WHERE TO GO IN JUNE
June is the perfect time to visit Europe for a cross country or hacking holiday at Castle Leslie. You can catch the last rides for the spring season at George Scott in Spain or explore the renaissance castles of the Loire Valley in France.
As Europe heats up over June, excellent riding is experienced in the mountains of central Asia, the highlands of Iceland or venture to southern Africa where winter is actually the ideal time to visit.
In Kyrgyzstan the snow has melted and meadows of wild flowers cover endless grassy alpine fields. Thousands of free roaming horses are having their foals.
In Iceland the sun has risen and will remain in the sky all month long, never fully setting. Fields of wild lupine flowers have bloomed and the sun is finally warm consistently.
Namibia’s blazing desert has cooled to a comfortable temperature. The riding here is fast and sporty, some of the best in the world for our most capable riders.
It’s winter in South America, Patagonia is frozen over but you might enjoy a stay up in the north of Argentina where the temperatures range between 9 and 19 degrees celcius.
THE LUPINE RIDE | ICELAND
3 Nights | €2,850 | Max 16 Riders | Black Saddle Exclusive
Iceland has thawed. The viking horses are gorging on the spring grass. Thousands of wildflowers line the roads. The midnight sun has arrived and breathed life into the people and the horses. Iceland’s short summer has begun.
We have created a bespoke itinerary with the best of everything in Iceland. Starting in the highlands you will tolt past glaciers, volcanoes, ford rivers, speed through wildflower meadows before finally reaching Hekluhestar Farm, the horses home. Each night you’ll enjoy the privacy of twin rooms in country hotels. This is the best of everything and exclusive to Black Saddle.
14 - 17 June 2024 Black Saddle Exclusive Ride | One departure a year timed for the lupine bloom
CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS | KYRGYZSTAN
10 Nights | €1,899 | Max 8 riders | Black Saddle Exclusive
Kyrgyzstan is known as ‘Switzerland of the East’. Blue alpine lakes, snowy mountain peaks and not a fence in sight. You’ll ride in two mountain ranges, see thousands of free roaming horses, scale mountain passes, stay in yurts, and explore soviet Bishkek on this tour that we have designed to see the very best of country.
June is the most lush month of the year, with fields of forget-me-nots carpeting the alpine meadows and thousands of newly born foals, yaks, calves and lambs in all directions. The grazing is very good for the horses and the temperatures perfect for riding.
26 June - 06 July 2024 | Black Saddle Exclusive + Hosted Ride
CASTLES OF THE LOIRE | FRANCE
6 Nights | From €1,890 | Max 8 Riders | Scenic progressive ride in lovely hotels
Ride from castle to castle in the majestic Loire valley, stay in three lovely hotels twin share or have your own room for a small supplement. Ride through hunting forests of these magnificent estates, enjoying lunch time picnics and decadent french meals in restaurants for dinner.
Comfortable riding in stunning scenery with enough time to fully tour the castles. This is an excellent ride for history lovers.
June is the perfect time to visit, before the full heat of summer but still with warm temperatures. Each hotel has a pool or spa to relax in after the days activities.
02 - 08 June 2024 Black Saddle Exclusive - 2024 Fully Booked
2025 open for booking soon. Submit a rider form to join the waitlist and we will email you when dates are ready.
NAMIBIA
9 - 10 Nights | From £5,800 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Speed Safari
Is this the best safari in the world for fast riding? Andrew Gillies is the horseman in Southern Africa and has perfected the art of the safari. With one of the highest rebook rates of any safari worldwide this should be on everyone’s bucketlist. The horses are athletic and a joy to ride, the going is fast and varied, the scenery changes moment to moment.
June is an excellent time to visit. The Namib ‘winter’ has arrived making the temperatures cool enough for comfortable sleeping. You’re very unlikely to get rain. Perfect riding conditions.
Gallop across the Namib Desert on a fast horse, kicking up dust behind you, sleep under the stars, indulge in incredible food (often featuring local game) cooked up by the two chefs and immerse yourself in an old school adventure style progressive ride that dramatically finishes at the Skeleton Coast. Thrilling, life affirming riding and one of our all time favourites.
2024 Fully Booked (and sold out quickly, don’t leave it to book 2025).
18 - 28 June 2025 - Namib Desert
OFFBEAT | MASAI MARA | KENYA
7 Nights | US$9,870 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Canvas Wildlife Safari
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!
Arrive later in June and you might glimpse the start of the Great Migration which peaks from July to early October. You may see the beginnings of the large herds of wildebeest and zebra. The wildlife sightings are excellent all year around in the Mara and being on the equator you’re likely to have great temperate weather almost all year too.
15 - 22 June 2024
22 - 29 June 2024
14 - 21 June 2025
21 - 28 June 2025
KILIMANJARO ELEPHANT SAFARI| ARUSHA | TANZANIA
7 Nights | US$6,550 | Max 10 Riders | Mobile Canvas Safari + one night at a lodge
Gallop with herds of zebra and giraffe with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. June is the start of the season for this incredible wildlife safari. The riding is sporty and guide Jo is a force. She will get you close to game and will be the last woman standing at (or on) the dinner table sharing drinks and swapping stories.
As a newer safari this is excellent value and significantly more affordable than a Masai Mara safari just over the border in Kenya. No compromise on experience or service though, you’re wow’d every day by the stunning national park, your amazing camp and the incredible wildlife.
Jo also owns a polo club so keen polo players come early and play a few chukkas before heading off to see the wildlife. There’s also incredible kite-surfing and turquoise beaches on the island of Zanzibar to escape to after your ride. Tanzania is a real adrenaline junkies paradise.
01 - 08 June 2024
15 - 21 June 2024
04 - 11 June 2025
18 - 25 June 2025
MACATOO | OKAVANGO DELTA | BOTSWANA
7 Nights | US$6,580 | Max 7 Riders | Luxury Tented Fixed Camp
Arrive in the first two weeks of June for shoulder season pricing or in the second half for the start of the peak dry season - the iconic floods might be arriving at any minute (if they haven’t already) transforming the delta into a lush, grassy, wetland with islands loaded with large herds of feasting herbivores… and the predators in the shadows that feast on them in turn.
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
SHOULDER SEASON: 1 APR – 14 JUN £765 per person per night sharing, £5,355 for 7 nights
DRY SEASON: 15 JUN – 14 OCT £940 per person per night sharing, £6,580 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).
GEORGE SCOTT | SEVILLE | SPAIN
3 or 5 Nights | €2,500 to €4,500 | Max 10 Riders | Bohemian Villas or Rajasthani Tents
June is warming up in the SIerra Morena’s. The sun is almost guaranteed to shine, making the going even more dreamy and those long shady siestas after lunch even more enjoyable. George is in a class of his own, sharing the most entertaining, charming, romantic rides in the glorious Spanish countryside.
Not only does he ride beautifully but he has incredible taste that’s evident in everything around you from the table-scapes, to the mind-blowing meals to the excellent tunes he plays on the piano or Spanish guitar until late into the evening. A real treasure of a ride and you’ll be getting in just before the season ends to avoid the full summer heat.
13th - 16th June 2024
2025 dates expected September 2024
CASTLE LESLIE | IRELAND
3 or 5 Nights | From €1,200 | Cross Country or Hacking Holidays
Incredibly popular Castle Leslie is usually fully booked out in June a year in advance. 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 the bravest riders 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.
June 2024 fully booked, June 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.
June is a cooler here, being in the southern hemisphere. Warm clothes need to be packed at this time of year, since early mornings can be very cold (7°C/45°F). Throughout most of the day it is sunny and dry. Afternoon temperatures average 23°C/73°F.
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 cottages 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.
June 2024 has some space remaining, better availability at the end of the month. Ask us if your preferred accommodation is available.
June 2025 bookings now open
Estancia Don Joaquin| Argentina
From 4 days | From $210 per person per night | Hotel based stay
June is winter in Argentina but up north in Esquina it doesn’t feel like it. The days are still warm and the riding excellent. 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.
June not right for you? Explore other months
Catch the end of Los Potreros’s season in May or ride the epic 18 day Great Silk Road Trek in Kyrgyzstan in July
