Visitors to PlettenbergBay can experience the most authentic of African safaris with a visit to the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. At Amakaya Backpackers, a horseback ride through the Game Reserve is one of our most recommended activities for backpackers and visitors to Plett.
The Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in the Southern Cape with 2200 ha sprawling over the hills and bush towards the ocean. The reserve can boast over 35 species including lion, giraffe and crocodile and is the largest local sanctuary for the endangered White Rhino. There are two options for a game viewing safari at The Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: open 4×4 vehicle or (our preferred) horse riding safari. As with the 4×4 safari, the horseback safari is conducted by experienced guides and the horses are well-trained and suited to even the most inexperienced riders.
As proud South Africans, the horse riding safari is something that we love our international guests to experience. It’s a snapshot of what Africa must have been like to the first settlers: big game, wandering through the bush, birds sweeping overhead and no sounds but those of the animals of Africa. The animals are more comfortable with the horses than with a vehicle and allow riders to get much closer than they would a vehicle. It’s a truly magical African experience and the gentle Plett ocean breeze just adds to the feeling of being out in the wild, far from the chaotic modern world.
As you can see from the pictures below, some of our guests have had The Most Amazing animal encounters at the Plett Game Reserve.
Animals you could expect to see:
- Zebra
- White Rhino
- Lion
- Buffalo
- Waterbuck
- Wildebeest
- Springbok
- Nyala
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Bush Pig
- And more…
if you would like to tick the full African Big 5 off your bucket list – we have put together a How To
