The Karoo to Coast Horse Trail – A Ride to Remember
Lisa Ward's account of her trip to South Africa to experience the Karoo to Coast Horse Trail.
The Karoo to Coast Horse Trail – A Ride to Remember
I had the absolute privilege of riding the Karoo to Coast Horse Trail with Celia and her exceptional guides in November. While I may be slightly biased, I genuinely believe that this ‘downward’ route (Karoo to Coast) is superior to the return ‘upward’ Coast to Karoo ride. Finishing at the game reserve and culminating in a beach ride makes for a truly perfect ending, although I am sure that there are those riding the Coast to Karoo who will challenge this!
This ride takes one places that haven’t been traversed in many years, reaching remote areas accessible only on horseback, while immersing riders in the rich culture and history of the region. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, ensuring every moment of the journey is both informative and captivating.

The experience is made even more special by the herd of Cape Riding Horses, descendants of the Boerperd. These sure-footed, gentle creatures are dedicated to ensuring you reach your destination safely. The same horses used on this 200km route are also trusted companions in the children’s pony camps – a testament to their remarkable temperament and safety.

The Karoo to Coast Horse Trail is an unforgettable 8-day trip, with 7 riding days, packed full of sights, smells, sounds, experiences, coupled with excellent company!! And let’s not forget the delicious food and outstanding wine! From the ‘magical’ indigenous forest, where we rode in silence out of respect, to the vast, rugged landscape leading us to Herold.
I arrived a day early – advisable if you are coming any distance. There wasn’t a huge time difference for me (2hrs), but to have the chance to relax after an 11-hour flight was welcome! I was graciously accommodated in the beach house, just 15 minutes from the airport and also our final location of the trip.

The next morning, I headed to the airport to meet one of the later arriving guests, while the rest of the group who had already arrived made their way directly to the farm for the first night. This seamless start set the tone for what would be an extraordinary journey.
The transfer from the airport took around 1hr45 min bringing us to Doornkraal – a working farm nestled at the foot of the Swartberg mountains. The farmhouse was built in 1914 and is rich in history. Nearby are 2 self-catering cottages. The first, ‘Doornkraal Tuinhuis’ features 2 en-suite rooms (one with a double bed and the other with twin beds), a kitchenette, and access to the swimming pool. The second, ‘Kerneelia Kothuis’, a romantic off-the-grid one-bedroomed cottage with a kitchenette. It boasts a unique touch – a large wine barrel filled with mountain water, heated by a hot water ‘donkey’ boiler, ideal for an evening dip!
After settling in, we changed into riding gear and gathered for a briefing. Celia provided us with a very thoughtful package containing a map of our route, a copy of the itinerary, a fascinating overview of the horse’s history, and a keepsake of a Klein Karoo to Coast Horse Trail keyring. We then set out on a 2-hour ride around the farm to ensure that our horses and tack were the right fit.

I was paired with Doring – a gentle soul who was happy to hang back (as long as he didn’t lose sight of his herd!) – and a very comfortable western saddle. The other three riders were equally happy with their mounts, and we all felt prepared and excited for the journey ahead the following day!
We were warmly welcomed back into the main farmhouse where we enjoyed a ‘family-style’ meal, joined by Celias father, Swepie. Over dinner, he captivated us with stories about the history of the farm, adding a personal and memorable touch to the evening.
Each evening, Celia would provide a briefing on the day ahead (including a weather report so we could dress accordingly), and in the morning, should anything have changed, we were always kept up to date.
Our second day took us around the farm which spans over 22 hectares. We enjoyed lunch en route at the welcoming home of the lady who used to cook at Celia’s farm. There we savoured ostrich sausages in freshly made roosterkoek, cooked over the braai (BBQ), with salad and delicious koeksisters for dessert!

Afterward, we meandered back towards the farmhouse for an amazing evening meal paired with wines from the farm. On this evening we were fortunate enough to have sundowner drinks with the foals! A short drive in a bakkie (small truck) filled with snacks and drinks took us to where the foals and their mothers grazed. As the sun set over the farm, we mingled with the animals in a serene and beautiful moment – an experience I will always cherish on this Karoo to Coast Horse Trail.
On day 3 we set our sights on our camping spot in the Kammanassie mountains. After packing a smaller bag for the overnight stay, the rest of our luggage was picked up around 7am and transported to the next stop, while we enjoyed breakfast. En route to the campsite, we stopped in De Rust for lunch at a charming restaurant with a shop and art gallery close by for some mid-day browsing.

Camping on the Karoo to Coast Horse Trail is not a ‘roughing it’ ordeal! The camping spot was a stunning location at the foot of the mountain, where the backup team had already set up the camp for us. The tents were new, with stretchers and bed rolls (duvets and pillows – the height of comfort!). There were even hot water bottles available in every tent for those who needed it! The ‘food’ tent was already set up and stocked full of provisions – it was an incredibly cold wet day for us, so the roaring fire and hot kettle were welcome sights!

The camp has a toilet (a long drop, but very sophisticated with a camping toilet in situ!). There was also a hot shower, and although this involved a bit of technique to get the hot water, it was very welcome. There’s nothing like waking up in the morning to a line of horses after a good night’s sleep, all ready to be saddled up and continue with the trail!
On day 4, we woke to the warmth of a welcome fire on a cold morning, with coffee and tea already on the go, and enjoyed a hearty cowboy breakfast before heading off. We rode across the Kammanassie mountain to Jacobsal farm. The trail was very rocky underfoot, and also very steep in places. You have the option to hop off and walk parts of the trail if preferred, as some parts are a steep uphill.
The horses, however, handled it admirably. Along the route, Celia hopped off and collected flowers for the evening’s dinner table and proceeded to ride for the remaining 2 hours carrying a perfectly arranged bouquet!! The farmhouse that we stayed in was sprawling, with 6 large double rooms and 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen, and an area to relax.

On day 5, we rode through a vast, rugged landscape, making our way towards the Louvain farm lodge at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountain, where we would spend our evening. En route, we had planned to have a picnic lunch, but due to the damp ground from the day before, we were very kindly accommodated on the veranda of a local homestead. It was a beautiful setting where we enjoyed pea soup and toasties!
As we approached our stop for the night, the horses’ excitement was palpable! Galloping up the track to the farmhouse, it became clear why – a vast field full of lush grass and clover awaited them. They grazed contentedly throughout the night, but by morning, they were all lying down, clearly regretting their overindulgence. There were some very fat ponies that morning!

On day 6 of the Karoo to Coast Horse Trail the riders could feel that the coast was close. We rode across the Outeniqua mountains with two of the guides, with Celia joining us later on the trail. Along the way, we encountered several ostriches and their young. We kept our distance as they watched us warily. The route involved picking our way across the landscape due to some gully-type areas that were too wide to jump, where we had to wind our way around.

Today’s saddle bag lunch was enjoyed in a beautiful spot whilst crossing the mountains. After lunch, Celia joined us to guide us through a forest. This truly was a beautiful location, and completely different from the mountains and valleys that we had ridden through to date.
On entering the forest, Celia retrieved a pair of secateurs from her saddle bag to assist our route through. We rode through in silence through this magical place, out of respect for this beautiful indigenous forest. There were some fallen trees to be negotiated along the way, some we jumped, others we wound around, but the peacefulness of the forest, with only the sound of hooves on the soft forest floor, made it all the more enchanting.
We ended our day at another beautiful location, where hot tubs awaited us. There was also a farm shop and coffee shop on site as well. That evening, the horses left us for their journey to the beach house, where we would have our final ride with them the next day.

On day 7, our final riding day of the Karoo to Coast Horse Trail, we were all looking forward to a 2-hour ride on the beach and a trip to a game reserve! The horses, being ‘country folk’ who hadn’t seen the sea very often, were thrilled, snorting, and eager to explore!

Despite their excitement, they were extremely well-behaved. We rode up to the end of the beach, allowing the horses to get used to the waves. The horses were very responsive to the aids and rode at the pace that you were comfortable with, whilst also happy to take you at speed up the beach if wished.
After lunch, we took a short transfer to the game reserve where we spent about 2.5hrs. Helmets are mandatory in the reserve, and we had to sign a waiver before heading out. We rode with 2 guides, plus our guide team who was there with us to enjoy the tranquillity of the reserve. Though it was a windy afternoon, which kept many of the animals sheltered, we were still fortunate enough to spot elephants, black impala, ostrich with her baby, wildebeest and giraffe.

For the final evening meal we enjoyed a delicious Yellowtail fish cooked on the braai (BBQ), with Eban joining us for a very relaxing evening, chatting around the table.

Day 8 had rolled around and it was time to say our goodbyes. The team were very accommodating with transfers and happy to take the clients whenever they needed to be. I was lucky enough to spend the final morning enjoying the beach before my transfer to the airport at midday.
The Karoo to Coast Horse Trail is not just a ‘horse ride’; it is an unforgettable adventure through breathtaking landscapes, guided by a team that clearly loves what they do, and supported by horses that exemplify trust and reliability.

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