Trail Itineraries
For rates and terms and conditions, please see our rate sheet.Questions about this itinerary ? : Howard Krut : contact@africanhorseco.com / 082 6679 232
2 day/3 night trail
3 day/4 night trail
5 day/6 night trail
6 day/7 night trail
9 day/10 night trail
Southernmost Tip Trail- 8 Days 9 Nights R19000
Starting Dates: 2013
22 February
22 March
26 April
24 May
21 June
26 July
23 August
13 September
25 October
22 November
The Agulhas Plains Trail 13 Days 14 Nights R21000pp
13 September 2013
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Walkerbay Trail Map:
Southern Most Tip Trail Map:
Agulhas Plains Trail Map:
GENERAL FEATURES :
1) Accomodation:Overnight in different homestead retreats with hot baths and luxurious rooms :
- Serenity of Bodhi Khaya ( www.bkr.co.za )
- Sumptuousness of Farm215 fynbos reserve ( www.farm215.co.za)
- Canoeing and swimming in Klein river ( www.stanfordriverlodge.co.za ) (on occasion alternative accommodation may be used)
Min. riders: 2 persons |Max. Riders: 8 persons
3) Trail Lengths:
Different Trails are designed for those wanting shorter, relaxing days and those wanting a more enduring day.
4) Dates:
On demand
5) Highlights
- Vast stretches of pristine nature, untouched by man
- Ever changing landscapes of the Cape Floral Kingdom
- Long beach canters and rides through white dunes
- Riding over fynbos covered mountains, through vineyards and farms lands
- Swimming with your horse in a dam
- Whales in Walker Bay (July – December)
- Walker Bay Nature Reserve and other (private) reserves of the Walker Bay Conservancy
- Traversing some of the old wagon routes
- A swim in the ocean at the end of a long day’s ride
- Riders must be confident and comfortable at trot and canter. Physically fit and prepared for long hours in the saddle under an African sun. Trail has two half days for relaxation and body rejuvenation.
- Travel medical insurance and sun protection are a must
- Hard hats are provided for. Half chaps are available but it is suggested you bring your own
- Riders should not be carrying any recent injuries or other debilitations.
OVERBERG HORSE TRAILS | 2 DAY ITINERARY
2 days - 3 nights – The well balanced optionDay 0: Arrive Farm215 mid afternoon. Dinner and bed
Day 1: Farm215 to Bohdi KhayaStanford river Lodge | 4 Hours
This is a relatively easy day which traverses the fynbos mountains of the area. Riding includes mountain top canters, following flower pickers tracks through valley and dale bringing us to the oasis of Bodhi khaya. Amazing floral display of the Mountain Fynbos
Day 2: Bohdi Khaya to Farm215 | 6 hours
We pass through Grootbos Nature Reserve, which has an award winning lodge and is famous as a botanical hot-spot, and cross the “Grys Duine” down to the rocky De Kelders
From here, ride along perfect white beaches of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary, which is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach riding.
leaving the beach, we make our way of the coastal mountain range, descending from Gods Window into the flower valley, a breathtaking array of mountain fynbos.
From here, the ride angles down the mountain slopes to Lomond Wine Estate and and fast canters take us back to farm215.
2 days - 3 nights – The extremer option
Day 0: Arrive Farm215 mid afternoon. Dinner and bed
Day 1: Farm215 to Stanford river Lodge | 5 Hours
Riding is mainly through dune systems , lots of trotting and long canters bring us to Stanford river Lodge, lying on the banks of The Klein river. Here, you can swim in the river or take a canoe for a paddle
Day 2: Stanford River Lodge to Farm215 | 6 hours
Ride along perfect white beaches of the Walker Bay conservancy and whale sanctuary which is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach riding. Just before De Kelders the coastline gets rougher with rocky beaches and limestone cliffs which flatten out onto sandy stretches of die Plaat.
Before we reach De Kelders (Gansbaai - a fishing village) we will head east through the coastal shrubland and traverse the vast magical almost surreal sand drifts (Grys Dune) of die Plaat. The mysterious landscape will give way to mountain fynbos when we hit the slopes of the coastal hills towards Grootbos and the Flower Valley.
We will pass through Grootbos Nature Reserve, which has an award winning lodge and is famous as a botanical hot-spot, and cross Flower Valley, a large valley filled with fynbos and indigenous forests and a Unesco supported project for sustainable fynbos harvesting and education.
From here, the ride angles down the mountain slopes to Lomond Wine Estate and Back to farm215.
OVERBERG HORSE TRAILS | 3 DAY ITINERARY
3 days – 4 nightsDay 1: Farm215 to Baviaansfontyn- (Bodhi Khaya) | 3-4 hours
This is a relatively short day which traverses the fynbos mountains of the area. Riding includes mountain top canters and following flower pickers tracks through valley and dale bringing us to the oasis of Bodhi khaya.
Day2: Bodhi Khaya to Stanford River Lodge | 5 hours
Riding is mainly through dune systems , lots of trotting and long canters bring us to Stanford river Lodge, lying on the banks of The Klein river. Here , you can swim in the river or take a canoe for a paddle
Day3: Stanford to Farm215 |7 hours
Ride through the Walker Nature Reserve to the unspoilt white beaches of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. This is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch Southern Right whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the long, sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach riding. Just before De Kelders the coastline gets rougher with rocky beaches and limestone cliffs which flatten out onto sandy stretches of die Plaat.
Before we reach De Kelders (Gansbaai - a fishing village) we will head east through the coastal shrubland and traverse the vast magical almost surreal sand drifts (Grys Dunes) of die Plaat. The mysterious landscape will give way to mountain fynbos when we hit the slopes of the coastal hills towards Grootbos and the Flower Valley.
We will pass through Grootbos Fynbos Nature Reserve, famous as a botanical hot-spot and for the award winning lodge. We peak at god’s window and descend into Flower Valley, a large valley filled with fynbos and indigenous forests and a Unesco supported project for sustainable fynbos harvesting and education.
OVERBERG HORSE TRAILS | 5 DAY ITINERARY
5 days – 6 nightsDay 0: Arrival at Farm215 early afternoon
Day 1: Farm215 to Baviaansfontyn- (Bodhi Khaya) | 3-4 hours
A shortish day through the fynbos mountains along the Kraaibosch dam, through lower valleya large valley filled with fynbos and indigenous forests and a Unesco supported project for sustainable fynbos harvesting and education.
Day2: Baviaansfontyn Meander.Overnight on Bodhi khaya | 2-3 hours
This ride is a circular route around Baviaansfontyn. Includes walking along mountain streams, passing by and through Milkwood and Afro-montane forest on the way to climbing God’s Window Dyer for breathtaking views of the ocean. Ride can be done morning or afternoon.
Rest of the day is spent lounging, reading and eating in the wonderful valley of Bodhi Khaya. Or treat yourself to a massage or Shiatsu. Here there is no mobile phone reception and the stillness is all encompassing.
Day 3: Baviaansfontyn to Stanford River Lodge | 5 hours
We will pass through Grootbos Fynbos Nature Reserve, famous as a botanical hot-spot. Before we reach De Kelders (Gansbaai - a fishing village) we will head west through the coastal shrubland and traverse the vast magical almost surreal sand drifts (Grys Dunes) of die Plaat. The mysterious landscape will give way to the beach.
We ride through the Walker Bay Nature Reserve to the unspoilt white beaches of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. This is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch Southern Right whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the long, sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach gallops. Halfway to Hermanus, we turn into the D3wns and head for the Kleinriver and the oasis of Stanford. We sleep at Stanford River Lodge with time to swim and canoe in the river.
Day 4: Beach ride to lagoon mouth | 3-4 hours
A day of some leisure. Fast half day ride coming back to laze on the rivers edge , eat and replenish
Day 5: Stanford River lodge to Farm215 | 6-7 hours
This is the long day. A full 35km takes us back along the beach , through dunes and over 2 mountain ranges. Arriving back at Farm215 we ease th
OVERBERG HORSE TRAILS | 6 DAY ITINERARY
6 days – 7 nightsDay 0: Arrival at Farm215 early afternoon
Day 1: Farm215 to Farm215 | 3-4 hours
A half day ride to settle in and prepare for the days to come. Route is through the fynbos mountains, along the Kraaibosch dam, through Light canters along farm tracks take us back to Farm215.
Day 2: Farm215 to Baviaansfontyn- (Bodhi Khaya) | 6 hours
Setting off through the Agulhas plain, we reach the coastline after 2 hours riding. We follow the coastline with long beach canters reaching the mountains behind Gansbaai. A steep climb up to Mount Dyer gives breathtaking views of the Uilkraalsrivier estuary, then a steady trot along the mountain top brings us to our place of descent into the Baviaansfontein valley and to our destination Bohdi Khaya
Day 3: Baviaansfontyn Meander.Overnight on Bodhi khaya |3-4 hours
This ride is a circular route around Baviaansfontyn. Walking along mountain streams, passing by Milkwood and Afro-montane forest on the way to Flower valley. This valley is filled with vast fynbos and indigenous forests. It is home to a Unesco supported project for sustainable fynbos harvesting and education. Breathtaking views of the ocean and fynbos mountains. Ride can be done morning or afternoon.
Rest of the day is spent lounging, reading and eating in the wonderful valley of Bodhi Khaya. Or treat yourself to a massage. Here the stillness is all encompassing.
Day 4: Baviaansfontyn to Stanford River Lodge | 5 hours
We will pass through Grootbos Fynbos Nature Reserve, famous as a botanical hot-spot. Before we reach De Kelders (Gansbaai - a fishing village) we will head west through the coastal shrubland and traverse the vast magical almost surreal sand drifts (Grys Dunes) of die Plaat. The mysterious landscape will give way to the beach.
We ride through the Walker Bay Nature Reserve to the unspoilt white beaches of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. This is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch Southern Right whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the long, sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach gallops. Halfway to Hermanus, we turn into the D3wns and head for the Kleinriver and the oasis of Stanford. We sleep at Stanford River Lodge with time to swim and canoe in the river.
Day 5: Beach ride to lagoon mouth | 3-4 hours
A day of some leisure. A Fast half day ride to the beach and down to the Kleinriver lagoon, a magnificent body of water with a beautiful backdrop of mountain and an abundance of birdlife. Coming back, we laze on the rivers edge , swim or take a canoe on the river, eat and replenish.
Day 6: Stanford River lodge to Farm215 | 7 hours
This is the long day. A full 35km takes us back along the beach , through dunes and over 2 mountain ranges. Arriving back at Farm215 we ease the body with a swim, good food and some of the locally grown wines Lomond Wines
OVERBERG HORSE TRAILS | 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
9 day – 10 nights(Shorter trails of 6-9 days can be tailored from this itinerary)
Day 0: Arrival at Farm215 mid afternoon. Dinner
Day 1: Farm 215 to Bodhi Khaya | 4 hours
From Farm215, we make our way through protea and fynbos plantations via the hilltops overlooking the wide Valley of the Uilkraalsrivier with its green meadows. We cross the Uilkraalsrivier and climb the kloofs to “Witvoetskloof” a mountain flower farm. From here we descend the mountain to Baviaansfonteyn. This unique farm is graced by ancient trees and a myriad of mountain streams. It is unlike any other location,with mountains rising behind giving a sense of seclusion and nourishment not found anywhere else in the rugged and harsh terrains of the Overberg. We arrive early to spend a full half-day enjoying this oasis. Massage sessions available on this day. (Price R300pp)
Day 2: Bodi Khaya to Bodi Khaya | 4 hours
Round trip returning back to Bodhi Khaya. This day is flexible with regards to length. Good opportunity to tune in for the coming days including climbs and mountain top canters.
Day 3: Bodhi Khaya- Klein Paradys | 5 hours
We ride down from Mount Dyer into the lowland and limestone fynbos of Heidehof and Avilla, situated in the Rooi Strandveld, and ride towards the sea.
Reach the coast just before lunch, passing Pearly Beach and onto Klein Paradys.
This area is a centre of limestone fynbos. Soils are alkaline, organic-rich and usually confined to small pot holes in the limestone pavement. Colonisation of this type of ground by acid-loving fynbos plants was a major physiological challenge, resulting in the evolution of many limestone specific species. Experience the unique scent and fragrance of this limestone landscape.
We will ride over a long undisturbed sand beach with a lot of rocky outcrops and pools. Depending on time, weather and our horses’ moods, there will be an opportunity to play and swim on the beach. The horses are always alive to the splash of the waves cooling their feet.
Day 4: Klein Paradys to Ratel River | 5 hours
We continue along the coast to Buffelsjagsrivier and then on past Quoin rock to Ratel River for the overnight stop, situated right on the coast. This is a unique experience of this isolated piece of coastline. Ratel River is an old limestone built estate that forms the gateway to the Agulhas National Park. The horses are stabled here and we stay at De Damme, a coastal resort. Enjoy the stars under the bright African sky and listen to the sound of the ocean while we cook over an open fire.
Agulhas National Park / Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI)
The Agulhas Plain is a prime conservation area because it is exceptionally rich in plant species and was once covered with lowland fynbos and renosterveld. Approximately 2500 indigenous plant species with 100 endemic to the area and 112 threatened species are found here. The lowlands of the Cape Floral Kingdom is a global biodiversity hotspot. It contains some of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, renosterveld and wetlands yet very little remains.
Three hundred years ago, black rhinoceros and other large mammals roamed free on renosterveld plains – of the 81 terrestrial mammals known from the Cape Floral Kingdom, 72 used to occur on the Agulhas Plain. The bloubok, a spectacular relative of the Roan antelope, used to live exclusively on the Overberg renosterveld plains, but was shot to extinction in the 1700s. The geometric tortoise – one of the world’s rarest – is found only in renosterveld and is highly threatened. Renosterveld is often considered the ugly sister of Fynbos but it is really a Cinderella. For most of the year this vegetation looks dry and dull but during spring the incredible displays of delicate geophytes and carpets of annuals transform this typically grey vegetation into a spectacle of variety and colour. It’s really a wonderful vegetation often overlooked – it has the highest diversity of bulbs for any vegetation type in the world.
There are also a wide variety of wetlands in the area. They may at first site appear to be smelly wastelands but these wetlands with their complex ecosystems support specialised forms of life, some of which occur nowhere else. About 130 species of birds and also many plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are inter-dependent on the wetlands’ intricate food webs. The Agulhas coastline also supports a rich marine and intertidal life and rare coastal birds breed along it. The nearby islands are home to many seabirds and seals.
Not only is the area of great ecological importance, but also an area with a rich cultural heritage. More than 100 shipwrecks dot the coastline and many other national monuments and historic buildings are found in the area. Stone hearths and pottery together with shell middens and other archaeological sites are lined with the era of Khoisan migration and settlements.
This area is thus part of what is called the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI). The Agulhas National Park was proclaimed in 1999 with land of 100ha around the lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Africa, this has been expanded to 20 000ha through the farms in the coastal strip which we traverse on the way to Cape Agulhas. The eventual goal is a conservation area of 120 000ha.
Day 5: RatelRiver to Renosterkop | 5 hours
Explore incredible dune systems and rocky coastline around Brandfontein. This day is short with regards to distance and allows us time to take in the powerful nature of this untouched area. We will have lunch in the middle of the dune system and take advantage of this surreal terrain for photography and exploration.
We will be staying at Renosterkop, another of the historic buildings found in the area. A plaque at the roadside indicates that the buildings are amongst the oldest in the Strandveld, built from 1795.
Meals will be prepared( again by local community of Elim) around the open fire, usually “braai” or potjiekos” typically South African and often a surprise. Enjoy campfire, potjiekos and stories….
The horses wander, paddocked around the house so you will have them close enough to hear their nickering through the night.
Day 6: Renosterkop to southernmost tip of Africa and back to Renosterkop | 6 hrs
We will visit the southernmost tip of Africa. Despite the number of places called “Two Oceans” in Cape Town, the residents of Agulhas will be quick to assure you that the mighty Indian and Atlantic oceans do indeed meet at the Southern Tip of the African continent at Cape Agulhas, and not in Cape Town, even if Cape Point is a tad more dramatic. A low key cairn marks the furthest south one can go in Africa without getting one’s toes wet. A demarcation line indicates the Indian Ocean on the left and the Atlantic on the right. Be warned: strong winds and fierce elements in this wild powerful place are not uncommon. This dramatic wind-swept coastline is also known as the graveyard of ships, as more than 120 wrecks have been recorded in the area.
Standing there watching seabirds hunt their respective dinners, we have no doubt that you will feel a sense of awe that you are at the very southernmost tip of Africa.
Once we leave the southernmost tip, for hours there will be only you and the rest of the small group of horse riders in undiscovered parts of the Western Cape. We will be alone with nature and without any other human beings or man-made structures. Public roads will be rarities you will cross at a few short intervals.
Day 7: Renosterkop to the historic Strandveld Farm Ratelrivier via old burnt down limestone buildings at Rietfontein | 4hours
We will continue exploring the Agulhas Plain, leaving our camp at Renosterkop and making our way back to Rietfontein following a track along the bottom of the Soetanysberge. This is a floral paradise.
Lunch is at Rietfontein, which derives its name from the natural fountain that surfaces there amongst the reeds. These fountains are the oasis’s of the plains. We eat under the protective canopies of the Milkwood trees.
The historic buildings on this farm were burnt down A long House and barn, all built of local limestone in the 18th century were destroyed with their contents We will rest on this farm, explore the ruins and walk the hills, of this beautiful setting.
After lunch we continue towards Ratelrivier where we paddock the horses at one of the oldest farms in the Overberg Strandveld. A limestone mansion and luxurious stables tell a story of “gracious and extravagant living”. Stories that span more than 240 years, some with a darker shadow are only slowly emerging.
We spend the night bak at the De Damme beach chalet.
Day 8: Ratelrivier to Tierfontein | 7 hours
After days on the coast and exploring the coastal lowlands we will experience unspoilt mountain fynbos and spectacular views. We will follow a stone wall (built in the early 1900s) for over 10 km along the mountain top and then descend the rocky fynbos slopes on our way to “Groot Hagelkraal” farm, one of the so-called Overberg hotspots for rare and endemic species.
We will traverse Groot Hagelkraal and ride past spectacular limestone cliffs. This is an incredible opportunity to view a landscape totally unique, not only in the Western Cape or in Africa, but in the whole world. Here the terrain has changed into a gnarly group of jutting lime stone hills and overhanging mountains: home of 6 plant species that are endemic to 5 square kilometres in this area. Another 21 plant species occur in this botanical hotspot and are restricted to about half of the area you will cover on this horse trail. Be on the lookout for animals and special plants of the region.
We will move through farms and nature reserves and pass by the rural sleepy village of Baardskeerdersbos on our way to Tierfontein.
Day 9: Tierfontein to Farm215 | 3 hours
Late breakfast. From Tierfontein we traverse kloofs and gullies of the Koudeberge, making our way to the Palmietberg and climbing to Perdekop. It’s sweaty work for our horses but Perdekop, the highest peak in the area is rewarding where we can wallow in remarkable views a magnificent part of the Western Cape, and the areas we covered – Klein Rivier lagoon near Stanford to Klein Rivier Mountains and over the Agulhas Plains separating the Overberg from the ocean.
A slow descent brings us past the Koudeberg-dam, which is reckoned to be the highest dam in the southern Overberg, ideal for long swims in that strange golden red water that’s a feature of fynbos areas. Follow the little stream that trickles year round into the dam and you’ll discover a faint baboon trail which leads to a waterfall hidden by towering Cape hollies more than 200 years old.
After a swim with the horses in the dam, we make a slow return to Farm215 via the Koudeberg Valley: a renovated house, beautifully nestled in its own rocky outcrop. Listen to the frogs in the wetlands lower down from the veranda or enjoy an evening walk to the waterfall in a small indigenous forest.
Arrival at Farm215 is in time for lunch, a lazy afternoon and back to luxurious rest with a final dinner feast with plenty local wine.
