Location: Wild Coast, South Africa
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights / 3 riding days
Accommodation: Local hotels
Riding Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Dates: Fixed Dates
March 20-24 2025
March 31-April 4 2025
April 28-May 2 2025
May 26-30 2025
June 23-27 2025
July 21-25 2025
August 18-22 2025
September 22-26 2025
October 20-24 2025
November 17-21 2025
An abbreviated (though no less scenic or exciting) version of the 8-day Wild Coast Trail.
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.
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 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 to assess your riding and to make sure that we have matched you 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 -
Today we start our overnight beach adventure!
It is a full day riding along the coast, and the scenery is simply stunning. There is a good chance of spotting dolphins racing us in the surf as we canter along the many beaches.
Lunch is a picnic and a chance to soak up the sun and sea before heading off to the hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight and dinner at Wavecrest Hotel -
The departure time this morning is dictated by the tide. It is a fantastic 3-hour ride either up the beach and back across the country through rolling hills and traditional villages or the other way around, depending on the tides. Either way, you get to ride on the hard, wet beach at low tide – the gallops are exhilarating. We are back at the hotel in time for lunch. Alternatively, if the weather and tides are favorable we may take a picnic. This afternoon has a choice of activities. You can take a boat trip up the river and explore the stunning mangrove estuary of the Nxaxo river by canoe or boat, hike or just kick back and relax in the Jacuzzi! – this afternoon is flexible as there are so many options to experience!!!
Overnight and dinner at Wavecrest Hotel -
Today we start our journey back to Kei Mouth. We ride inland this morning, crossing the river high up and away from the tide's influence. The slay paths and tracks offer great canters as we wind our way back to the beach. Then we head towards Kei Mouth and the pontoon crossing before dropping the horses off at the paddocks before we have a late lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Then it is time to wander back to the guest house and your final night on the Wild Coast
Overnight and dinner at Kei Mouth Guest House -
On your last morning, we will explore the cliffs and village of Morgan Bay and have one last canter down the beach.
You will be able to shower and change before departure and promise to return to do another great Wild Coast Horse Trail.
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