Posted: 12th June 2018 | Back to news feed
According to Tony Daly, Managing Director at Ranch Rider, while he’ll always be keen on cattle drives, tracking the Big Five on horseback is up there as one of his all-time favourite riding experiences.
“Encountering large herds of elephant and galloping alongside zebra and giraffe in Botswana was truly exhilarating. Your heart beats faster and you feel this overwhelming connection to your surroundings and the wilds of Africa. We also spotted a leopard clambering over the rocky ground in the Tuli Block - it was a breathtaking moment as we were incredibly close to the animal, and one of the more elusive of the Big Five, we felt truly honoured to have that opportunity.”
Tony travelled on the seven-night African Explorer, the mobile safari beginning in South Africa’s Waterberg region at Horizon’s Camp Davidson and moving onto the Two Mashatus Camp for the second part of the holiday - riding in the Gem of Africa more challenging and immensely rewarding. As one guest puts it, “Camp Davidson was the perfect warm up! The guides in Botswana also bring it up a notch… The terrain is more rugged, but more "typical Africa" and the amount of wildlife you see in Botswana blows Horizon out of the water.” Of course, in her review she adds, you need to be an experienced equestrian in order to deal with potentially dangerous situations, but nothing is staged in these remote locations and that’s all part of the draw.
One of many trips currently being discounted by Ranch Rider, the African Explorer is priced from only £1,399pp (a saving of £466pp), while the operator’s Tuli Safari where guests journey across Botswana’s “Land of Giants” - the landscape renowned for its large herds of elephants - costs from only £2,210pp (a saving of over £700pp).
Tony comments, “If you haven’t already, this June is turning out to be one of the best months to book as there are plenty of deals on offer. Our promotions page includes discounts on riding holidays in almost all of the seven countries we cover and with 80 years combined experience in the saddle, we know the trails inside out. As an ATOL and ABTA bonded operator, you can also book with peace of mind.”
Snap up a deal at a working ranch or a luxury property - a family of four saving over £2,000 at Montana’s Lone Mountain Deluxe Guest Ranch, and a week on the range at the Lonesome Spur (based in the same state) starting from only £995pp - a discount of over £400pp. The specialist also has riding holidays priced on or under the £1,000 mark - seven nights at Saskatchewan’s La Reata Working Ranch from £969pp, six nights at South Africa’s Horizon Lodge from £940pp, seven nights at Washington’s K-Diamond-K Ranch from £979pp and seven nights at Texas’ Dixie Dude Ranch from £1,000pp.
Tony comments, “Canada might have been the front-runner for the royal honeymoon, but this year, prices for ranch holidays and self-drive (seven nights from £595pp (including accommodation and car hire) are more reasonable than regal. Now is the time to visit, and with the Calgary Stampede just around the corner why not add on a week to discover Alberta and “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth” - and snap up the last few remaining spots on our 2018 “Stampede & Ranch” holiday.”
(c) Canadian Tourism Commission
Offering riding holidays for everyone, Ranch Rider has plenty of variety in store. Try grizzly bear viewing on horseback in BC (save up to £748pp); embark on the operator’s NEW Cactus cowgirls week (one of many women only weeks) with stays at two ranches and visits to several of Arizona’s must-see sights (from £1,749pp), or go solo, a £346pp saving on offer at South Dakota's Crow Creek Working Ranch.
So where to next for Tony Daly? “Like any serious rider, I’m always planning the next horseback adventure and riding across the Serengeti, the trip timed to coincide with the famous Annual Migration, definitely appeals. Of course, there’s are no guarantees, but there should be plenty of other game spread across plains with zebra, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles and impala all following the grass in the wake of the rainy season.”
The new Tanzania ride explores the remote and little visited Piyaya - part of the Serengeti eco-system - the rugged landscape filled with open grasslands interspersed with striking granite kopjes and teeming with magnificent wildlife. Ranch Rider is now taking bookings for 2019. Eight nights from 5,706pp.
Ranch Rider (01509 618 811; ranchrider.com) ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
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