Obtain equine work experience with South Africa Horseback Safaris during your Gap Year or Career Break to help train and look after our very special bush horses, ride as backup rider in a 'Big Four' game reserve seeing a variety of game that includes rhinos, elephants, buffalos, hippos, leopards, giraffe, zebras and antelope.  

Itinerary

This is a three month programme available to anyone who is an experienced horse rider, this equine work experience adventure will improve your horse riding skills and allow you a unique insight to the Africa bush and its amazing wildlife. Accompanying Steven and up to eight guests, you will regularly go on safari riding as a backup rider in a game reserve to see a range of animals, including the Big Four (elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos) and an abundance of other game such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and antelope. From Steven you will learn about the animals and ways of the bush. Whether you are an experienced horse rider looking for an awesome experience during your gap year or career break, or just want a brilliant adventure experiencing the South African bush in a way few people ever do.

Initial Training - Learn the daily routine, looking after the horses and skills required to work at the horse safari, look after the horses, have your horse riding skills assessed and settle in as part of the team

Arrive at Nelspruit airport where you will be met and driven to the house and stables located about 90 minutes away. The opening fortnight will be dedicated to settling in and becoming accustomed to the routine, training, work ethics and horses, as well as having your horse riding abilities assessed.

Accommodation - is provided near to the yard and consists of two large permanent double caravans with large beds. A fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower is provided and looks out on to a garden area. Note the accommodation is basic but clean and comfortable for your stay.

On a typical day you will rise very early and have breakfast before heading to the stables. Here you will bring the horses in from the reserve to feed them and start their daily training routine. Any horses not on safari for the day will do schooling or interval training for fitness. At around 11:30 you will have a two hour lunch break. You'll then head back to the yard to help the staff groom and school the horses, clean the tack. You'll also be required to exercise the horses on the reserve where there is just plains game - no dangerous animals. At around 16:30 you will finish your jobs for the day, putting the horses to bed and heading back to the accommodation. It has to be noted that with horses you must be prepared to stay until the jobs are finished and the timings quoted here are approx.

After initial training - Groom, exercise and school over 30 horses, ride as a backup guide in a 'Big Four' game reserve and help to look after clients

During the rest of your time at the horse safari operation you will be a priceless member of the small-knit team. You will continue to exercise, groom and train the horses (sometimes up to six horses a day) and also act as backup guide on safari (sometimes being in the saddle for six hours or more). You will be fully trained for your role as backup guide; possessing all the skills and knowledge to know what to do in an emergency plus all the requirements needed to ensure our clients have the 'time of their lives'! As there can only be one backup guide per safari, the role will be shared between you and all your work experience colleagues. As the backup guide, you will be required to ride at the back of a group of clients whilst the guide rides up at the front; assisting the clients with any problems they may have and helping them to spot sightings of the animals such as rhinos, buffalos or maybe even a herd of breeding elephants. You will also help the guests to feel at home, serving them food, putting up and taking down their tents as required.

To be accepted onto the programme you must:

• Have high levels of horsemanship in both management and riding
• Be a regular, current rider
• Have experience schooling horses to classic English standard
• Be over 18 year of age
• Be 80kg's or under
• Have a minimum of eight years continuous riding experience
• Be prepared to work hard and as part of a team
• Be able to put the clients needs before your own
• Be prepared to have minimal time off
• Have a positive attitude.

What to bring List

• You must arrive with your own sleeping bag
• Suitable riding equipment. Full or half chaps and short / walking boots. Long boots are not suitable. The weather here is changeable so ensure that you bring 'layers' for all weather riding.
• Your own toiletries
• Towels
• Sunglasses - are a must
• Insect repellent
• FULL MEDICAL INSURANCE - details to be given to Steven / Lucy on arrival. If this is not present you will not be able to ride!!!!!
• Torch
• Casual clothes - in addition we expect you to look smart whilst with guests on safaris, no ripped jeans and bright tops. Preferably you must have khaki shirts and presentable jeans, and hair and any other riding equipment to be presentable.
• Full drivers license preferably the photo card license. SA is very particular about drivers having their license with them when driving so you must ensure that this paperwork is with you when you leave the reserve or you will be fined.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you receive the correct VISA on arrival at SA customs, please check the date you have to leave BEFORE you leave the desks as mistakes will not be corrected afterwards and may lead to you having to depart the country early.

Cost
GBP1650.00 for 12 weeks

Includes

• Airport pickup (from Nelspruit domestic airport)
• All meals
• All accommodation
• Park fees whilst on safari
• Limited use of company car with prior agreement
• All Teas / Coffees / juices
• Limited access to internet at lodge

Excludes

• Alcoholic drinks
• Telephone calls

Group Size      Maximum of 4 people during safari season.

For all enquires and availability for this programme please contact:

Antony / Tom at YOMPS on tom@yomps.co.uk / antony@yomps.co.uk

Tel:  +44 (0) 845 006 1435
Fax: + 44 (0) 207 149 9933
website: www.yomps.co.uk