“Tallyho” Cape Town here we come

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Safari at the Cape

Your host Carl

Back to:

Safari at the Cape

 WESTERN CAPE
DRAG HUNTS 
 

The Cape Hunt has followed a tradition of riding to hounds for over 170 years www.chpc.co.za  It holds the distinction of being the oldest of the “New World” Hunts, dating back to 1822, when the Governor to the Cape, Lord Charles Somerset first imported foxhounds from the famous Beaufort Hunt. Until around the Second World War the usual quarry was wild jackal, once a prolific scourge in the Western Cape. Today the jackals around Cape Town are almost extinct and the Hunts, as organised by the Cape Hunt And Polo Club, have therefore reverted to Drag- or Trail Hunting. The Hounds hunt a pre-laid scent over 6 to 7 “lines” of up to 2 miles each interspersed with checks for refreshment. The riders have a choice to ride in the first or second Field each led by a Field Master. The second Field rides slower and jumps are not compulsory. At each check a change of Fields is permitted. The dress code is similar to the U.K. and you are therefore invited to hunt in your club’s hunting attire. The Hunt Season stretches from beginning of May to mid September, which is our Green-Season with some occasional rains (in most areas below 200mm per annum) and day temperatures ranging around 20 Centigrade. The hunts are held on different farms, on which we are very welcome, in one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the world. The spaciousness of the Countryside and the large size of the farms make crossing of public roads of any kind an absolute exception. .

The proposed tour as per itinerary below is especially suited for riders who want to be spoiled and are used to high standards in accommodation and culinary experiences. Led by a SATOUR (S.A.Tourism Board) guide and longstanding active member of the Cape Hunt (honorary life member) Carl Schwinges, who specializes in organizing up market Trail-Rides. Carl spends his spare time helping the huntsman exercising the hounds of the club, who presently number approximately 15 couples.

DAY 1 (Tuesday): Arrival at Cape Town International Airport in the morning on a direct flight from Heathrow (departure the previous night). Transfer to the accommodations on the Wine farm Rhebokskloof (www.rhebokskloof.co.za) near Paarl. After lunch we get acquainted with our hunting horses on a two-hour trail starting from the Stables on the wine farm and leading up into the Paarl Rock Nature Reserve with stunning views into the Paarl valley, followed by some optional practise jumping. Weather permitting an evening braai (barbeque) is served at the stables or a dinner at the Rhebokskloof Restaurant.

DAY 2 (Wednesday): After breakfast a ½ hour drive brings us to the base of the Hunt Club “Hunters Valley” where the kennels are housed and where a special mid week hunt for our guests is organised, followed by a hunt breakfast or Braai. In the late afternoon we depart on a scenic drive through Franschhoek to the historic Houw Hoek Inn (www.houwhoekinn.co.za) where we stay for four nights.  

DAY 3 (Thursday): After breakfast a short drive down the Houw Hoek Pass takes us to Kleinmond where, with horses brought in from the Botrivier stables, we start a trail 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. The support vehicle team will serve a picnic lunch. After the afternoon ride, a short drive brings us to a small upmarket wine farm, Compagnes Drift, of the Beaumont family, where the winemaker, Sebastian Beaumont, will give us a wine tasting of their outstanding wines (www.beaumont.co.za) followed by dinner at the Inn.

Day 4 Friday): 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. Thereafter we retire to the Inn.

DAY 5 (Saturday): Again we start the ride from the Botrivier stables. This time through the rolling hills of the Overberg wheat and wine farming region, with a lunch stop at the ethnic Afrikaans Dassiesfontain Inn. Thereafter we ride back to the stables completing our circular route for the day. In the evening we enjoy a dinner dance at the Inn with the locals. 

DAY 6 (Sunday):  We leave the Inn after an early breakfast dressed in our hunting attire and drive in approximately 1 ½ hour to the specific farm on which the hunt is scheduled to take place on this Sunday starting at 10 am. There our hunting horses from the Rhebokskloof stables will be ready for us us. Happy Hunting is followed by a braai or a hunt breakfast. In the late afternoon we drive to Cape Town where we lodge for two nights in the elegant guesthouse Welgelegen (www.welgelegen.co.za) situated in a tranquil suburb above the city-bowel. After checking into our guesthouse we will spend an evening in the famous Waterfront and have dinner at one of the finest fish restaurants in the country, Quay 4, with stunning views into the harbour.

DAY 7 (Monday): On this day we are going on the great Cape Peninsula tour, visiting the historic Groot Constantia Farm, the naval base Simon’s Town situated in the False Bay and dating back to a bygone British era, the penguin beach and the Cape Point nature reserve. After lunch we have a last ride along the magnificent Noordhoek beach with horses from a racehorse-stable and thereafter drive back to town over the famous Chapman’s Peak and the suburbs on the Atlantic seaboard like Camps Bay and Clifton. A farewell dinner attended by Club members such as the Master of the Cape Hunt Dr. Vere Allin and his wife Gail is planned.

DAY 8 (Tuesday): Depending on the prevailing wind we have either planed a morning visit by cable car to the top of table mountain, or a ferry trip across table bay to the world heritage site, the old prison island, Robben Island, or perhaps a visit to the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. This is followed by lunch at the world-class late Victorian Hotel, Mount Nelson, (www.mountnelsonhotel.orient-express.com) dating back to the bygone era of the famous Union Castle mail boats. From the hotel we start a short walk through the historic Company Gardens with the old Parliament buildings and the State President’s Offices down to the old centre of Cape Town. Thereafter you are transferred back to the airport for your departure. 

The entire 8 day trip covers approximately 600 km by car through beautiful countryside and approximately 150 km on 7 different rides, using 3 different stables. An alternative program for non-riding partners can be organized.

Accommodation for this trip is in 3 totally different carefully selected locations. 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.