Beattys Overseas

We were searching for adventure in Cape Town, and found a private game reserve which offers horseback rides through the reserve.  Aquila boasts itself as the closet Big 5 game reserve to Cape Town, a neat 2-hour drive from our guesthouse.  Upon arrival we had some bubbly and a large breakfast and cruised by the reserve's crocodile pond and cheetah pasture. 

Horses were saddled for us, and we were off for a 3-hour ride with 3 other people - a mother and her adolescent kids from Britain.  Our guide, Bheki, was very friendly and an excellent rider (although, his flippant attitude about John's bum shoulder and unwillingness to wear a helmet made Whit a little nervous).  Our first sighting was a group of ostriches hanging around the main watering hole.  Bheki told us that ostrich, while very strong, have not shown to be aggressive toward the horses.  The next visit - as per Whit's request - were a pair of giraffes, who seemed extremely comfortable by our presence.  Great photos!

Rhinos!We took the horses in single file towards a clearing where huge rhino and zebras were grazing, followed by wildebeest and springbok (like a little petite deer).  It was here that Bheki explained that the wild animals aren't threatened by the horses - especially if we stay in single file.  Firstly, the animals can't tell that there are humans on the horses, but just that it's one tall animal.  Secondly, when the horses stay in single-file, the wild animals think it's all one long animal, and not a herd coming at them for an attack.  This made sense enough, so we stayed in single file and just watched the rhinos munch away. 

When we came upon the reserve's 2 elephants, we kept our distance.  Elephants can charge, and they move fast when they want to, so we watched from afar.  At the end of our ride, we went back to the lodge to water the horses and get into a truck for a private drive past the reserve's lion pasture. 
GrrrrrThere are three young lions fenced in a large space, as they are juveniles and aren't deemed ready to feed & defend themselves on the reserve yet.  It seemed a bit like a glorified zoo, to drive by three young tigers behind wire fences, but lovely nonetheless.  All in all, it was a lovely daytrip, and John loved getting back onto a horse since his injury a few years ago.  On the drive back to Cape Town, we passed through the wine valley again, and marvelled at the amazingly beautiful vineyards.  The Western Cape is definitely a feast for the eyes. 

- Whitney