{"id":1333,"date":"2017-12-14T18:56:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T17:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viaggioemozioneacavallo.com\/?p=1333"},"modified":"2018-02-25T08:29:07","modified_gmt":"2018-02-25T07:29:07","slug":"christmas-and-new-years-eve-2017-18-horseback-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viaggioemozioneacavallo.com\/en\/2017\/12\/14\/christmas-and-new-years-eve-2017-18-horseback-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2017\/18 on horseback planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2017\/18 on horseback planning<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Christmas holidays are imminent and it\u2019s time to plan everything you need for departure.<\/p>\n

Since September, I have held my equestrian activity in Bologna and its province, trying to improve more and more my level and hoping to fulfil a great dream:<\/p>\n

\u201c HORSE TREKKING IN THE PARKS OF SOUTH AFRICA \u201c<\/strong><\/p>\n

As usual, I started looking for “Tour Operators” which organize horse riding Holidays in South Africa. I analyzed the various proposals with the related programs and costs.<\/p>\n

The Christmas and New Year Eve are very expensive periods, the flight costs increase dramatically as well as those of stays, so I face a difficult and meticulous research in order to find a good tour and at a moderate price.<\/p>\n

The English operator used when I\u2019ve been to the Azores, proposes many tours in South Africa, but it does not include flights booking, transfers and all other services related to the mere tour on horseback.<\/p>\n

I considered various airlines companies that offer flights to Johannesburg. There are not easy to find and the costs are very high. In the end, the whole trip would be a little more expensive than I expected.<\/p>\n

I was about to give up to this wonderful dream, when I found an agency which proposes trips in South Africa, both for sports and for tourism. In fact, this “Tour Operator”\u00a0 www.southafricandream.it<\/strong><\/a> has Italian managers who live there, so their specialty regards holidays only in that territory.<\/p>\n

They introduce as follows:<\/p>\n

We are an Italian Tour Operator with offices available in Italy in order to have direct and safe contacts, but some of us operate directly from South Africa, in the heart of the Kruger Park, in order to present you the local knowledge that only those who live there can do, to assist you directly during the trip, and – why not – to have a coffee together when you will be in South Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Excellent presentation and organization.<\/p>\n

It was not the first time I met Italians living in those countries; usually they adapt tastes and customs to the context in which they live.<\/p>\n

Helped by the Italian operator, www.globusviaggi.it<\/strong><\/a> we tried to find some horseback riding tours, but everything was already full booked!.<\/p>\n

After a few days, they told me about a tour, not advertised on their site, added on a few occasions, \u2026I ask myself: “What do I do?”.<\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at the flights! I found a direct flight from Zurich to Johannesburg, travelling by night. It is not bad at all! I had two days to reflect and decide.<\/p>\n

I CONFIRMED.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Departure on December 25th and return on January 6th + one day in Johannesburg with guided tour.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SOUTH AFRICA HORSEBACK SAFARI <\/strong> (11 days \/ 8 nights)
\n\u00a0Lodging in frame tent + stay in Johannesburg<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

South Africa Horseback safari is perhaps the most prestigious, complete and exciting travel package offered in Africa<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Thus began the scheduling period for my “dream”: ride in the Kruger Park amongst unbelievable wildlife – giraffes, zebras, elephants and many other free animals.<\/p>\n

There is summer; there are temperatures from 20\u00b0C to 34\u00b0C – sun and some tropical heavy shower. Perfect. My dream starts already with the thought …<\/p>\n

As usually, I start to worry about my riding level after reading this on their site:<\/p>\n

TECHNICAL NOTE:<\/strong> providing horse riding tours in areas where it is possible to meet dangerous animals, this trip is strictly reserved for riders with good experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

I only smile; even if I\u2019m riding for two years, I have experiences of horse trekking as an old-timer.<\/p>\n

I will start talking about horses as soon as I will arrive in South Africa, but for the moment, we return to Ester, “travel organizer” and her “tour guide”.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for the \u00a0\u00a0\u201cCHECK LIST\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n