WHERE TO GO IN MAY
May is the driest month on the emerald isle making riding at Castle Leslie in Ireland now a dream!
It’s spring in Europe and the riding conditions are perfect. This is the ideal time to visit our Spanish partners George Scott and Kukutana in Andalusia.
In Namibia you can join the Wild Horses safari that runs only once a year. A very special safari that rides into the territory of the endangered wild horse population.
In the Okavango Delta, Macatoo has lovely, clear and dry weather and few clouds. The nights tend to be cooler but the days are very temperate at 28°C/80°F.
NAMIBIA
10 Nights | From £6,200 | 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.
In May you can expect hot days and warm nights. You’ll tan will be topped up. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
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.
Thrilling, life affirming riding and one of our all time favourites.
01 - 11 May 2024 Wild Horses (fully booked)
01 - 31 May 2025 - The Month Long Epic Safari is three safaris stitched together. Created after guests begged for a longer ride. This is so special and usually only open to returning riders but if you are well travelled and a confident rider get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.
MACATOO | OKAVANGO DELTA | BOTSWANA
7 Nights | From US$6,580 | Max 7 Riders | Luxury Tented Fixed Camp
May has lovely, clear and dry weather and few clouds. The nights tend to be cooler but the days are very temperate at 30°C/87°F. This is the start of the shoulder season. The floods haven’t yet arrived which makes for fast riding and the weather is perfect
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
SHOULDER SEASON: £765 per person per night sharing, £5,355 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
May is high season in Andalusia and the weather is with average temperatures of 28C with some rain eight out of 31 days.
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
In May you can expect highs of 16°C with some rain expected on 18 days out of 30. 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.
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.
Good availability in May 2025
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, temperatures typically settle at around 32°C. But by evening, they drop to around 19°C. Rain is expected on roughly 16 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.
May 2025 bookings now open
ESTANCIA DON JOAQUIN| ARGENTINA
From 4 days | From $210 per person per day | Estancia based stay
May 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.
May not right for you? View the full year here
Visit George Scott on the first of his spring rides in April or join the first Celestial Mountains ride of the year in June.
