WHERE TO GO IN OCTOBER
Hurray, Nurpur Noon’s season has started. 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 weather is perfect for riding in Europe and our Spanish partners George Scott and Kukutana are busy welcoming guests to Andalusia.
South America is warming up and it’s time to head down to Argentina and Chile.
The floods have receeded in the Okavango Delta and you will enjoy reduced shoulder season pricing if arriving after the 15th of October.
Southern Africa is headed towards summer which often brings afternoon showers which is why it’s called the ‘Green Season’. In October though they haven’t quite arrived and temperatures can be higher.
October is a wonderful time to ride at Castle Leslie in Ireland.
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 hot in October, 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 on January, when winter has cooled temperatures to a high of around 24 degrees.
09 - 16 October 2024 - Black Saddle Exclusive - Hosted Ride (join Black Saddle founder Emma)
MACATOO | OKAVANGO DELTA | BOTSWANA
7 Nights | US$6,580 | Max 7 Riders | Luxury Tented Fixed Camp
The floods have receeded, exposing sandy paths for fast riding. Take advantage of shoulder season pricing in the second half of the month. The temperatures are higher though. The heat gradually builds and it can get very hot in October, but the average temperature remains around 34°C/93°F in the afternoon.If you’d like to avoid the head 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
DRY SEASON: 15 JUN – 14 OCT £940 per person per night sharing, £6,580 for 7 nights
SHOULDER SEASON: 15 OCT – 30 NOV £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
While northern Europe has embraced Autumn in October, Andalusia is still warm. 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
October is an excellent time to visit George with temperatures ranging from 10°C - 21°C. There may be light showThe 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.
3rd - 6th October 2024
10th - 13th October 2024
19th - 22nd October 2024
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.
The central desert is warming up so Andrew brings guests and his horses to the Skeleton Coast, Namibia’s iconic orange coast line that has cooler weather. This itinerary has you galloping for miles on the beach, dodging seals and full cavalry charging through a meteorite crater!
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.
Thrilling, life affirming riding and one of our all time favourites.
25 September - 5 October 2024 - Namib Desert (fully booked)
16 - 25 October 2024 - Skeleton Damara - 3 saddles open - the last saddles of year, we highly recommend you snap them up!
01 - 11 October 2025 - Namib Desert - fully booked
23 October - 1 November 2025 - Skeleton Damara
OFFBEAT | MASAI MARA | KENYA
7 Nights | US$9,870 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Canvas Wildlife Safari
The Great Migration usually finished in the first half October. 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. Offbeat closes for November so October is your last chance to get in until the December ride.
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. Offbeat is known for adventurous riding, there will be many fast and free gallops across the Mara, you’ll get very close to lions on horseback, and if you come across a tree pushed over by an itchy elephant, you’re free to pop your horse over it. Many of the horses are evented before they become safari horse so are exceptionally well schooled and capable.
A bucket list safari.
5 - 12 October 2024
12 - 19 October 2024
11 - 18 October 2025
18 - 25 October 2025
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 October. The estate is dazzling in it’s Autumn colours. You can expect highs of 16 degree during the day 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 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.
Some availability in October 2024
October 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 October, temperatures often hover around 30°C. Rain is expected on roughly 6 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.
October 2024 has some availability at the Nest and good availability at the Hill.
October 2025 bookings now open
ESTANCIA DON JOAQUIN| ARGENTINA
From 4 days | From $210 per person per day | Estancia based stay
October is the dreamiest 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.
October not right for you? Explore other months
Catch the end of the Kilimanjaro Elephant safari season in September or join head to New Zealand in November when the season opens.
