Equine & Wildlife Holiday Experience
Summary
The Equine and Wildlife Holiday Experience has been designed for enthusiastic travellers, aged 18 to 35, looking for an unforgettable experience by combining their love for nature and passion for horses.
African Dream Horse Safari is a unique project with opportunities and experiences that differ greatly from other horse safari, volunteer and internship venues that you'll find in South Africa, emphasising living and learning in a relaxed and fun-filled environment.
The programme is available to both experienced riders and novices alike, so if you have never ridden a horse before but would like to learn, African Dream Horse Safari is the place for you.
Equestrian / Stables
African Dream Horse Safari is the chosen destination for those wishing to further their equestrian knowledge, improve their riding skills, experience trails from horseback, receive show jumping/dressage lessons and partake in stable yard management activities.
The Equestrian Centre is home to around 35 horses at any given time and is located within a 700-hectare residential wildlife estate, known as the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. The estate has zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala, wildebeest, waterbuck, nyala and many other mammals, reptiles, birds and insects that you find within the Savanna biome.
Other than a healthy yet elusive leopard population, there are no other members of the Big 5 on the estate, which allows one to experience nature from horseback in a safe and relaxed wildlife environment.
Wildlife / Reserve
If watching wild animals in their natural habitat from the back of an open safari vehicle sounds appealing, then African Dream Horse Safari is the place for you to visit.
The main objective here is to create love and awareness for the environment, with conservation as the main drive.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to do three 3-hour game drives per week, where they will experience the incredible African nature and learn about basic conservation practices within a Big 5 reserve.
Depending on the time of day, these drives will either include a morning coffee stop or an evening sundowner, while taking in the sounds of nature.
Outreach
Every Tuesday, the volunteers will join in on our outreach work in the Sigagule village, assisting dogs and other animals in desperate need of medical care, as well as improving their living conditions.
An opportunity may come up to lend a helping hand to some of the other non-profit charities in the Hoedspruit area, such as Nourish and Hoedspruit Paws.
Excursions
Every Thursday the volunteers will have an opportunity to go on an excursion, which will allow them to see more of the beautiful Lowveld and its surrounding area.
Below is a list of some of the excursions we offer, which may be subject to change:
• Panoramic Route • Elephant Interaction • Jessica the Hippo • Hoedspruit Reptile Centre • Ziplining • Waterfall Hike, Climb and Swim • Kruger National Park • Moholoholo • Flying Safaris • Quad Biking
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated at The African Dream House.
The house is situated within walking distance from the African Dream stable yard and on the safe and secure Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.
The house consists of one guides room and seven 2-sleeper volunteer rooms, which all have bathrooms en-suite. Other facilities within the house include, an indoor and outdoor lounging area, a swimming pool to cool off after a hot day, a boma, where you can relaxed around a fire and enjoy a traditional braai, a self-service laundry, a scullery, as well as, a fully equipped and stocked kitchen for a self-service breakfast and supper, with a wholesome lunch prepared by us on most days.
There are running and cycling paths within the estate for those looking to exercise or explore the bush in other ways. (Bicycles can be rented)
Weekly Schedule
Weather permitting, the weekly schedule will combine a variety of activities, where volunteers will either be at the stables, in the bush, on an excursion or helping the community during outreach.
The group will be split in two for the game drives and riding lessons.
Below is a general idea of what a typical week’s schedule will look like (Times are subject to change).
Monday
06h00-09h00 - Game Drive Group 1
08h30 – Flatwork Lesson Group 2
09h30 – Flatwork Lesson Group 1
11h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill
16h00 – Outride Group 1
15h30-18h30 – Game Drive Group 2
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Tuesday
07h30-09h30 – Trail for All
09h30-13h30 – Outreach for All
14h00-15h30 – Lunch, Chill
15h30-16h30 – Help Staff with Horses
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Wednesday
06h00-09h00 - Game Drive Group 2
08h30 – Jump Lesson Group 1
09h30 – Jump Lesson Group 2
11h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill
16h00 – Outride Group 2
15h30-18h30 – Game Drive Group 1
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Thursday
07h30-09h00 – Help staff with horses
09h30-12h30 – Thursday Funday (Fun with the horses)
13h00-14h00 – Lunch, Chill
14h00-15h30 – Tourism Centre / Town Trip
15h30-16h30 – Help Staff with Horses
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Friday
07h30-08h00 – Help staff with horses
08h00-10h00 – Trail for All
13h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill, Town
15h00-18h00 – Game Drive for All
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Saturday
Whole Day – Excursion Day, Farmers Market, Events, etc (Depends on what is happening that weekend)
18h00 – Eat Out at Restaurant for All
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Sunday
Rest Day for All
Arrivals and Departures
Optional Kruger National Park Excursion
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Pricing - 2026
2-weeks - GBP 1,645.00 / 3-weeks - GBP 2,467.50 / 4-weeks - GBP 3,290.00 / 5-weeks - GBP 4,112.50 / 6-weeks - GBP 4,935.00 / 7-weeks - GBP 5,757.50 / 8-weeks - GBP 6,580.00 / 9-weeks - GBP 7,402.50 / 10-weeks - GBP 8,225.00 / 11-weeks - GBP 9,047.50 / 12-weeks - GBP 9,870.00
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- A fully stocked kitchen
- Transport within the programme
- All equestrian activities (lessons, horse trails, fun rides, horse and stable management)
- Open vehicle game drives in a Big 5 Reserve
- Laundry detergent (Self-service)
- Unlimited Wifi
- Eastgate Airport transfers
- Conservation levy
Prices Excludes:
- Flights / Shuttles to Hoedspruit
- All drinks (Drinking water, coffee & tea provided)
- Social events
- Eating out (Restaurants, etc)
- Excursions (Kruger Park, Panoramic Route, etc)
- Activities on excursions (Big swing, etc)
Please note that all banking changes are for your account and payment must be made prior to arrival.
Pricing - 2027
2-weeks - GBP 1,806.00 / 3-weeks - GBP 2,709.00 / 4-weeks - GBP 3,612.00 / 5-weeks - GBP 4,515.00 / 6-weeks - GBP 5,418.00 / 7-weeks - GBP 6,321.00 / 8-weeks - GBP 7,224.00 / 9-weeks - GBP 8,127.00 / 10-weeks - GBP 9,030.00 / 11-weeks - GBP 9,933.00 / 12-weeks - GBP 10,836.00
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- A fully stocked kitchen
- Transport within the programme
- All equestrian activities (lessons, horse trails, fun rides, horse and stable management)
- Open vehicle game drives in a Big 5 Reserve
- Laundry detergent (Self-service)
- Unlimited Wifi
- Eastgate Airport transfers
- Conservation levy
Prices Excludes:
- Flights / Shuttles to Hoedspruit
- All drinks (Drinking water, coffee & tea provided)
- Social events
- Eating out (Restaurants, etc)
- Excursions (Kruger Park, Panoramic Route, etc)
- Activities on excursions (Big swing, etc)
Please note that all banking changes are for your account and payment must be made prior to arrival.
Availability & Booking Calendar
Click the following link to open our availability calendar.
African Dream Horse Safari - Availability Calendar
Please note that this calendar is manually updated and might not be 100% accurate, so an email enquiry is required to confirm whether there is in fact availability or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there set dates?
No, there are no set dates, however, there is a minimum stay of 2-weeks and we ask that arrivals and departures be kept to Sundays only.
2. Is there a weight limit?
Yes, there is a weight limit of 75kgs or 165lbs for volunteers, with the health and wellbeing of our horses being the sole reason for this.
3. How can I secure a spot?
Send an email to info@africandreamhorsesafari.co.za to begin the application process.
4. Do I have to be an experienced horse rider?
No, we cater for both experienced and novice riders alike. The lessons and outrides are structured to accommodate all riding levels.
5. What do I need to pack?
Once you confirm your booking. You will be sent an email with information on what to bring and an invoice for your stay.
6. How do I get to African Dream Horse Safari?
Most international flights land in Johannesburg and from there, you can either catch a daily shuttle to Hoedspruit Town or a domestic flight to Hoedspruit's airport, known as the Eastgate Airport. We will personally collect you from the Eastgate Airport should this be the option you take.
For any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask us on info@africandreamhorsesafari.co.za
Equestrian / Stables
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Wildlife / Reserve
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Outreach
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Excursions
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Accommodation
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Other
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
Equine & Wildlife Holiday Experience
Summary
The Equine and Wildlife Holiday programme has been designed for enthusiastic travellers, aged 18 to 35, looking for an unforgettable experience by combining their love for nature and passion for horses.
African Dream Horse Safari is a unique project with opportunities and experiences that differ greatly from other horse safari, volunteer and internship venues that you'll find in South Africa, emphasising living and learning in a relaxed and fun-filled environment.
The programme is available to both experienced riders and novices alike, so if you have never ridden a horse before but would like to learn, African Dream Horse Safari is the place for you.
Equestrian / Stables
African Dream Horse Safari is the chosen destination for those wishing to further their equestrian knowledge, improve their riding skills, experience trails from horseback, receive show jumping/dressage lessons and partake in stable yard management activities.
The Equestrian Centre is home to around 35 horses at any given time and is located within a 700-hectare residential wildlife estate, known as the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. The estate has zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala, wildebeest, waterbuck, nyala and many other mammals, reptiles, birds and insects that you find within the Savanna biome.
Other than a healthy yet elusive leopard population, there are no other members of the Big 5 on the estate, which allows one to experience nature from horseback in a safe and relaxed wildlife environment.
Wildlife / Reserve
If watching wild animals in their natural habitat from the back of an open safari vehicle sounds appealing, then African Dream Horse Safari is the place for you to visit.
The main objective here is to create love and awareness for the environment, with conservation as the main drive.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to do three 3-hour game drives per week, where they will experience the incredible African nature and learn about basic conservation practices within a Big 5 reserve.
Depending on the time of day, these drives will either include a morning coffee stop or an evening sundowner, while taking in the sounds of nature.
Outreach
Every Tuesday, the volunteers will join in on our outreach work in the Sigagule village, assisting dogs and other animals in desperate need of medical care, as well as improving their living conditions.
An opportunity may come up to lend a helping hand to some of the other non-profit charities in the Hoedspruit area, such as Nourish and Hoedspruit Paws.
Excursions
Every Thursday the volunteers will have an opportunity to go on an excursion, which will allow them to see more of the beautiful Lowveld and its surrounding area.
Below is a list of some of the excursions we offer, however, the list is subject to change:
• Panoramic Route • Elephant Interaction • Jessica the Hippo • Hoedspruit Reptile Centre • Ziplining • Waterfall Hike, Climb and Swim • Kruger National Park • Moholoholo • Flying Safaris • Quad Biking
Accommodation
The accommodation will be changing for 2023, where it will be provided at The African Dream House. The house is situated within walking distance from the African Dream stable yard and on the safe and secure Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.
The house consists of one guides room and five 2-sleeper volunteer rooms, which all have bathrooms en-suite. Other facilities within the house include, an indoor and outdoor lounging area, a swimming pool to cool off after a hot day, a boma, where you can relaxed around a fire and enjoy a traditional braai, a self-service laundry, a scullery, as well as, a fully equipped and stocked kitchen for a self-service breakfast and supper, with a wholesome lunch prepared by us on most days.
There are running and cycling paths within the estate for those looking to exercise or explore the bush in other ways. (Bicycles can be rented)
Weekly Schedule
Weather permitting, the weekly schedule will combine a variety of activities, where volunteers will either be at the stables, in the bush, on an excursion or helping the community during outreach.
The group will be split in two for the game drives and riding lessons.
Below is a general idea of what a typical week’s schedule will look like (Times are subject to change).
Monday
06h00-09h00 - Game Drive Group 1
08h30 – Flatwork Lesson Group 2
09h30 – Flatwork Lesson Group 1
11h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill
16h00 – Outride Group 1
15h30-18h30 – Game Drive Group 2
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Tuesday
07h30-09h30 – Trail for All
09h30-13h30 – Outreach for All
14h00-15h30 – Lunch, Chill
15h30-16h30 – Help Staff with Horses
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Wednesday
06h00-09h00 - Game Drive Group 2
08h30 – Jump Lesson Group 1
09h30 – Jump Lesson Group 2
11h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill
16h00 – Outride Group 2
15h30-18h30 – Game Drive Group 1
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Thursday
07h30-09h00 – Help staff with horses
09h30-12h30 – Thursday Funday (Fun with the horses)
13h00-14h00 – Lunch, Chill
14h00-15h30 – Tourism Centre / Town Trip
15h30-16h30 – Help Staff with Horses
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Friday
07h30-08h00 – Help staff with horses
08h00-10h00 – Trail for All
13h00-15h00 – Stable Jobs, Theory, Lunch, Chill, Town
15h00-18h00 – Game Drive for All
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Saturday
Whole Day – Excursion Day, Farmers Market, Events, etc (Depends on what is happening that weekend)
18h00 – Eat Out at Restaurant for All
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Sunday
Rest Day for All
Arrivals and Departures
Optional Kruger National Park Excursion
19h30 – Optional Night Check
Pricing - 2026
2-weeks - GBP 1,645.00 / 3-weeks - GBP 2,467.50 / 4-weeks - GBP 3,290.00 / 5-weeks - GBP 4,112.50 / 6-weeks - GBP 4,935.00 / 7-weeks - GBP 5,757.50 / 8-weeks - GBP 6,580.00 / 9-weeks - GBP 7,402.50 / 10-weeks - GBP 8,225.00 / 11-weeks - GBP 9,047.50 / 12-weeks - GBP 9,870.00
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- A fully stocked kitchen
- Transport within the programme
- All equestrian activities (lessons, horse trails, fun rides, horse and stable management)
- Open vehicle game drives in a Big 5 Reserve
- Laundry detergent (Self-service)
- Unlimited Wifi
- Eastgate Airport transfers
- Conservation levy
Prices Excludes:
- Flights / Shuttles to Hoedspruit
- All drinks (Drinking water, coffee & tea provided)
- Social events
- Eating out (Restaurants, etc)
- Excursions (Kruger Park, Panoramic Route, etc)
- Activities on excursions (Big swing, etc)
Please note that all banking changes are for your account and payment must be made prior to arrival.
Pricing - 2027
2-weeks - GBP 1,806.00 / 3-weeks - GBP 2,709.00 / 4-weeks - GBP 3,612.00 / 5-weeks - GBP 4,515.00 / 6-weeks - GBP 5,418.00 / 7-weeks - GBP 6,321.00 / 8-weeks - GBP 7,224.00 / 9-weeks - GBP 8,127.00 / 10-weeks - GBP 9,030.00 / 11-weeks - GBP 9,933.00 / 12-weeks - GBP 10,836.00
Price Includes:
- Accommodation
- A fully stocked kitchen
- Transport within the programme
- All equestrian activities (lessons, horse trails, fun rides, horse and stable management)
- Open vehicle game drives in a Big 5 Reserve
- Laundry detergent (Self-service)
- Unlimited Wifi
- Eastgate Airport transfers
- Conservation levy
Prices Excludes:
- Flights / Shuttles to Hoedspruit
- All drinks (Drinking water, coffee & tea provided)
- Social events
- Eating out (Restaurants, etc)
- Excursions (Kruger Park, Panoramic Route, etc)
- Activities on excursions (Big swing, etc)
Please note that all banking changes are for your account and payment must be made prior to arrival.
Availability & Booking Calendar
Click the following link to open our availability calendar.
African Dream Horse Safari - Availability Calendar
Please note that this calendar is manually updated and might not be 100% accurate, so an email enquiry is required to confirm whether there is in fact availability or not.
F.A.Qs
1. Are there set dates?
No, there are no set dates, however, there is a minimum stay of 2-weeks and we ask that arrivals and departures be kept to Sundays only.
2. Is there a weight limit?
Yes, there is a weight limit of 75kgs or 165lbs for volunteers, with the health and wellbeing of our horses being the sole reason for this.
3. How can I secure a spot?
Send an email to info@africandreamhorsesafari.co.za to begin the application process.
4. Do I have to be an experienced horse rider?
No, we cater for both experienced and novice riders alike. The lessons and outrides are structured to accommodate all riding levels.
5. What do I need to pack?
Once you confirm your booking. You will be sent an email with information on what to bring and an invoice for your stay.
6. How do I get to African Dream Horse Safari?
Most international flights land in Johannesburg and from there, you can either catch a daily shuttle to Hoedspruit Town or a domestic flight to Hoedspruit's airport, known as the Eastgate Airport. We will personally collect you from the Eastgate Airport should this be the option you take.
For any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask us on info@africandreamhorsesafari.co.za
- Click to open gallery
- Click to open gallery
