Riding at Ant's Nest, a private game reserve in the Waterberg, South Africa

 Riding at Ant's Nest in the Waterberg

Please see the previous post to read more.

Riding at Ant's Nest in the Waterberg, South Africa

What is it about Ant'sNest?  Why would you want to go there? Well...

If you are a rider they have horses. Lovely horses. 

Those that don't ride can have a lot of fun game viewing,

indeed, a very exciting time going out with the game vet.

Whilst they the game scouts are mounted,

the vet flies over the game reserve using a dart gun,

to anesthetize, later tending any injured or sick animals.

Led by knowledgeable game rangers,

the riding can be enjoyed by 

both experienced riders and novices.

We loved the lodge,

ate well, enjoyed the pool

and gathering for afternoon tea.

But what enchanted me most of all were the mongooses.

They have tame ones.

To read more please click here

Riding a horse across Uruguay

'What is there to see in Uruguay?'

Unusual things, unusual animals

with the sweetest ears.

A clutch of eggs laid by the southern rhea, a flightless bird like a small ostrich

and perculiar plants,

all best seen from the back of a horse.

I travelled through Uruguay in December with Ride Worldwide. Click here for details.

Crossing the Andes into Chile

A collection of saddles and bridles outside my tent

The day dawned when we woke on the Argentinian side of the Andes mountain range knowing that we would soon cross the border into Chile.

After breakfast cooked on the fire,

 We saddled up our horses.

The morning was spent riding higher and higher as we made our way towards a certain, iconic volcano.

We finally crossed a river into a National Park that straddles the border with Chile.

Sadly our Argentine horses were not permitted to cross into Chile due to veterinary controls. We ended up having to walk through passport control, out saddlebags flung over our shoulders.

To our surprise the most wonderful lunch was awaiting us, together with glasses of Chilean champagne.

Small, but beautifully presented horses were tethered up under the bushes.

I was given a Palamino.

We rode off, descending from the Andes watershed into valleys which seemed to be surprisingly Alpine in appearance.

My little pony proved quite a handful, but a sparky and amusing ride.

Sophie Neville having ridden across the Andes into Chile

For more information please click here.

Riding up into the Andes

While snow still sits on the mountain peaks in Argentina,

the arrival of spring causes plant life on the slopes to burst into bloom.

We mounted our horses to climb higher into the Andes range

heading towards the border with Chile.

Rivers were flowing with melt water, but skies were clear.

as we left the cattle lands behind us

and rode further into the mountains

Let me know if you would like to go on a similar ride early next year. A friend of mine is leading one across the Andes from Argentina to Chile - the chance of a lifetime.

Towards the Andes, on a horse

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So, you want to ride across the Andes?

You need a horse like this,

a headcollar,

bridle,

one of these saddles,

and a trustworthy guide.

I decided I'd better wear a hot weather helmet.

By lunchtime I looked like this.

But  the food was good,

the scenery interesting

and the experience unforgettable.

If you would like to ride across the Andes 

contact Nigel Harvey at Ride Worldwide 

They have space on a ride going early next year.

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