2 minute read
HORIZON HORSEBACK: RIDING BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND BOTSWNA
By Giorgia Ferrero
A holiday totally in the savannah’s nature, surrounded by zebras, giraff es and other animals... And if all of this is possible...What about to live this experience on horseback? With this tought, Shane and Laura Downington created Horizon Horseback in 1993, off e- ring diff erent types of experiences between South Africa (SA) and Botswana.
Advertisement
“That in South Africa is a holiday for everyone, taylor made according to the needs of customers ... It is therefore also suitable for beginners riders and families ..In a large area you can make excursions, riding lessons, cross country and various horse games. Clearly, in Botswana the conditions are diff erent: the naturalistic context, the fact that you move from one location to another, make a good equestrian experience for users an essential condition for participation “.
There are no more or less favorable periods during the year for an experience with Horizon... Winter is very dry and mild, with temperatures around 25 ° during the day. In summer, the hottest but also the wettest season, thunderstorms do not in any case last more than 1 hour a day. The accommodation is of extreme luxury, in lodges equipped with all comforts.
As for horses, leading actors of this type of stay, there is no shortage of them in the organization of Horizon: “We have about 88 in SA and 45 in Botswana... They don’t know what a stable is, they live in the most natural and wild way possible. And, in our view, they are happy horses! ”.
What an Italian Guide have to do if he/she wants to change his life and work there? “Firts of all, you have to love people and stay with people..Then, the easiest way to get an idea of the work here is to come as volunteer on one of our holidays, perhaps acting as an interpreter for families who do not speak English ... After that, the actual training includes 3 months in SA and another 3 months in Botswana... At that point you are ready to be part of the Horizon team ”.
For further information: Horizon Horseback www.ridinginafrica.com | laura@ridinginafrica.com
All picture credits from Brochure Horizon Horseback
