Think of Riding in Southern Botswana

Sophie Neville is hoping to take a group riding through Mashutu Game Reserve as soon as travel opens up. Here's something to look forward to:

Riding Horses Across Africa

The dream of riding with giraffe, amongst herds of zebra

and wild animals considered dangerous, such as white rhino

became a reality when I took part in 

The 5th Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride.

The aim was to cross seven different game reserves in six days

with a group of thirteen riders.

We covered a variety of terrain

from stony ridges to valleys chocked with reeds. 

We climbed rocky paths high in the hills

before descending though thick vegetation in the heat of the day.

I looked back, finding it difficult to believe we had managed to walk the horses down the Buffelshoek escarpment.

We were able to spot a variety of antelope

including oryx and Livingstone eland

and covered 208 kilometres at some speed.

The finish at Jembisa game reserve on the Palala River.

The sponsored ride was held in aid of The Waterberg Trust who support a number of community projects in the area and provide high-tech anti-poaching equipment for Save The Waterberg Rhino.

  

If you would like to make a donation, please click here for my Justgiving page

Riding for Rhinos 2019

 

~TWT Trustee Sophie Neville~

The 5th Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2019 has proved a great success.

Thirteen riders crossed seven different South African game reserves in six days at some speed.

They raised £40,000 for Save The Waterberg Rhino and community projects that uplift young people in this corner of rural South Africa.

After riding with white rhino and other rare species on Ant's Nest Game Reserve,

the team crossed the Waterberg encountering diverse landscapes from grassy plains

to rocky escarpments with views across the Waterberg, a UNESCO Biosphere.

They spent come 32 hours in the saddle, covering 200 kilometres.

Days could be long but they had a great back-up team and stayed in comfortable lodges enroute.

Skies looked threatening at the start of the ride but storms dissipated and good weather conditions were enjoyed.

There was always enough natural water for the horses.

Sandy tracks and marrum roads made it possible to canter for miles.

Just as the going was getting hot, we arrived at Jembisa Private Game Reserve who sponsored the ride.

Everyone arrived safely, thanks to Ant Baber who led the ride and supplied the horses.

~ Ant Baber ~

Very many thanks go to him and everyone at Ant's Nest for making TWT Challenge Ride possible for the forth year running.

For details of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride in Botswana 2020 please click here