Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve

Day 1

Riding: 1 hours

Arrive in the afternoon in time for a light lunch on the veranda at the main lodge before settling into your room. Later in the afternoon you will get an introduction to the stable yard and some of the horses, along with an orientation of the lodge and its immediate settings, followed by a short introductory ride if time allows. Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 2

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After a hearty breakfast on the veranda you will head to the stables and mount up for the 'yellow loop' trail. This is a breathtaking ride through the donga forest with some exciting canters up steep trails, following a scenic route up the mountains with beautiful views into Lesotho. As you ascend Sekonjela’s Hat, the second highest peak in the Witteberg Mountain Range, you will discover unbelievable views from the summit. After taking the time to enjoy the vistas it's back to Moolmanshoek over Lesotho. As all their young horses are raised in these mountains they can often be seen on the ride. Working your way back to the lodge you will pass by the shower pools where, in the summer months, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the pools before mounting up, and riding back down the valley. This route takes you down steep slopes of sandstone with breathtaking views of the Moolmanshoek Valley, where you will be amazed at the dexterity of your incredible Boerperd steed, as they negotiate the slopes with ease. A light lunch on the veranda is followed by some down time and another, more relaxed afternoon ride. Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 3

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

An early breakfast this morning before setting off on picnic lunch ride to discover the Bushmen Paintings. This ride takes you along the middle section of the Endurance blue loop, skirting the ridges behind the lodge. You will explore the overhangs where bushman paintings were found, estimated to be over 400 years old. After exploring the first bushmen painting site, you will ride over the mountains affording spectacular views into Lesotho, before descending into the valley where you will explore more bushmen paintings with a sacred entrance tunnel into the mountains.
Large herds of red hartebeest, black wildebeest, impala, giraffe and sable antelope can be discovered on the ride. You will take a short ride down into the valley to enjoy a picnic lunch under the willows or at the Bass dam where you can relax in the shade as the horses graze nearby. This trail is a slower pace, but does offer some long canters before you climb up the mountain. After a leisurely lunch you will ride back to the lodge to relax before a sumptuous 3 course dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 4

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

Breakfast is served on the veranda before Holkrans ride departure - no visit to Moolmanshoek Horse trails is complete without a visit to Holkrans! Mounting up, this ride takes you along some long canter tracks, up to the game fence that leads to the mountain trails that lie in the shadow of Sekonjela’s Hoed. Once in the mountains, you will follow narrow trails, passing the rare mountain bamboo that was discovered on the reserve, resulting in Moolmanshoek becoming registered as a Natural Heritage Site. You ride on to discover Holkrans, a large cave chamber where a unique water break has resulted in the rocky overhang, looking out over the Sandstone Ledges. On the ride back down you will pass the reserve's Sugarbush Protea trees. Enjoy more stunning views looking out over the valley as your sure-footed horses carefully pick their way down the mountain slopes amongst sagewood, red hairy heath, ouhout and a variety of fynbos species. A ride to remember! Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 5

Riding: 5 - 5 hours

This morning’s ride takes you along the ridge at the foot of the Pyramids to discover the Adventure Centre at Langesnek, which offers abseiling or high ropes for school groups and tourists. The ride meanders through the valley behind Langesnek and on to the long open plains of the neighbouring farm, to discover vast herds of wildlife and the numerous “White Blesbok”. You will continue on, riding through the wetlands, to discover magnificent bird life before exploring the tracks alongside a small dam, where countless waterfowl can be observed. This ride offers lovely opportunities for long windy canters back towards the lodge. Lunch back at the lodge before enjoying an eco game drive in the afternoon for a change of pace. Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 6

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Another delicious breakfast awaits before mounting up and heading out on your trusty steed. Today's trail includes amazing game encounters as you canter through the open plain areas before a climb up the steep ridge leading up to Jacobsberg. More breathtaking views can be expected here looking over the reserve before you follow the valley’s edge in the shadow of Virsierskerf to discover the seven pools trail. On a hot summer’s day, the option of a swim in the pools to enjoy the crystal-clear mountain streams is an option before mounting up again to ride back through the plains. Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 7

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After enjoying another scrumptious breakfast on the veranda, you will head out on an exciting ride up the Pyramid Mountain Trail. Climbing the Pyramid Mountain from the rear you will come out between the two pyramids; from here, riders head down over the side of the second pyramid and onto those inviting plains, with nice canters to the rocky outcrop overlooking the savannah. Game can be discovered amongst the high peaks, grazing contentedly on the steep mountain slopes above you as you ride. Enjoy amazing views and lovely rolling canters on the return ride, alongside large herds of plains game on the open
savanna as you head back to the lodge. A light lunch is followed by an afternoon ride that includes sundowners overlooking the plains. Dinner in the Bamboebos Restaurant.

Day 8

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Already it is the last morning! It's never easy to say goodbye, particularly at Moolmanshoek. After a week of camaraderie and adventures, it's time for a final ride through the plains to bid adieu to this piece of paradise.

*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.*