African Dream Horse Safari

  Verified by Volunteer World
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rating

4.5

Fantastic


6

Reviews


16

Years in business

Want to experience wildlife in a Big 5 game reserve, take part in various equine activities, help out at various outreach programmes and go on various local excursions?

Who we are?

African Dream Horse Safari is a family run business, operating out of Hoedspruit, South Africa. We are very passionate about both equestrian and wildlife and try ensure that every volunteer that we receive gets to share in that passion.

 What we do?

We run an equestrian centre with around ...

Review Description

Who we are?

African Dream Horse Safari is a family run business, operating out of Hoedspruit, South Africa. We are very passionate about both equestrian and wildlife and try ensure that every volunteer that we receive gets to share in that passion.

 What we do?

We run an equestrian centre with around 40 horses, where we provide volunteers an opportunity to further their equestrian knowledge and riding skills, experience trails from horseback, improve their show jumping and dressage and learn all aspects of stable yard management, while doing so within a wildlife environment.

We also expose the volunteers to South Africa’s wildlife, by taking them on drives in a Big 5 reserve, improving their knowledge and educating them on the various forms of conservation, which are required to run a reserve successfully.

 Finally, we feel it is very important to give back to the community, something we like to call, "Paying it forward" and therefore, once a week we all volunteer at various outreach programmes in the area (Hoedspruit Paws, Halo and Nourish).

 Where we work?

African Dream Horse Safari is situated in the Lowveld of the Limpopo Province of South Africa on the outskirts of the tourist town, Hoedspruit (430km north east of Pretoria and in close proximity to the Kruger National Park).

The climate is sub-tropical with a mean summer rainfall of 475 mm and dry winters. Temperatures range between 8ºC - 26ºC in winter and 18ºC – 45ºC in summer.

The area is considered a low risk malaria area, but you should please consult your doctor in connection with malaria medication and can also visit malariahotspots.com to receive a comprehensive update on the malaria situation at the time of your visit.

 Our history

In 2008, Traci Thomson, wanting to share her two passions, Equestrian and Wildlife, saw an opportunity to create African Dream Horse Safari, a company today, which prides itself on showing all who join us a fun and exciting way to work and learn about horses and the wildlife of South Africa.

Our mission/vision

We strive to teach all who join us patience, understanding and kindness to both animals and people. We are strong believers in giving back and through this, once a week we volunteers at various outreach programmes in the area.

Our goals

Our goal is to ensure that no matter who visits us, whether they are here for two weeks or three months, whether they are a competent rider or have never ridden before, walk away from us having had the time of their lives, are ambassadors for our wildlife and carry the philosophy of paying it forward, with them for the rest of their lives.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for young,18-35 year olds, who are willing and wanting to experience all that this amazing place we call home has to offer, you must be hard working, passionate, caring, kind and most of all, you must be eager to have fun.


Contact Person

Traci Thomson

Spoken languages: English
  Good response rate

African Dream Horse Safari reviews

Cornelia Niedermoser rating5.0

2024 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

I am from Austria and was at the African Dream Ranch in April 2024. It was the best time I've ever had and it felt like a second home. Thanks to the whole team for this unforgettable month, you're all so great. I miss you all soooo much. Your ...
Sari Prosperi rating5.0

2017 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

The Thompson family is awesome! My experience at the African Dream Horse Safari was really fantastic! I loved everything; wonderful horses, beautiful game drives and of course great people! Thanks for this amazing time! ...
Esly Franken rating4.4

2017 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

I have met a lot of nice people and had lots of fun during my 5 months with African Dream Horse Safari. I saw the most amazing animals, the most I had never seen before. I had a lot of fun with the horse riding and learnt a lot about jumping. South Africa and Hoedspruit were better than I could ...
Mark rating4.4

2015 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

Every dream comes to an end, and so has my African dream. I had the most awesome time here with amazing people. I learned so many things here at African Dream Horse Safari about the bush and horses. We did a lot of amazing excursions like; Scuba diving in Sodwana, driving around the Kruger National ...
Mara rating4.2

2015 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

One of the greatest aspects about the African Dream Horse Safari for me was that I was able to combine two of my biggest passions, namely horses and the African wildlife. Every morning, I would wake up and walk down to the kitchen just to have breakfast together with some of the most amazing ...
Nienke Flipsen rating4.2

2015 at Equine and Wildlife Holiday

Sitting around the campfire, listening to incredible stories while watching elephant! Awesome sightings of giraffe while horse riding! Wandering around in the bush to do research on Elephant Impact! That’s what my African dream was all about! Everything is possible with the lovely Thomson ...