South Africa - Wild Coast
Ride along mile after mile of deserted sandy beaches along the crashing surf of the Wild Coast. Don’t forget to look out to sea, you could spot dolphins and whales, as well as many sea birds.
The Wild Coast is well off the typical tourist routes. The lack of regular visitors makes it even more attractive as a riding destination. The coastline is beautiful and you ride through rolling green hills where rural African village life goes on much as it has done for centuries.
This Trail offers amazing beach riding and a journey along the coast staying at different guesthouses along the way. You ride from Kei Mouth through to Seagulls and into the southern region of the Wild Coast, all the way up to the Kob Inn, staying at Wavecrest and Mazeppa Bay on route. Stunning scenery continues to unfold while the beaches get longer and more deserted as the week goes on.
The Qolora Trail is slightly less challenging than the Wild Coast Adventure Trail because you don’t have such long distances to cover. You spend the first two nights at Kei Mouth, followed by two nights at Seagulls and two nights at Wavecrest and then return to Kei Mouth for your last night. This is a beautiful remote trail following the same route as the Wild Coast Adventure Trail as far as Wavecrest.
This 4 night trail is perfect if time is limited and you wish to add-on a visit to the Wild Coast to another safari. The first and last night is at Kei River and two nights are at Wavecrest (or sometimes Seagulls).
The Wild Coast Adventure Trail is only for experienced and fit riders since there are some long distances to cover at trot, canter and gallop and there are many river crossings. There are several long riding days.
To join the Qolora Trail or Kei River Mini Trail you should be a confident rider and in control of your horse at walk, trot and canter so that you can safely enjoy the trots and canters on the beaches and grassy tracks. On these trails the riding is not so intense as on the Wild Coast Adventure Trail and can be more flexible and tailored to the group.
Hard hats are mandatory on these rides.
You stay at a range of interesting hotels and guesthouses along the coast. The accommodation is comfortable rather than luxurious but the views more than compensate.
All the trail rides start and finish at Kei Mouth Guest House which is near to the horse's base. The guesthouse is just a short walk from Kei River and the ferry crossing and also from the beach. There are four twin or double bedrooms each with en suite bathroom. Home cooked meals and traditional South African braais are provided.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail and Qolora Trail)
A family hotel which offers a peaceful stay by the sea. The rooms are clean and uncluttered, with the essentials you need during your stay. .
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail, Kei River Trail and Qolora Trail)
Wavecrest has a stunning setting on the banks of the Nxaxo River estuary. The sand dune forests, beaches, mangrove trees and ecology of the area is breathtaking. The rooms are all en suite and overlook the river, beach and sea. They have recently been re decorated and have a comfortable “African” feel to them.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail)
Mazeppa Bay has its own Island. Depending on the tide, this is sometimes only accessible by a quaint suspension bridge, which joins the Island to the main beach. The hotel has a tennis court, full size snooker table, beach volley ball, table tennis, a trampoline for the children, DSTV in the communal TV lounge, and two bars in which to enjoy sundowners after a long day on the beach and rocks. The rooms range in size from standard rooms to suites and all have an en suite bathroom.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail)
Set right on the sea front, this comfortable guesthouse is flanked by sheltered beaches. The spacious rooms have en-suite facilities. Fresh fish and seafood are a regular feature on the menu.
The set dates for the Wild Coast Adventure Trail coincide with the full/new moon and spring low tides and so are fixed. If no-one has booked onto a Wild Coast Adventure Trail then these weeks can change to a Qolora Trail or Kei River Mini Trail.
The Qolora Trail and Kei River Mini Trail can be scheduled most weeks (minimum 2 people).
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 14 Oct 2023 - 21 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,708.93 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 28 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,708.93 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 11 Nov 2023 - 18 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,708.93 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Mini Trail | 20 Nov 2023 - 24 Nov 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,095.75 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 25 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,708.93 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 8 Dec 2023 - 15 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,100.18 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Mini Trail | 29 Jan 2024 - 2 Feb 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,162.16 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 10 Feb 2024 - 17 Feb 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Full | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 24 Feb 2024 - 2 Mar 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Full | |
| Kei River Mini Trail | 11 Mar 2024 - 15 Mar 2024 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,162.16 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 6 Apr 2024 - 13 Apr 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Full | |
| Qolora Trail | 1 May 2024 - 8 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,476.50 |
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Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 11 May 2024 - 18 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,476.50 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 1 Jun 2024 - 8 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 22 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 20 Jul 2024 - 27 Jul 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 17 Aug 2024 - 24 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 14 Sep 2024 - 21 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 12 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 9 Nov 2024 - 16 Nov 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 30 Nov 2024 - 7 Dec 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,905.39 |
|
Book |
| Per person | 2023 | 2024 |
| Kei Mouth Mini Trail (4 nights) | $1,095.75 | $1,162.16 |
| Qolora Trail (7 nights) | $2,100.18 | $2,476.50 |
INCLUDES Accommodation; all meals; riding and entry fees.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT There is no supplement for a single person, but single rooms are subject to availability.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips; bar bills.
NEAREST AIRPORT East London.
TRANSFERS Currently R 1,400 ($77.48) per vehicle each way from East London paid locally and shared between all travelling
We arrange airport transfers from East London. All transfers are payable in cash directly to the driver and so the cost is shared between all those travelling. The transfer to the guesthouse takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
In order to join the introductory ride your flight should arrive into East London by midday on day one.
On the day of departure, a later flight departing East London at around 17:00 will normally allow time for a short final morning ride.
The rugged coastline of the Eastern Cape.
Good riding weather all year round. Summers (October to March) are hot with the possibility of rain. Autumn and winter (April to September) bring dry warm days and cool nights.
Wow, wow, wow!! It was an amazing week! Had a fresh and forwardgoing mare, nice horse and a perfect match! We rode on the beach, in the green hills above the beach, up and down really steep hills, crossed small and large rivers, through small villages, past many, many cows and across stones and rocks … And the horses went so safe and steady everywhere.
Karin
Overall rating: 5/5
