WHERE TO GO IN NOVEMBER
South America is warming up and it’s time to head down to Argentina and Chile.
New Zealand has thawed and the Southern Alps are calling you to join a pack trip down under.
The temperatures are cooling in Pakistan making Nurpur Noon an ideal destination. This brand new safari in Pakistan is the new godl 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 weather is cooling in Europe though you can still catch the end of season with George Scott and Kukutana is open on a private hire basis.
Southern Africa is headed towards summer which often brings afternoon showers. In November though they haven’t quite arrived and temperatures can be higher.
NEW ZEALAND PACK TRIP
7 Nights | Price TBC | Max 10 Riders | Camping or basic mountain hut accommodation while on trail
The snow has melted and New Zealand experiences warm, blue bird days in central Otago in November where this pack ride traverses multiple mountain ridge-lines.
The horses are purpose-bred shire x standardbreds. John, your guide, bred them himself. He was huntsman for the South Island’s oldest pack of hounds for ten years and still hunts regularly in the safari off season. A true, old school kiwi gent, John knows every inch of these mountains and being an expert story teller, he won’t mind telling you all about his adventures exploring Gods Own Country as the New Zealanders call it.
Accommodation starts and finishes in lovely hotels but on trail you’re in little mountain huts, some with bunk beds for everyone and sometimes you’ll be in tents. There are no showers on trail, you’ll have to wash in a glaicial stream (no extra charge for the ice water plunge).
An excellent adventure for those looking for a thrilling remote challenge.
November 2024 - Exclusive Black Saddle Ride
NURPUR NOON ESTATE | PAKISTAN
7 Nights | £4,950 | Max 12 Riders | Luxury Private home stay + 3 night mobile tented safari
We are THRILLED that Nurpur Noon’s season has started. It’s still warm in November, temperatures will be over 30 degrees during the day, but the riding is glorious 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.
November Dates on Request or join our Black Saddle exclusive rides in October 2024 and January 2025.
ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS | ARGENTINA
From three nights | US$560 per person per night | Max 12 Guests | Dreamy 6,500 angus beef farm stay
November 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
November brings the first life giving rains and the land springs to life, a bright green carpet over the plains appears and the calving season for many antelope, such as impala, begins. Take advantage of shoulder season pricing. Although daily highs of over 40°C (104°F) are the norm at the beginning of the month, the temperature gradually drops as the rains become more frequent. If you’d like to avoid the heat look at travelling in August or, early in the year during the southern African summer has excellent Green Season pricing if you can handle afternoon shows during siesta time. The short rain showers cool the temperatures down for comfortable sleeping.
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
In November, the average daily high temperature ranges between 16°C (61°F) and 22°C (72°F). 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
GEORGE SCOTT | SEVILLE | SPAIN
3 Nights | From €2,500 per person | Max 10 Riders | Bohemian Villas or Rajasthani Tents
November is an excellent time to visit George with temperatures ranging from 10°C - 21°C. 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.
This November George will run his once-a-season all bells and whistles sublime one off safari. This time, to Cordoba.
Not only does George 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.
3rd - 10th November 2024 - Ride with George across Andalusia to Cordoba. The ultimate experience. Ask us for more details. Cost is €7,000 for 7 nights.
24th - 27th November 2024
CASTLE LESLIE | IRELAND
3 or 5 Nights | From €1,200 | Cross Country or Hacking Holidays
Incredibly popular Castle Leslie is slightly quieter and cooler in November. You can expect highs 8°C, temperatures rarely falling below 4°C or exceeding 14°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 November 2024
November 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 November, 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.
November 2024 has some availability at the Nest and good availability at the Hill.
November 2025 bookings now open
ESTANCIA DON JOAQUIN| ARGENTINA
From 4 days | From $210 per person per day | Estancia based stay
November 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 eco 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.
November not right for you? Explore other months
In October you can still ride in the Masai Mara in Kenya or why not head to Los Potreros in Argentina for Christmas and New Year in December?
