Day 1. Johannesburg / Kei Mouth / Great Kei River / Trennerys
Day 2. Trennerys / Jacaranda / Kobonqaba River
Day 3. Nxaxo River
Day 4. Kei Mouth
Day 5. Dinaka Private Game Reserve
Day 6. Dinaka / Seven Sisters / Sand River
Day 7. Small Serengeti Plains
Day 8. Dinaka Private Game Reserve
Day 9. Johannesburg departure
Unforgettable horse riding adventures...
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riding vacations....
Horseback riding vacations, Photo tours, Ethnic holidays, Cultural travels
The Surf and Turf horseback riding vacations combines four days riding on the glorious Eastern Cape Wild Coast of South Africa with four days game viewing from horseback at Dinaka Private Game Reserve (could became also a photo tour, if you have your camera...)
You must be a confident and competent rider at all paces, riding the well-loved horses. The pace is varied with walking for game viewing and over uneven terrain and rocks, with faster riding along the beaches and sandy tracks. Since Dinaka is an area with dangerous game all riders should be confident and secure in the saddle.
A horse riding holiday along the Transkei Wild Coast is exhilarating and exciting: one sweeping bay after another, rolling hillsides, river crossings and warm lagoons ensure adventure filled days of fabulous horseback riding.
You will be enthralled by the wonderful combination of endless beaches and unrestricted cross country riding!
Join us on our unique horse trail that offers a full holiday experience while giving you the chance to sample the undeveloped beauty of the South African Wild Coast. The Wild Coast is well off the regular tourist routes and the lack of regular visitors makes it an extremely attractive riding destination. You ride along the spectacular coastline and also through rolling green hills where rural African village life goes on much as it has done for centuries.
Once arrived at the Dinaka game reserve, situated at the base of the Waterberg escarpment, you see large herds of plains game that would not normally occur in Southern Africa's bush veld areas.
Species to be seen include rhino, buffalo, giraffe, ostrich and zebra, brown hyena, hippo and a wide variety of antelope, including the impressive eland, sable and steenbok.
The luxurious Dinaka lodge is set high on a ridge overlooking a hippo-filled lake, with spectacular views across the plains.
Inclusions:
· Private transportation to/from airports, restaurants, events and hotels;
· Accommodations in standard double rooms in 4* hotels or farmhouses;
· Daily breakfast and meals as in itinerary, water and local wines included;
· Private visit of wine cellars with wine tasting, as indicated in the itinerary;
· Cheese making demonstration;
· Cooking class, with lunch;
· Meat and olive oil tasting, as in the itinerary;
· Truffle hunting, with lunch;
· Private guided visit with an English-speaking local guide;
· Insurance (baggage and medical expenses);
· All taxes and entrance fees.
Exclusions:
· All air travel and airport taxes;
· Beverages and meals not specified in the itinerary;
· Tips, gratuities and entrance fees to non-stated sites;
· All items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, etc.).
Prices on request, depending on:
· Season, number of participants, typology of chosen accommodations.
Day 1 : Johannesburg / Kei Mouth arrival / Great Kei River / Trennerys (L)
You will arrive with your flight from Johannesburg and be collected from East London airport to be transferred to Kei Mouth. A light lunch will be served and you will be able to change into your riding clothes at the country club. The aim is to be in the saddle by 3pm to make the crossing across the Great Kei River on a pontoon!
This afternoon’s ride through to Trennerys is just long enough to blow the cobwebs away, you can breathe in the salt air and feel the pounding hooves on wet sand... welcome to the Wild Coast.
Overnight Trennerys.
After breakfast we take in a short visit to a local cultural village that is run by local Xhosa women, here you will experience an introduction to the culture and history of our area, and afterwards we explore on horseback the rolling countryside before an early lunch at Trennerys.
This afternoon we set off along the coast for the Wavecrest Hotel. The tide dictates our pace and path but along the way you will see the wreck of the Jacaranda. You keep up a steady trot and canter on the rolling cliff top paths until you reach the mouth of the Kobonqaba River. Depending on tides you either cross at the mouth or detour inland getting to Wavecrest in the late afternoon. For those inclined for a little pampering there will hopefully be time for a spa treatment or massage.
Overnight Wave crest.
The departure time this morning is dictated by the tide. It will be a full day ride either up the beach and back across 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. You take a picnic and stop at a secluded beach for lunch.
This will give us time to explore the stunning mangrove estuary of the Nxaxo River by boat, enjoy a spa treatment or take an hour or so ride through stunning forests... today is flexible as there are so many options to experience!!!
Overnight Wave crest.
This morning you make your way back towards Kei Mouth. Rolling hills, villages, deep river gorges and sandy paths meander their way back along the coast. Arrive at Seagulls Hotel for a pub lunch and a much needed cold drink. There is a swimming pool, so it might be a good idea to keep your swim suit in your saddle bag!
The last ride along the beach means you arrive at the horse paddocks in Kei Mouth at around 4pm.
Overnight in Morgan’s Bay or the Cock Inn.
Day 5: Dinaka Private Game Reserve (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, the shuttle will be ready to transfer you to East London airport at 9am for your flight.
On arrival at Johannesburg you will be met by Horizon Horseback Safari and transferred to Dinaka Private Game Reserve. All being well, you arrive in time for an evening introductory ride.
Overnight Dinaka.
This morning you have your first experience of the unending sandy tracks and glimpses of the endless views of the Dinaka plains. Ride along the foothills of the Seven Sisters mountain range, through thick woodland areas to the western boundaries. Arrive back at the lodge in time for a late brunch and a chance to siesta by the pool.
The afternoon ride will be a fast and exhilarating ride along the Sand River, this area is prime waterbuck and hippo viewing territory.
Overnight Dinaka.
This morning ride to an area known as "Small Serengeti Plains", renowned for its abundant and varied species. The open plains provide the possibility of cantering alongside herds of antelope as they gallop and pronk across the open savannah. Back at the lodge you can relax above the hippo dam and watch these family orientated creatures interact and play in the warmth of the day.
This afternoon’s ride goes out with the purpose of tracking the majestic white rhino. These prehistoric animals are one of the incredible success stories of the Dinaka reserve which holds one of the oldest breeding herds in the country.
Overnigh Dinaka.
You ride to a different area of the reserve today and hope to see sable antelope and bontebok. En route you cross the fertile plain, where you can expect some long canters. After a morning of hard riding you return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax by the pool.
Overnight Dinaka.
Day 9: Johannesburg departure (B)
One last ride on this stunning reserve with its amazing array of wildlife, before returning to the lodge to enjoy another of their famous brunches.
After brunch you are transferred to Johannesburg airport for your flight home.