Ride World Wide

Ride World Wide

Riding holidays and horse safaris

Family Holidays

FOCUS ON FAMILIES
A riding trip makes a wonderful family holiday and several of the rides and lodges featured in this brochure are perfect for families or small groups. A one-base lodge stay is often the answer for a mixed family group, allowing riding hours to be tailored to suit and other activities organised for less keen, or less able, riders - but several of the ‘progressive’ rides we offer can also work extremely well. The best choice for you will depend on a variety of things - how many in your group, their ages, sizes, riding ability, when you can travel, budget and how much adventure or comfort you would like - and as with all our holidays, we encourage you to contact us to discuss the options and your preferences before booking. Many of our set itineraries can be adjusted for private groups - if you are travelling with children for example, we can usually rearrange itineraries to cut riding hours or transfer times and can often make special meal arrangements for young children - and we would be more than happy to tailor-make a trip to suit your group. We can also design an itinerary to combine a few days riding with a few days doing something else - another activity such as fishing or kayaking, a stay on the coast, a visit to another city or time to travel around under your own steam. There are lots of possibilities so why not link up with friends and book a really memorable family holiday or let us design a trip for you to celebrate a family birthday or another special occasion? The following have all been tried and tested by family groups and come highly recommended:

South Africa:
South Africa’s Waterberg, which neighbours the Drakensberg and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is one of the most beautiful, yet still relatively little visited parts of South Africa. Often called South Africa’s “best kept secret’’, the Waterberg’s Biosphere reserve covers 1,500,000 hectares and is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna as well as many private game reserves, several ancient archaeological sites and several examples of bushman rock art. It is an easy 21/2 to 3 hour drive, on good roads, from Johannesburg which is itself a direct, overnight flight from London. Little time change between the two makes the journey relatively easy with children and the Waterberg is also malaria free making it even more attractive as a family holiday destination.

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill (see South Africa, Ant's Nest& Ant's Hill) are two of our best family holiday choices. Warm, generous hospitality, relaxed but comfortable accommodation and flexibility are a key ingredient at both - and both can be booked exclusively for private groups if you wish. There is lots to do with guided rides and walks to explore, game drives, stalking, clay pigeon shooting, mountain biking and swimming just some of the many activities on offer and every itinerary is tailored as far as possible to suit. Anthony and Tessa who own the lodges and their staff are always enthusiastic, professional and welcoming. They take great pride in making each guest’s stay as personal as possible and everybody in your group - from energetic teenagers looking for action to toddlers needing supervision, those wanting constant entertainment to those wanting time out to relax - will find these lodges a perfect choice.

  

Horizon Horseback Adventures (see South Africa, Horizon Adventures) is another of our favourite family options. Horizon offers all sorts of riding from game viewing to cattle mustering, polocrosse to cross-country and special activities such as mounted treasure hunts and picnic rides, are often arranged. There is also lots on offer to keep the non-rider busy with opportunities for walking, farm and cultural tours, game drives, village outings and picnics, as well as a swimming pool and a tennis court close by. Horizon can be booked exclusively for groups of 8 (less at a supplement) making it a wonderful choice for families with young children and the lodge accepts children of all ages in the summer months, with discounted rates sometimes available, making it a perfect summer holiday option. Accompanied children of 12 years or over are welcome at any time.

  

Kenya:
Miles of unfenced bush and wilderness and game in huge numbers make Kenya a top safari destination. Add to this a choice of idyllic safari lodges, a wonderful year round climate and a superb, accessible coastline and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic family holiday - with the security of a well-developed tourist infrastructure, good communications and the benefits of a relatively short flight time (with little time change) from London.

Borana, Sosian and Ol Donyo Wuas lodges in Kenya (see Kenya Lodges) are perfect for families. Itineraries at all lodges are individually organised and with a good selection of horses, riding can be tailored to suit. Keen riders have a choice of morning, afternoon and longer picnic rides or of tailor-made mobile safaris with nights camping out or at another lodge close by. The less keen can try the occasional morning or afternoon ride and for non-riding companions (or those who want a variety of activities) game drives, bush walks with a tracker and guide, mountain bikes, cultural visits to local Masai villages and community projects, day trips to Amboseli National Park, Lake Turkana or the Lewa WildlifeConservancy, clay pigeon shooting, bird shooting, massages and relaxation by the swimming pool are just some of the options available. A stay at one or both lodges is also easily combined with a few days on Kenya’s wonderful coast to make a magical, unforgettable holiday for all concerned!

  

The USA and South America:
Longer flight times and different time zones make travel to the Americas more arduous than to Africa, but if you can deal with the long journey, there are many wonderful opportunities for a family holiday. A ranching holiday in the USA is a classic but Argentina, with its efficient, well developed infrastructure and wonderful family owned estancias is another great choice. Most estancias are family run, working farms offering a friendly, relaxed environment, privileged access to huge areas of countryside and many different activities that can be tailored to suit groups of all ages.

In the USA, The Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming (see North America, Wyoming) is an ideal choice for families whose main interest is riding. The ranch sleeps up to 32 in all, but riding is in small groups according to experience and there are plenty of guides to cater separately for children if necessary. Set in idyllic mountain country 16 miles off a tar road and 4 miles from its nearest neighbour, there is a vast expanse of untouched country to explore. Daily rides out are combined with chances to round up, ‘pen and sort’ cattle; lessons are available for the less confident rider and overnight camping trips can also be arranged. As well as this, there is wonderful trout fishing for both novice and experienced fishermen and the ranch is an easy 2 hour drive from Yellowstone National Park for an extension to your stay.

  

In Argentina, the 6,000 acre Estancia Los Potreros (see Argentina, Cordoba) in Cordoba Province, where the climate is good for riding year round, is ideal. Daily riding, cattle work with the gauchos, polo practice, walks, outings to local places of interest, shooting, traditional ‘asado’ barbecues, picnics, wine tasting, swimming in the pool, local rivers and waterfalls are just some of the activities available and there is always plenty on offer to keep the most energetic children – and their parents - fully entertained! ‘Progressive’ rides that take you to another homestead, camp or hotel can be tailormade for private groups from Los Potreros or the more adventurous could opt for an Estancia to Estancia ride further south in Argentina’s spectacular lake district.

  

Europe:
Most of our rides in Europe are ‘progressive’ rides, taking you from village to village and moving accommodation at night. Many of these can be booked privately for larger family groups and make a fantastic, action packed holiday that will leave you all with a wonderful, bonding sense of achievement - though you need to be sure both children and adults in the group can cope with the riding hours each day. There is usually a fixed distance to ride with no half-way point at which to stop and give up!

France:
For anyone who prefers the flexibility of a day or half day off part way through, or if some in a group want the option of non-riding activities, the Haut de Baran Ride in the Dordogne (see France, Dordogne, Perigord & Quercy), run by Michel and Colleen Amat, makes a wonderful family option. These rides are based at comfortable Chateau hotels in the wooded hills above the Lot River, close to the ancient village of Puy L’Eveque and to Sarlat, the capital of Perigord Noir. Itineraries are normally 6 nights, with 4 days riding and a day to try some of the area’s other activities or to enjoy relaxing by the pool, but they can be tailored to suit private groups with your choice of shorter morning or afternoon rides, visits to castles and chateaux, picnics, wine tasting and time to explore local villages with their markets, cafes and shops (ideal hunting grounds for souvenirs and gastronomic treats!) Michel, who speaks fluent English, has a good selection of horses and is a very experienced horseman as well as a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Colleen is a charming hostess and with 2 children themselves, they are the ideal couple to help create a wonderful family holiday. The area is also easy to get to by car or direct flight from several regional UK airports.

  

Another option for a large family group is Le Bourdil Blanc near Bergerac (France, Bergerac). The elegant manor house with its large swimming pool, tennis court, lake and stable yard can be booked exclusively and makes a wonderful family base. Riding itineraries for private groups can be tailored to suit and visits to local markets, chateaux and the Bastide towns, canoeing on the Dordogne river, golf and tennis are some of the many optional activities available close by. Your stay can be organised on a catered / hosted basis or, if you prefer, you can book the house on a self-catering basis with cook when required.

  

Italy:
The Chianti Rides in Tuscany (see Italy, Chianti) are a great option for groups with children over 10 years who ride reasonably well. The typical Tuscan farmhouse base, which is about half an hour from Florence by train, is relaxed, homely and welcoming with chickens, dogs and a goat wandering around, as well as a stable-yard of horses! Itineraries can be tailored for a group and daily riding, perhaps with a circuit ride to another farmhouse or a visit to historic Siena under the careful guidance of your English host, make it a super family choice. Combine a week’s ride with a visit to Florence or another wonderful city such as Orvieto or Arrezo and it can be a very educational holiday too.

  

Another very flexible family option is Santa Cristina Castle (see Italy, Tuscany & Umbria Border) in Italy's Lazio province. This lovely 17th century castle, with its large swimming pool, tennis court, stables and sand school makes a wonderful family base. Riding itineraries can be tailored to suit, full day hacks with picnic lunch can be arranged, for instance to Lake Bolsena which is close by, or morning and afternoon rides with leisurely lunches at the base. Lessons with a qualified instructor are also possible. Visits to local archaeological sites and beautiful fortified towns, sailing on Lake Bolsena, golf, mountain biking and tennis are some of the many optional activities available close by.

  

Greece:
Greece’s little known Pelion peninsula (see Greece) is another ideal family destination. Not too far from the UK and incredibly unspoilt, the Pelion landscape of lush forests and safe sandy beaches against the brilliant blue Aegean Sea, make it a glorious summer retreat. Eric, your French guide, is an expert horseman and itineraries for those with young or novice children are based from a small hotel which opens onto a safe, sandy beach where children can play as parents relax over a leisurely lunch at the fishermen’s taverna! Swimming the horses in the Aegean, boat trips to Skiathos and picnic rides in the mountains are just some of the many daily activities Eric will organise for you. Again, with young children himself, he knows what it takes to make a family holiday special. For a group with older teenage children and more riding experience, the Pelion Coast Ride, following a route across the peninsula, is a great choice for an exciting family adventure.

  

Spain:
The Sierra Nevada in Spain (see Spain, Sierra Nevada) is a super place to ride if your family enjoy concentrated riding and are all confident and quite fit. Having organised rides in this area for over 20 years and with a wonderful string of carefully chosen, carefully schooled horses, Dallas your English guide is highly qualified to organise a family trip and her village to village rides are a great experience to share. Challenging, but always relaxed and fun, the rides combine achievement and adventure with safety and good organisation. Private rides can be tailored to include shorter hours.