Ask a Question

Check Availability

Ride the Klein Karoo

Overview

Join Celia and her herd of horses on this unique adventure through the Klein Karoo and Garden Route regions all the way to the Southern Cape coast (or back again). Doornkraal is the historic farm of the Le Roux family, known for its warm hospitality and food and wine, and lies in the quaint vil…

Highlights

  • Explore some of the famous Garden Route region by horse
  • Ride approx 180km from inland to the coast (or back!)
  • Stay at Doornkraal, hostess Celia's family farm
  • Ride unique 'Doornkraal Horses', much-loved companions
  • Sleep one night under the stars

Essential Facts

  • 2 itineraries available
  • Max 10 riders per group
  • Average of 4 - 5 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

Description

Join Celia and her herd of horses on this unique adventure through the Klein Karoo and Garden Route regions all the way to the Southern Cape coast (or back again).

Doornkraal is the historic farm of the Le Roux family, known for its warm hospitality and food and wine, and lies in the quaint village of De Rust. It has been producing wine since the 1800s and now cultivates a range of produce. The Doornkraal horses have been at the heart of the farm for over 140 years and they remain loved and trusted companions, having been selectively bred for excellent temperaments. They are the ideal companions on which to join this cultural experience - the trail (which runs in both directions, depending on the date) is approximately 180km long and comprises varied landscapes including two mountains, the valleys in between and the beautiful coastline. One day includes a ride in a game reserve (on different horses) to maximise your time in South Africa and there is also a non-riding day for sightseeing and shopping. Whilst most of the trail includes comfortable farms and lodges for your overnight stops there is a night of wild camping for you to spend an evening under the stars.

The exciting route combines history, culture, spectacular views, varied terrain, friendly horses and wonderful hospitality including that all important part... good conversation!

Horses & Riding

Tack

English saddles are provided (a few Liversage trail saddles may be available on request) and you will have use of small saddlebags which are ideal for water and small personal items during the day.

Horses

You ride horses belonging to the family farm, Doornkraal, and your hosts have been perfecting the 'breed' for many generations. The horses have been bred using carefully selected South African bloodlines, namely those native horse breeds such as the Cape Riding Horse, Boerperd and Nooitgedachter, all of whom are ideal for local conditions. Your hosts value a good temperament, willingness and kindness towards people.

Riding

There are 2 itineraries:

  • Klein Karoo to Coast is a trail ride
  • Coast to Klein Karoo is a trail ride

Ages

14+

Health

General good health and fitness is recommended.

Weight

90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

All meals, snacks and basic drinks (including house wine, beer and basic spirits) are included on this ride.

Breakfasts differ everyday - some staples such as yoghurt, muesli and cereals are always provided, along with something baked, then a cooked breakfast is prepared every other day.
Lunch might be a simple meal from your saddlebag, a picnic or at a restaurant, depending on the day.
Dinner is generally a three course affair, although the first course might be snacks served with pre-dinner drinks.

Catering to different dietary requirements can be difficult on this ride. Your hosts are happy to provide what is practical but ask that you contact us to discuss strict diets before booking in order to avoid disappointment.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this tour is mostly in comfortable farm lodges but one night is in a wild (but comfy!) fly camp for some added adventure. When at the farms/lodges you need to be ready to share bathrooms but there is never a shortage. You will also be able to access tea and coffee making facilities.

On the wild camping night you will share tents with stretchers, bedrolls and linen provided. A hot shower is available.

Itineraries

Klein Karoo to Coast Tented / Standard accommodation.

Coast to Klein Karoo Tented / Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

The trip includes a non-riding day for sightseeing and shopping. Non-riding companions are also welcome to join the trip and overnight with the group but need a hire car.

Travel

Transfers are included to and from George airport which has regularly connections with Johannesburg and Cape Town. Riders travelling from Europe (and possibly elsewhere) will likely need to add an additional night in one of the cities before the ride, in order to make the trail timings. We can assist with booking an additional night for you in George as needed and your hosts can collect you from a George hotel, instead of the airport, as required.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Transfer from George (ideally by 12:00) to Doornkraal, a drive of approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. If you arrive in time then you can join for lunch. There will be a ride briefing before a welcome dinner in the 1914 farmhouse.

Overnight at Doornkraal and neighbouring farms.

Day 2

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

This day is primarily for sightseeing and shopping. Hop in the bus and explore Meiringspoort and the towns of Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn, visit an ostrich farm and then explore the Cango Caves. Once back at the farm you will take a short intro ride to prepare for the trail. Farmhouse dinner.

Overnight at Doornkraal and neighbouring farms.

Day 3

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

After breakfast you'll mount up and head off for your first full day in the saddle, riding around 25km. You'll ride from Doornkraal to a wild but comfortable camping spot in the Kammanassie mountains, stopping off in De Rust for lunch on the way.

Overnight camping.

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today you will ride across the Kammanassie Mountains (home to Cape Mountain Zebras) and on to a farm, stopping en-route for a lunch from your saddlebag. Today's ride is approximately 25km again.

Overnight at a farmhouse with 5 rooms and 3 bathrooms.

Day 5

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today is a longer ride from Jacobsdal to Louvain farm lodge, at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, across a vast, rough landscape. Distance is approximately 35km with a picnic lunch.

Overnight at farm lodge in Herold.

Day 6

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

You will ride across the Outeniqua Mountains on a forgotten route used by pioneers, passing through some indigenous forest on the way to Hoekwil on the coastal plain. Lunch is from the saddlebags today and distance is approximately 30km.

Overnight in farm lodge (2 rooms share a bathroom).

Day 7

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast you will be transferred to Glentana where you will saddle up for a beach ride of around 2 hours, a wonderful way to start your last riding day! After lunch you will take a short bus transfer for a final 2 hour ride at Botlierskop Game Reserve (on different horses).

Overnight in Glentana beach house.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

Departure after breakfast or when needed.

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Intermediate and above - riders should be confident at all paces, including a faster (but controlled) canter in open country and fit and confident to ride over varied terrain. This is a participatory ride so you need to be ready to help groom and saddle your horse and to get on and off from the ground (or with a rock!).
Minimum group size 6
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

Aug. 22, 2025 - Aug. 29, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025 - Nov. 7, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider (6 pax in the group)		 £2520 $3350 €2965
2025
Rider (7 pax in the group)		 £2420 $3220 €2845
2025
Rider (8 pax in the group)		 £2320 $3085 €2725
2025
Rider (9 pax in the group)		 £2240 $2985 €2635
2025
Rider (10 pax in the group)		 £2165 $2880 €2550
Included George transfers, 7 nights of shared accommodation (6 at farms/lodges, 1 night wild camping), all meals and snacks, all basic drinks (coffee, tea, basic soft drinks, house wine, beers, basic spirits), 6 riding days (5 main days and a short ride on day 2 if time allows) and a 1 day bus trip for sightseeing.
Not included Flights, travel insurance (compulsory), single supplement, extra drinks, tips, personal expenses.
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.

Day 1

Riding: 2 hours

Please arrive in George in the morning (or spend a night there before) to be ready for transfer before lunch. After a ride briefing you'll enjoy a 2 hour ride at Botlierskop Game Reserve (on different horses to the trail horses) before dinner and overnight at a Glentana beach house.

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

This morning starts with a 2 hour beach ride before breakfast and transfer to Hoekwil to start your trail route heading inland. You will ride on the beautiful coastal plain farmland and through indigenous forest.

Dinner and overnight on a dairy farm, sharing two rooms to each bathroom

Day 3

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today you'll cross the Outeniqua Mountains by riding through more indigenous forest and on a forgotten pioneers' trail. This will take you to Langkloof region, north of the mountain. Lunch today is from the saddlebag.

Overnight in a farm hotel which has cottage and stable rooms with lots of bathrooms.

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today's ride is across the Kammanassie plain to Jacobsdal with a picnic lunch along the way.

Overnight at a farmhouse with a traditional BBQ dinner.

Day 5

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

It's camping day! You'll ride across the Kammanassie Mountain with a saddlebag lunch, heading down into a secluded valley where you will camp for the night in comfort.

Day 6

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today's ride takes you from your camping spot on to Celia's family farm, Doornkraal, stopping off in De Rust for lunch.

Farmhouse dinner and overnight at Doornkraal and neighbouring farms.

Day 7

Riding: No riding.

This day is for sightseeing and shopping. Hop in the bus and explore Meiringspoort and the towns of Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn, visit an ostrich farm and then explore the Cango Caves.

Overnight at Doornkraal and neighbouring farms.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

Transfer to George airport after breakfast.

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Intermediate and above - riders should be confident at all paces, including a faster (but controlled) canter in open country and fit and confident to ride over varied terrain. This is a participatory ride so you need to be ready to help groom and saddle your horse and to get on and off from the ground (or with a rock!).
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

Sept. 1, 2025 - Sept. 8, 2025

Nov. 10, 2025 - Nov. 17, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider (6 pax in the group)		 £2520 $3350 €2965
2025
Rider (7 pax in the group)		 £2420 $3220 €2845
2025
Rider (8 pax in the group)		 £2320 $3085 €2725
2025
Rider (9 pax in the group)		 £2240 $2985 €2635
2025
Rider (10 pax in the group)		 £2165 $2880 €2550
Included George transfers, 7 nights of shared accommodation (6 at farms/lodges, 1 night wild camping), all meals and snacks, all basic drinks (coffee, tea, basic soft drinks, house wine, beers, basic spirits), 6 riding days (5 main days and an arrival day ride in game reserve) and a 1 day bus trip for sightseeing.
Not included Flights, travel insurance (compulsory), single supplement, extra drinks, tips, personal expenses.
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.