Transfer Option:

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 in the old olive shad of the wine farm Gabrielsvalley 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. This region, stituated adjacent to the most southern point of Africa, is favoured by European storks during the South African summer, when large flocks can be viewed on the fields. 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-year old farmstead of the reserve we cross the De Hoop Vlei, riding 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)
An early start for our final ride of 4 hours this morning. We ride through undulating scrubland, dried up river beds and the unspoiled vegetation of this remote and quiet corner of the Cape, stopping for a picnic breakfast in the veldt (indigenous field) enroute. We return to the college for lunch before driving for 1 ½ hour to the upmarket, big five, Wildlife Reserve of Sanbona situated in a 54,000 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 breakfast we have our second game drive, returning to Tilney Manor in time for a substantial lunch. Afterwards we drive for 2 ½ hours, via the spectacular Du Toits Kloof, back to Cape Town or to the airport, (where you can have a shower in the airport building). 

The entire 8 day trip covers approximately 900km driving through beautiful countryside and approximately 200km on 8 different rides, using 4 different stables. The rider must be proficient in rising trot and canter and must have some outride experience. Riders will always have the chance 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 the horse trail.  Accommodation for this trip is in 6 totally different, carefully selected, upmarket locations.

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A parallel tour for non-riding family members or friends in conjunction with our horse-riding trail is a unique feature. The two groups meet up for lunch and in the evening. Whilst one group rides through the countryside, the other may visit wine farms or the famous seaside resort of Hermanus, stroll through the nature reserves or enjoy a swim. Hence non-riders in a family can participate in our programme without feeling left out.

The Parallel tours are guided by another highly qualified THETA guide. This guide knows the Western Cape's secrets. The non riding options is available for groups of 2 or more people.

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.

Accommodation for this trip is in 6 totally different, carefully selected, up-market locations. You will be accommodated in stylish guest-houses or farm-houses, some of which are build on ecological concepts, for example the Buchu Bush Camp at the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Tourism in step with nature is our aim, with us you will experience not only the well-known South African hospitality but also the variety of their culinary culture and their outstanding wines. We are confident you will return with unforgettable memories, experiences and impressions from this trail.

HOUW HOEK INN


Buchu Bush camp 


Zoutpan


Aardvark Nature Reserve


Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passport must have at least two blank pages for entry stamp. This cannot include the 'endorsement' page at the back. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp. Anyone attempting to enter South Africa without the required pages will be returned to their country of origin.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days for business and tourist purposes, except:
1. nationals of Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic who may stay for up to 30 days, and nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia who do require a visa, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (advance notice of overnight stay is required).
Visa Note
(a) Proof of financial means may be required. (b) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses). (d) After entry, extensions of stay may be sought from the Department of Home Affairs.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visa fee: £35. UK nationals are exempt from visa fees.
Validity
Dependent on length of stay requested. Permits may be extended if done so 30 days prior to expiry of original permit.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.
Working Days Required
Five to 10 days.