WESTERN CAPE BEACH TRAIL - SOUTH AFRICA
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On this horse riding holiday you will discover the beautiful beaches and mountains of the Western Cape in a point to point trail. Starting about 150 km North of Cape Town from a remote mountain farm, we ride down through the fynbos, past magnificent wetlands with quiet lakes known as Rocher Pan and Verlorevlei (lost estuary) with magnificent its birdlife, through the only area in the world where potatoes are grown in pure white sand, irrigated in large circles, and finally to the West coast of the South Atlantic, where the pristine and lonely beaches seem to be stretching for ever. The area is famous for its profusion of wild flower carpets in August and September, the Namaqualand daisies. The Boerperd x Arab horses are spirited and keen whilst also being surefooted and well suited to the mountainous terrain. A truly spectacular horse riding holiday that you will never forget.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - WESTERN CAPE BEACH TRAIL
Day 1
Guests are collected from Cape Town Airport and travel for 2.5 hours northwards on a scenic drive to a remote fruit in the mountains. Spend teh day recovering from your flight in these peaceful surroundings. Hike on the farm's walking trails through indigenous vegetation and enjoy the peaceful unspoilt mountain kingdom and sandstone rock formations. Dinner and accommodation at the farm in the comfortable fully equipped cottages.
Day 2
After breakfast, we get in the saddle and ride for a while along the mountain which is covered in Cape Mountain Fynbos, being the indigenous floral kingdom, and then take a steep path down to the valley below (walking and leading in places). We stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Overnight we will stay in comfortable restored Sandveld cottages (hot baths and showers) situated in a beautiful garden with resident Fresian horses and a swimming pool on a neighbouring farm. Approx. 4 hours riding and 20km.
Day 3
We ride south following the valley, a sandy agricultural area, and then turn west to a small local town with an interesting guesthouse belonging to a local Austrian. On the way we will picnic at a dam where we can swim. Approx' 28 km riding, approximately 4 ½ hours in the saddle.
Day 4
After breakfast we ride west, skirting a small mountain and a wetland sanctuary with many bird species and on towards the coast. On the way we ride through typical white sand "Sandveld" vegetation with potatoe circles visible, and enjoy a trailside lunch. Crossing underneath the Sishen/Saldanha railway lines into Strandveld vegetation. Then we turn south to the farm where we will sleep in a modest farmhouse situated in sand dunes. There is no electricity but gas shower/bath and candles. There are miles of unspoilt beach and you can swim in the ocean. Braai/barbeque for dinner. Approx. 35km riding.
Day 5
The morning starts our long beach ride north with huge seas, skies and beaches. The area is unpopulated and dolphins and seals can often be observed playing in the waves. After a 25 km ride we reach an oasis called Draaihoek Lodge, thatched and hidden behind high sand dunes, a very comfortable accommodation with an excellent seafood restaurant.
Day 6
We continue north towards Elands Bay - a small fishing village known for its crayfish packing factory. We stopfor a trailside picnic lunch. At Elands Bay we leave the beach and turn Eastwards towards Verloren Vlei (an Estuary) to our bed and breakfast venue on the banks of the vlei, a RAMSA area with many different wetland birds. approx' 30kms.
Day 7
After a wholesome breakfast we begin, crossing the river we ride along the vlei until we steer inland and up along the top of the mountain running alongside the vlei via sandy tracks with amazing panoramic views and the Verloren Vlei below us. The path leads us down to the shore where we will pass through old farms that previously survived on animal farming and fishing. There are some lovely old Sandveld mud and thatch buildings. We picnic here and then ride, keeping alongside the vlei via several farms to Redelinghuys, a small Sandveld town named after the person who donated the ground to build an impressive church. The Verloren Vlei starts here. Dinner and accommodation is in a comfortable guesthouse. Approx 28km riding.
Day 8
Continuing around the Dreifontein Mountain we enter a valley below which is a lemon growing area. This is a Sandveld area and again potatoe circles are evident. After only 20kms we overnight in the Sandveld Country Cottage, which gives us an afternoons' rest before the last day’s trek up the mountains.
Day 9
After breakfast we leave the Sandveld cottages and stop for lunch at a local Swiss farmer after which we head back up the mountain towards the farm we started at. We will arrive late in the afternoon and have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 10
Enjoy breakfast and some time out before leaving for Cape Town.
Please Note:
The entire horse trail is about 150 miles long, a distance covered in 9 days in the saddle. Our safety standards are high and every effort will be made to follow this itinerary. However this program is subject to changes or substitutions to the same high criteria without prior notice, if for example inclement weather makes this necessary, as with many riding holidays.
NOTES - WESTERN CAPE BEACH TRAIL
Apart from the 10 day itinerary above, there are also a 7 day trail or 4 day farm stays available in the Picket Mountain area. These are available on request throughout the year. They can also be combined with 4 nights in the Paarl winelands, 4 nights in Hermanus (see Essential Cape itinerary) and city stays in Cape Town. Cape Town is a beautiful city and 3 days to visit the Waterfront, Robbin Island, Table Mountain, Chapman's Peak Drive and many other sights are a must. Call us to tailor make your stay in the Western Cape.
Western Cape 7 day/6 night trail £750
Ride through unspoilt indigenous mountain vegetation and fruit orchards with spectacular views. Enjoy the tranquility whilst staying overnight in a remote picturesque stone cottage at Agterdam where there is not a soul in sight. Journey through the magical Banghoek Nature Reserve with all of its wonderful sights. The Boerperd x Arab horses are spirited and keen whilst also being surefooted and well suited to the mountainous terrain. Western Cape Seven Day Itinerary
3 Night Western Cape Farm Stays £370
Day 1: Arrive from Cape Town. 3 hours riding. Night at the farm
Day 2: Dayride. Night at the farm
Day 3: Free day - hiking/resting/sightseeing
Day 4: 2 hour ride. Return to Cape Town.
OR
Day1: Arrive from Cape Town. Hiking on mountains or 2 hour ride. Night at the farm.
Day 2: Leave for overnight ride. Night at overnight spot (location varies with weather).
Day 3: Return to farm in the afternoon.
Day 4: Resting. Return to Cape Town. £470
GETTING TO Capetown Airport
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers, accommodation, all meals and beverages, all riding.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, insurance, items of a personal nature and gratuities, transfers from other location/at other times.
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