Day 1
Riding: 1 - 2 hours
On arrival at East London Airport, you will be transferred to Kei Mouth, the base of Wild Coast Horse Trails. A light lunch is served, after which you will change into your riding clothes and head to the horse paddocks where you’ll meet your horses.
A short introductory ride gives you the chance to get to know your horse and blow away some of those travelling cobwebs. A relaxed, friendly evening meal awaits you back at the guesthouse along with a good night’s sleep.
Overnight in Kei Mouth.
Day 2
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Now your horse-riding adventure starts in earnest! After breakfast, you’ll head back to the paddocks to mount up ready for a short ride down to the Kei River. Here, you and your horse will climb aboard the historic ferry and head over the river into the Old Transkei - where the real Wild Coast begins!
The morning will be full of excitement and exploration as you ride over rocky headlands and discover freedom on the long, empty beaches. The ride will take you through forests and rolling hills to a hidden waterfall where you can enjoy a picnic lunch and one of the most scenic swims you’re ever likely to encounter!
The afternoon ride meanders back towards the coast where Seagulls Hotel awaits with cold beers and a friendly beach vibe. Here you can stretch your legs on the beach, cool down in the pool, or simply sit and enjoy the sound of the waves as they crash into shore. The evening promises a generous meal, and the chance to share stories with your fellow riders. Our unhurried itinerary gives you plenty of time to explore the hotel and the nearby beaches.
Overnight at Seagulls Hotel.
Day 3
Riding: 5 - 7 hours
You will awake to the sound of the sea and the sense of solitude that comes with sleeping on the edge of Africa. After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to move up the coast to Wavecrest Hotel and Spa.
A brisk morning ride sees you traversing rolling hills, clambering up rocky outcrops, and enjoying never-ending canters along unspoilt sandy beaches. Friendly locals greet you as you pass through rural settlements that remain largely untouched by time.
You’ll encounter several inland river drifts, open grasslands, and winding sandy paths before veering back towards the sea where the warm hospitality of Wavecrest Hotel awaits.
With its traditional thatched cottages and breathtaking views, Wavecrest is a favourite among guides and guests alike. After a light lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore or relax as you wish. Soothe aching muscles at the Wavecrest spa, explore the river on a kayak, or brave the restless waves of the Indian Ocean!
As the sun dips below the horizon, the group will reconvene for sundowners to celebrate the day's journey. Later, you’ll enjoy a simple meal of home-cooked local dishes - the perfect end to a day of adventures.
Day 4
Riding: 3 hours
The tides dictate the next leg of your adventure as you embark on a fast-paced ride to your most remote destination – Kob Inn. Heading inland, you’ll cross several rivers before dropping back onto the beach for some exhilarating canters and thrilling stretches along pristine shorelines.
Enjoy breakfast "on the hoof" as you traverse the ever-changing landscape that is the Wild Coast. From rolling hills and open grasslands to narrow winding cattle paths that hover over the crashing waves below, you’ll experience a living tapestry of land and sea.
With one final river crossing under your belt, you’ll arrive at Kob Inn just in time for lunch. In the afternoon you can relax and soak up the laid-back hospitality of another coastal treasure. With a pub on the rocks overlooking the wild seas and sheltered private beaches on either side, this is an exquisite location in which to kick back and truly embrace ‘Africa time’.
Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.
Day 5
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
After yesterday's afternoon of relaxation, you should be fresh and ready for a full day in the saddle. Once again, the tides dictate the day’s schedule which will take you about 20 km up the coast along sheltered beaches into hidden coves and beautiful lagoons.
Your guide will select a suitable spot for you to enjoy a picnic and possibly even a swim in a lagoon before heading back to Kob Inn for an evening of delicious dining and maybe a few cocktails!
Overnight at Kob Inn Hotel.
Day 6
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Time is flying by and its already time to turn around and head back down the coast. Once more, the timing of the day’s riding will depend on the tides as you cross rivers, climb hills and speed along beaches on your way to Wavecrest Hotel.
After a good long ride (approx 30km), the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish, whether that’s another massage at the Wavecrest spa; or a canoe trip into the rare mangrove forests that line the Ngqusi and Nxaxo Rivers.
More South African coastal hospitality awaits you as you relax and allow yourself to be spoilt by the caring Wavecrest staff.
Overnight at Wavecrest Hotel.
Day 7
Riding: 4 - 6 hours
The penultimate day of your adventure is full of riding with fast-paced stretches along the beach, winding canters through the grasslands, and some technical sections that will put your newfound partnership with your horse to the test.
Soak up every moment of the adventure as you traverse narrow coastal paths, and shallow river crossings that sparkle in the sunlight, and weave through scattered rural homesteads where children wave excitedly as you pass.
This varied terrain showcases the full tapestry of Wild Coast riding, demanding concentration and skill while rewarding you with ever-changing vistas that capture the untamed essence of this remarkable coastline.
Stop off at one of the coastal hotels for a much-needed break and a chance to refuel, before continuing your journey to the Kei River where the ferry awaits.
The ride ends with a quick trot through the village, or a final canter along the Kei Mouth beach depending on the tide, before arriving back at the paddock where your horse will receive some well-earned pampering and a hearty meal.
You’re in for some similar treatment as you head to the local restaurant, The Yard, to sample some of the region’s best seafood as you soak up the laid-back atmosphere and relive the week’s adventures. With its delicious seafood and warm hospitality, The Yard is the perfect place to unwind after an unforgettable ride.
Day 8
Riding: 1 - 2 hours
Depending on your departure time, you could squeeze in one more ride before the shuttle picks you up to transfer you back to the airport.
PLEASE NOTE: All riding and itineraries are subject to change due to variations in local conditions, hotel accommodation availability, riders' abilities, the weather, influences of the sea tides and the conditions of the rivers at the time of riding.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
