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.
The Qolora Trail is slightly less challenging than the Wild Coast Adventure Trail because you don’t have such long distances to cover. 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.
More relaxing but still with the opportunity to ride all the way along the coast to Wavecrest, the Kei River 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. There is also a 4 night Kei River Mini Trail.
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 Qolora 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.
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.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail, Qolora Trail and Kei River Trail)
All the trail rides have at least one night at Kei Mouth Guest House, 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 and also a bunk room. Home cooked meals and traditional South African braais are provided.
(Wild Coast Adventure Trail and Qolora 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 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 Kei River Trail or Qolora Trail.
The Kei River Trail and Qolora Trail can be scheduled most weeks for groups of 2 or more.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kei River Mini Trail | 16 Jan 2023 - 20 Jan 2023 | 4 nights 4 ngts | £947.24 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 21 Jan 2023 - 28 Jan 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,525.87 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 21 Jan 2023 - 28 Jan 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 4 Feb 2023 - 11 Feb 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Full | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 18 Feb 2023 - 25 Feb 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 4 Mar 2023 - 11 Mar 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 6 May 2023 - 13 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 20 May 2023 - 27 May 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 17 Jun 2023 - 24 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,525.87 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 17 Jun 2023 - 24 Jun 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 1 Jul 2023 - 8 Jul 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 29 Jul 2023 - 5 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 12 Aug 2023 - 19 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 12 Aug 2023 - 19 Aug 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,525.87 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 26 Aug 2023 - 2 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 16 Sep 2023 - 23 Sep 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 30 Sep 2023 - 7 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,525.87 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 30 Sep 2023 - 7 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 14 Oct 2023 - 21 Oct 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Kei River Trail | 28 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,525.87 |
|
Book | |
| Qolora Trail | 28 Oct 2023 - 4 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,815.54 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 11 Nov 2023 - 18 Nov 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book | |
| Wild Coast Adventure Trail | 25 Nov 2023 - 2 Dec 2023 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,341.78 |
|
Book |
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 1,500 (£71.76) 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 1.
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
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.