Experience the abundance of game from a different perspective by mounting one of the farm’s many horses and riding among the herds of Springbok, Impala, Roan and many more.
See & Do
Hunting
The game hunting farm is a short distance away from Rietfontein farm, with the Manor House providing accommodation for game hunters. For enquiries, please navigate to Contact Us.
Our Game
- Blesbuck
- Mountain Reedbuck
- Bontebok
- Nyala
- Bushbuck
- Oryx (Gemsbok)
- Eland
- Red Hartebeest
- Fallow Deer
- Reedbuck
- Feral Hog
- Roan Antelope
- Giraffe
- Sable Antelope
- Grey Rhebuck
- Springbuck
- Impala
- Tsessebe
- Jackal
- Warthog
- Kudu
- Waterbuck
- Lechwe
- Zebra
Game Drives
Accompanied by an experienced game ranger you are guaranteed to spot a wide range of buck (antelope), giraffes and zebra, as well as small animals such as the ground squirrel and stokstert meerkat.
Bird Watching
The area is also rich in bird species including the long-crested eagle, a medium-sized eagle with a distinctive crest that juts out on the back of its head. Although these birds pair for life, they are often seen singly.
The white-fronted bee-eater is a richly coloured, slender bird with a distinctive black mask, white forehead and a square tail. Their diet consists primarily of bees but they also eat other flying insects depending on the season.
The secretary bird is an iconic African bird that is easily recognised by its extremely long legs and crown of black feathers at the back of its head that stands up like a halo. The secretary bird is one of two predatory birds that can hunt on the ground – which makes spotting this bird truly unique.
"The beauty of South Africa lies not only in its landscapes but in its people, who inspire with their warmth and kindness."
- Trevor Noah.
Hiking and cycling
There are various hiking and mountain biking trails to be explored – from slow, even trails to more adventurous tracks through the valleys and up the hills – while experiencing the very tame wildlife on foot or by bike. Enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful views during your 2 km, 5 km, 10 km or 25 km walk or cycle. Please bring your own bike.
Golf
If you fancy a round of golf while the rest of your party immerse themselves in other activities, the Marquard Golf Club is only about 15 km away. Your host will assist you with a booking, including a caddie. Please bring your own clubs.
Your bespoke Sparta polo experience
The Sparta Polo Club, in conjunction with Rietfontein Manor House, offers bespoke polo and horse-riding holidays. We take great pride in training the horses for many different levels of riders, from beginners to advanced.
The club has more than 80 polo ponies with a pool of 30 horses available to our guests. On the day of your arrival, you will have the opportunity to undergo a riding and polo assessment to better pair you with the perfect horse for your level of play. The club’s equestrian manager has more than thirty years’ experience training ponies, and the polo ponies are some of the best in the country. With a current Springbok polo player (that is, playing for the South African team) in the family, as well as many other family members playing polo, you can be sure of a top-class polo experience.
The club has two polo fields and a recently refurbished clubhouse. They offer tournaments, daily chukka practices as well as coaching by high-goal players, and in addition, there are a number of Sparta players and affiliate members who can help you elevate your level of play. When you need a break from the polo adrenaline, our professional game ranger can take you horse-riding through our game farm.
Polo and horse-riding holidays are specifically tailored to the ability level and size of each group. Contact Rietfontein with your specific needs to enable them to shape your bespoke experience.
