Name: 8 Day Spectacular Wild Coast Horse Riding Adventures in South Africa
Brand: Wild Coast Horse Riding Adventures
Price: 57750 ZAR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 10.0 (2 reviews)

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

13:00

Check-out Time:

12:00

This trail takes riders along the coast from Kei Mouth into the southern region of the Wild Coast, staying at coastal hotels along the way, which provide comfortable, unpretentious stop-overs for horses and riders alike.

You will spend seven nights on the Wild Coast. The first night is at the home base Kei Mouth Guest Lodge, followed by on night at Seagulls Hotel, one night at Mazeppa Bay Hotel, two nights at Kob Inn, one night at Wavecrest Hotel, and one night at Kei River Guest Lodge.

Seagulls Hotel is on the beach and is a favorite South African holiday guest house. Mazeppa Bay Hotel is a thatched building with palm-fringed beaches and an island that makes this a unique stop-over.

The lovely Kob Inn is located on rocks on the edge of the sea, while Wavecrest Hotel is also stunningly situated along the coast, and its thatched rondavels make this a very nice retreat. Finally, you will stay at Kei River Guest Lodge or Morgans Bay for the last night, depending on group size and accommodation availability.

Program

The safari is carefully planned to ensure the best riding experience balanced with rest periods for hard-working horses. Riding and itinerary are subject to change due to variations in local conditions, riders' abilities, the weather, and influences of the sea tides, as well as during the rainy season and the conditions of the rivers at the time of riding.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Kei

On arrival at East London airport, you will be transferred to Kei Mouth and the beach base of Wild Coast Horse Trails and their equestrian colleagues. A light snack will be served at the Kei Mouth Guest House, and you will change into your riding clothes. Your horse riding adventure starts now!

The afternoon ride will take you an hour or so ride to assess your riding and make sure that you have been matched to the right horse. You will go down to the river mouth and you will have a chance to have your first canter along our beautiful beaches. Overnight and dinner at Kei Mouth Guest House.

Day 2: Kei - Trennery’s

Fully relaxed after a good night’s sleep, you will awake to the sound of the sea, prolific bird life, and the solitude of being somewhere on the edge of Africa. Your unhurried itinerary will give you plenty of time to explore the hotel or go for a short beach walk.

You will be in the saddle by 9:30 a.m. and off to explore the local area and waterfalls where you will find an ideal spot for a picnic and swim in the rocky pools. Then, it is back to Trennery’s in the late afternoon for another relaxed evening.

Day 3: Trennery’s - Mazeppa Bay

It is time to move on today with a distance of 40 kilometers to be covered. The departure time is dictated by the sea! The day’s riding takes you further up the coast, meandering through hills and valleys as you explore the interior. Heading out from Trennery’s, you will continue up the coast, traversing rolling hills and sandy beaches and passing through rural settlements and holiday villages.

After crossing a number of rivers via the drifts, the ride then veers back to the sea for a breakfast or lunchtime picnic on the beach, depending on the tide. The afternoon is a breathtaking ride on long, unspoiled beaches. Flatter ground will mean faster riding and you will really get a chance to experience the thrill of riding a good horse in a great location.

Another traditional beach hotel, Mazeppa Bay is characterized by its own island, which is joined to the main beach by a suspension bridge. A pleasant evening spent soaking up the relaxed atmosphere gives riders the opportunity to unwind after a challenging day in the saddle.

Day 4: Mazeppa Bay - Kob Inn

The next leg of your adventure can be tailor-made depending on how riders feel after the previous day’s adventure. You can choose to explore the local area before heading for the Qhora River for low tide and an early end to the day.

The alternative route takes you through a beautiful gorge and over some tricky terrain. Once through the river, the ride takes you through valleys and riverine before reaching your next destination, the Kob Inn.

Whichever route you have chosen, you will have some opportunity to relax and soak up the laid-back 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, relax, and truly embrace ‘Africa time’.

Day 5: Kob Inn

After having had some opportunity to relax the previous afternoon, you should be fresh and ready for a full day in the saddle. Today’s riding will take you along sheltered beaches, into hidden coves and beautiful lagoons. During the ride, your guide will select a beautiful, sheltered spot for you to enjoy a picnic lunch and swim in a lagoon before heading back to the Kob Inn for another evening of good conversation and a delicious dinner.

Day 6: Kob Inn - Wavecrest

It is time to start heading 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 back to Wavecrest. After a good 30 kilometers ride, you can choose to indulge in a little pampering at the Wavecrest Spa, explore the rare mangrove forests by either boat or canoe, or challenge one of your fellow riders or guides to a game of tennis.

Alternatively, you can get back in the saddle and enjoy a leisurely afternoon ride that takes you along sandy coastal paths, which provide excellent whale and dolphin-watching opportunities, and through forest trails that cut through a section of ancient indigenous dune forest. This beautiful, relaxing ride will take you back to Wavecrest in time for a quick canoe ride, a massage, or a walk on the beach, depending on your preference.

Another evening of coastal hospitality awaits you as you relax and allow yourself to be spoilt by the Wavecrest team.

Day 7: Wavecrest - Kei Mouth or Morgans Bay

Departing from Wavecrest, you will continue your journey back to your starting point with a horseback meander through villages, dune forests, and rolling hills, with a smattering of beach work to keep the adrenaline pumping!

At lunchtime, you will pop into Trennery's Hotel for another delicious pub lunch. With no time pressures or tides to consider, this is a relaxing day of riding as your trail draws to an end. Your last night on the trail will be spent at a delightful guest house, where you can share all your trail stories and pictures, and indulge in the pampering of your host for the evening.

Day 8: Departure

The shuttle will pick you up to transfer you back to the airport at 1 p.m. and there is an opportunity to enjoy one last ride before it’s time to say goodbye to your horse and head home or onto new horsey horizons.

Riding skills

This horse trail is for strong intermediate and advanced riders only! The horses are of very high quality and are well-schooled. They are gentle and reliable enough for the holiday rider, but also of such a standard that the more experienced rider will have a good time. The trail pace varies from walking through the countryside to enable good wildlife viewing, to long trots and canters on open plains, and fast gallops down the beaches if wanted.

Wild Coast Horse Riding Adventures has had riders as young as 7 and as old as 75 doing their riding holidays. However, they would not recommend children under 14 doing the Wild Coast Trail.

Location

This safari will take place in the Wild Coast region of South Africa. Based in Kei Mouth, the trail will take you on horseback along the southern region of the Wild Coast between the Great Kei River and Bashee River.

A malaria-free area, the Wild Coast offers an unparalleled riding experience over rocky headlands, through the rolling hills of the former homeland of the Transkei, and along vast tracts of unoccupied golden beaches.

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Food

All meals are included in the price of this safari. Breakfast is your choice of continental or full English dishes. Lunch changes from day to day, ranging from a pub lunch to a set lunch at one of the hotels or a picnic along the way. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. and is a set menu of three or four courses.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Other dietary requirements on request

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Challenge a fellow rider or guide to a game of tennis during your stay at Wavecrest
Enjoy a spa treatment at Wavecrest Hotel
Explore forest trails that cut through a section of ancient indigenous dune forests
Explore the rare mangrove forests by boat or canoe
Watch whales and dolphins while riding along sandy coastal paths on day six

What's included

7 nights accommodation
Daily meals
Horse riding on Wild Coast trails
Luggage transfers across locations
Services of a guide
Use of horses and tack

What's not included

Airfare
Airport transfers
Drinks and refreshments
Guide gratuities
Optional activities
Personal expenses
Spa treatments
Travel insurance
Visa

How to get there

Recommended Airports

ELS

East London Airport

63 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 83 per person

Arrival by airplane

A driver from East Coast Shuttle will meet you in the arrivals hall, holding a sign saying Wild Cost Horse Trails.

Arrival by bus

Alternatively, you can arrange to be picked up at Baz Bus points.

Airport: East London Airport Airport transfer available: East London Airport (US$ 83 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.

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