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Duration: 8 days / 7 nights / 7 riding days
Accommodation: Local hotels
Riding Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Dates: Fixed Dates
March 9-16 2025
May 10-17 2025
June 7-14 2025
July 5-12 2025
August 1-9 2025
September 6-13 2025
October 4-11 2025
November 1-8 2025
November 19-December 6 2025
Explore the rugged, unspoiled natural beauty of the Wild Coast of South Africa. Miles and miles of empty beaches, remote rural villages, spectacular country side and fantastic riding!
A malaria-free area, the Wild Coast offers unparalleled riding experiences over rocky headlands, through the rolling hills of the former homeland of the Transkei and along vast tracts of unoccupied golden beaches.
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 horse and rider alike! The ride is carefully planned to ensure an optimum riding experience balanced with rest periods for our hard-working horses whose responsiveness and enthusiasm are complemented by their fitness and stamina.
Horses
The horses are a mix of Arabian, Boerperd, and cross breeds, specifically selected for their temperament, stamina, and dependability.
Riding
Intermediate-Advanced
Riders should be able to ride comfortably at all paces, spend several hours in the saddle daily, and groom/tack up their own horses.
Tack
The late Leon Liversage was not only a South African saddler, but was also something of a legend in the world of long-distance riding. One of the first people to explore the possibility of offering commercialized trail rides and horse safaris in Southern Africa, Leon started developing his own saddles in 1979. His aim was to create a saddle that moved with the horse and adjusted to the shape of his back, rather than trying to force the horse to fit an immovable tree. As a result, Leon created the Trail Rider saddle, complete with two flexible panels that replace the more traditional “skirt” of a Western or English saddle. These panels sit between the horse’s back and the tree, absorbing the movement of the latter and preventing friction on the horse’s back.
To create more stability, particularly over steep inclines and declines, Leon introduced a double girth system similar to that used on a Western saddle. Rather than having two straps together towards the front of the saddle, our trail saddles have one girth strap behind the horse’s elbow and the other located at the back of the saddle. This secures the back of the saddle to the horse, making it and the rider more secure over technical terrain.
We have a range of Liversage saddles in our tack room, including some of the original saddles purchased 21 years ago — a testament to their durability. We find Liversage’s Enduro saddles provide a better fit for our wider horses, while the Bushwacker and Trail Saddles are more versatile, fitting a broader range of horses from narrower Anglo-Arabs to stockier crossbreeds.
Terrain
Miles and miles of empty beaches, rugged coastline, wide river estuaries and grassy rolling hills, this ride offers the unparalleled level of scenic variety the Wild Coast is famous for.
Accommodation
Seagulls Beach Hotel has a great beach vibe guest house feel and is a favorite South African holiday destination.
Mazeppa Bay Hotel has a thatched roof, palm-fringed beaches, and an island to make this a unique stopover.
Kob Inn is on the rocky coast with stunning sea views.
Wavecrest Hotel is stunningly situated with thatched rondavels to make this a very nice retreat.
Kei Mouth offers a selection of beach houses or bed & breakfasts for the first and last night depending on the group size and accommodation availability.
Dining
Breakfast is your choice of continental and/or full English cook-up. Lunch changes from day to day, it could be a pub lunch, a set lunch at one of the hotels or a picnic along the way. Dinner is at 7.30 and is a set menu of 3 or 4 courses.
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to local weather conditions and tides and can also be adjusted to include more or less riding depending on the group’s experience and preferences.
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On arrival at East London Airport, you will be transferred to Kei Mouth Guest Lodge, the base of Wild Coast Horse Trails. A light lunch is served, and then you will change into your riding clothes and be taken up to the beach paddock. The afternoon is a short introductory ride around the local area. It will give you the opportunity to blow away those travelling cobwebs and get to know your horse for the week. A relaxed, friendly evening meal awaits you back at the guesthouse along with a good night’s sleep. Overnight in Kei Mouth.
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Your horse riding adventure starts now! After a light breakfast, it’s back up to the paddocks. A short ride down to the Kei River and then a crossing by ferry, to ride over rocky headlands and long stretches of beach. The guides will take you to hidden waterfalls for a picnic lunch and a swim if you choose! Then it’s to Seagulls Hotel and its friendly guest house beach vibe. Here you can stretch your legs on the beach or unwind with a beer by the pool before enjoying a great dinner, and time with your riding group. Our unhurried itinerary will give you plenty of time to explore the hotel. Overnight at Seagulls Hotel.
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You will awake to the sound of the sea and the solitude of being somewhere on the edge of Africa. Now it’s time to move on with a distance of 40km to be covered. Heading out from the hotel you will continue up the coast, traversing rolling hills and sandy beaches and passing through rural settlements. You cross a number of inland river drifts, and then the ride veers back to the sea for a breakfast or lunchtime picnic. Tides permitting, the rest of the day is a breath-taking ride on long, endless beaches, which means faster riding and the thrill of a good horse in a great location. Another traditional beach hotel, Mazeppa Bay is your next stop. Exploring the secluded beach will lead you to a suspension bridge onto one of the only islands along the coast. A pleasant evening spent soaking up the relaxed atmosphere gives riders the opportunity to unwind after a challenging day in the saddle. Overnight at Mazeppa Bay Hotel.
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The next leg of your adventure is “The Gorge”. This route takes you through a beautiful river ravine and over some tricky terrain. Once through the rocky river bed, the ride heads back to the sea through valleys and along winding cattle tracks before reaching your next destination – Kob Inn. You arrive just in time for lunch. In the afternoon you have the 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 and truly embrace ‘Africa time’. Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.
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Today you should be fresh and ready for a full day in the saddle. The tides dictate the day’s schedule which will take you about 20 km up the coast along sheltered beaches, into hidden coves and beautiful lagoons. Your guide will select a suitable spot for you to enjoy a picnic and a swim in a lagoon before heading back to Kob Inn for an evening of delicious dining and maybe a few cocktails! Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.
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It’s time to head 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 to Wavecrest Hotel. After a good +/- 30km ride, in the afternoon you can choose to indulge in a little pampering at the Wavecrest spa; maybe explore the rare mangrove forests by either boat or canoe. More South African coastal hospitality awaits you as you relax and allow yourself to be spoilt by the Wavecrest team. Overnight at Wavecrest Hotel.
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From Wavecrest, if the tide is right, the ride back to Kei Mouth will be fast-paced and along the beach. After dropping your horse off at the beach base for a well-earned rest, you will have a late lunch in Kei. Alternatively, after an inland start, you will stop for lunch en route and hit the beaches at low tide for some fast canters in the afternoon before arriving back in Kei Mouth. Your last night of trail is spent, once again, at the home and guest lodge of Julie-Anne & Clint, where they will treat you to a typical South African Braai; finishing off a week of unforgettable riding with the warm hospitality that the Wild Coast is known for. Overnight in Kei Mouth or Morgan Bay.
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Depending on your departure time, you could squeeze in one more ride before the shuttle picks you up to transfer you back to the airport.
Planning and Packing
Extend Your Stay
Looking for a longer trip? Consider combining this trip with any of the following itineraries:
Waterberg Safari
Mozambique Beach Ride
Kruger Safari
Dates
March 9-16 2025
May 10-17 2025
June 7-14 2025
July 5-12 2025
August 1-9 2025
September 6-13 2025
October 4-11 2025
November 1-8 2025
November 19-December 6 2025
Book Now
Price Includes:
All accommodations
All meals
All riding activities, including tack and equipment
Does not include:
Airfare to and from South Africa
Airport transfers
Travel Insurance
Visas
Gratuities and personal expenses
Additional excursions or activities not included in itinerary