Tnthorseandheart: 15 Day Fully Inclusive Horse Holiday Adventure in the Wild Coast of South Africa
South Africa Horse Riding Holiday
Discover the magic of horses and the wild beauty of South Africa. There’s something truly life-affirming about being around horses. Whether you're galloping across open terrain on their strong, warm backs or simply sharing a quiet moment and breathing in their sweet scent during a cuddle, these noble animals have a way of capturing your heart—and healing it. At Tom and Tori's Horse and Heart Adventures in Chintsa West, Eastern Cape, South Africa, you’ll find five much-loved horses and access to a stunning coastal reserve filled with lagoons, beaches, rolling dunes, and ancient forests. This is your chance to create a riding holiday that’s as relaxed or as adventurous as you want it to be. Let the rhythm of hooves and the call of the wild help you unwind, explore, and reconnect.
Key Information:
- Maximum rider weight: 90 kg
- Horse height range: 14 to 16 hands
- Horse breeds: Google – Thoroughbred, Snow – Percheron Cross, Pablo – Nooitgedacht x Boerperd, Sabrina – Friesian, and Pepe – American Saddler
- Saddles: English general purpose, trail riding, enduro racing, and treeless
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 1-3 hours on horseback per day (a morning and evening session possible)
- Guitar or ukulele lessons
- Woodwork (make your own horse archery bow), leatherwork, archery
- Water sports in nearby beaches and lagoons: surfing, canoeing, workouts, yoga, and tennis
- Volunteering with children in need
- 14 nights accommodation at Buccaneers Lodge on the Beach.
- Three meals per day
- Transfers to and from the airport, transport around town
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Guests will stay at Buccaneers Lodge on the Beach, a laid-back coastal retreat offering breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and direct access to the beach. Set just 1.5 km from the stables along a scenic private road, the lodge is easily reachable by a 5-minute drive or a leisurely 15-minute walk.
Accommodation options include private en-suite rooms, each featuring:
- Comfortable beds with fresh linens
- Hot showers and clean, modern bathrooms
- Private verandas or balconies overlooking lush gardens or the sea
The lodge offers a relaxed and social atmosphere—perfect for unwinding after a day in the saddle. Guests can enjoy tranquil moments in hammocks, take a sunset walk along the beach, or gather in communal spaces to share stories and connect with other travelers.
Meals are a highlight of the stay:
- Breakfast is served at 07:45 and includes fresh fruit, homemade bread, and hot dishes to fuel your day.
- Dinner at 19:00 features delicious home-cooked meals inspired by both local South African flavors and international cuisine, often served in a vibrant communal dining area.
Whether you’re watching the sunrise over the ocean or enjoying a firelit evening meal with new friends, Buccaneers provides the perfect home base for your riding adventure.
Program
This bespoke 15-day horse riding holiday is ideal for riders of all levels—beginner, intermediate, or advanced—and is hosted on a peaceful 7-hectare farm overlooking the Indian Ocean in Chintsa, South Africa. You will be part of a private booking of up to three riders, ensuring personalized guidance, a custom-tailored itinerary, and an immersive, enriching equestrian experience. Non-riders are welcome and can participate in a variety of non-riding activities.
Your time will be divided between daily horse interactions (including riding, grooming, groundwork, and training), coastal adventures, creative craft work, and optional volunteering at local community initiatives. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve technique, or simply connect with nature and horses, this retreat offers a rewarding and holistic experience.
Highlights:
- Daily horse riding and care, matched to your skill level
- Trail rides on beaches, farmland, and forest tracks
- Optional overnight horse campout at a local brewery farm
- Stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and birdwatching
- Craft projects: leatherwork, bow making, sewing, and more
- Optional volunteering at a farm school, nursery school, or soup kitchen
- Opportunity to learn about hoof trimming and young horse training
- Accommodation, meals, and transfers included
- Only one private group is booked at a time
Skill Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Horse Details:
- Maximum rider weight: 95 kg
You’ll work with well-trained horses suited to different riding levels. Horses are matched to riders based on riding ability, body weight, and personality compatibility.
Some of the horses include:
- Sabrina (Friesian, for experienced riders only, in early training)
- Pablo (Max 85 kg): Energetic 5-year-old, Arab-cross type
- Dollar (Max 95 kg): 14-year-old gentle black Thoroughbred
- Snow (Max 90 kg): Rescue Percheron-cross, powerful yet safe
- Pepe (Max 90 kg): Forward-moving and responsive, suited to confident riders
15-Day Sample Itinerary
Note: Itinerary is flexible and may change based on weather, tides, and selected activities.
Day 1: Arrival Day
- Pick-up from airport or bus station.
- Settle in, meet the horses, and enjoy a short assessment ride.
- Supper at 18:00.
Day 2
- Warm-up and rider evaluation with a short ride.
- Afternoon beach swim or relaxation.
- Lunch at 13:00.
Day 3
- Schooling session and 6 km farmland trail ride.
- Optional paddleboarding or second ride in the afternoon.
Day 4
- Morning beach ride with canter.
- Afternoon visit to see Abby, the tame giraffe.
Day 5
- Long 25 km beach and farmland ride with picnic lunch.
- Optional evening social outing.
Day 6
- Easy day with light schooling and a town visit.
- Lunch out.
- Free afternoon.
Day 7: Rest Day
- Relax with optional hiking, surfing, or birdwatching.
Day 8: Community Day
- Visit the Acacia Tree Nursery School in the morning.
- Optional creative project or quiet afternoon.
Day 9: Horse Camp Day 1
- Ride to Emerald Vale Brewery & Campsite (4-hour ride).
- Set up camp, picnic lunch, cook over fire.
Day 10: Horse Camp Day 2
- Return ride to stables.
- Afternoon off to relax, beach swim, or surf.
Day 11: Rest Day
- Rest for horses and riders.
- Optional outing or craft activity.
Day 12
- Morning beach ride to Cefani River mouth.
- Afternoon canoeing on the Kwalega River.
Day 13
- Easy beach ride and play in the lagoon.
- Horses graze while you relax.
Day 14
- Jumping practice and beach or canoe outing.
- Afternoon lunge or jump session.
- Complete any craft projects.
Day 15: Departure Day
- Farewell ride (if time allows).
- Transfer to airport or bus station.
Included excursions
- Hiking along the beautiful coast
- Visit Double Mouth Nature Reserve
- Stand-up paddle boarding on the local lagoons or in the sea
- Paddling on the local Lagoons
- Surfing
- Bird watching
- Camping
Instructors
Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller is a Certified Adventure Guide with a scope in Horse Riding and Hiking. A retired Waldorf School teacher and Trained Spacial Dynamics Therapist Tom has 25 years of experience in teaching and sports coaching with adults and children. He now brings his lifelong passion for Horses and Nature to Tom and Tori Horse and Heart Adventures providing expert technical coaching in horseriding and facilitating all adventure and craft activities. Tom and Tori his son and right-hand man strive daily to build a loving relationship with their horses and share this dream with their guests.
Location
This horse riding holiday takes place in Chintsa, a hidden gem along South Africa’s Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. The retreat is based on a tranquil 7-hectare farm perched above the Indian Ocean, offering panoramic views, unspoiled beaches, forested dunes, and wide-open farmland.
Chintsa is known for its stunning natural beauty, mild year-round climate, and rich biodiversity—including birds of prey, giraffes, monkeys, and buck. The peaceful coastal environment makes it ideal for both trail riding and relaxation.
Riders will explore a variety of terrains, including:
- Remote sandy beaches with endless space for cantering
- Lush coastal forest paths and farmland tracks
- River mouths, lagoons, and scenic lookout points
The location also offers easy access to exciting non-riding activities such as:
- Surfing and swimming in the Indian Ocean
- Stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoon
- Canoeing along the Kwalega River
- Hiking, birdwatching, and visiting local wildlife
- Volunteering at nearby nursery schools and community projects
Just 45 minutes from the city of East London, Chintsa feels like a world away from busy life—perfect for riders looking to reconnect with nature, horses, and themselves.
Food
Dinner and breakfast are provided by the Buccaneers Lodge on the Beach kitchen, which is famous for its quality food and home-cooked style. Special diets can be catered for in consultation with the kitchen. Tom and Tori Horse and Heart Adventures will provide a packed lunch for on-the-go lunches. Additional drinks and snacks can be purchased separately.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Seafood
- Whole food
Things to do (optional)
- Golf
- Game drives
- Giraffe interaction
- East London Aquarium
- Lion Park
- Snake Park
Thomas Muller also has a small farm school, Acaciatree Nursery School, and guests are welcome to spend as much time as they like at the school. Meet the kids and help the teachers. There are other social initiatives in the area and they are happy to transport you to visit them such as a surf club and a soup kitchen.
What's included
- 14 nights accommodation
- All transfers to and from the airport or bus station
- All transport in and around East London for activities
- All visits to charitable organizations
- Three meals a day
- Horse riding and horse interaction + horse archery
- Volunteer at the little farm Waldorf School (note: it is customary to make a donation to NPO organizations when one visits. The amount of money does not matter but the gesture of support is always appreciated)
- Visit Chintsa East Soup Kitchen - This community based organization feeds children that would otherwise not eat (donation appreciated)
- An early morning work out session that is tailored to your specific needs to prepare for a day of horse riding
- Guitar or ukulele lessons
- Woodwork such as wood carving or bow making
- Leather work: Making bridles and halters
- Tennis
- Surfing and stand up paddle boarding
- Canoeing
- Beach visits
- Hiking along the beautiful coast
- Visit to Double Mouth Nature Reserve with a possible over night camp.
What's not included
- Airfare
- Alcohol
- Visits to local game reserves
- Powerboat rides
- Golf
- Any activity that requires Thomas Muller to hire an outside provider
- All riders must carry health or travel insurance covering horse riding
How to get there
Recommended Airports
East London Airport
33 km
Transfer included
Driving directions
Look up Tom and Tori Hoers and Heart in Google Maps. Once you are on London RD, going to Chintsa West, they have a sign on the left side of the road. They also have a wooden gate.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 21% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 7 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.