Back in the Saddle
Southern Africa is “big sky” country, and there are few better ways to soak up the natural splendour of late summer than on horseback. While the thoroughbred steeds race around the grassy tracks of Cape Town this month, there are plenty of intriguing trails to keep intrepid travellers on the trot.
Winelands Wandering
Drinking and driving is never a good idea, but with four-legged transport, there is nothing to stop you enjoying the fruits of the Cape vines. Wine Valley Horse Trails outside Stellenbosch offer a wide range of horseback trails through the area’s stunning vineyards. There is a one-hour amble for novice – and nervous – riders, or a full day outride that takes in local nature reserves for the John Wayne in you. Visit www.horsetrails-sa.co.za for more information.
Across the mountains in Franschhoek, you can take a leisurely trot between the valley’s acclaimed estates with champion rider Pieter Hugo from Paradise Stables. There are two rides a day on purebred Arabian horses, that are suitable for both experienced and novice riders. For more information, visit http://www.paradisestables.co.za/.
Petals and Stirrups
Experienced riders looking for a unique way to indulge their passion for all things equine should look no further than Carl Schwinges’ magnificent multi-day horse trails through the lesser known corners of the Western Cape.
Carl offers a range of horseback safaris in the province, but the pick of the bunch is the 11 day Wild Flower Trail. It starts in the unexplored mountains of Piketberg, before meandering onto the pristine coastal flats of the West Coast.
Along the way you will gallop on empty beaches, trot up the empty shores of Verlorenvlei, go twitching at bird filled Rocherpan and – in season – marvel at the annual display of wild flowers. It is a 225 km journey that combines warm country hospitality with a unique glimpse of the back-of-beyond trails of the Western Cape. It is not cheap, but unforgettable experiences never are! Visit http://www.horsetrailssouthafrica.com/ to learn more.
Go Wild on the Coast
The rolling green hills that stretch from Cintsa in the Eastern Cape to Port St John’s might make hikers huff and puff, but they are a breeze when you’re in the saddle.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails run overnight and multi-day adventures along the Wild Coast from their stables at Morgan Bay, with pony camps for young riders and longer trails for more adventurous travellers.
For a true taste of the Wild Coast the overnight trails are your best bet, as they take in lonely shipwrecks, deserted beaches and lush Wild Coast countryside. Pristine estuaries and mangrove forests offer spectacular birding, while the mild waters of the Indian Ocean are always on hand to offer a cooling swim for both rider and steed! Trails are tailor-made according to the experience of the group. Accommodation along the way varies between historic beach hotels and cosy cottages. For more information, visit http://www.mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za/.
Get High in the Drakensberg
There is something for everyone on Khotso Adventure Farm, a 1,300 hectare working horse and sheep farm in the southern Drakensberg.
A leisurely one hour trail is ideal for novice riders who are new to life in the saddle, while longer trails are geared towards more experienced riders. On all trails spectacular Drakensberg views come standard, and they will happily create bespoke trails for larger groups.
Khotso also offer fantastic horse treks into the high peaks of nearby Lesotho, where you will discover tumbling waterfalls, pristine plateaus and friendly Basotho villagers. Lesotho trails are for a minimum of two days, though, so get set for some serious time in the saddle! Visit http://www.khotsotrails.co.za/ to find out more.
Gallop the Waterberg
Small is beautiful for Carla Lucassen, the owner of Savannah Horse Trails. She leads just a handful of riders (never more than four at a time) on horseback safaris through the bushveld of the Waterberg. And at just a few hours from Johannesburg, it is the ideal break for jet setting travellers.
A proclaimed World Heritage Site, the dramatic landscape of the Waterberg is the perfect spot for equine escape artists. With Savannah Horse Trails you can trot through a 3,000 hectare private reserve and get up close and personal with kudu, duiker, zebra, giraffe and waterbuck, as well as a host of other antelope species. Overhead, keep an eye out for the Verreaux’s eagle, as well as the magnificent Blue crane.
The morning and afternoon rides with Savannah extend to about three hours at a time, and are most suitable for intermediate and advanced riders. Comfortable accommodation on a nearby game farm allows plenty of time to soak up the silence of the bushveld.
To learn more, visit http://www.savannahhorsetrails.co.za/.
Wild River, Calm Horses
The wild landscapes surrounding the Zambezi River offer a wealth of riding opportunities, and Zambezi Horse Trails offers a selection of short and multi-day trails.
A quick drive from Livingstone Airport takes you across the famous Victoria Falls Bridge and into the adjoining national park. Here, within the park boundaries, Alison Baker’s horses are stabled. They are a handpicked selection of Arabians and Anglo-Arabs, carefully trained by Alison herself.
Experienced riders can enjoy magical dawn and sunset rides, or even adventurous multi-day trips through national parks and private reserves. Shorter rides on quieter horses are available for less confident riders.
Whether it’s an hour or a week in the saddle, this is riding at its wildest, and close encounters with elephant and a menagerie of game makes this a horse safari never to be forgotten. Visit http://www.zambezihorsetrails.com/ for more information.
Story by Richard Holmes
