Whale Watching from Horseback, South Africa
This is one of the world's most stunning beach rides spread over a week. It is available year round for the Flower Kingdom ride, but from September to December each year, this area becomes the whale spotting capital of Southern Africa. Southern Right Whales swim within metres of the shoreline to mate and calve; a spectacular and unforgettable sight.
All our trails are filled with a huge variety of wild animals, birds, scenic beauty and culture in abundance and diversity, at any time of the year. This is a perfect winter destination since this is summertime in South Africa, with a lovely Mediterranean climate.
The horses: 52 horses, 14 of which are kept in Hermanus. Mostly Boerperds, between 14.2 to 16hh, which is a common breed in South Africa. Also American Saddlers, thoroughbreds and Percherons. English saddles and McClellans are used.
The rides take place in a UNESCO protected area, one of the world's six floral kingdoms. The diversity of Fynbos (literally 'fine bush') plants here is greater than that of the tropical rainforests with over 9000 species, many of which do not grow anywhere else in the world. Table mountain alone, also a part of the protected kingdom, supports more plant species than the entire UK.
About your guide: The trails are led by the charismatic John Foster, who has spent the last 30 years developing his rides. He has worked on movie sets as a riding stunt man and has been head wrangler of 250 horses. John rode to hounds and whipped in for five seasons at the Cape Hunt and Polo Club. In 1997 John initiated the training and supply of the Mounted Security in Cape Town and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and has now innovated the Eco-Ranger project.
The mounted Eco-Rangers are employed to serve as eyes and ears for local authorities and report on poaching, fires, dumping, or vehicles parked in prohibited environmentally sensitive areas on beaches and dunes. Mounted rangers have advantages over motorised patrol in that they are non-invasive: make no loud noise that disturb or alarm the birds and other fauna, and can be used to patrol in areas that are difficult to reach by other means except on foot. In addition, Rangers are trained to identify specific situations or changes in the environment, thereby creating a reliable information gathering network. As you ride on these trails, you will be taking part in this valuable project.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Guests met at Cape Town airport from day flight and taken to guest house or hotel. Evening drive before dinner up to Signal hill to see the lights of Cape Town.
- Day 2: Morning sightseeing by horse and carriage around the old part of Cape Town and then an excursion to either Table Mountain or to Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held captive) depending on your choice. Late afternoon drive along the coast to Hermanus. Dinner in the famous Cave restaurant built into the cliffs on the beach. Overnight in guesthouse.
- Day 3: After breakfast, meet horses and head off riding along the beach for one of the world's most spectacular beach rides. Here you can refresh after a days riding in a fresh water spring appearing on the beach - one of only two places in the world where this phenomenon occurs. During the whale season (between May and November), you will be able to see the whales come into the cove to play with their calves. The sound of them lobtailing can be heard for miles. Overnight in the bush camp at De Kelders. Traditional South African meal (potjiekos or snoek braai).
- Day 4: Ride over the mountain to De Uilens and sleep over in the guesthouse. Have lunch along the trail. Supper is a traditional meal depending on what you had the night before. Relax around the camp fire. There is an option to stay the night in the 5* luxury lodge, Grootbos, situated in a beautiful private nature reserve.
- Day 5: Ride up into Flower Valley and view all the spectacular plant and bird life. Meet the export flower packers and lunch on the mountain. Ride to Lookout Point for a breathtaking view of the panoramic scenery over the entire bay and the point where two great oceans meet at the southern most tip of the African continent. A bird watcher's paradise. Sleep again at the simple guesthouse or in the luxury private lodge.
- Day 6: Ride back over the mountain to the bush camp and sleep there. Lunch on the trail and braai (barbecue - a South African tradition) for the evening meal.
- Day 7: Leave the bush camp and head back towards the stables in Hermanus. Lunch on the beach. Drive back to Cape Town, arriving in time for some shopping at the famous V&A Waterfront, back to airport.
Highlights and extras
Cape town carriage company - horse drawn tour of historic Cape Town. Aboard a Victorian Carriage drive from the Castle of Good Hope up Government Avenue through the Company gardens to the hidden back streets of Cape Town. A great way to sight see.
Table mountain by cable car - take a hike or have a bite to eat. Amazing views and flora.
Shark viewing and shark cage diving at Gansbaai. See Shark Watch South Africa.
Whale watching by boat from Hermanus New Harbour at 9am or 4pm. Hermanus Whale Cruises.
All transfers from airport and during the week, all accommodation with full board (supplement for Grootbos luxury lodge). All soft drinks and the full riding programme. Overnight camping (weather permitting). Flights not included. Single supplement applies
Whale-watching coast ride and Flower Kingdom trail: £1655 for 7 night holiday with guest house and bush camp accommodation per person with full riding intinerary.
Grootbos 5* luxury nature reserve:
Min 2 nights stay. Price per person, based on two sharing, including full board, daily riding, guided nature walks, transfers to beach, nature drives, kids’ nature club. Single supplements apply.
May to end June: add £138 per night, (£51 child 4-10 yrs, £75 11-16 yrs)
July to end August: add £174 per night, (£58 child 4-10 yrs, £87 11-16 yrs)
September to end April: add £216 per night, (£67 child 4-10 yrs, £105 11-16 yrs)
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Group size
The minimum is 4 and the maximum 12.
Getting there
Fly to Capetown in South Africa with British Airways or South African Airways. Many UK departure airports. Wide choice of air carriers involving one stopover. See Opodo or Travelocity for further details.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
When to go
The trails operate year round, but whale watching runs May to November each year. The Fynbos flowers bloom year round but are particularly splendid in September and October.
Weather
General climate details. Current forecast.
Riding ability
The riding is suitable for novice to experienced riders. The horses are gentle enough for beginners but equally capable of canter for those who are more experienced and enjoy a challenge.
What to bring
Your normal riding clothes/boots (relevant to the season) with hard hat. Swimming things!
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to South Africa at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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