Wait A Little has a string of approximately 30 horses.
Our safari horses are known for their courage and comfort of riding. The herd features crosses of Shire, Friesian, Clydesdale, Warmblood, Thoroughbred and Boerperd breeds, standing between 15 and 17.3 hands tall. Each year, new horses join our group, while some older ones move on. When we feel our senior horses have served enough, they’re retired so they can enjoy a more peaceful routine. We usually send them to a local riding school or to friends, allowing them to spend their later years with less work but lots of affection.
Typically, we purchase young horses around three years old, ideally already under saddle. It takes about one to two years before they’re ready for guests to ride. Their training not only helps them to become comfortable around animals but also includes schooling on the flat and over jumps. This education builds their fitness, enhances their natural balance, and makes them enjoyable companions for safari rides.
MEET THE HORSES
Take a look at our great horses, all of them named after beer! Each with their individual personality, they are the heart of Wait A Little.
ALFA
Born 2009 · Mare · Friesian cross · 16.2hh
Nickname: Alfa princess. Colour: Bay
Meet Alfa - The queen of our horse safari and turns it every safari into a first-class adventure. The only mare in the herd and she knows it.
Smooth, comfortable, and classy... Alfa is a real lady who'll carry you through the bush like royalty - the boys just try their best to stay on her level.
BUDWEISER
Born 2009 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 16.1hh
Nickname: Bud. Colour: Bright Bay
Meet Bud— one of the legends of our horse safaris.
A trusted lead horse for many years, now enjoying life as a guest favourite. Big, steady, and incredibly confident… With a gentle eye and a brave heart, he takes the bush in his stride — calm, confident, and always looking after his rider.
BITBURGER
Born 2010 · Gelding · Boerperd x Friesian · 15.2hh
Nickname: Bit Colour: Bay.
Meet Bit — the quiet professional of our horse safaris.
Known for his great walk and ground covering stride. Often our trusted backup horse.
Steady and honest in the bush, Bit gives our backup riders that feeling of effortlessness.
Not flashy, not complicated, just a good safari horse who gets the job done beautifully.
HARDY
Born 2011 · Gelding · Shire cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Hardy. Colour: Bright Bay.
Meet Hardy — the kind of horse every rider secretly hopes for on safari. Effortless to back, beautifully schooled, and uncomplicated, he’s the definition of “press play and enjoy.”
Soft, responsive, and happy in his work, Hardy makes riders of all levels feel confident from the first stride.
In the bush, he’s calm, focused, and unfazed — A true gentleman with safari style.
RAVEN
Born 2012 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 15.1hh
Nickname: Raven. Colour: Black.
Meet Raven — sleek, jet black, and made to turn heads on safari.
With a floating, effortless canter, he’s the kind of horse that makes experienced riders grin ear to ear.
Confident, bold, and beautifully balanced, he moves through the bush like he owns it —
a stunning safari partner for those who love a bit of finesse and a touch of thrill.
MACLAY
Born 2011 · Gelding · Shire cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Maclay. Colour: Dark Bay.
Meet Mclay — the horse every safari operation dreams of having.
With everything going for him — strength, smarts, and a fearless heart — cruising the bush or clearing paddock fences like it’s nothing.
Reliable, bold, and endlessly capable, making every ride feel like a masterclass. A true all-rounder and a showstopper in every sense.
BOMBARDIER
Born 2021 · Gelding · Clydesdale cross · 17.3hh
Nickname: Bomb. Colour: Bright Bay.
Meet Bombardier — our new lead horse in training.
At just 5 years old, he’s already showing the bravery and presence needed to stand tall in front of elephants, lions, and rhinos.Young, eager, and learning fast, he’s the kind of horse that makes even seasoned guides like Philip stop and take notice. With patience, courage, and a touch of natural flair, he is well on his way to becoming our next safari star.
SAMURAI
Born 2012 · Gelding · Boerperd · 15hh
Nickname: Samurai. Colour: Bay.
Meet Samurai — once a challenge, now a safari star.
He came to us with former guide Ray, who patiently rehabilitated him and turned him into a confident, reliable safari partner.
He moves through the bush with courage and presence far beyond his height.Beautifully schooled in the arena and a favourite among our guests, Samurai proves that heart, training, and determination make a true safari legend.
ICENI
Born 2006 · Gelding · Boerperd cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Ice. Colour: Grey.
Meet Ice — multi-talented and multi-loved.
A safari horse, a jumper, and great in dressage, he’s been part of Wait A Little for many years, and we owe him immensely.
He can be a little grumpy at times, and his wonky ear points left, but those quirks are all part of his charm.
Brave, experienced, and endlessly capable, Ice has carried countless riders through unforgettable adventures in the bush — and over the years, has become a true guest favourite.
COOPERS
Born 2012 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 15.3hh
Nickname: Coopy-Doops. Colour: Dark Bay.
Meet Coopers — the cheeky charmer of our herd.
He came to Wait A Little at just 2 years old, full of himself and a little tricky to break in.
Thanks to brave volunteers and plenty of patience, he’s grown into a confident, bold, and reliable safari horse.
A favourite among the guests who ride him, Coopers proves that a little attitude and a lot of heart make for one unforgettable bush experience. Smart, spirited, and always ready for the thrill of the bush.
BERT
Born 2010 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Bertie-Bert Colour: Black.
Meet Bert — the easygoing backbone of our herd.
Laid back, steady, and calm under any circumstance, he’s one of our trusted backup horses and shines in wildlife sightings.
Smooth in the bush, reliable for all our backup riders. Bert makes even long safari days feel effortless.
Quiet, dependable, and with a heart of gold, he’s the kind of horse every rider is grateful to have by their side.
RAMBO
Born 2014 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Rambo Colour: Bright Bay.
Meet Rambo — the movie star turned safari star.
Originally from Cape Town, he spent his early years as a stunt horse before joining Wait A Little.
Good-looking, smooth, and effortless to ride, his comfortable canter and steady temperament make him a favourite in wildlife sightings — and a guest favourite too.
Elegant, reliable, and easy on the eye, creating the perfect safari companion.
ORION
Born 2016 · Gelding · Paint cross · 15hh
Nickname: Orion. Colour: Skewbald
Meet Orion — our striking painted trail companion.
Small in stature but never in presence, he moves through the bush with confidence and grace, proving that size doesn’t define a safari horse.
Orion joined Wait A Little thanks to the generosity of a volunteer, and we are incredibly grateful for him as he’s turned into an amazing trail horse. Smart, bold, and full of heart, Orion is proof that the best horses come in all shapes, sizes, and colours.
GORDON
Born 2012 · Gelding · Shire cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Gorgeous George. Colour: Dark Bay
Meet Gordon — the cheeky character of our herd.
Honest truth: he was a tricky and stubborn horse to train, taking two full years before he was ready for guests.
But his potential was clear — smooth paces, a great ability to collect, and a mischievous sense of humour that couldn’t be ignored.
With patience, guidance, and hard work, Gordon has transformed into a reliable, confident, and fun safari horse.
SPITFIRE
Born 2012 · Gelding · Saddlebreed cross · 15.1hh
Nickname: Spitty. Colour: Bay.
Meet Spitfire — the ultimate bush pony of our herd.
Having lived wild in the African veld, he’s independent, confident, and a little bossy — but that’s all part of his charm.
Sporty, quick on his feet, and full of energy, Spitfire is a thrill to ride and always keeps guests on their toes.
Bold in the bush, clever, and endlessly fun, he’s the kind of horse that turns every safari into an unforgettable ride.
MITCHELL
Born 2021 · Gelding · Friesian · 17.2hh
Nickname: Mitch. Colour: Black.
Meet Mitchell — one of the youngest stars of our herd.
A striking pure Friesian standing at 17.2hh, he’s best friends with Walnut and can spend hours playing, chasing, and enjoying each other’s company. Despite his age, Mitchell handles the bush like a pro, and every ride shows just how much he’s still improving. With a canter to dream of and a presence that turns heads, he’s bold, playful, and a joy for our guests.
THE DUQUE
Born 2016 · Gelding · Lusitano · 16.3hh
Nickname: Duque. Colour: Bay.
Meet The Duque — a Lusitano who truly earned his place at the front.
He arrived at Wait A Little from JHB as a stallion and was later gelded, quickly revealing the exceptional safari horse beneath.
One of Philip’s favourite lead horses, built on trust and belief — and you only need to see him in work to understand why.
He took to the role of lead horse with remarkable ease and stands beyond fearless in front of the Big Five.
Calm, powerful, and utterly dependable, The Duque is the kind of horse that makes leading look effortless.
MAUSER
Born 2016 · Gelding · THB Cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Mauser. Colour: Bay.
Meet Mauser — a quirky Thoroughbred cross who’s fitted right in with the Wait A Little herd.
Beautifully schooled in the arena with a serious talent for show jumping, he brings athleticism and finesse to everything he does.
A little sensitive under saddle, he’s a rewarding ride for more experienced guests who appreciate feel and precision.
Out on safari, Mauser proves himself as a capable, confident bush horse who is unfazed by the wildlife — smart, responsive, and a joy to ride for those who know how to ride him.
THE DUDE
Born 2015 · Gelding · Clydesdale · 17.3hh
Nickname: Dude. Colour: Bright Bay.
Meet Dude — our gentle giant with a heart of gold.
Originally in training to become a lead horse, he decided that life as a superstar guest horse suited him better and we couldn’t agree more.
A big Clydesdale with a kind eye and “sauce plates” for feet, he’s brave in the bush and calm in wildlife sightings, always happy to be in front behind the lead horses.
Guests love spending time with him on safari, enjoying his steady stride, easygoing nature, and quiet confidence.
SAMUEL SMITH
Born 2005 · Gelding · Selle Français · 16hh
Nickname: Sammy. Colour: Bay.
Meet Sam — the Dalai Lama of our herd, as Philip likes to say.
Nothing phases him. Calm, wise, and supremely confident, he’s one of the best lead horses we’ve ever had. He’s taught Rusty, Ray, and Jo the tricks of the trade, passing on his knowledge with patience and quiet authority. Reliable in the bush, steady in wildlife sightings, and is the kind of horse that makes every safari run smoothly — and effortlessly.
PERONI
Born 2011 · Gelding · Friesian cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Peroni Pony. Colour: Bay.
Meet Peroni — the surprise of our herd.
He arrived so unexpectedly that we didn’t even have a stable ready for him!
Our trusted contact promised he would be the ultimate trail horse, and they were absolutely right, we haven't looked back since then.
Reliable, brave, and steady in the bush, Peroni quickly proved himself and has become a favourite among guests who ride him. A true surprise that turned into an unforgettable safari companion.
WALNUT
Born 2020 ·Gelding · Saddlebred. x Paint · 15.2hh
Nickname: Walnut. Colour: Skewbald.
Meet Walnut — one of the young standouts of our herd.
Backed right here at Wait A Little
A striking chestnut paint with a kind eye, he’s best friends with Mitchell and the two can spend hours playing non-stop in the paddock.
His canter feels like riding a sofa — smooth, relaxed, and endlessly enjoyable. Despite his age, Walnut handles the bush beautifully and continues to impress on safari.
Guests absolutely adore him, and it’s easy to see why.
COMANCHE
Born 2021 · Gelding · Percheron x Paint · 15.1hh
Nickname: Comanche. Colour: Skewbald.
Meet Comanche — one of the newest painted additions to the Wait A Little herd.
Still very young, he comes from a cattle-herding background and brings a calm, switched-on mindset to his work.
Currently in schooling before stepping into life as a guest horse, he’s already showing good paces and a natural feel for the job.
Unfazed by wildlife and impressively brave out on trail, Comanche is showing all the right signs for a promising future as a safari horse.
KARIBA
Born 2022 · Gelding · Percheron Cross · 15.2hh
Nickname: Piggy. Colour: Dark Bay.
Meet Kariba — a young pure Percheron and one of the newest members of the Wait A Little herd.
Backed last year by a very good friend of Gerti’s, he’s still learning the ropes but improving every day thanks to schooling from our talented volunteers.
Already showing great eagerness on our small hacks around Wait A Little, he’s unfazed by the wildlife he’s encountered so far.
Watch this space — with his schooling and natural ability, Kariba could become either a fantastic guest horse or a confident new lead horse.
HABANERO
Born 2012 · Gelding · Warmblood· 16.2hh
Nickname: Nero/Noisy Nero. Colour: Liver Chestnut.
Meet Nero — the horse who decided to swap dressage for safaris!
Probably one of the best-schooled safari horses you could wish to ride, he brings elegance, precision, and a joyful attitude to every trail.
Bold, confident, and absolutely in his element in the bush, Nero loves every minute of the safari and makes each ride a delight for guests lucky enough to follow him.
GEMMA
Born 2020 · Mare · Hanoverian · 16.3hh
Nickname: Princess. Colour: Dark Bay.
Princess stands out for her strong opinions—she'll show her displeasure and isn't shy about throwing tantrums, but she's also brave.
As Gerti's future dressage horse, she has an interesting road ahead.
DOOMBAR
Born 2011 · Gelding · Shire · 16.3hh
Nickname: Doomie. Colour: Dark Bay.
Meet Doom — a pure Shire who surprised everyone including Gerti who couldn't believe that Doom was Philip’s choice as a lead horse.
Luckily he didn’t grow quite as tall as expected, but when he canters in the arena, it still sounds like a stampede of buffalo thanks to his dinner-plate-sized feet!
Turns out Philip made the right choice. Calm, strong, and reliable in the bush, Doom carries Jo and Philip with confidence and has earned his place as a true lead horse favourite.
OUTBACK
Born 2009 ·Gelding ·Boerperd x Warmblood· 15.1hh
Nickname:Obi / Obi-Wan-Kenobi. Colour: Chestnut.
Meet Obi — Clare’s perfect partner and a true match made in heaven.
The kind of horse everyone wishes they had, he truly ticks every box.
Talented across the board — jumping, dressage, and cross country and impressively brave on safari, Obi takes it all in his stride. Reliable, willing, and endlessly versatile, he’s the ultimate all-rounder and a joy to have as part of the Wait A Little family.
Wait A Little horse safaris are highly personalised and specialised riding safaris for experienced riders, run by Gerti and Philip Kusseler in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve close to the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. There are three types of safaris that take you over an area of 30.000ha of African wilderness, between 6 and 10 days long.
Years of experience and training enable the horses to be calm merely meters away from big game. A high standard of riding within the group ensures exciting up-close game sightings and sporty riding on wonderful horses. Because of Gerti’s level of schooling and training, the horses are fun to ride and together with Philip’s guiding experience over the past 20 years is a safari with “Wait A little” the perfect thrill for the experienced rider.
Small groups of only seven riding guests and the permanent personal attention of Gerti & Philip and their staff ensures you an unforgettable week. Their passion for nature, conservation, the environment and their involvement in the game reserve management gives a lot of material for exciting stories and will give you a wealth of information about the hard work required to protect the last remaining wildlife areas.
