Our Destinations

Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

SOUTH AFRICA : TRAIL RIDING ON THE WILD COAST...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

Have a look at our photo album of this trail !

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday
We advise riders to try and plan to arrive in East London on SA flight 471 at 12.05. It's approximately 11/2 hours drive to Kei Mouth from the airport. After settling you into your hotel room we make our way to the horse paddocks situated a short distance from where you're staying. After a brief introduction, we will take the horses out for the afternoon, (time and light permitting) and explore the village and river front of Kei Mouth. The first evening we will join you for drinks and dinner, before a good night rest after your long journey. Accommodation Morgan Bay Hotel or Mitford lodge in Morgan Bay.

Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast, we will pick you up at about 9.30 am and go to the paddocks to collect the horses. We head across the Kei River and enjoy some great beach riding and get to "Trennery's" in time for lunch. The horses are given a few hours off and you get to laze around the swimming pool, walk, and mountain bike, play tennis or head for the beach. During the late afternoon, we take the horses across country and explore some unusual river formations at "The Gates". We finish with a sunset canter down the mile long beach.
Accommodation "Trennery's".

Day 3 - Monday
This morning we ride to the nearby local community development project and discover some Xhosa traditions and customs. We then meander through the tribal villages and ride onto the Nongqawases Pools and waterfalls, and hear about legends of the Xhosa people. After lunch, we ride to the wreck of the Jacaranda. Depending on the tide the riding is energetic and exciting as we canter the beaches or rolling country side.
Accommodation "Trennery's".

Day 4 - Tuesday
Heading north, we pass the Jacaranda and head inland across country and through rural villages to cross the Kobonqaba River. The horses set a steady pace at trot and canter as we head towards Wavecrest in time for lunch. This afternoon is free time. You can take a boat trip up the river and explore the Mangrove swamps, hike, fish, or just kick back and relax in the Jacuzzi! Guests are invited to spoil themselves at the spa, enjoy a massagen manicure, pedicure, sauna, steam room. Drinks on the deck at sunset as we sit a watch the great Crested Cranes come in to roost, end a perfect day.
Accommodation "Wavecrest".

Day 5 - Wednesday
The low tide dictates our riding path today. We either circle inland towards the remote settlement of Cebe, exploring huge sand dune forests before finding a perfect picnic spot for lunch and head back towards Wavecrest along the endless beaches. Or we do the ride the other way around - this give us the best beach riding at low tide and a safe river crossing.
Accommodation "Wavecrest".

Day 6 - Thursday
Today we start our journey back home. This time we cross the Kobonqaba river at the river mouth. This crossing can be a comfortable wade through at low tide, and our departure time will depend on this. We ride back past Trennery's and call in a Seagulls Beach Hotel for a great pub lunch. We then head towards Kei Mouth and the Pontoon crossing before dropping the horses off at the paddocks around 4.00 pm.
Accommodation "Cock Inn".

Day 7 - Friday
Breakfast and transfer to the Inkwenkwezi game reserve in the morning to spend a full day horse riding safari and/or game drive. We can organise our day as we want, for example : 2 hours ride in the morning, a nice lunch, a time rest in the afternoon and a sunset game drive to end the day. A nice braii will wait for you for dinner before a wonderful last night in South Africa...
Night in luxury tents to "Inkwenkwezi game reserve".

Day 8 - Saturday
In the morning, transfer back to East London airport. If you want to extend you trip in South Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Kruger Park...), please contact us.

The itinerary is flexible. Changes may occur due to weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

Have a look at our photo album of this trail !

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extend your trip and visit the Kruger National Game Reserve, Cape Town or Victoria Falls.
You can also combine this safari with one of our other ride : Big Five Safari, Songimvelo Safari, Cape Town area ride, Okapuka safari, Okavango delta, etc...
Contact us for further details...

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 (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.

Consult rates.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
The horses are a selection of Arab, part Arab, Anglo Arab, Boerperd, Percheron crosses. they stand between 1m44 and 1m63. Our horses are relaxed, easy to ride, fit and forward going.

Tack
Most have snaffle mouths. We use saddles especially designed for trail riding by Leon Liversage. The saddle distributes the weight equally on the horses back and is very comfortable for the rider. The design with a high pommel and cantel makes one sit straight automatically and is therefore better for you and the horse. Each horse has its own saddle to ensure a comfortable and perfect fit.
Each saddle is equipped with a splash proof saddle bag carrying 2 water bottles and can hold a camera and other essentials while out riding for the day. We scrupulously maintain our tack and equipment.

Required riding experience
You must be comfortable at trot and canter, without being a very experienced rider. Thanks to the little group, confirmed riders will find an adapted horse.
We generally ride 2 to 3 hours in the morning and again 11/2 to 2 hours in the afternoon, depending on the weather, sea tides, and what the riders can manage.
The riding is paced according to the rider's abilities. Generally walking along cattle paths and cliff tops, long trots and canters on sandy tracks, with fast canters and an occasional gallop along beaches.
The most of the time, we organize private departure, for couple of friends or families. Contact us.
We prefer that all persons, when mounted wear protective head gear.

Maximum weight : 95 kg
Riders over 95 kg can be accommodated, however we reserve the right to charge a supplement (R2000 / horse / trail) and the riders will be required to alternate their riding between two horses while on longer trails. This is charged at the guide's discretion and is juged on rider fitness and riding experience. This is payable in cash on first day of trail. We advise riders who are boarder line heavy weight, to have cash with them.

YOUR GUIDES

The guides are competent concerning riding, but they also perfectly know the reserve and the fauna that is present. They are implicated in local life and in environnement protection. They own a 200 cows in their cattle ranch following extensive breeding.

ACCOMMODATION

Morgan Bay Hotel or Mitford Lodge This is a boutique family run hotel right on the beach front in Morgan Bay. The views from the rooms and patio are unbeatable. You can relax and watch for whales and dolphins while watching the sun set here. There is a good menu with some wonderful local wines as well as a friendly bar. Riders are specially welcomed and readied for their next day on the trek.

Trennery’s We arrive at Trennery’s in time for lunch the following day tides and pontoon crossing permitting. With its swimming pool, bar and their recreational facilities this is a haven of cool and peace. The hotel is set among lush indigenous gardens and a private beach is a short walk past the tennis courts. The rooms are comfortable twin or double rooms with en suite bathroom and this historic hotel has a decidedly "colonial" feel. The food is good and wholesome and on Saturday night you will experience the traditional Wild Coast seafood buffet.

Wavecrest Wavecrest's newly refurbished accommodation is clean, comfortable and functional. It is simple enough however, to make guests feel relaxed about coming home barefoot from the beach. The island style bungalows and rondavels are set in manicured lawns and gardens, many of which enjoy the most stunning views of the sea and estuary. The family suites and double room accommodation each have an en suite bath or shower room with an abundance of steaming hot water.

Cock Inn Tam and Pepper (her small dog) will welcome you in their wonderful house with lot of love. Not along the beach but in the country side, this accommodation is one of our favourite. Very well decorated rooms all in different styles.

Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve This private game reserve is where you get to see giraffe, rhino, and lion and just about everything else in between. The secluded bush camp is luxurious, the safari tents are tucked away and you become part of African the bush. Here you'll have a traditional South African "Braii"

Meals
Breakfast : A variety of cereals, farm yogurt, toast, home made jams & preserves, home made butter, free range eggs, home made sausage, bacon, tomatoes, fruit juice and filter coffee and tea. So you can choose between a traditional English breakfast and the continental equivalent.
Lunch in pubs or picnic.
Dinner : In the evenings we enjoy a selection of good South African wines to complement the meal and finish with a nightcap of local liqueurs.

DATES AND RATES

- single supplement : + 200 €
(applies if you travel alone and we do not find another rider to share your room)

- Supplement if only one rider on the trail : + 450 €

Possibility to plan a private departure on demand, subject to flights availability for 2 persons minimum.

Option
Discover Victoria Falls, Lost City...

Please contact us for further information...

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, excluding drinks,
- transfers from and to East London airport,
- horse riding,
- entry fees to local project,
- back up and luggage transfers,
- service of a professionnal guide, groom and our personal attention,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

RATE NOT INCLUDING

- Flights to East London. Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country,
- organization of any discover tour of Africa (Cape Town, Zulus area, Sun City, Victoria Falls..)
- any other service,
- drinks,
- tips,
- insurance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurances only if you are an European resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurance company - more information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Dorothee, the specialist for this destination !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

East London (South Africa).
Please plan to arrive to East London airport on day 1 between 11.30 and 12.05 and note the transfer back to the airport will be planned on day 8 in the morning, please book a flight leaving from 15.45. In any case, please contact us before to book flights by your own.
Should you not be able to get these flights, we will have to charge an additional transfer fee of 70 € per trip (to share between passengers).

CLIMATE

January and february : min 16°C max 28°C. Hot, with cool sea breeze along the coast, occasional afternoon thunder showers. A perfect time to get away and soak up the sun.
March and April : min 12°C max 26°C. Sunny and warm, end of the season rain showers.
May to July : min 10°C max 24°C. Perfect riding weather. Endless days of warm sun and blue sky. This is the best place to be at this time of the year in South Africa. It's never too cold and never too hot !
August and September : min 8°C max 22°C. Mid winter, balmy days and nice riding weather.
October - closed : lots of Spring rain! The horses need to have their own annual vaccinations and a holiday.
November and december : min 12°C max 26°C. Early summer and tropically warm occasionally rainy days.

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 :CH31-afriquedusud-cotesauvage-en