| On one of my trips to South Africa we decided to | | | | young, are very helpful and experienced. We head |
| do something a little bit different and went on a | | | | off through the reserve, up and down a few hills |
| Horse Safari Game Ride. Fish River Horse Safaris are | | | | before reaching open grassland where we let the |
| based just outside Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. | | | | horses exercise a bit and soon we are galloping along. |
| When you arrive you are met by one of the guides | | | | Now I am no expert so galloping takes a bit of |
| who takes you through to get you all kitted out. | | | | mastering but if you don't mind the bouncing up and |
| Rider safety is taken quite seriously here and proper | | | | down and are game for a laugh you will really enjoy |
| hard riding hats have to be worn. You then gather | | | | yourself. We are soon riding through thick valley |
| round to be allocated your horse. This is good chance | | | | bushveld and open plains and spotting buffalo, giraffe, |
| to meet your fellow riders and to ascertain what | | | | zebra, wildebeest, buck, impala and duiker. The guides |
| level of experience everyone has at riding. | | | | help us to spot various animals and ensure we do not |
| Fortunately we are all in pretty much the same boat | | | | disturb them. |
| and there are no expert riders. | | | | I had two highlights on my ride. The first was being |
| The guides are very helpful and they pick out a | | | | able to get really close to a group of giraffe who |
| suitable horse for you based upon your height and | | | | really didn't mind us. Some great photos were taken |
| weight and competency. All the horses look | | | | by our group. It's so nice to be able to experience |
| extremely well looked after and are very good | | | | the complete tranquillity as opposed to groups of |
| natured. We had chosen to do a Game Ride which | | | | jeeps or minibuses dashing about. This is a whole |
| lasts approximately 2.5 hours however you can | | | | new experience. My second highlight was spotting |
| choose to do a mixture of a Beach and Game Ride | | | | the rhino. Of course we had to be very careful as |
| (its next on my list when I go back). The additional | | | | they have a very acute sense of smell and we |
| beach ride aspect takes you down through the | | | | maintained a good distance but it was amazing to sit |
| dunes and onto a secluded beach where you can ride | | | | on the horse and watch three rhino in the field ahead. |
| through the glorious sea. | | | | I can't pretend that my bottom wasn't a little tender |
| We set off on our Game Ride trip and at the start | | | | the following day but it was well worth it and I will be |
| it's all about getting to know your horse and making | | | | going back to try the beach and game ride next |
| sure you feel comfortable. The guides, although | | | | time. |