There are plenty of ways to see South Africa. From behind a steering wheel, through the window of a safari vehicle, on foot or from the seat of a bicycle. But there is something particularly memorable about seeing the country from between the ears of a horse.
Photo by Philippa Rose-Tite / Unsplash
You move slowly enough to notice the landscape. You hear birds before you see them, smell the bush after rain and feel the terrain change beneath your horse’s hooves. On the coast, there is the possibility of riding through shallow waves. In the mountains, trails wind through forests and open grasslands. In the bush, you can encounter giraffe, zebra and antelope without the familiar hum of a game vehicle.
Horse riding has a long and complicated history in South Africa. Horses are not indigenous to southern Africa. They were introduced by European settlers in the 17th century, with horses from Java arriving at the Cape shortly after the Dutch established a settlement there in 1652. Horses soon became important for transport, agriculture, communication and military use, although disease, particularly African horse sickness, made keeping them challenging.
Today, horses are part of a very different South African story. Across the country, they are helping travellers experience beaches, mountains, vineyards, forests and game reserves at a much gentler pace. If your idea of a getaway involves swapping four wheels for four hooves, these are some of the places worth putting on your list.
Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
Few places in South Africa seem quite as suited to horse riding as the Wild Coast. The coastline stretches past beaches, cliffs, rolling green hills, forests and rural villages, and horseback trails make it possible to experience all of it without rushing from one viewpoint to the next. Depending on the route, riders can spend time on the beach, follow cliff-top paths, pass through coastal forests and even take their horses into the sea.
For a shorter stay, Wild Inside Horse Safaris offers a flexible Kei River Stay and Ride based at Kei Mouth Guest Lodge. The one- to seven-night experience includes local rides around Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay, as well as the nearby cliffs and waterfall. Accommodation, breakfast and dinner are included.
Longer trails take things further, with some Wild Coast horseback journeys lasting several nights and including overnight stays in rural coastal communities. Along the way, riders can encounter traditional Xhosa villages, shipwrecks and ancient shell middens, while the coastline provides opportunities for whale and dolphin sightings.
Stay for: the feeling of having the Wild Coast almost entirely to yourself.
Do more: beach walks, birding, fishing, boat trips and river cruises are all options in the region.
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Waterberg, Limpopo
The Waterberg is one of the country’s best-known destinations for horseback safaris, and for good reason. The landscape of bushveld, rocky outcrops and open grasslands feels made for exploring from the saddle.
Wild Inside Horse Safaris’ Signature Lodge Safari is designed for everyone from beginners to experienced riders. Guests stay at a luxury lakeside lodge beside the stables, with rides tailored to individual ability. Morning rides can last three to four hours, while shorter afternoon rides generally last one to two hours. Wildlife can include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, blesbok, nyala, impala and ostrich. The reserve used for this experience does not have dangerous predators such as lion and elephant, making it particularly suitable for nervous or less experienced riders.
There is also plenty to do when you are not riding. Guests can go on bush walks and game drives, enjoy sundowners or simply spend time around the pool. More unusual riding activities include polocrosse, jumping and swimming with the horses in a dam at the lodge. Horizon Horseback also operates from a lodge on the historic Baber estate in the Waterberg, with flexible riding safaris catering for novice through to experienced riders.
Stay for: a proper horse safari without needing years of riding experience.
Do more: add a game drive, bush walk or simply slow down between rides.
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Kaapsehoop, Mpumalanga
High in the Mpumalanga escarpment, near the historic gold-mining village of Kaapsehoop, the landscape changes from the bushveld of the lowveld to pine-scented forests, mountains and sweeping views.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails has been operating since 1994, when Christo Germishuys established the trail-riding operation. Today, the property combines horse riding with self-catering accommodation on a 17 000-hectare private concession managed with Komatiland Forests. The emphasis here is as much on being outdoors as it is on riding. Trails cater for both novice and experienced riders, while the accommodation provides a rustic base for spending a few days in the mountains.
When you are not in the saddle, explore Kaapsehoop village, learn about the area’s gold-mining history, visit Adam’s Calendar or spend some time looking for the famous wild horses associated with the area.
Stay for: mountain air, forest trails and a slower kind of weekend.
Do more: explore the village and surrounding escarpment, and look out for Kaapsehoop’s wild horses.
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Khotso Lodge and Horse Trails, KwaZulu-Natal
For mountain scenery, head towards Underberg and the southern Drakensberg. Khotso Lodge is an outdoor basecamp with horse trails, hiking and adventure activities. The property sits just outside Underberg, with access to the Sani Pass area, Giant’s Cup Trail and Sani Spoors trail network.
It is the sort of place where the accommodation is part of the experience. The farm is still working, horses are part of everyday life and the surrounding mountains provide the backdrop.
Horse riding is not the only reason to visit. Hiking is a major draw, while the surrounding Drakensberg provides opportunities for exploring the mountain landscape on foot.
Stay for: a mountain escape where riding is just one part of the adventure.
Do more: hike the surrounding trails and explore the southern Drakensberg.
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Botlierskop, Garden Route
If you want to combine a comfortable lodge stay with a taste of safari, Botlierskop Game Reserve near Mossel Bay offers an easy introduction. Its full-board and all-inclusive packages combine accommodation with game drives, and guests staying for two or three nights can exchange one of their game drives for a two-hour horseback safari.
That makes it a good option for a group where not everyone wants to spend the entire weekend on horseback. One person can head out riding while someone else enjoys another lodge activity, and you can all regroup later.
The wider Garden Route also makes this a convenient addition to a road trip, particularly if you are already travelling between Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness and Knysna.
Stay for: the combination of a comfortable safari lodge and a short ride through the reserve.
Do more: explore the Garden Route, visit nearby beaches or add traditional game drives to your stay.
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Amakhala Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
At Amakhala Game Reserve, horseback riding offers another way to experience the Eastern Cape bushveld.
Amakhala Horse Trails combines riding with wildlife viewing, nature trailing and local history. The reserve’s horse trails operate in an area without large predators, allowing riders to concentrate on the scenery and game around them. Guides also share information about indigenous plants and their uses, as well as local stories and history.
Overnight guests can add a horseback safari to their accommodation package, making it an easy option if you are already planning a stay at the reserve.
Stay for: a gentle introduction to riding through a game reserve.
Do more: combine your ride with game drives and explore the wider Eastern Cape, including nearby Addo and the historic towns of the region.
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West Coast, Western Cape
You do not have to disappear into the bush for a memorable horse-riding escape. West Coast Horse Trails operates near Yzerfontein, roughly an hour from Cape Town, with rides ranging from beach outings to nature trails and horse-and-heritage experiences. The horses are suitable for novice through to experienced riders, and overnight options are available.
One of the more unusual experiences combines horses with San heritage, while other rides explore the coastline and surrounding natural landscape.
For those wanting more than a few hours in the saddle, the operator also offers overnight trails, including a two-day, one-night route that travels from farm tracks towards the beach.
Stay for: a quick coastal escape without having to travel far from Cape Town.
Do more: explore Yzerfontein, visit the West Coast National Park during flower season or spend the day along the coast.
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Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Northern Cape
Horse riding takes on a completely different character in the Kalahari. At Tswalu, guests can ride through grasslands and along game paths, stopping at waterholes and passing beneath camel-thorn trees. Longer rides head towards the dunes, where guests can enjoy sunset drinks or spend the night at the Malori star bed.
This is not a beginner ride. Tswalu’s current guest information states that horseback riding is for intermediate and advanced riders who are comfortable at a trot and canter and can independently control a horse.
The reward is the landscape. From the saddle, the vastness of the Kalahari becomes much more apparent, with the opportunity to see animals such as oryx, eland and kudu while also enjoying the reserve’s birdlife and enormous skies.
Stay for: the feeling of riding into one of South Africa’s wildest landscapes.
Do more: book a walking safari, visit the meerkats or spend a night under the stars.
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Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Limpopo
For experienced riders who want to take things seriously, Wait A Little offers multi-day horseback safaris through the Karongwe Private Game Reserve near the Kruger National Park.
This is not a quick outride. Its signature Big Five Safari lasts eight days and seven nights, moving between three camps. There is also a six-day version and a 10-day Ride & Dine safari.
The main camp has four luxury thatched tented rooms overlooking the Makuthswe River, while the longer itineraries incorporate additional camps and sleep-out experiences. The property is unfenced, so wildlife can sometimes wander close to camp. The important distinction is experience level. Wait A Little is designed for experienced riders, and its Big Five safaris take place in areas where guests may encounter large and potentially dangerous wildlife.
Stay for: a genuine multi-day riding safari rather than a short trail ride.
Do more: spend time at the camps, enjoy the surrounding wildlife and make the most of the slower pace between rides.
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A different way to see South Africa
There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about a horse-riding holiday, but that does not mean the experience has to be rustic or uncomfortable. Across South Africa, there are options ranging from mountain cottages and farm stays to luxury safari lodges and multi-day wilderness adventures.
And perhaps that is the best thing about exploring the country on horseback. You do not need to be an expert rider or commit to a week-long safari. You can spend two hours on a beach, a morning in the mountains or several days crossing the bushveld.
The point is not really how far you ride. It is how differently you see the landscape when you slow down enough to notice it. So, dust off the boots, find a horse that suits your experience and saddle up. South Africa is a rather spectacular place to explore at four hooves instead of four wheels.
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