WHERE TO GO IN DECEMBER

Jakotango’s short but glorious season is in full swing in Patagonia. Why not spend Christmas at the base camp cabin?

Nurpur Noon in Pakistan is perfect this time of year. This brand new safari in Pakistan is the new gold standard for riding safaris. Everything is mind blowing from the house itself, to the 3 night safari following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, to the horses, camels, beautiful landscapes… this is the new big thing. We’re obsessed!

The horses in Europe are mostly on their winter holidays but you can still ride at Castle Leslie where a little cold never stopped a horse person from enjoying the countryside.

Now is the time to head to our beloved estancia’s in Argentina - Los Potreros with it’s old world Argentine charm and Don Joaquin, more modern and super social, are both incredible crowd pleasers with loads wonderful holidays had with the Begg and Solanet families.

In Southern Africa summer has arrived bringing afternoon showers and cooler, more comfortable temperatures. We call this the green season. It’s an excellent time to visit with low season pricing. The afternoon rain doesn’t usually last long.

JAKOTANGO | THE PATAGONIA TRAIL | ARGENTINA

7 Nights | $7,175 | Max 10 Riders | Lovely ensuite tents at basecamp and simple domed tent camps on trail

One of the best rides in the world led by legendary guides Jakob von Plessen and Daisy Soames. December is the start of the short Jakotango season. There may still be snow on the mountains around the Filo Hua Hum valley. The days are warm, perfect for mountain riding. The nights can be cooler but you have a fireplace in your permanent tent to keep you cosy.

Thrilling riding over the Pass of Tears, you’ll learn to trust your horse as it carries you safely to camp. Celebrate with a glass (or a bottle) or two of local Malbec. You arrive and leave by speed boat here, making for a very James Bond vibe.

Stay for Christmas

NURPUR NOON ESTATE | PAKISTAN

7 Nights | £4,950 | Max 12 Riders | Luxury Private home stay + 3 night mobile tented safari

December makes for excellent riding in Pakistan punjab. The oranges are starting to ripen on the orchards around the estate. Temperatures average 23°C (73.4°F) during the day, perfect riding weather on this brand new safari that we regard as the new gold standard in the industry.

You arrive to Nurpur Noon Estate in Pakistan as if you were a visiting head of state. Dancing horses, camels, wreaths of rose petals around your neck and loose petals thrown all around you filling the air with their heavenly smell. Drummers lead you through the giant wooden gates and you’re escorted to the house by armed guards.

You’ll spend a week in dazzling Pakistan riding fit and forward polo ponies. Swimming rivers, jumping ditches and forever searching for the golden jackal. Nurpur Noon is one of the grandest private family homes in the country. Local Taimur and Brit Bertie have created a wild, romantic, sporty, electric, whirlwind of a safari.

Suitable for adventurous, capable riders and trail hunters. Perfect for those that have already done everything else.

If you can’t handle the heat join us in January, when winter has cooled temperatures to a high of around 24 degrees.

December Dates on request or join our Black Saddle exclusive rides in October 2024 and January 2025.

OFFBEAT | MASAI MARA | KENYA

7 Nights | US$9,870 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Canvas Wildlife Safari

Enjoy warm riding in December on the final Offbeat safari for the year.

Offbeat Riding Safaris have been operating since 1990 and have a stellar reputation for providing unrivalled mobile horseback safaris amongst big game. Riding up close to elephant, lion and buffalo, or galloping with wildebeest and zebra are life changing experiences. If you are a rider, there is simply no better way to see Kenya than from the back of a well schooled and fit horse.

One of the original riding safaris and very highly regarded in the industry. We know you’ll have the time of your life with world-class guiding and more close calls with wildlife than you can crack a stock whip at!

07 - 14 December 2024

13 - 20 December 2025

27 December 2025 - 03 January 2026

ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS | ARGENTINA

From three nights | US$560 per person per night | Max 12 Guests | Dreamy 6,500 angus beef farm stay

December in Cordoba is lovely weather for a visit to the very highly regarded Begg family estancia Los Potreros “the Paddocks”. Argentina. ‘Los Pots’ is a 6,000 acre working Black Angus cattle farm that has been in the Begg family for four generations. The landscape feels like Dartmoor in the UK, misty, moody with vast grassy hills and rocky outcrops.

One of the major draw cards of a visit to Los Pots is the varied riding. You’ll ride out twice a day, once on the local criollos and once on the very flashy gaited paso horses. Riding a paso is a highlight for many of our riders.

You’ll be accommodated in beautiful converted farmhouses. Each room as it’s own bathroom and fireplace. There is no internet in the rooms but you can get online at the main house.

Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights

Discounted rate for a stay of seven nights

MACATOO | OKAVANGO DELTA | BOTSWANA

7 Nights | US$6,580 | Max 7 Riders | Luxury Tented Fixed Camp

December is the start of the Green Season. Southern African summer bring afternoon showers. These bring temperatures down from November, making sleeping more comfortable. Riding is organised around the rains which don’t usually last long. Now is the best time to travel to take advantage of low season pricing. You can travel for 60% of peak season pricing.

The wildlife viewing is always good in the Delta. A visit during December means you will be there when all the baby animals are being born. If you’d like to travel at prime time during the iconic floods visit August.

Botswana is one of if not the best place in the world to see a wide array of wildlife. There is no better way to savour the Okavango Delta and experience its unparalleled wildlife population than on horseback.

Accommodation is in a lovely luxury tented camps with real flushing loos and wonderful hot showers. The ideal wildlife safari for someone who isn’t keen on camping. This is an excellent honeymoon destination. Non-riders very welcome.

Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights

THE GREEN SEASON: 1 DEC – 31 DEC £585 per person per night sharing, £4,095 for 7 nights

Discounts on the charter flight transfers for long stays (7 nights is 50% off and get free transfers when staying 10 nights).

KUKUTANA | SPAIN

Minimum Three Nights | From €900 per person per night | Max 12 Guests and 6 Riders

In December the average the daily temperature is still warm at 18C. This beautiful cortijo, a Spanish country house, is available for private hire for groups of one to twelve people. You will have exclusive use of the house and its six ensuite bedrooms, swimming pool, stable of horses and excellent kitchen.

Kukutana is situated within the Donana National Park, once a hunting park for the Spanish royal family. The town of El Rocio is within riding distance, and all of our rides include a visit to the town built for horses with sand streets and ride up cafes with hitching posts out front. Just 45 minutes from Seville, this is sherry wine country and you will have multiple opportunities to try the local fare!

Non-riders welcome. Up to six riders per group, intermediate and above. Perfect for groups of friends or family get-togethers.

Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights

CASTLE LESLIE | IRELAND

3, 4 or 5 Nights | From €1,200 per person sharing | Cross Country or Hacking Holidays

Incredibly popular Castle Leslie rides in all weather. They have an indoor arena for lessons if things get very cold and wet. Why not hone your jumping position and warm up with a hot drink at one of the two onsite restaurants afterwards. In December you can expect average temperatures of 5°C with 10 rainy days expected out of 30.

The hotel is stunningly beautiful, you’re accommodated in a stone mansion with the stable just next door. The Irish horses live up to the reputation being sporty and forward with a few school masters in the mix. The riding is adapted to all levels with riders on the sport programme popping over the 300 jumps on the 1000 acre estate, the pleasure riders enjoying gorgeous hacks at great pace and you can even learn to ride here.

Something for everyone - even your non-riding companion is welcome. There’s plenty for them to do, just ask us!

Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights.

Some availability in December 2024

December 2025 bookings now open

ANTS SAFARIS| SOUTH AFRICA

From 3 Nights | From £350 per person per night | Lodge based wildlife safaris

Only a 3 hour drive from Johannesburg, you’ll find twin properties, Ants Hill and Ants Nest. Situated on a private game reserve in the spectacular, malaria-free Waterberg region of South Africa, created by Ant Barber, who built the properties and still calls the Nest home. This is one of the best places to see rhino from horseback. Add three nights here onto the end of your safari in Botswana to guarantee another Big Five sighting.

Throughout the daytime in December, temperatures hover around 29°C. Rain is expected on roughly 9 days.

Ants is the perfect base to learn to ride, they will take you from whoa to canter.

Experienced riders will have fun galloping up and down the reserve dirt roads and relaxing with a G&T at one of the many viewpoints for sundowners.

The villas are excellent for honeymooners with private locations, heated pools and romantic outlooks.

Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights. Choose between entire villas at glamorous Ants Hill or lovely rooms or suites ranging from cute to grand at Ants Nest.

December 2024 has some availability at the Nest and good availability at the Hill.

December 2025 bookings now open

ESTANCIA DON JOAQUIN| ARGENTINA

From 4 days | From $210 per person per day | Estancia based stay

December is a brilliant time to visit Don Joaquin in north of Argentina in Esquina. Temperatures range from from 24°C to 27°C, rarely falling below 19°C or exceeding 32°C. Typically around 8 days of rainfall is expected but it rarely lasts long.

Visit equestrian shop, Arandu, in Buenos Aires on your way up north and you’ll pick up incredibly stylish, well made gaucho riding kit to make you feel like you’re the real deal. A wetland, with flamingoes, capybara and loads of birds to view, there is a wildlife safari feeling here though most people come for the great weather, gaucho culture and splashy canters. It’s not just Botswana that has amazing fast riding through wetlands.

Angie, Diego and Josefina - your hosts - are so welcoming. Don Joaquin is very social, warm and has a cosy feeling. The rooms are excellent, recently refurbished to a high standard, meals are authentically argentine and meat heavy (though vegetarians you are welcome too).

This is a great place to learn to ride, they’ll have you cantering on day one. The saddles are deeply cushioned so you have great stickability. Don Joaquin is excellent for riders of all levels and you will be taken out with riders of a similar ability.

Arrive any time for a minimum of four days. Getting there is quirky, you take a luxury, lie flat overnight bus from Buenos Aires. It’s a bit of an adventure, like travelling business class on a plane.

WILD HORSES PHOTO TOUR| BOSNIA

3 Nights | Cost TBC | Hotel based stay

We are developing a brand new tour - and it doesn’t involve riding. Visit the wild horses of Livno, spending two day photographing them and half a day exploring the town of Livno by quad bike.

Our accommodation will be in a newly developed mountain adventure lodge.

No riding experience necessary.

Arrive to and depart from Split, Croatia.

You can express your interest here. We will email you once the details are finalised.

December not right for you? View the full year here

Visit lovely Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina in November or join our exclusive Black Saddle week at Jakotango in January.