Horseback riding in South Africa is a truly delightful vacation, and the perfect way to explore this gorgeous country. Your host has arranged for you to ride in some of the most scenic spots in the Western Cape, with special access to remote mountain passes, beaches and estuaries where you can delight in the remarkable Cape Floral Kingdom and spectacular game viewing. A range of accommodations, all upmarket and luxurious, will give you a taste of the good life in Africa, and you will have the chance to sample traditional South African cuisine. The tour finishes with a guided tour of historic Cape Town and lunch at the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We know you will be planning your return even as you enter the airport to go home. This is simply the perfect horseback riding vacation in South Africa.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Sunday, Arrive Cape Town International Airport. Transfer to Lavenhof homestead in De Goede Hoop Estate, Noordhoek, via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. After a champagne buffet lunch, take a glorious beach ride along Noordhoek’s white sands. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant with views over the South Atlantic.
Day 2: Monday, An early morning drive along the beautiful False Bay coastline to Kleinmond. Take a mid-morning ride along pristine beaches from the ocean to the Kleinmond Lagoon Nature Reserve and Botrivier Vlei (estuary). Herds of wild horses, flamingos, pelicans, and perhaps even fish eagles and seals, are your companions on this wonderful ride. After a picnic lunch and an afternoon ride, transfer by minivan to Compagnes Drift, an upmarket wine estate where you will lodge for two nights in historic cottages. An early evening wine tasting will be hosted by winemaker Sebastian Beaumont.
Day 3: Tuesday, Ride out on the same horses along a historic ox-wagon trail that follows the old railway line up the mountain pass to Houw Hoek Inn. Continue riding through the beautiful mountain fynbos in the Groenlandberge to an altitude of about 700m, then take a short break to enjoy the magnificent view before returning via a different path to Houw Hoek Inn for a late lunch. After lunch, return down the old pass to the stables, take a relaxing break, then join the Beaumont family for dinner in their charming farmhouse.
Day 4: Wednesday, Ride out from the Botrivier stables across the rolling farmlands of the Overberg, where the fields are a patchwork of golden wheat and deep green vines. Stop for lunch at the Dassiesfontein Inn and sample authentic Afrikaans cuisine. After lunch, return to the stables, then transfer by minivan to the remote 3, 600ha De Hoop Nature Reserve. This 1 ½ hour drive will take you through some beautiful countryside, passing large ostrich farms along the way. Overnight in comfortable rustic huts in the eco-friendly Buchu Bush Camp, or in the reserve’s 250-year-old farmhouse.
Day 5: Thursday, Spend the morning riding across the De Hoop Vlei (estuary), with plenty of game viewing, including Bontebok, Springbok, Eland and Cape Zebras. Continue on to the huge white sand dunes (up to 85 meters in height), for which this reserve is famous, down to a beach at the Indian Ocean. During the May to November mating season, this pristine beach is probably the best spot in the world for whale-watching, and from high in the saddle you will have the best possible view! Ride about 8kms along the shoreline to meet the support team for a picnic lunch at the end of the beach. After lunch, take a different route through the fynbos back to the De Hoop farmhouse, with more game viewing along the way. Transfer by minivan to the luxury tented camp on the banks of the Breede River. To reach this camp we have to cross the river at Malgas on the only river-ferry in S.A. still pulled across by hand. Dinner will be a traditional South African braai (barbecue) prepared by Hansi and his wife, your hosts at the tented camp.
Day 6: Friday, After a delicious breakfast of scrambled ostrich eggs (in season only) and traditional Boerewors (a spicy South African sausage), head out for the day on Hansi’s purebred Boereperde (local ‘Farmer’s Horses). These strong horses are ideal for the continuous climbing in and out of the river bed that you will do today. Ride through Hansi’s farmlands alongside the river for about 20kms, following the 50m deep river valley meandering through aloe country. After a picnic lunch at the riverside, return to camp to transfer to the tiny hamlet of Vermaaklikheid. After sundowners at the stables in Vermaaklikheid, take a southern-starlight-ride. Dinner will be at the cosy entertainment lodge at Kleinbegin Farm, where you will overnight in stylishly converted farm-workers cottages.
Day 7: Saturday, Take a morning ride through the beautiful, unspoiled indigenous vegetation of this quiet area, then enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, transfer by minivan to the historic Cape Dutch town of Swellendam for a quick guided tour. A 2 ½ hour drive returns you to Cape Town, where you will check into the boutique guesthouse Welgelegen, situated just below Table Mountain. Enjoy a dinner with a view at one of the restaurants in the famed Cape Town Waterfront.
Day 8: Sunday, Take a short morning drive around the quiet city centre to view the Company Gardens, Parliament Buildings and the State President's Office, among other interesting sites. Weather permitting, you will either visit the top of Table Mountain by cable car, or take a ferry trip across Table Bay to the famous World Heritage site of Robben Island. Lunch will be at the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, followed by a short guided walk around the gardens. In the afternoon, transfer to Cape Town International Airport, where hot showers are available if required.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price (per person):
- full trail:
€ 345.00 per night
€ 2 415.00 total
- half trail
€ 404.00 per night
€ 1210.00 total
Cost includes:
- All accommodation, meals and refreshments
- All overland transport
- Horses and riding equipment
- Park entry fees and stable fees
- Airport transfers
Not included:
- Flights, personal equipment, alcoholic drinks, tips, services not specified
- Single room supplement € 90.00 for 4-day package, € 175.00 for 8-day package.
Note: Less fit riders may opt for the four-day tour, or choose to retire after lunch on certain days, and drive to the night's accommodation in the minivan for a relaxing afternoon.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Horse Riding
Hiking & Trekking
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