Eastern Cape Trail

8 Days | From £pp

South Africa ( Best airport: East London)

Explore the rugged, unspoilt, natural beauty of the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa. This is an exhilarating point-to-point ride for intermeidate and advanced riders, from beach to beach all while spotting whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean. Cross rivers eithe ron horseback or on a pontoon (with the horses on board!). The trail takes in a long stretch of coastline with accommodation in remote hotels in beautiful settings.

The Riding

The trail pace varies from walking through the game reserve to enable good game viewing, long trots and canters on open plains, to optional fast gallops down the beaches. Riders on this trail are strong intermediate or advanced level riders who are comfortable at walk, trot and canter and happy to gallop on the beach. The horses are fit and forward going but gentle and reliable enough for the holiday rider, and also of such a standard that the more experienced rider will have a good time. The trail pace varies from walking through the game reserve to enable good game viewing, long trots and canters on open plains, to fast gallops down the beaches. Riding fitness is helpful in order to enjoy the 30-40km days.

Children can be accepted on the trails as long as they are confident advanced riders who ride regularly and are 12 years and older. There are several excellent ponies available. Riders are required to wear a hard hat on this ride.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This trail is suitable for strong intermediate and experienced riders only. Good riding fitness is required as you’ll be covering up to 30-40km and spending 6 hours in the saddle each day. There can be long and fast canters and gallops along the beaches and riding over challenging terrain.

Hard hats mandatory.

Weight limit: 95kg / 14,9 stone

Guides and Group Size

Your guides are relaxed, professional and have many years of experience in guiding these trails, they know the terrain and are experts when it comes to the horses. They’ll make sure every rider is very well looked after. The maximum number of riders in a group is 8.

Any questions?

The Horses

There is a large selection of horses to choose from including Arab crosses, Anglo Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Boerperds and Percheron crosses. They all stand between 14.2hh and 16hh and are mostly ridden in snaffles. The horses are selected and trained for trail riding with great care; they are the other half of the team that makes your holiday a fantastic experience. Just as your guides are professional and know the area in which they operate, so the horses are familiar with the environment and conditions in which they are ridden. Each horse is handpicked and trained for trail riding. They are sturdy, comfortable to ride, beautiful, forgiving, easy to ride and control, yet lively at command and enjoy their work.

Tack and Riding Equipment

The saddles are especially designed for trail riding by Leon Liversage. The saddle distributes the weight equally on the horses back and is very comfortable for the rider. The design with a high pommel and cantle makes one sit straight automatically and is therefore better for you and the horse. Each horse has its own saddle to ensure a comfortable-and perfect fit. Each saddle is equipped with a splash-proof saddlebag carrying 2 water bottles and can hold a camera and other essentials while out riding for the day. The tack and equipment is scrupulously maintained.

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation along the trail is in various remote hotels:

Kei Mouth Guest Lodge

18 on Coral - 3 bedroom holiday home

Other hotels used are Trennerys or Seagulls Hotel, Wavecrest Hotel & Spa and Kob Inn Hotel

Breakfast: A variety of cereals, farm yogurt, toast, home made jams & preserves, homemade butter, free range eggs, home made sausage, bacon, tomatoes, fruit juice and filter coffee and tea. So you can choose between a traditional English breakfast and the continental equivalent. Breakfast is buffet style.

Lunch: A variety of cold meats, cheese, salads, fresh bread, pudding, fresh fruit juice and fresh fruit are available. Some days we enjoy a pub lunch at one of the local hotels whilst others are a saddlebag picnic. In the late afternoon we savor the last glow of the day while enjoying a selection of wine and malt available. This gives you the perfect opportunity to relax and relive the day’s events.

Dinner: At the restaurants there will be a variety of entrees to choose from, including fresh seafood. Dinners are 3 or 4 courses long and a sociable affair! Usually on one evening there will be a traditional South African “braai” or “potjie” with all its trappings. Sizzling tender farm-style beef, venison steaks and mussels bubbling on the coals satisfy a hungry rider after a long day in the saddle and in South Africa many friendships are made around the campfire. Dinners will be accompanied by a selection of good South African wines to complement the meal and finish with a nightcap of local liqueurs.

Special diets and allergies can be catered with advance notice.
There is a full laundry service at all the hotels. This is payable separately.
Luggage will be transferred by car between the overnight stops.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Introductory ride On arrival at East London airport, you will be transferred to Kei Mouth Guest Lodge. After lunch change into your riding clothes and get taken up to the beach paddock. The afternoon is a short introductory ride around the local area. Blow away those travelling cobwebs and get to know your horse for the week. A relaxed, friendly evening meal awaits you back at the guesthouse along with a good night’s sleep. Overnight at Kei Mouth Guest Lodge

Day 2: Kei Mouth – Trennerys/Seagulls Hotel Your adventure starts now! After breakfast it’s back up to the paddocks. A short ride down to the Kei River and then a crossing by ferry. Ride over rocky headlands and long stretches of beach. The guides will take you to hidden waterfalls for a picnic lunch and a swim if you choose! Then it’s to Trennerys or Seagulls Hotel (both quaint, authentic hotels that give guests a real taste of traditional South African holidaying). Stretch your legs on the beach or unwind with a beer by the pool before enjoying a great dinner with your riding group. Overnight at Trennerys or Seagulls Hotel.

Day 3: Trennerys/Seagulls Hotel – Mazeppa Bay Awake to the sound of the sea and the solitude of being somewhere on the edge of Africa. It’s time to move on with a distance of 40km to be covered. Continue up the coast, traversing rolling hills and sandy beaches and pass through rural settlements. Cross a number of inland river drifts, then the ride veers back to the sea for a breakfast or lunchtime picnic on the beach. Tides permitting, the rest of the day is a breath-taking ride on long, endless beaches, which mean faster riding and the thrill of a good horse in a great location. Your next stop is Mazeppa Bay. Relax by strolling on the secluded beach or cross a suspension bridge onto one of the only islands along the coast. Overnight at Mazeppa Bay Hotel.

Day 4: Mazeppa Bay – Kob Inn The next leg of your adventure is “The Gorge”. This route takes you through a beautiful river ravine and over some tricky terrain. Once through the rocky riverbed, the ride heads back to the sea through valleys and along winding cattle tracks, reaching your next destination – Kob Inn. Arrive just in time for lunch. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to relax and soak up the laidback hospitality of another coastal treasure. With a pub on the rocks overlooking the wild seas and sheltered private beaches on either side, this is an exquisite location in which to kick back and truly embrace ‘Africa time’. Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.

Day 5: Kob Inn – Kob Inn Today you should be fresh and ready for a full day in the saddle. The tides dictate the day’s schedule which will take you about 20kms up the coast along sheltered beaches, into hidden coves and beautiful lagoons. Your guide will select a suitable spot for you to enjoy a picnic and a swim in a lagoon before heading back to Kob Inn for an evening of delicious dining and maybe a few cocktails! Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.

Day 6: Kob Inn - Wavecrest It’s time to head back down the coast again. Once more, the timing of the day’s riding will be dependent on the tides as you cross rivers, climb hills and speed along beaches on your way to Wavecrest Hotel. After a good 30km ride, you can choose to indulge in a little pampering during the afternoon at the Wavecrest spa; maybe explore the rare mangrove forests by either boat or canoe. More South African coastal hospitality awaits you as you relax and allow yourself to be spoilt by the Wavecrest team. Overnight at Wavecrest Hotel.

Day 7: Wavecrest – Kei Mouth From Wavecrest, if the tide is right, the ride back to Kei Mouth will be fast- paced and along the beach. After dropping your horse off at the beach base for a well-earned rest, you will have a late lunch at the country club. Alternatively, after an inland start, stop for lunch en-route and hit the beaches at low tide for some fast canters in the afternoon before arriving back in Kei Mouth. You will be treated to a typical South African Braai; finishing off a week of unforgettable riding with the warm hospitality that the Wild Coast is known for. Overnight at Kei Mouth Guest Lodge.

Day 8: Departure Depending on your departure time, you could squeeze in one more ride before the shuttle picks you up to transfer you back to the airport.