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SOUTH AFRICA : WESTERN CAPE DISCOVERY RIDE...

ITINERARY

WESTERN CAPE RIDE (8 days)

Ranking amongst the most beautiful and certainly one of the most varied horse trails in the world with lots of game viewing! Especially suited for riders who want to be spoiled and are used to high standards in accommodation and catering. Most Guest Farms have a pool and rooms with on-suite bathrooms.

The entire 8 days trip covers approximately 900 km driving through beautiful countryside and approximately 200 km on 8 different rides, using 4 different stables. The rider must be proficient in rising trot and canter and should have some outride experience. Riders will always have the choice to retire after lunch making their way back with the support vehicle, while their horse is ridden back by one of the grooms. This ensures that not so fit riders can also enjoy this horse trail. Accommodation for this trip is in 6 totally different carefully selected up market locations.

Day 1 : Sunday
Arrival at Cape Town International Airport on Sunday morning (departure from Europe the previous night). From the airport we drive across the Cape Peninsula over the breathtaking Chapman's Peak Drive to the gracious Lavenhof homestead, situated in the De Goede Hoop Estate - Noordhoek, where you will be welcomed by a champagne buffet lunch. In the afternoon we will ride former race-horses along the magnificent, wide and empty Noodhoek beach, followed by a dinner at a restaurant with views over the South Atlantic.

Day 2 : Monday
We depart from Cape Town early in the morning for a scenic drive along the spectacular False Bay coastline and onto Kleinmond where at mid morning we start the ride along the pristine beach between the ocean of the South Coast and the Kleinmond Lagoon Nature reserve as well as the Botriver “Vlei” (estuary). Here we can canter to our heart’s content. During the course of the day we are likely to see a herd of wild horses as well as flocks of flamingos and pelicans in the lagoon and sometimes fish eagles and seals. Lunch is served in a seaside restaurant. After the afternoon ride, a short drive brings us to the stables at Botriver where we lodge for two nights in a quaint historic wine farm. We will be welcomed to a wine tasting by the proprietor.

Day 3 : Tuesday
We start from the stables, with the same horses that we rode the previous day, on an ancient ox wagon trail that follows the old railway line as it winds itself up the historic pass to the Houw Hoek Inn. In open terrain we continue riding through pristine mountain “fynbos” (indigenous shrub land), up the Groenlandberge (Groenlandmountains). At an altitude of approximately 700-meters we take a break to enjoy the view and continue riding on a different path back to the Houw Hoek Inn for a late lunch. In the afternoon we return riding through the old pass down to the stables.

Day 4 : Wednesday
Again we start the ride from the Botriver stables. This time through the rolling hills of the Overberg wheat, wine, cattle and sheep farming region, with a lunch stop to the old olive shad of the wine farm Gabriels valley. Thereafter we ride back to the stables completing our circular route for the day. In the late afternoon we drive for 1½ hour eastwards, the latter part of which is on lonely dirt roads, past some big ostrich farms, to the remote 36000 ha De Hoop Nature reserve. Here we stay for the night in the Buchu Bush camp. These are truly comfortable rustic chalets; designed and built by an environmental conservationist right in the “fynbos” flora.

Day 5 : Thursday
Starting our horse safari from the 250 years old farmstead of the reserve, we first ride alongside the De Hoop Vlei among different species of antelope grazing in the lowland “fynbos” such as the bontebok, (endemic to this area), springbock, and the largest antelope of all the eland,. Cape mountain zebras, baboons, wild ostriches, as well as different water-birds, to name but a few of the many different species in the reserve, can be seen at close range. We continue our ride over huge, bright, white, sand dunes (up to 85 meters in height), for which this national park is famous, down to a beach at the Indian Ocean. This totally uninhabited, coastal stretch has, during the mating season from end May to end November, the highest concentration of whales sighted anywhere in the world. These can be viewed at close proximity from the high vantage point of the saddle! After some 8 kms riding along the shore we meet up with the support team at the far end of the beach for a picnic lunch. Afterwards we ride on different tracks back through the coastal “fynbos” to the old farmstead, viewing game all the way.
We first take a forlorn dirt road eastwards before crossing the Breede River on the only ferry in S.A. still pulled across by hand. Shortly after Riversdale we reach the Zoutpan Struishuis Guest Farm, a working ostrich farm, where we stay for the night. An evening braai (a S.A. barbeque) is prepared on an open fire and we spend the evening chatting with the farmer and his family.

Day 6 : Friday

We have a breakfast with boerewors (S.A. sausage) before we leave on the day’s ride on Arab horses, which the farmer’s sons breed for export sale to the Middle East for endurance riding. Our ride is through areas of indigenous fauna where reeds are harvested for roof thatching and on sandy tracks through bush land. There are plenty of opportunities for long canters on these horses, which will keep going all day. A picnic lunch is served in the bush before we finish the trail back at the farm. Before we leave, we have a tour of the ostrich farm seeing the entire cycle from breeding pair to the incubator and the chicks. Less than an hour’s drive through the Gracia’s Pass later we arrive at the Aardvark Private Nature College, situated in a semi-desert known as the Small Karoo, where we stay the night in their brand new accommodation. We have a sundowner ride through the arid, Arizona-like terrain on their Boereperd horses. This S.A. breed of horse is ideally suited for the descent and climb of the steep hills, which we will mainly experience tomorrow. Dinner tonight is a Potjie ( S.A. stew) served in the dining room adjoining our bedrooms.

Day 7 : Saturday
We have our final ride of 4 hours in the morning in the undulating scrubland and dried up river beds of the veldt (indigenous field) stopping for a picnic breakfast enroute. The trail leads through the unspoiled vegetation of this remote and quiet corner of the Cape Province. We return to the college for lunch. Thereafter we drive for 1 1/2 hour to the upmarket, big five, Wildlife Reserve of Sanbona situated in a 54000 hectare private reserve in the most remote part of the Small Karoo, at the foot of the Warmwaterberg. Here we stay for the last night in the luxurious Tilney Manor hunting Lodge. On arrival we will have the thrill of our first big five game drive in an open Land Cruiser, followed by a sumptuous dinner.

Day 8 : Sunday
The next morning, after breakfast, we have our second game drive, returning to Tilney Manor in time for a substancial lunch. Afterwards we drive for 2 1/2 hours, via the spectacular Du Toits Kloof, back to Cape Town or to the aiport (where you can have a shower in the airport building).

Our safety standards are high and every effort will be made to follow this itinerary, however, this program is subject to change or substitution for rides and accommodation to the same high standard without prior notice.

Guest can take part in the first 4 days of this tour. They will be transferred on day 4, in the evening in 11/4 hour from Botrivier to the international Airport or Cape Town.

WILD FLOWER TRAIL (11 days)

This horse trail starts about 150 km North of Cape Town on top of the remote Piketberg Mountain and takes us down through magnificent wetlands with quiet lakes known as Rocher Pan and Verlorevlei (lost estuary), as well as 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 called the West Coast Region and is famous for its profusion of wild flower carpets in August and September, the so-called Namaqualand daisies. The last night is spent in a uniquely preserved, old, Cape Dutch Farm where since 1770 not too much has changed.

Day 1 : Saturday
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport in the morning. Weather permitting, drive to Table Mountain and take the Aerial Cableway up to the top of the mountain. (On cloudy days we will instead visit the famous Waterfront). We walk across the tabletop to the highest point, Mc Clears beacon (1084m), and back to descend into town for a conducted tour by car through the centre of Cape Town. Thereafter we drive for 2 hours northwards through the so-called Swartland to the Excelsior Farm hidden in the Piketberg Mountains.

Day 2 : Sunday
With the horses from the farm, ride along the mountain for a while, covered in Cape Mountain Fynboss - the indigenous flora, and then take a steep path down to the valley below. (Walking and leading in places). We will stay overnight at Kaptein's Kloof Farm in comfortable, restored, Sandveld cottages with a swimming pool. +/- 4 hours riding of approximately 20 km.

Day 3 : Monday
We ride south following the valley, a sandy agricultural area, and then turn west to the small town of Aurora with an interesting guesthouse belonging to a local Austrian. On the way we will picnic at a dam where we can swim. +/- 28 km riding - approximately 4 ½ hours in the saddle.

Day 4 :Tuesday
Riding west, we now head towards the coast of the South Atlantic across the sandy (Sandveld) potato growing area into the Rocherpan Nature Reserve. This is a pan with wetlands, giving cover to many bird species, as well as small game. We can swim in
the ocean and will have a Braai (barbeque). +/- 35 km riding. The night is spent in a modest Farmhouse, called Seefontein, situated in the sand dunes, without electricity but with gas, hot water shower and bath and candle lighting.

Day 5 : Wednesday
In the morning we start our long beach ride north along the deserted shore-line, stretching ahead of us into the seemingly unending distance. 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 guest-house with an excellent seafood restaurant.

Day 6 : Thursday
Continue north towards Elands Bay (a small fishing village known for its crayfish packing factory) stopping for a trailside lunch. At Elands Bay we leave the beach and turn eastwards towards Verloren Vlei (an estuary) to our guest house Vensterklip on the banks of the vlei which has many different wetland birds. +/- 30km.

Day 7 : Friday
We ride east along the south side of Verloren Vlei, first up along the crest of a long hill, running parallel to the estuary, on sandy tracks and with stunning panoramic views onto the vlei below and Bushman rock art paintings in the wonderful sandstone outcrops. Then the path leads down to the shores where we pass old farms that used to survive on the fish of the estuary. The farm buildings consist of Sandfeld mud and thatched huts. We have a picnic lunch and swim along the way before continuing to a Sandveld hamlet called Redlighys, where we stay in a comfortable guest-house. +/- 28km.

Day 8 : Saturday
Continuing around the Dreifontein Mountain we enter a valley below the Aurora Mountain, which is a Lemon growing area. After only 20 km we overnight in the Sandveld Country Cottage, which gives us an afternoons rest before the last day's trek up the mountains.

Day 9 : Sunday
We stop for lunch at a local Swiss farmer's house, after which we head back up the mountains towards the Excelsior farm where we will have our farewell dinner. +/- 40 km.

Day 10 : Monday
After breakfast we leave the farm and drive down the mountain towards the Berg River where within an hour we arrive at the Guest Farm Kersefontein a unique, Cape Dutch homestead in the hands of the Melck family since 1770 and where not to much has changed since. After lunch we go on a final laid-back ride with the horses of the farm, along the Berg River, followed by a Cape Dutch Dinner in Style.

Day 11 : Tuesday
After breakfast we depart for Tulbagh in the Boland where before lunch we visit the Old Drostdy - the old magistrates court, for a conducted tour and some wine tasting, followed by lunch at the Paddagang Restaurant. Church Street, in this village, boasts the largest number of buildings with historic monument's plaques in South Africa. After lunch we continue our drive through the famous Bain's Kloof to Stellenbosch. Here we pop in to the unique bric-a-brac curio shop - Oom Samy se Winkle (Uncle Sam's Shop) before we continue to the airport where you catch your return, overnight flight home.

Our safety standards are high and every effort will be made to follow this itinerary, however, this program is subject to change or substitution for rides and accommodation to the same high standard without prior notice.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
We use excellent horses of different breeds, varying from English Thoroughbreds to American Saddle breeds and the South African Boereperd.

Tack
English saddle are provided

Required riding level
The daily rides vary between 4 ½ and 6 hours. Proficiency in the saddle is more important than stamina. This makes our "Kap Ritt" particularly suitable for all members of the family, young and old, who want to enjoy horse riding in unique surroundings, but do not want to rough it.

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Accomodation
One of the key points of this ride : Carl dedicated years to select the most typical and the most representative accommodations of the cultural variety of the Region of the Cape, often opening you the doors of private houses.
You will sleep at a wine grower's, a breeder of ostrichs, in a sublime one house deprived of style " Cape Dutch ", in bungalow in the thatched roof in full nature reserve before ending on a last night in a hotel of charm in the city of the Cape.
All the accommodations you will meet during the ride are very comfortable, what will garanty you a good night before the ride of the next day.

Catering
Meals will be served to host's table for dinner. At noon, you will stop in small local restaurants with the guarantee to be able to eat warmly every day.

DATES AND RATES

Options

Discover Cape Town city centre, Victoria Falls, Lost City...

Plea

- the trail as describe in full board basis, water, soft drinks, wine, beer included,
- transfers from and to Cape Town airport,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

- International flights to Cape Town
- organization of any discover tour of Africa (Cape Town, Victoria Falls..)
- any other service,
- tips,
- insurance : more information

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Dorothee, the specialist for this destination

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Western Cape Ride : 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback

Wild Flower Trail : 11 days / 10 nights / 8 days on horseback

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.