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 in Segovia and Gredos in Spain.

Southern Africa is headed towards summer which often brings afternoon showers. In November though they haven’t quite arrived and temperatures can be higher.

JAKOTANGO | THE PATAGONIA TRAIL | ARGENTINA

5 Nights | $6,125 | 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. November 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.

24 - 29 November 2024

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).

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

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?