For bon-vivants we do have something very special to offer: horseback riding holidays in the cape region. At different stations you will experience many faces of this multifarious country and meet different people of the “rainbow nation”. Tourism consistent with nature, on horseback… a unique adventure!

1. Western Cape ride (circular tour)
(Big-Five-Safari included!)

Experience...

… one of the most multifarious countries on a riding holiday that spoils you in every respect. Breathtaking nature, countless animal encounters, cordial hospitality, culinary specialties and certainly great horses. Because of a mixture of rides and drives on this trip you get a unique impression of the western cape!

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*according to weather conditions and unexpected occurences the program can or must be changed; but the journey will always keep its character.

Preliminary program*:

Day 1:
Arrival at Cape Town International Airport. From the airport we drive across the Cape Peninsula and over the famous Chapman`s Peak Drive, that offers fantastic views.
Afterwards we reach our accomodation, a noble mansion, where we are welcomed with a champagne buffet lunch.
In the afternoon we go on our first ride along the magnificent, wide and empty Noordhoek Beach. During the dinner you will enjoy the view over the South Atlantic.

Day 2:
In the morning we continue the drive along the spectacular False Bay coastline until we reach Kleinmond. Here we start our next ride along the beach of the southcoast, where we enjoy long canters. We ride into the Kleinmond Lagoon Nature reserve, in which we should see wild horses as well as flocks of flamingos and pelicans. If we are fortunate we also see fish eagles and seals.
Lunch is served in a seaside restaurant. After the afternoon ride, a short drive brings us to the stables at Botrivier, where we lodge for the next two nights in historic cottages on a wine estate. We will be welcomed with a wine tasting by the proprietor.

Day 3:
With the horses from the previous day we start our whole day ride on an ancient ox wagon trail, that follows the old railway line. In open terrain we continue riding through pristine mountain fynbos (an indigenous shrub land) and up into the Groenlandmountains. We will enjoy some fantastic views today! After taking a different path back down the mountains, we have a rustic lunch in a restaurant (Houw Hoek Inn). In the afternoon we return riding through the old pass down to the stables.

Day 4:
Today we leave from the Botrivier stables for the last time and ride through the rolling hills of the Overberg region, which is famous for wheat and wine farming. After the lunch break in an old olive shed on a wine farm we ride back to the stables completing our circular route for the day. In the late afternoon we drive for 1½ hours eastwards, the last part on lonely dirt roads past some big ostrich farms, to the remote 36.000 ha De Hoop Nature Reserve. Here we stay for the night in the Buchu Bush Camp. These are truly comfortable rustic chalets, designed and built by an environmental conservationist right in the fynbos flora.

Day 5:
Starting our horse-safari from the old farmstead of the reserve we cross the De Hoop Vlei and pass different species of antelopes such as the bontebok - endemic to this area -, the springbuck as well as the largest antelope of all, the eland, grazing in the lowland fynbos. Cape mountain zebras, baboons, wild ostriches as well as different water-birds to name just a few of the many different species in the reserve, can be seen at close range. We continue our ride over huge bright white sand dunes (up to 85 meters high!), for which this national park is famous, down to a beach at the Indian Ocean. This particularly totally uninhabited coastal stretch during the mating season from end May to end November has the highest concentration of whales sighted anywhere in the world. These can be viewed at close proximity from the high vantage point of the saddle! After some more kilometers riding along the shore we meet up with the support team at the far end of the beach for a picnic lunch. Afterwards we ride on different tracks back through the coastal fynbos to the old farmstead, viewing game all the way.

After the ride we take a dirt road eastwards before crossing the Breede River on the only ferry in South Africa, which is still pulled across by hand. Shortly after Riversdale we reach our guest farm Zoutpan Struishuis, a working ostrich farm, where we stay for the night. An evening braai (a South African barbecue) is prepared on an open fire and we spend the evening chatting with the farmer and his family.

Day 6:
We have a breakfast with boerewors (S.A. sausage) before we leave on the day’s ride on Arab horses, which the farmer’s sons breed for export sale to the Middle East for endurance riding. Our ride is through areas of indigenous fauna where reeds are harvested for roof thatching and on sandy tracks through bush land. There are plenty of opportunities for long canters on these horses, which will keep going all day. A picnic lunch is served in the bush before we finish the trail back at the farm. Before we leave, we have a tour of the ostrich farm seing the entire cycle from breeding pair to the incubator and the chicks. Less than an hour’s drive through the Gracia’s Pass later we arrive at the Fontein Horses Farm, a pittoresque game farm on 4500 hectars, located in the semi dessert, the so called Klein Karoo, which is a horse riding Mecca. We have a sundowner ride through the arid, Arizona-like terrain on their Boereperd horses. This S.A. breed of horse is ideally suited for the terrain of this region. Dinner tonight is a Potjie (S.A. stew) served in the dining room followed by chocolate and port, served on the porch, whilst taking in the starry night.

Day 7:
An early start for our final ride of 4 hours this morning. We ride through undulating scrub land, dried up river beds and the unspoiled vegetation of this remote and quiet corner of the Cape, stopping for a picnic breakfast in the veld (indigenous field) en route. We will finish at the stable for lunch before driving for 1 ½ hour to the upmarket, big five, Wildlife Reserve of Sanbona situated in a 54,000 hectare private reserve in the most remote part of the Small Karoo, at the foot of the Warm waterberg. Here we stay for the last night in the luxurious Tilney Manor hunting lodge. On arrival we will have the thrill of our first big five game drive in an open Land cruiser, followed by a sumptuous dinner.

Day 8:
After breakfast today we have our second game drive, returning to the lodge in time for a substantial lunch. Afterwards we drive for about 2,5 hours back to Cape Town or to the airport, passing the spectacular Du Toits Kloof Pass.

For more impressions visit our gallery "South Africa"!

 

Included:

•  Pick-up at Cape Town International Airport or at a hotel on the Cape peninsula
•  accomodation (7 nights) in six different mostly very comfortable lodges in double rooms or in limited single rooms
•  full board including drinks
•  all transfers (altogether about 900 kilometers)
•  all activities described in the program including entrance fees
•  german and english-speaking guiding

Price 2012 per person in a double room: € 2.950,--
Single supplement: € 340,--

Additional costs:

•  costs for the journey to Cape Town
•  small tips during the trip

Dates 2012:

08.01.-15.01.2012
29.01.-05.02.2012
19.02.-26.02.2012
25.03.-01.04.2012
29.04.-06.05.2012
23.09.-30.09.2012
21.10.-28.10.2012
04.11.-11.11.2012
25.11.-02.12.2012

    

Advice:

•  We set a high value on safety, what doesn’t reduce the adventure. You are accompanied by a local guide, who is
   familiar with the situation in South Africa.

•  It is possible to only participate in the first 4 days of the trail. We will bring you back to Cape Town from
   Botrivier. The price for 4 days is € 1.480,-- in 2012 with a single supplement of € 170,--.

•  For non-riding travel partners we can organize an alternative program, that follows the same route and the
   whole group can always meet for meals and the overnight stays. (minimum: 3 non-riding persons)

General information and requirements:

number of participants:
2 to 6

riding ability required:
you need to be in a good physical condition and be able to control a well-ridden horse in the three paces. You should also have experience in trail riding.

riding pensum:
altogether about 180 - 200 kilometres on 8 rides from 4 different stables; different horse races are used.

meeting point:
Cape Town International Airport or your hotel on the Cape Peninsula

Please inform us, if you need a special diet!

What to bring:

•  two pairs of riding pants
•  short chaps
•  a riding-tested hat with chinstrap and a brim for shade (riding helmets can be used, but the usual black helmet
   gets really hot in summer and therefore is quite uncomfortable for the rider)
•  Waterproofed windbreaker or raincoat
•  torch
•  Anti-Tick Spray and in the South African winter and spring insect repellent
•  A camera and/or binoculars that fit into a pocket
•  Bathing suit and beach-towel (from September until April)
•  From early October to mid-April: sunglasses and sun lotion with high protection factor.
•  From April to end September: a warm jersey, some winter socks and gloves.
•  For riders wearing contact lenses, optical sunglasses are highly recommended on beach-rides, as to prevent
   flying sand from irritating the eyes.

Regarding the Journey:

We are at your disposal if you need help with finding the best possibility for reaching our partner in South Africa. If you wish, we can also make you an offer for the flight tickets (except Low-Cost-Carriers). We are looking forward to hear from you!

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2. Wildflower ride (trail ride)

Experience...

…the gorgeous west-coast-region north of Cape Town, that is famous for its big wild flower carpets in august and september. Furthermore you will see magnificent wetlands with quiet lakes and you will ride over the Piketberg Mountains! Unlike the Western Cape ride the wildflower ride is a pure trail ride with almost no transfers by car.

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*according to weather conditions and unexpected occurences the program can or must be changed; but the journey will always keep its character.

Preliminary program*:

Day 1:
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport in the morning. We start with a fascinating tour of the Townships of Cape Town with a traditional African lunch in the smallest Hotel in the Cape, VICKY’S in Khayalitsha. Thereafter we drive for 2 hours northwards through the so-called Swartland to our farm hidden in the Piketberg Mountains (Excelsior Farm).

Day 2:
With the horses from the farm, we ride along the mountain for a while, covered in Cape Mountain Fynboss - the indigenous flora, and then take a steep path down to the valley below (walking and leading in places), where we dismount to view some Bushman rock art paintings. We will stay overnight at a farm in comfortable restored Sandveld cottages with a swimming pool.

Day 3:
We ride south following the valley, a sandy agricultural area, and then turn west to the small town of Aurora with an interesting guesthouse belonging to a local Austrian. On the way we will picnic at a dam where we can swim.

Day 4:
Riding west, we now head towards the coast of the South Atlantic across the sandy (Sandveld) potato growing area. On arrival we can swim in the ocean and will have a Braai (South African Barbecue).The night is spent in a modest Farmhouse situated in the sand dunes, without electricity but with gas, hot water shower and candle lighting.

Day 5:
In the morning we start our long beach ride north along the deserted shore-line, stretching ahead of us into the seemingly unending distance. The area is unpopulated and dolphins and seals can often be observed playing in the waves. Over the dunes we cross into the Rocherpan Nature Reserve. This is a pan with wetlands, giving cover to many bird species, as well as small game - often big flocks of pelicans and flamingos can be seen. After a 25 km ride we reach an oasis called Draaihoek Lodge, thatched and hidden behind high sand dunes, a very comfortable guest-house with an excellent seafood restaurant.

Day 6:
Continuing north towards Elands Bay (a small fishing village known for its crayfish packing factory) we stop for a trailside lunch and to view some other Bushman rock art paintings. At Elands Bay we leave the beach and turn eastwards towards Verloren Vlei (an estuary) to our guesthouse Vensterklip on the banks of the vlei which is home of many different wetland birds.

Day 7:
We ride east along the south side of Verloren Vlei, first up along the crest of a long hill, running parallel to the estuary, on sandy tracks and with stunning panoramic views onto the vlei below and passing some wonderful sandstone outcrops. Then the path leads down to the shores where we pass old farms that used to survive on the fish of the estuary. The farm buildings consist of Sandfeld mud and thatched huts. We have a picnic lunch before continuing to a Sandveld hamlet, where we stay at a comfortable guest-house serving traditional cuisine.

Day 8:
Continuing around the Dreifontein Mountain we enter a valley below the Aurora Mountain, which is a Lemon growing area. After only 20 km we stay overnight at the Sandveld Country Cottage, which gives us an afternoons rest before the last day’s trek up the mountains.

Day 9:
We stop for lunch at a local Swiss farmer’s house, after which we head back up the mountains towards our farm where we will have our farewell dinner.

Day 10:
After breakfast we leave the farm and drive down the mountain towards the Berg River where within an hour we arrive at our Guest Farm Kersefontein - a unique, Cape Dutch homestead in the hands of the same family since 1770 and where not too much has changed since. After lunch, in the late hours of the afternoon, as an optional extra and weather permitting, the farmer Julian Melck takes us in 1 ½ hours on a spectacular flight in a Cessna following the entire route we rode in the last 8 days, followed by a Cape Dutch Dinner in Style.

Day 11:
In the morning we depart for Tulbagh in the Boland where before lunch we visit the Old Drostdy - the old magistrates court, for a guided tour and some wine tasting, followed by lunch at the Paddagang Restaurant. Church Street, in this village, boasts the largest number of buildings with historic monument’s plaques in South Africa. After lunch we continue our drive through the famous Bain’s Kloof to Stellenbosch. Here we pop in to the unique bric-a-brac curio shop - Oom Samy se Winkle (Uncle Sam’s Shop) before we continue to the airport of Cape Town, where you catch your return overnight flight home.

For more impressions visit our gallery "South Africa"!

A guest`s feedback:

"A wonderful ride - amidst fantastic scenery.  The variation was incredible - the mountains, the plains, the wonderful Atlantic coast and beaches. Seeing whales, wildflowers, fish-eagles, etc whilst riding fit, forward-going horses in great, friendly company, staying in comfortable (and sometimes incredibly elegant) accommodation, eating fantastic food - what more could one ask! The non-riding element of the holiday was also most interesting. I can hardly believe we packed so much into 11 days."

Included:

•  Pick-up at Cape Town International Airport or at a hotel on the Cape peninsula
•  accomodation (9 nights) in simple up to comfortable lodges in double rooms or in limited single rooms
•  accomodation (1 night) in a stylish and typical Cape Dutch accomodation in double rooms or in limited single rooms
•  full board including drinks
•  all transfers
•  all activities described in the program including entrance fees
•  german and english-speaking guiding

Price 2012 per person in a double room: € 3.625,--
Single supplement: € 155,--

Additional costs:

•  costs for the journey to Cape Town
•  small tips during the trip

Dates 2012:

25.08.-04.09.2012
08.09.-18.09.2012

Advice:

•  we set a high value on safety, what doesn’t reduce the adventure. Also during the visit of Cape Town, which is
   known for being dangerous at certain places and times, you will be accompanied by your local guide, who is
   familiar with the situation.

General information and requirements:

number of participants:
2 to 6

riding ability required:
you need to be in a good physical condition and be able to control a well-ridden horse in the three paces. You should also have experience in trail riding.

riding pensum:
altogether about 225 kilometres in 8 days; for this point-to-point trail the same horses are used all the time (in contrast to the Western-Cape-Trail); horses from different breeds are used – amongst others the South African Boerperd.

meeting point:
Cape Town International Airport or your hotel on the Cape Peninsula

Please inform us, if you need a special diet!

What to bring:

•  two pairs of riding pants
•  short chaps
•  a riding-tested hat with chinstrap and a brim for shade (riding helmets can be used, but the usual black helmet
   gets really hot in summer and therefore is quite uncomfortable for the rider)
•  Waterproofed windbreaker or raincoat
•  torch
•  Anti-Tick Spray and in the South African winter and spring insect repellent
•  A camera and/or binoculars that fit into a pocket
•  Bathing suit and beach-towel (from September until April)
•  From early October to mid-April: sunglasses and sun lotion with high protection factor.
•  From April to end September: a warm jersey, some winter socks and gloves.
•  For riders wearing contact lenses, optical sunglasses are highly recommended on beach-rides, as to prevent
   flying sand from irritating the eyes.

Regarding the Journey:

We are at your disposal if you need help with finding the best possibility for reaching our partner in South Africa. If you wish, we can also make you an offer for the flight tickets (except Low-Cost-Carriers). We are looking forward to hear from you!

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