Tnthorseandheart: 8 Day Horse Holiday Small Private Groups On the Beach of Wild Coast, South Africa
Horse Riding Holiday in South Africa
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, 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.
Meet the instructors
Read more
Highlights
- 1-4 hours of riding per day / two rides per day possible for very keen riders
- Outrides on the beaches, basic dressage, jumping, horse archery, and schooling
- Make your own horse archery bow
- Great surfing beaches, beautiful lagoons and rivers for canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding and bird watching
- Riding technique development for beginners
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights accommodation
- Three meals per day.
- Yoga, tennis, painting, guitar, and volunteering with children
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Buccaneers Lodge on the Beach offers stunning ocean views, direct beach access, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere perfect for unwinding after a day of riding. The Lodge is only 1.5 km from the horse stables, which is a scenic 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive, transport provided by Tnthorseandheart.
Guests who choose en-suite accommodation enjoy private rooms with comfortable beds, hot showers, and verandas or balconies that overlook lush gardens or the sea. Meals are a highlight of the stay—hearty breakfasts are served daily at 7:45, featuring fresh fruit, homemade bread, and hot options, while evening dinners at 19:00 offer delicious home-cooked meals inspired by local and international flavors, often enjoyed in the vibrant communal dining area with fellow travelers.
There is a pool for hot summer weather and a communal licensed bar for socializing and meeting other guests if you wish.
Program
Private Horse Riding Retreat on a Secluded 7-Hectare Farm with Stunning Ocean Views
Escape to a peaceful 7-hectare farm nestled in nature, far from traffic and crowds, with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. At Tom and Tori’s Horse and Heart Adventures, they offer an exclusive experience by accepting only one booking at a time with a maximum of three riders per booking. This guarantees you personalized attention and a custom itinerary tailored to your riding ability, fitness level, and interests.
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider, our certified guides create a safe, fun, and rewarding horse riding adventure—plus a bespoke menu designed around your dietary needs. Non-riders are also warmly welcomed to join and enjoy the serene surroundings.
What Makes This Experience Unique?
- Small Group, Fully Personalised: Only one group of up to three riders at a time, ensuring a private and focused experience without strangers or mixed skill levels.
- All Riding Levels Welcome: Tailored horse matching and riding programs for beginners to experts.
- Comprehensive Horse Care: Engage in feeding, grooming, hoof trimming, groundwork, and training alongside daily riding.
- Diverse Activities: From horse archery and jumping to canoeing, surfing, crafts like leatherwork and bow making, yoga, guitar lessons, hiking, and community volunteering.
- Authentic Local Connection: Volunteer at Acacia Tree Nursery School (a Waldorf kindergarten) or a local soup kitchen, and explore the unspoiled Chintsa coast with its beautiful dunes, forests, lagoons, and abundant wildlife, including the majestic Fish Eagle.
- Safety First: Guides hold advanced first aid certification, insist on protective gear, and carefully match horses to riders for a secure, enjoyable experience.
Included in Your Holiday Package
- Daily horse interactions, riding sessions, and optional overnight horse campouts
- Beach, river, and lagoon activities: surfing, canoeing, paddleboarding, hiking, bird watching
- Creative crafts: leatherwork, woodwork, bow making, sewing, painting, and more
- Yoga and guitar lessons for relaxation and fun
- Meaningful community volunteering opportunities
- Airport / bus station transfers, meals, and comfortable accommodation
- Personalized itinerary based on your preferences and local conditions
8-Day Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
- Airport pickup and transfer to Buccaneers Lodge
- Settle in, meet your horses, and enjoy an optional beach walk or short ride
- Evening briefing with your guide to tailor your upcoming days
Day 2: Assessment Ride & Local Community
- Morning assessment ride to match horses
- Visit and assist at Acacia Tree Nursery School
- Afternoon hike to explore coastal lagoons and dunes
Day 3: Horse Archery & Canoeing
- Groundwork and horse archery lessons (mounted and unmounted)
- Canoeing expedition with picnic lunch
Day 4: Beach & Bush Outride
- Scenic 10 km beach and bush ride
- Return to nursery school for another visit and interaction
- Sunset on the Big Dune
Day 5: Riding Skills & Adventure
- Technique-focused riding sessions (jumping, dressage, or archery)
- Optional afternoon game reserve visit (extra cost)
Day 6: Long Scenic Ride & Leisure
- 12-15 km ride with picnic lunch on trail
- Free afternoon for beach, crafts, or relaxation
Day 7: Exploration & Crafts
- Optional visit to Double Mouth Nature Reserve
- Creative afternoon or beach time
Day 8: Farewell & Departure
- Morning yoga or beach walk
- Final horse hugs and transfer to airport
Meet Their Horses
- Sabrina: 4-year-old Friesian, ideal for experienced riders teaching young horses
- Pablo: 5-year-old Arab cross, fast and comfortable, max rider weight 85 kg
- Dollar: 16-year-old Thoroughbred rescue, great jumper and reliable, max 95 kg
- Snow: Ex-bush racer Percheron Cross, powerful and exciting, max 90 kg
- Pepe: Well-schooled gelding, fast and forward-moving, suitable for confident riders, max 90 kg
Additional Notes
- Maximum rider weight is 95 kilograms.
- Overnight camping with horses available for intermediate and advanced riders.
- The itinerary may adjust based on weather, tides, and activity preferences.
- Non-riders are welcome to enjoy the farm, nature, and community activities.
Included excursions
- Nature walks and hikes
- Beach activities and water sports
- Horse-riding in the hills and beaches
- Camping overnight for more experienced riders
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
Tom and Tori’s horse holidays take place on a small farm in Chintsa West, located 30 kilometers outside East London in the Eastern Cape. This beautiful, rustic setting lies within the African bush, just 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the beach, and offers sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
The name "Chintsa" comes from the Xhosa word for the river that flows into the sea at this point. The Chintsa River forms a tidal lagoon that, depending on the season, either opens to the ocean or is separated by a sandbar, creating a unique saltwater ecosystem teeming with life, including mud prawns, crabs, kingfishers, and fish eagles.
As is customary in the region, the land around the riverbanks shares the river’s name: Chintsa West and Chintsa East (historically Cintsa). The lagoon leads to a sandy beach stretching over 10 kilometers, bordered by dunes and ancient dune forest, ideal for swimming, surfing, hiking, fishing, and kitesurfing. Walking or riding northeast along the beach reveals three more lagoons, each more pristine than the last, ending at the rocky coastline near Haga Haga. A coastal nature reserve protects the surrounding dunes and shoreline.
Nearby attractions include Olive Wood Golf Estate, a well-regarded golf course, and several small game reserves such as Inkwenkwezi and Arena, which offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and safari excursions.
Food
Buccaneers Lodge on the Beach provides a set menu for dinner with salads and a vegetarian option.
Breakfast is served daily with a variety of options for every taste. A packed lunch will be proved by Tnthorseandheart to your dietary requirements.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Whole food
Things to do (optional)
Available in the area:
- Massage
- Golf
- Safari
- Giraffe interaction
- East London Aquarium
- Lion Park
- Snake Park
- Surf club
- 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.
- Soup kitchen volunteering - donations welcome
Spa treatments
Full body massage and Spacial Dynamics consultation available.
Jacuzzi and Sauna in Guava Tree Cottage.
What's included
- 7 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 (menu to be discussed on booking)
- Horse riding and horse interaction
- Volunteer at the Little Farm Waldorf School (note: it is customary to donate 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 workout session that is tailored to your specific needs to prepare for a day of horse riding
- Guitar or Ukulele lessons
- Juggling and other circus skills, including tightrope and unicycling
- Woodwork such as wood carving or bow making
- Leather work: Making bridles and halters
- Tennis
- Surfing and stand-up paddle boarding
- Canoeing
- Hiking along the beautiful coast
- Visit to Double Mouth Nature Reserve with an overnight camp possible
What's not included
- Flights
- Visits to local businesses such as game reserves and golf courses.
- Activities that require the hiring of external contractors.e.g. powerboat rides.
- Medical insurance
- Health and travel insurance that covers horse riding
- Alcohol and additional snacks
How to get there
Recommended Airports
East London Airport
33 km
Transfer included
The local airport is King Phalo Airport / East London Airport (ELS). Airport transfers are included in the price of the package. If you are driving enter Tom and Tori into google maps to get location.
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.