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Chubeka Trails – bring on 2007!
Wow, what a year it has been!! And boy are we looking forward to 2007/8 trailing season…!
2006 was, well, what else can we call it but a disaster. The beginning of the year saw us training the last of our Warmblood cross babies for the trails, bringing our quota of trail horses to 30. Then Monensin struck just before Easter weekend – on Wednesday 12th April 2006 our riding string broke into a pouring sweat with frightening muscle tremours and obvious discomfort. Frantic investigation soon confirmed the feed manufacturers had made a grave (and highly illegal) mistake – monensin / ionophores were present in the feed. This is highly toxic to horses, with long term prognosis of heart damage rendering those exposed unsuitable (or at least questionable) for commercial trails. Hence, a long drawn out and painfully emotional 2006 ended with a hard-to-swallow decision to rehome all our babies. The up-side is that we had no fatalities and those horses that have left us have found loving, suitable new owners where they are exercised gently and loved completely!
But 2006 is behind us and we have bounced into 2007 with exciting news… CHUBEKA TRAILS IS BACK ON TRACK!!! A whole restocking programme was launched in May 2006, where we were lucky to buy back some homebred horses – stunning Warmblood crosses with amazing temperaments and known backgrounds, keeping our bloodlines intact. Ten 4 and 5 year old returned to Mlilwane, unbacked and bounding with life and quality. These horses are 15hh or more, and we believe among the best trail horses available. Their training has been thorough, quiet and consistent, investing in a wonderful future, beginning in May when they come into our working string.
In January 2007, we went searching for additional horses on farms in South Africa, resulting in a bunch of tough “hillbillies” (mainly Arab and Nooitgedaght crosses) desperately looking for a happy home. These horses arrived fearful of humans, with girth, saddle and bits sores, rope burns … you name it. When sussing them out, they responded to gentle TLC within minutes, and being only about 4 years of age, they were loaded up and brought home to Mlilwane. Although “backed” we took them back to basics and 2 months on, our hillbillies are learning to trust and are filling out beautifully, obviously enjoying their new home and the training for their new careers.
Despite the positive moves forward, the amalgamation of our new herd has resulted in displays of domination – entertaining for the most part - and a few injuries. We have been privileged to witness incredible horse behaviour patterns, most of which have settled well. However, two first-ever injuries have been experienced … totally kicked-in front teeth and a suspected puff-adder bite! Topaz had to be rushed across the border for his 2 front teeth while Hyena (yes, he has an interesting shape and a determined heart!) fought through a sloughing leg and is getting stronger by the day. Both these youngsters are fit and well and will return to training when they can.
2007 has also marked the beginning of series bookings for our trails – a mere 3 years after our inception. So, all in all Chubeka Trails is off to a positive, bold new beginning. We look forward to sharing our new babies, trails and stories with you in the mountains of Mlilwane – join us as we go forward trailing through the Kingdom - Chubeka!
Background
The Kingdom of Swaziland’s Big Game Parks brings
you an exciting mixture of wildlife, adventure and
culture whilst
comfortably snuggled in your saddle. A fascinating combination
of experience, habitats and scenery are what makes these
trails so remarkable. Join us and let us take you where
eagles fly!
Chubeka Trails is the very exciting new trailing arm of
Big Game Parks. Based at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary,
we operate chiefly on Mlilwane, Hlane and Mkhaya, but
will be trailing beyond the boundaries of Big Game Parks – with
permission of relevant land-owners, of course!
The siSwati word “Chubeka” means to “go
forward”, or “to continue.” The “ch” is
pronounced with a soft click, an added challenge on trail!
Over the past two years, Big Game Parks has been hard at
work trail-blazing and building relations with selected
communities through which we would like to trail. Progress
during 2002 was positive, but was hampered by bureaucracy
during 2003, almost leading to withdrawal of the idea.
Then, because we believed so strongly that the concept
would be great for Swaziland – and fantastic fun
for those who took part! – we decided that the trails
would continue and put our best step forward. The name
fell into place when each time we offered a certain ranger
a lift, and he replied “Cha, Chubeka” meaning, “no
(thank you), continue.”
Chubeka Trails is attracting the adventure enthusiast
to Swaziland, including the very specialized equestrian
trail-rider – a new era for Swaziland tourism.
By offering distance trails, Chubeka Trails aims to
link the parks with selected communities, thus opening
the
possibility of exploring the unknown, yet probably
the most beautiful, hidden corners of our Kingdom,
as well
as spreading the positive effects of tourism. Furthermore,
we aim to hold hands with similar adventure-minded
organizations in Swaziland in creating a greater choice.
Any tourism
Chubeka Trails is involved in will follow the environmentally
friendly ethics of Big Game Parks.
Mainly horse trails for now, including daily rides and
overnight trails. Chubeka Trails manages the daily horse
riding at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and our 1-night
Cave Trail and 2-night Klipspringer Trail (also on Mlilwane)
are very successful. More exciting 4-night trails are
presently being designed and developed, with the possibility
of longer trails in future.
Following the success of the horse trails, overnight Mountain
Bike and Hiking trails will be the next step!
The availability of the overnight trails depend on the
seasons and river levels. For this reason some trails will
run between April and October annually, with scheduled
departures. Group size limited according to trail, 2 -
12 riders. The guides gauge the pace according to that
of the least experienced rider.
| Chubeka Trails |
The
hourly rides depart from Mlilwane Rest Camp and are
especially designed for the less experienced
or for those with time constraints. Taken at a leisurely
pace, according to the capabilities of the riders,
the main emphasis is on viewing the wildlife on the
plains of Mlilwane from close proximity.
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 A little
more time and energy is well spent on this half-day
ride (3-4 hours). Leaving the Rest Camp,
winding through the flowing grass plains and heading
up the
historical Nyonyane Mountain, (Execution Rock) offers
a totally new perspective. From a great vantage point,
riders enjoy light snacks and refreshments with the
highveld rising above them and the middleveld stretching
out below while the gentle mountain breeze stirs
emotion. The Rock of Execution Trail is suitable for
both beginners
and experienced riders.
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 Overnight
Trail
Riding
through the plains and onto the Nyonyane Mountain,
is rewarded with a unique night
camping in a cave (a large overhang with a fresh
water stream flowing through - truly awesome!) overlooking
Ezulwini Valley by night. Campfire catering is a
highlight
and an average riding time of 3 hours per day. 2 – 6
riders.
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Night Trail
This trail crosses over onto Mlilwane
North - a very beautiful area of uninhabited area of
highveld. Exploring the mountains, observing both rural
and developing Africa and the possibility of meeting
wild horses add to the excitement. Both nights are
spent in our rustic trail camp on the banks of a river,
set in a deep valley, with little in the way of structural
development, thus as little impact on the environment
as possible. The only structures include a horse paddock
and a pit latrine. This trail includes steep inclines,
a little walking to rest your steed's back and time
to marvel at the stunning scenery! 2-8 riders.
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Cave Trail
- Any Day, apart from specified trail dates below
- Weather permitting
Klipspringer Trail
- River strength depending – generally April – October
- Any Day, apart from specified trail dates below
- Weather permitting
Swazi Culture & Scenery
Trail
- River strength depending – generally April – October
- Weather permitting
In the case of poor weather conditions, Chubeka Trails
will
endeavour to provide alternative arrangements for the
duration of the trail as booked in negotiation with guests
and within the trail budget.
Bookings: Central Reservations: PO Box 311, Malkerns,
Swaziland Tel: (+268) 528 3943/4 Fax: (+268) 528 3924
reservations@biggameparks.org
Chubeka Trails, bring on 2007!
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