Possibly Horseriding for the Letaba Concession
4.8 Equestrian activities
Please note that SANParks is currently doing a risk assessment on equestrian
activities. Should the assessment be positive the Private Party will be allowed to
operate equestrian activities on the concession area. Whilst horses could be used
for patrols and management purposes, the Letaba concession will then be the only
concession (excluding contractual parks) where this will be allowed as a tourism
product). Should the assessment be negative, then the equestrian activities will not
be allowed hence feasibilities should note this provision. The following assumes
that the risk assessment shows that equestrian activities can be allowed as a
product:
Due to the below average game viewing potential of the area it was decided to
allow the Private Party to place the focus on equestrian activities and allow horse
riding in the concession area. Walking and access by horse to areas to the north of
the Letaba river will also be allowed but will be limited to not infringe with other
products offered.
Allowing this activity brings about some challenges, i.e. stables that need to be built
and horses be kept safe from predators. The following provides a guide (with
special recognition to RAW Botswana) as to how this product can be introduced.
Please note that the design of the stables will form part of the evaluation criteria
and hence detailed plans on this will have to be submitted:
A maximum of 24 horses will be allowed on the concession which would allow for a
maximum of 6 riding guests:
2 horses per guest (12 in total)
6 spare in case of lameness/ illness
6 for guides & back up (which allows 2 guide horses each and 2 as spares).
The barn for the horses made out of corrugated iron roof, wood for the boxes inside
and mesh up to the roof to keep the Lions out (detail sketches to be submitted as
part of the Bid Submission). The barn needs to have a soak away – no water to lie
around (to be audited by the ECO). Bedding is sand that gets dug out locally & all
the manure has to be placed in the resulting holes and covered up. Any waste
needs to be bagged and transported back to and disposed of in Phalaborwa.
Paddocks to be made of solar powered electric fences and moved frequently.
Equipment required for the Lead guide and back up guide:
Lead guide will ride with the following: 475 rifle, 1st aid kit, hand held radio, satellite
phone and GPS.
Back up guide to ride with the following: Hand held radio, GPS, 1st aid kit and bear
banger/ pencil flare
Burn Elephant dung during the wet season to help with midges
Tack room to have at least a fire extinguisher and basic human 1st aid kit.
Grooms are required to do 1st aid.
This makes it even more confusing 
