Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
SOUTH AFRICA : WESTERN CAPE DISCOVERY RIDE... OR JUST A 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS AROUND CAPE TOWN...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
The Cape of Good Hope is a part of these
mythical ends of the world the only name of which is enough to make the
imagination gallop.
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We offer you the chance to visit south Africa during the wild flower period
on a new 11 days trail.
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This ride can be combined with our other safaris : Big
Five and Songimvelo
in the north part of the country, but also with our other safaris in Namibia
or in Okavango delta (Botswana).
For more pictures, please consult our road
book made in may 2006.
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 Botrivier “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 Botrivier 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 Botrivier 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.
For those who are doing this trip as 4 days / 3 nights extension,
you will return on day 4 in the evening in 2 hours from Botrivier
to Cape Town by public transport, using a modern 19-seater Mercedes
bus, for which the ticket will be included in the total package.
Day 5 : Thursday
Starting our horse-safari from the old farmstead of the reserve
we cross the De Hoop Vlei, riding among different species of antelope
grazing in the Lowland "fynbos" such as teh Bontebok,
(endemic to this area), springbock, as well as the largest antelope
of all, the eland, grazing in the lowland “fynbos”. 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 particularly
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.
A short drive on a forlorn dirt road northwards takes us to a rest camp on the banks of the Breede River, where we stay for the night. To reach this camp we have to cross this river at Malgas on the only river-ferry in S.A. still pulled across by hand. This region situated adjacent to the most Southern point of Africa is favoured by storks during the European winter and during the S.A. summer, large flocks can be viewed on the fields. This camp consists of 4 luxury tents with comfortable beds set up on wooden platforms on the riverbank plus a spacious main house with a lounge with an open fireplace, dining area and showers. An evening braai (a South African barbeque) is prepared on an open fire on the veranda by the farmer and his wife.
Day 6 : Friday
We have breakfast with boerewors (S.A. sausage) in their old farm-house
before we leave on the day’s ride on pure bread Boereperd horses.
This South African breed of horses is ideally suited for the continuous
descend and climb in and out of the riverbed, which we will experience
today. Bordering Hansie’s farm consisting of vast wheat and
grazing fields for sheep and ostriches, the Breede River makes a
huge loop and his visited by wild geese and the slopes potted by
porcupine burrows. Within the farm we ride for some 20 km along
a lonely stretch of the riverbed meandering within a 50 meters deep
valley through aloe country. A picnic lunch is served by the riverside.
In the afternoon we finish the trail back at the camp, whereupon
we leave for the Aardvark Private Nature College that is situated
in a semi desert called the Small Karoo, and we stay in their brand
new accomodation there. We will have a sundowner ride on the first
evening followed by dinner in the dining room adjoining our bedrooms.
Day 7 : Saturday
After breakfast we take the last ride of this trail through unspoiled
indigenous vegetation in this remote and quiet corner of the Cape
Province, followed by lunch. Afterwards we drive for a quick sightseeing
tour of the historic Cape Dutch style town of Swellendam. From there
we return to Cape Town (2 1/2 hour drive). After checking into the
Boutique guesthouse below Table Mountain in an old suburb just off
the City Bowl, we will have dinner at one of the restaurants in
the famous Cape Town Waterfront.
The program of this day will change in 2008 :
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
After a short morning drive around the quiet city centre, where
we see amongst others, the Company Gardens, Parliament Buildings,
the State President's Office; depending on the weather we will either
visit the top of Table Mountain by cable car, or we will go for
a ferry trip across Table Bay to the famous Robben Island (a world
Heritage Site). Thereafter, we have a late lunch in the restaurant
at the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, situated on
the slopes of Table Mountain. This is followed by a short walk through
the gardens before your transfer back to the airport. On a hot summer's
day you can catch a shower at the airport building after booking
into the departure lounge for your flight home.
The program of this day will change in 2008 :
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 21/2 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.
CAPE EXPRESS (4 firsts days of the Western Cape itinerary)
This ride starts on day 1 morning of the program
Western Cape, to Cape Town Airport. It ends on day 4 evening,
a bus transfer is planned until the airport.
If you want to spend more time in Cape Town to visit this beautiful
city, look at our Cape Town option (3 days / 2 nights).
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.
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EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Cape Town 3 days / 2 nights
Have the good opportunity to stay a few days more in Cape Town to visit
the Garden route, the Wine route, beautiful beaches of Cape Town area,
or the attractive and historic city centre.
The package includes
- 2 nights in B&B to a luxury gueshouse located in Cape Town
- 3 days rental car (based on 2 people sharing)
To add
- Meals and drinks,
- Personnal expenses (fuel, tips, visits, etc...).
Victoria Falls 3 days / 2 nights
90m high and 1800m long, Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful and impressive falls of the world. It's the border between ZAmbia and Zimbabwe. A famous you absolutly have to visit during your stay in South Africa.
The package includes
- Flights Jo'Burg - Livingstone return ticket,
- Airport taxes (average 105 €),
- Transfers from and to Livingstone Airport,
- 2 nights in full board basis including local drinks and house wines,
- Activities : 1 trip to the Zambian side of the falls, laundry, dundown
cruise, mokoro trip, nature trails and village/school tour.
To add
- Optional activities,
- Curio shop and office facilities,
- Insurances.
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
He is an experienced hiker and a registered SATOUR (South African Tourism Board) tourist guide, as well as an active member of the Cape Hunt and Polo Club
Carl has studied the Western Cape extensively, and trailed much of it by horse and by foot. He will take you to places un-accessible by car and show you the natural beauty of the Western Cape as it only can be experienced from horseback.
Having been trained in first-aid and many other essential skills, he has the necessary experience to deal with almost any eventuality.
As a multilingual guide he is able to offer tours in fluent English, German and even speaks a bit of Swedish.
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
| Western Cape Ride 2008 | ||
| October 05 to 12 |
2560 € |
available |
| October 26 to November 02 |
2560 € |
available |
| November 16 to 23 |
2560 € |
available |
| November 30 to December 07 |
2560 € |
available |
- Single room supplement : + 200 €
| Cap Express 2008 | ||
| Departure each D-1 of the Western Cape ride departure dates. |
1280 € |
available |
- Single room supplement : +100 €
| Wild Flower Trail 2008 | ||
| September 13 to 23 |
3135 € |
available |
- Single room supplement : + 115 €
Option
Discover Cape Town city centre, Victoria Falls, Lost City...
Please contact us for more information...
| Cape Town 3 days / 2 nights | |
| From September 01, 2007 to April 30, 2008 |
270 € |
| From May 01 to August 31, 2008 |
210 € |
| From September 01, 2008 to April 30, 2009 |
280 € |
Single supplement during the Cape Town trip :
+ 165 € from September 01 to April 30 2008
+ 140 € from May 01 to August 31 2008
+ 170 € from September 01 2008 to April 30 2009
| Victoria Falls 3 days / 2 nights | |
| From November 01 2007 to May 31 2008 |
760 € |
| From June 01 to October 31 2008 |
920 € |
Single supplement during the Victoria Falls trip :
+ 110 € from November 01 2007 to may 31 2008
+ 140 € from June 01 to october 31 2008
RATE INCLUDING
- 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.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- 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
COUNTRY
South Africa
LENGTH
Western Cape Ride : 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback
Wild Flower Trail : 11 days / 10 nights / 8 days on horseback
LANGUAGE
English
GROUP SIZE
4 to 8 riders maximum.If less than 4 riders, we will be able to guarantee the departure with supplement.
ACCESS
Cape Town
CLIMATE
From mid may to mid september, the weather is colder and rain can fall, that's why we don't have any departure during this period.
The western Cape has a mediteranean climate with hot and dry summers and cold and wet winters.
Formalities
Check with your local embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning
your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
Contact your regular doctor for advice on a treatment against malaria.
REFERENCE :CH151-afriquedusud-le cap-en
