- Accommodation: Hotel, holiday resort
- Activities: Xhosa cultural experience, swimming, mountain bike riding, pontoon river crossing, spa treatments
- Destinations: Kei River Mouth, Qolora River Mouth, Nonqawases Pools, Kobonqaba River, Cebe, Cliff Tops, Sunray Farm.
What you can expect from this 8 day Wild Coast Horse Trail:
This Garden Route tour package allows guests to explore the scenic Wild Coast on horseback. Discover hidden coves and beaches along the diverse nature tracks on this Garden Route tour package. The trail meanders through diverse scenery over the 8 days.
Guests on this Garden Route horse trail will be able to ride along deserted beaches, view the beautiful country side and canter into sleepy coastal villages for a pub lunch. Experience the scenic hills and savannah grassland dotted with brightly painted rondavels (huts) while enjoying horseback riding in the Garden Route.
A pontoon will transport guests and their horses over the Great Kei River. Guests also have the option of extending their Wild Coast horseback holiday. The 7 day Wild Coast Horse Trail suits all riding levels, but especially confident and experienced riders.
Day 1: Kei River Mouth, Eastern Cape
Guests on their Garden Route horse trail are advised to try and arrive in East London on the 12pm flight. The drive to the Kei Mouth from the airport takes about 1 and a half hour's drive. Guests on this Garden Route package will then settle into their rooms before visiting the horse paddocks located a short distance away.
After a brief introduction, guests will be able to take the horses out for the afternoon if time and light permit. The riding party will explore the village and the river front of the Kei Mouth. Guests will then return for drinks and dinner before settling down to a good night's rest.
Day 2: Qolora River Mouth, Eastern Cape
Guests going horseback riding in the Garden Route will be picked up at about 9:30 am after breakfast to collect the horses at the paddocks. Guests on their Garden Route horse trail will then ride across the scenic Kei River and enjoy great beach riding before arriving at Trennery's for lunch.
While the horses rest, guests can relax around the swimming pool, head towards the beach, mountain bike or enjoy a game of tennis. In the afternoon, guests on this Garden Route package will take the horses across the country and explore some of the unusual river formations at 'The Gates'. The perfect ending to day 2 is a sunset canter along the mile long beach.
Day 3: Nonqawases Pools, Eastern Cape
On day 3, guests on this Garden Route horse trail will ride out to the nearby local community development project and discover the local Xhosa customs and traditions. Afterwards, guests horseback riding in the Garden Route will head towards the tribal villages and ride onto the Nonqawases Pools and waterfalls where they will hear the legends of the Xhosa people. Following a delicious lunch, the riding party will then head out to the wreck of the Jacaranda.
Day 4: Kobonqaba River, Eastern Cape
Today guests on this Garden Route package will head north past the Jacaranda wreck and turn inland across country and through picturesque rural villages to cross the Kobonqaba River. From there the horses will set a steady pace towards Wavecrest for lunch.
The afternoon is free for guests to spend however they wish. Enjoy a boat trip up the river or explore the Mangrove swamps. Alternatively, relax in the Jacuzzi or enjoy a soothing treatment at the spa. As the sun sets, guests on this Garden Route horse trail can enjoy a drink on the deck and watch the great Crested Cranes come in to roost.
Day 5: Cebe, Eastern Cape
Day 5's ride is depended on the low tide. Guests horseback riding in the Garden Route will circle inland toward the remote settlement of Cebe, where they can explore big sand dune forests before enjoying a picnic lunch before heading back towards Wavecrest on the beautiful endless beaches. Alternatively the riding party will do the ride the other way around ensuring the best beach riding at low tide and a safe river crossing.
Day 6: Konboqaba River Mouth, Eastern Cape
Guests on this Garden Route package will begin the journey back home by crossing the Kobonqaba River at the river mouth. The crossing is a comfortable wade at low tide, and the departure time will depend on when low tide is.
The ride will take guests past Trennery's and onwards to the Seagulls Beach Hotel for a scrumptious pub lunch. After lunch, guests horseback riding in the Garden Route will head back towards the Kei Mouth and cross the river on the pontoon before dropping the horses off at the paddocks around 4pm.
Day 7: Cliff Tops, Eastern Cape
The riders on the 6 night Garden Route package will say good bye after an early morning ride across the Cliff Tops at Morgan Bay. A light lunch will be served in the garden at The Cock Inn where the shuttle will be ready to transfer guests to East London at 1pm.
Guests on their Garden Route horse trail are advised to arrange their return flights to JHB SA flight 480 departing from East London at 4:15pm. Guests will then arrive in Johannesburg at 5:40pm. The riders who have chosen the 7 night option will enjoy lunch with the horses in Morgan Bay and ride out across the country side to The Cock Inn during the afternoon.
Day 8: Sunray Farm, Eastern Cape
Riders can enjoy the morning with the horses at Sunray Farm if weather permits. A light lunch will be served in the garden at The Cock Inn before the shuttle transfers guests to East London at 1pm.
Guests horseback riding in the Garden Route are advised to arrange the JHB SA flight 480 to return to Johannesburg. The flight departs from East London at 4:15pm and arrives in Johannesburg at 5:40pm. The riders who have opted to extend their holiday will be transferred to their next destination.
Extended holiday options
Guests can extend the standard 6 or 7 night trail to enjoy a longer adventure on the Wild Coast. Please ask our experienced travel consultants for options.
