An African Dream
Karen Blixen was by no means the only person with a dream of Africa. But in the case of Isabella Stepski, owner of Pakamisa Game Reserve, that dream was more than a simple yearning for space and freedom; it was a desire to create a haven for horse lovers. Indeed, if Isabella’s wishes didn’t quite have wings, they certainly had hooves.
Horses have long been a tradition in the Stepski family. Back in Austria, Isabella’s great-grandfather bred horses; her mother, too, was an equine enthusiast. It is not surprising, then, that her love for the animals started when she was just three years old, trotting around on the back of a pony.
Seen through Isabella’s eyes, that passion is entirely understandable. “When you’re riding a horse, it becomes your partner, but it’s a complex partnership. The horse is far stronger than you are, yet you have the ability to dominate it.” Clearly, it’s a conundrum she finds thrilling.
But it is not just the challenge of conquering the horse that Isabella loves. There is also the sheer enjoyment both rider and horse experience in each other’s company. When rider and horse are in true harmony, an inseparable unit is created. Not forgetting, of course, the horse’s stately beauty. This is especially true for Arabian horses, which is Isabella’s favourite breed, and for good reason. “Arabians became used to human company when they travelled with the Bedouins. They’re easy to handle, small and agile.”
Eager to share her passion with others, Isabella was nonetheless persuaded to study towards a degree in hotel management, “just in case”. All the while, she continued to participate in horse camps and educate riders until, degree in hand, she left for Spain and harnessed her erstwhile hobby with a series of jobs working with trainers, breeders and horse trail companies.
After 17 years, Isabella decided it was time to be her own boss. A 1994 trip to South Africa left her beguiled by the freedom of open spaces, sunshine and “extremely friendly people”. With no doubt in her mind that this was the country for her venture, she opted to establish Pakamisa in KwaZulu-Natal, because horseback safaris were a novelty in the area, while the province boasts a climate that leaves international tourists – who comprise the bulk of Pakamisa’s visitors – utterly enchanted.
Just four years later, Isabella’s dream was a reality. “I’d pictured it all, right down to how the horses would wander in the paddocks. I’d picked up ideas from visiting a number of stud farms over the years.” But even her intense vision could not prepare her for the undiluted joy of seeing a giraffe from the back of a horse, not to mention sharing that joy with her guests. “It’s difficult to describe the feeling of awe,” Isabella enthuses. “Just imagine how you have to crane your neck to be able to take in the giraffe’s height when you’re just 10 m away. I’ve seen people’s eyes fill with tears at the sight.”
The horses that enable the visitors to relish this singular experience are a herd of 35, around half of which are purebred Arabs. The remainder are Boerperde (“farm horses”), a breed developed by South Africa’s early settlers who needed a beast of burden for their farms, not easily spooked as they pulled wagons, and sufficiently sweet natured to transport them to church on Sundays. The offspring of this sturdy breed and Isabella’s beloved Arabs are the perfect safari horses: tall and broad, with placid natures.
An ability to cater to every rider, regardless of their level of experience, sets Pakamisa apart as a horse riding destination. That, and of course the magic that is palpable when you are walking in the middle of someone else’s dream.
Paradise in Pakamisa
Not quite saddle savvy? No need to worry. One of the assets that has turned Pakamisa into a much loved family destination is the array of activities on offer, all of them with a distinctly outdoor flavour. Visitors can enjoy clay pigeon shooting, archery, pellet gun shooting, bush walks and, of course, game drives. You can also choose to brush up on your horse sense with lunge classes and riding classes, which will help you become familiar with the “gears” of the horse before your embark on your guided ride.
Isabella’s hotel management training is evident in the magnificent lodge. Accommodation is provided in eight plush, well appointed rooms. And thanks to a maximum capacity of just 16 guests at any one time, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the peace of this special place.
For more information, visit http://www.pakamisa.co.za/.
Story by Lisa Witepski
