Moolmanshoek - South Africa

Kate who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Moolmanshoek is a little slice of heaven! Restorative and peaceful with exhilarating riding and wonderful hospitality. | The horses are beautifully cared for by the entire team. We were perfectly matched to our horses, and I enjoyed riding several - that was my choice, whilst my companion enjoyed a bromance with a very special horse for most of our time at Moolmanshoek. It was his first visit (my second this year) and it completely exceeded his expectations and he will be back, as will I. Lindy is a highly skilled and hugely knowledgeable leader, and it was a joy to ride with her. Great care was taken to ensure the tack and saddles were well fitting for both horse and rider. We both found the trail saddles and endurance saddles to be very comfortable and each had a sheepskin cover and saddle bags for water bottle (topped up daily by the staff and a mac). The riding is fantastic and very varied - it was such a privilege to ride through the plains, mountains, rivers and pastures that are so lovingly curated by the Nel Family. The game was also very plentiful, we were able to quietly observe them at close quarters from horseback and very quickly spotted all 14 species.

[Abbie from ITS replies: Thank you for your superb review. We are absolutely delighted that you had such a wonderful return visit to Moolmanshoek].

Do you have any comments about the accommodation and food?

This is my second visit to Moolmanshoek - it is a very special place. Surely there can be nothing finer than watching herds of home breed horses grazing at dawn, including mares and foals, birds sweeping in to enjoy the watering holes and dams.

Our room was very comfortable - beautiful sheets and top quality mattress, hot showers, fluffy towels and a small fireplace for the chilly later evenings. Tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar if you need it, but you don't really.
The food was absolutely delicious, fresh fruit each morning and a cooked option too, perfect lunches, (the chefs pastry skills are incredible), and gorgeous dinner in the Manor House with wine, and lots of laughter and chat about the day's adventures with our riding companions.
Moolmanshoek also has an impossibly beautiful fresh water swimming pool. The water comes off the mountains. I swam each afternoon between rides, the tranquillity was breathtaking.