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Starting in Kei Mouth, this trail
is about experiencing Africa like you have never
seen it before. We explore local legend sites and
rural villages, interacting with the Xhosa people
along the way; Before experiencing the untouched
beauty of the Wild Coast coastal environment. The
beach canters are endless!!
This is an exhilarating point-to-point ride north
along the coast of the Eastern Cape, known as the
South African Wild Coast. Meander from beach to
beach, from surf to savanna, past shipwrecks while
spotting whales and dolphins in the scintillating
expanse of the Indian Ocean. You will gallop along
deserted beaches and explore hidden coves, and cross
the mighty Kei River on a pontoon with your horse,
into the undulating green hills of the Transkei to
experience the essence of rural Africa on horseback.
The trail winds down from the cliff tops to deserted
beaches, and then canter to a sleepy coastal village
for lunch at a local pub. At sunset you can play
with the horses in the warm lagoon waters before
returning to your comfortable room at a small
family-run beachside hotel for a memorable meal of
fresh seafood and local produce complemented by
South African wines.
Our trail networks throughout the
community ensuring that you encounter the
wonderfully diverse South African culture. The Wild
Coast is the best kept secret in South Africa
 IT-SART09
Rates: include lodgings -
1 night Morgan Bay/Sunray Lodge, 2
nights Trennery’s, 2 nights Wavecrest, 1 night Guest
House, all meals, accommodation, back up and luggage
transfers, entry to local projects, airport
transfers, a groom and service of professional guide,
5 riding days.
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,850
Single: +$185
.. based on ZAR 13200 / 1320
2008
Dates:
01/12-01/18
02/02-02/08 02/09-02/15
02/23-02/29 03/08-03/14
04/05-04/11
05/10-05/16 05/26-06/01 06/14-06/20
07/12-07/18
08/09-08/15
09/06-09/12
09/13-09/19
11/22-11/28 12/06-12/12
availability & reservation
Meeting: Kei Mouth
Airport: East London
Transfer: included
Level:
Intermediate
Horses:
Pure and cross bred Boerperd,
Thoroughbred, Percheron,
Anglo Arab
Tack:
McClellan-type trail saddles
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters
- 5 hrs per day
Min/Max Riders: 2-12
Weight: Max 210 lbs
Note: Other activities available on this ride are
game drives in an open top vehicle, night game
drives, hiking, bushman paintings and tennis,
biking.
Drinks are not included in above rate.
Your hosts and horses
Your professional guides and hosts, Clint and
Julie-Anne Gower, will receive you with true South
African hospitality, having lived their whole lives
in this area they ensure that you get the most from
your adventure into the malaria-free Eastern Cape
Province. The high standard of service, love of
horses and passion for what they do make this horse
riding holiday exceptional.
The guides are expert and the staff will pamper you.
The riding is plentiful and varied the beaches
pristine and the food is delicious. You will be
enthralled by the unique combination of cross
country riding and the exploration of our beautiful
coastline. The horses are friendly, easy to ride and
lively to command. You will ride a horse that you
wish you could take home with you!
Itinerary
Pre trip arrangements:
If you are concerned about jet lag after a long
flight, you may want to spend an extra couple of
days before the ride - to relax and acclimatize. We can
arrange for a pick up from the East London airport
and transfer to the Kai River on the "Wild Coast"
for your overnight at the Black Rock Cottages - or
similar (~$330
per person per day incl. meals and activities) Or we
can just book a B&B accommodation for you if you
prefer.
Day 1 We advise riders
to try and plan to arrive in East London on SA
flight 471 @ 12.05. It is approximately 1 ½ hours
drive to Kei Mouth from the airport. After settling
you into your room we make our way to the horse
paddocks situated a short distance from where you
are staying. After a brief introduction, we will
take the horses out for the afternoon, (time & light
permitting) and explore the village and river front
of Kei Mouth. The first evening we will join you for
drinks and dinner, before a good nights rest after
you long journey.
Day 2 After breakfast we will
pick you up at about 9.30 am and go to the paddocks
to collect the horses. We head across the Kei River
and enjoy some great beach riding and get to
Trennery’s in time for lunch. The horses are given a
few hours off and you get to laze around the
swimming pool, walk, and mountain bike, play tennis
or head for the beach. During the afternoon, we take
the horses across country and explore some unusual
river formations at “The Gates”. We finish with a
sunset canter down the mile long beach.
Day 3 This morning we ride to the
nearby local community development project and
discover some Xhosa traditions and customs. We then
meander through the tribal villages and ride onto
the Nongqawases Pools and waterfalls, and hear about
legends of the Xhosa people. After lunch, we ride to
the wreck of the Jacaranda. Depending on the tide
the riding is energetic and exciting as we canter
the beaches and rolling country side.
Day 4 Heading north, we pass the
Jacaranda and turn inland across country and through
rural villages to cross the Kobonqaba River. The
horses set a steady pace at trot and canter as we
head towards Wavecrest in time for lunch. This
afternoon is free time. You can take a boat trip up
the river and explore the Mangrove swamps, hike,
fish, or just kick back and relax in the Jacuzzi!
Drinks on the deck at sunset as we sit a watch the
great Crested Cranes come in to roost, end a perfect
day.
Day 5 The low tide dictates our riding
path today. We either circle inland towards the
remote settlement of Cebe, exploring huge sand dune
forests before finding a perfect picnic spot for
lunch and head back towards Wavecrest along the
endless beaches. Or we do the ride the other way
around – this gives us the best beach riding at low
tide and a safe river crossing.
Day 6 Today we start our journey
back home. This time we cross the Kobonqaba river at
the river mouth. This crossing is a comfortable wade
through at low tide, and our departure time will
depend on this. We ride back past Trennery’s and
call in a Seagulls Beach Hotel for a great pub
lunch. We then head towards Kei Mouth and the
pontoon crossing before dropping the horses off at
the paddocks around 4 o’clock.
Day 7 We say good bye, before
returning you to the East London Airport. Depending
on your flight schedule we will fit a final ride
before departure.
... or extend for a day of riding ...
Extension:
Your holiday can be extended to include a game
viewing safari at a nearby private game reserve.
Accommodation in luxury safari tents, view rhino,
lion, giraffe, zebra, and many other game species
~$595 per person for 2 nights
Included: All meals & drinks, game drives, horse
back game viewing (on reserve horses; typical
trekking ponies!) included.
Transfers from the coastal resorts and back to the
Airport included
Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve
This reserve is
over 100 square kilometers in size. This unique
haven is home to a spectacular variety of
vegetation, game and birds.
You will see giraffe,
zebra, rhino, blue and black wildebeest, Cape
buffalo and numerous species of antelope from kudu
to impala. The bird life includes Stanley bustard's,
gracious crested cranes, secretary birds, ground
hornbills and ostriches. The area offers great
varied riding terrain with great views over the
ocean. It is truly a stunning game reserve and the
big plus is that there is absolutely no hunting done
on this reserve.
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Wild Seas, Wild Beaches,
Wonderful horses & Warm-hearted people. The Wild
Coast.
Join us for a lifestyle
experience not just another horse trail.
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