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 unparalleled beach riding and a journey along the coast staying at different guesthouses along the way. Ride from Kei Mouth through to Trennery’s 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.
For a slightly more relaxed trail ride, this itinerary is ideal. Spend the first two nights at Kei Mouth, followed by two nights at Trennery’s and two nights at Wavecrest. Return to Kei Mouth for your last night.
This trail has five nights at Kei Mouth with a mini trail in the middle of the week where you ride through to Wavecrest for two nights. It is perfect for riders who want a bit more flexibility to perhaps sit out a morning or afternoon ride and who don’t want to be moving on every day. It is also possible to ride different horses on the days you are staying at Kei River.
If you prefer to settle into your accommodation and not move during the week, this is the option for you. This option would also suit if you would like to be a bit more involved with your horses and help out at morning feed and grooming etc. You will still cross over the Kei River and ride through to Trennery’s but will return the same day.
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.
To join the Kei River Trail and Wavecrest Beach 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.
All levels of rider can be accepted onto the Kei River Riding Holiday. There are horses suitable for experienced riders and also gentle horses who will look after more intermediate riders.
Hard hats are mandatory on these rides.
All the holidays have at least one night at Kei Mouth, near to the horse's base. Kei Mouth 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 and also a bunk room. Home cooked meals and traditional South African braais are provided.
On the trail rides you stay at a range of interesting hotels and guesthouses. The accommodation is comfortable rather than luxurious but the views more than compensate. All rooms have tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail and Wavecrest Beach Trail)
This historic hotel has a decidedly "colonial" feel. The hotel is set among lush indigenous gardens and a private beach is a short walk past the tennis courts. It has a swimming pool, bar and recreational facilities. The rooms are comfortable twin or double rooms with en suite bathroom. The food is good and wholesome.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail, Kei River Trail and Wavecrest Beach 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.
There are set dates for the Wild Coast Adventure Trail to coincide with the full/new moon and spring low tides. If no-one has booked then these can be changed to a Kei River Trail, Wavecrest Beach Trail or Kei River Riding Holiday.
The weeks scheduled below as Kei River Trails can be Wavecrest Beach Trail. The first person to book onto the week can choose which itinerary runs.
The Kei River Trails and Kei River Riding Holidays can run at the same time.
For the Kei River Riding Holiday, we recommend a stay of 7 nights, but if your time is limited then shorter stays are possible and so please do ask.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 23 Jan 2021 - 30 Jan 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 30 Jan 2021 - 6 Feb 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,646.24 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 13 Feb 2021 - 20 Feb 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 13 Mar 2021 - 20 Mar 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 10 Apr 2021 - 17 Apr 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,646.24 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 24 Apr 2021 - 1 May 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Kei River Mini Trail | 24 Apr 2021 - 28 Apr 2021 | 4 nights 4 ngts | $1,097.70 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 22 May 2021 - 29 May 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wavecrest Beach Trail | 12 Jun 2021 - 19 Jun 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,829.38 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 19 Jun 2021 - 26 Jun 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 17 Jul 2021 - 24 Jul 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 21 Aug 2021 - 28 Aug 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 4 Sep 2021 - 11 Sep 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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| Wavecrest Beach Trail | 11 Sep 2021 - 18 Sep 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,829.38 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 2 Oct 2021 - 9 Oct 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 16 Oct 2021 - 23 Oct 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $1,646.24 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 30 Oct 2021 - 6 Nov 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 13 Nov 2021 - 20 Nov 2021 | 7 nights 7 ngts | $2,591.79 |
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Book |
For 2020 there are excellent special offers if you book together as a group of two or more onto the Wild Coast Adventure Trail. See Specials below for more details.
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 1,200 ($73.18) 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 shuttle 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 Saturday.
On the day of departure, the later flight at around 17:00 will normally allow time for a short final morning ride.
Travelling with family or friends? The Wild Coast has a fantastic group offer for the Wild Coast Adventure Trail:
Two people in your group – 10% discount for one person
Three people in your group – 25% discount for one person
Four people in your group – 50% discount for one person
Five to ten people in your group – one free place
If you would like more information please call 01299 272997 or email rides@inthesaddle.com
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
Don't forget to look out to sea - you may see dolphins playing in the surf or even a whale blowing on the horizon.
In The Saddle says
This really is one of the most spectacular beach rides in the world - the empty beaches stretch on for miles. The horses are a pleasure to ride and the sound of the waves is totally mesmerising.