late lunch and afternoon ride.

Return departure to KMIA is typically at 11.00pm for afternoon flights to Johannesburg

Rates for KMIA transfers must be requested from SAHBS prior to booking as they are subject to increase at any time.

Timings

• Johannesburg to Dawson 's - approx 3 hours
• Swazi Village to Johannesburg - approx 4 hours
• KMIA to Dawson 's - approx 1.5 hours
• Swazi Village to KMIA - approx 2.5 hours

Important Notice : Due to the on going re-construction of the O.R.Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport Waterberg Transfers would like to suggest the following meet and greet strategy for the future to ensure all guest receive the best possible service when being meet by their driver. In preparation for the FIFA 2010 world cup football tournament many of the existing terminals are currently under construction and with some entrances in the arrivals lounge only measuring 1 metre wide this is proving to be problem with clients finding the Waterberg Transfers designated driver.

We would like to suggest that from the 01st September 2007 all clients arriving on International flight only,  to be instructed by reservations / agents / lodges / hotels to make their way to the Information desk in International Arrivals where their driver will be waiting with sign in hand. This will avoid the clients having to read 100's of signs before finding their name. The information desk at international arrivals in positioned in the centre of the arrivals lounge and is well sign posted. There are a lot less people around this area which should make finding clients much easier.

The information desk is also central to all currency exchange and close to bathrooms/toilets and shops.

NOTE: CAR TRANSFERS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RIDE PRICE.

MONEY
Clients on safari need cash only for tips and drinks at Dawsons Lodge. Credit cards are accepted at Dawsons Lodge.

TIPPING
This is standard practice in South Africa but is not essential and depends on the service you require. Clients should give one amount for tips to Steven Rufus who will share it amongst the camp, grooms, back-up guides and lodge staff with some guidance of how to share it. A reasonable amount would be £50/R550 per person for the safari. For those on the lodge based ride, a reasonable amount would be £5 per night for the lodge staff, grooms and back up guides.

HEALTH
Because the safaris are in the mountain areas of Mpumalanga, the risk of malaria is low. Clients are, however, advised to use insect repellent and cover arms and legs during sunset. Clients are also advised to seek medical advice from their doctor prior to traveling.

BOOKING
Availability on individual safaris can be checked by e-mailing sahorsebacksafaris.com at rufus@sahorsebacksafaris.com , but flights should not be confirmed until we have advised there is space and a deposit has been received.

INFORMATION REQUIRED WHEN BOOKING

• Name, age, weight, height
• Riding experience
• Special Dietary or other requests
• In case of Emergency (contact name and telephone number)
• Travel insurance details (Insurers; Policy Number; Emergency Contact Telephone Number) Go to our Contact page

CANCELLATION POLICY

• 20% deposit required when booking confirmed.
• If a booking is cancelled between 90 and 60 days before the safari, the cancellation charge is 20%.
• If a booking is cancelled between 60 and 30 days prior to the safari, the cancellation charge is 50%.
• For bookings cancelled less than 30 days prior to the safari, the cancellation charge is 100%.
• Payment of the safari is required 30 days prior to the date of the safari. Bank account details will be provided on the invoice issued when a booking is confirmed.

WHAT TO BRING
Space in the support vehicle is restricted and so you will be limited to one medium sized soft sided bag on safari. You are provided with saddle bags and water bottles. You are recommended to bring clothes which can be layered since the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

LIST:

• Comfortable riding trousers/jodhpurs
• Half chaps or full chaps (full chaps will provide extra warmth and protection in the event of damp or cold)
• Riding boots with rubber sole, also suitable for walking. Full length riding boots will not be either practical or comfortable. The best would be jodhpur boots (with rubber sole) or a pair of dual purpose riding/leisure boots, such as Ariat. Leather soles will be slippy on mountain rocks.
• T-shirts, Long sleeved cotton shirt
• Hat: We recommend a hard hat. At all times a hat is advisable as protection against the sun. Your hat should be secure on your head!
• Riding Gloves: Your hands will be particularly exposed to the elements for long periods
• Sunglasses: We recommend a lace/cord attached to your sunglasses so that they do not fly off.
• Jumper or Fleece: recommended all year
• Wind-proof and waterproof jacket
• Warm clothing, gloves, warm socks; thermals: Warm clothes are particularly recommended in June/July, but it can get cold in the evenings in the mountains at any time.
• Casual clothes for when not riding, house shoes.
• Swimsuit, shorts, sandals, etc.
• Sunscreen, lipsalve and moisturiser. Important at any time - essential between October and April.
• Insect repellent
• Camera and film - twice what you think you will use! Spare batteries.
• Torch and spare batteries.
• Binoculars - if you are particularly keen on game viewing or birding
• Wash bag - A nail brush will be particularly useful after a day in the saddle.
• Bum Bag: You may find that a small bum-bag is useful for keeping a camera or sun-screen readily to hand (saddle bags will be provided for carrying lunch, if necessary).
• Towel

OTHER ACTIVITIES
When on the Songimvelo Safari you will spend most of your time in the saddle, but there will be opportunities for relaxation or to reach high waterfalls or for panoramic views. Those who are hardy and adventurous can swim in the mountain streams and pools.

At Dawsons Game and Trout Lodge non riding activities include guided game drives and walks; trout, bass and yellow fishing; bird watching; scenic forest and waterfall walks; or simply relax at the pool, enjoying the magnificent views.

PASSPORT AND VISA
You must be in full possession of a valid passport to visit South Africa. British or Irish passport holders do not need a visa for South Africa. However, you need a minimum of one unused page in your passport. If traveling onwards outside of South Africa you will require an additional unused passport page. The passport should be valid for at least one month beyond your return date.