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Join Mkulu
Kei horse trails for a trail riding vacation on the Wild Coast of
South Africa, horse trekking safaris that suits your available travel
plans, horse riding experience and budget. From the back of a quality
trail horse suitable for your riding ability, ride on a beach and
see nature at its best on one of our riding safari holidays. This
all-inclusive equestrian trail is through awesome horse riding country,
long golden sand beaches on a pristine coastline, hidden valley trails,
rocky and sandy isolated bays. Stunning ocean views on the horizon;
rolling hills and indigenous forests, under your horse’s feet;
miles of beach sand. Hours of cross-country riding will take you through
Xhosa rural villages, river valleys, and past waterfalls; see nature,
birds, game animals, dolphins and whales in the wild.
We are situated on a farm out side Morgan Bay, north of East
London on the R349 off the N2 highway just past Cintsa. Horses
at Mkulu Kei are all trained to suit various rider capabilities
and are a pleasure to ride. The equestrian beach riding trails
offers a total riding holiday experience and is your first choice
for an equine tour. A memorable horseback adventure, for your
SA horse trekking eco-adventure, working with horses volunteer
gap destination or children’s pony camps.
A magical combination of both cross-country and beach riding
on a wild, unspoiled and unpopulated coast line, rich in history,
culture and heritage, rural life, bird life and game, with undulating
hills, jagged cliffs.
A kaleidoscope of experiences, scenery and terrain on each day, on
horse back we can travel far and ride where the hikers walk then take
a longer route through the highlands over the 4x4 tracks and bike
trails then back through coastal Fynbos onto a sandy long beach for
a canter or gallop an all inclusive adventure trip.
The Wild Coast, Transkei on our horse trek, a scenic underdeveloped
coast experienced on the back of a riding trail horse is a must
do pony trekking activity experience.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
There are so many equestrian holidays and safari riding vacations,
why choose us? Read on and find out.
An awesome diversity of horse trail conditions, the best equine riding
countryside. Hours of stunning in the saddle time, riding on the beach,
inland, with extremes of terrain and alternative paths, few fences
and incredible views, making your horseback vacation and adventure
tour something to be remembered.
A Horse Ride Through Sub-Tropical
Coastal Hills and Riverines to the Beaches of the Wild Coast
SA, a premier horse riding safaris in the southern hemisphere,
with so much more.
Come Ride with Us ...
…and
you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested
valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers
that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic
high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make
the Wild Coast in S Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world.
An incredible combination of cross country horseriding and
the exploration of our beautiful shoreline, scenic bridle paths for
your in the saddle riding pleasure.
And what better to experience South Africa's beautiful seashore
than on an equine riding trip…
You could be here on your coastal safari horse riding vacation,
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails The best of equestrian riding holidays. Your
African reitsafari / pferdetrekking, paardrijroute / strand ritten.
Day rides for your shorter rides
or weekend getaway, overnight trails for your longer trips,
travel holidays, last minute holidays, horse trail safaris,
pony camps for children, your work & travel working riding
experience, first time riders or advanced, adults, kids, singles
riding or on honeymoon. Read on we have the product for you.
Awesome equine trekking conditions, the best
trail riding countryside, hours of time in the saddle.
You are visitor number
A warm welcome and unforgettable experience awaits visitors to Mkulu
kei horse riding trails. Situated just outside Morgans Bay in the
Eastern Cape, South Africa, horse riding holidays with Mkulu Kei will
take you along one of the finest undisturbed coastal areas in the
world; the Wild Coast where the warm waters of the Agulhas current
meet wide-open golden beaches and rocky shores which support a fascinating
and diverse animal kingdom. Deep river valleys, wide lagoons, magnificent
indigenous coastal forests, sea, bird, animal and plant life in abundance.
Accommodation on trail: A cosy family beach hotel on the sea with
an ocean view and welcoming atmosphere. An island style bungalow
or rondavels situated on rolling grass lawns on the Nxaxo estuary
(a nature and bird watchers haven and a lover’s paradise).
A friendly family hotel with good food, big clean rooms and a home
away from home feel over looking the ocean. A guest house or luxurious
B&B offering luxury accommodation and typically Eastern Cape
hospitality and an option to camp out at a rustic camping ground
for an evening round the fire with traditional South African food.
Each night en route is totally different while adding quality to
your experience, an equine adventure for all the family from child
to grandparent.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails - the best of Africa equestrian
horse riding trail adventures is the one for you!
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails offers you a personalised itinerary with
the option to visit on your own trail dates or take advantage of
the reduced prices by joining another group. Whether you are looking
for a family riding holiday or a honeymoon destination, if you are
a single traveler or a group of friends, for a week or more, you
get to decide how many days your trail will be. You can choose from
a number of options from 2 hours to 12 days. We make the effort
to match you to a suitable horse for your riding ability based on
how you described your own equine experience. You get the chance
to meet the horses before being allocated a mount. We know we have
quality, well–trained horses, this way you can choose which
one you want to get to bond with and get to know on a personal level.
Don has put hours of extra schooling into the horses with potential
so as an experienced rider you will find a horse you would like
to take home. We are safety conscious at all times not only for
your safety, but for that of your fellow riders and our horses.
On the longer rides, you will get to ride through rural Africa,
each leg of your trail will be scenic, every bay different. You
will probably be one of a handful of people on the long stretch
of coast shore. The Wild Coast is an incredible part of our world;
you get the chance to ride through uninhabited countryside with
hours of saddle riding and with few fences in any direction. We
take alternative routes and tracks for each trail ride, making your
horse trek unique, and personal, good value for money. With so many
alternative paths we can choose a route to suit you, flatter ground;
an easier route for beginner riders; and up and through river valleys,
rocks, hills, down embankments and sand dunes for the more confident
rider. Wait a little while the more experienced riders extend their
pace and enjoy your slower canter or trot with no fuss from your
mount. This is your South African horse trekking adventure, we want
you to have equine riding trail of a lifetime. We are a cut above
the rest at Mkulu Kei horse trail holidays. We are the best.
Don and Cheryl would like to make this horse trek an equine experience
you will want to tell your friends about. Single travelers, groups,
team building, adventure enthusiasts, beginners, advanced riders,
half-day beach ride, full day Transkei ride. 2 - 12 day over night
wild coast horsetrails, wilderness youth camp or working gap year
with horseback riding. Mkulu kei horse-back safaris ZA is for you
the best of South African tourism.
Ever thought you would like to canter your horse along a beach,
or play in the sea, riding in the waves with your horse?
You could be here on your coastal horse riding vacation or work and
travel volunteer holiday.
The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the
water will live with you forever.
Whether you dream of riding along open savannah grasslands, pristine
coastal forests or unspoiled Wild Coast beaches, there's a horse trekking
vacation that suits your available time, riding level and budget ...
Are you looking for a few hours in the saddle? A few days to explore
the Wild Coast, on an over night horse trail? Or looking to spend
time volunteering on an equine working riding establishment?
See the Help page for a map of the Mkulu Kei Horse Trail website
to help you find the information you are looking for with a direct
link to that information.
Please read . .
.
Cheryl would like to invite you to a riding vacation
of a lifetime. Visit Mkulu Kei Horse Trails to experience what
this horse and pony trekking holiday has to offer. Personally
guided by owner Cheryl or her partner Don and assisted by senior
guides Daniela and Luisa and her friendly and experienced staff.
This is a family business offering you the opportunity to contact
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails directly when planning your get away.
When organizing the itinerary for your personal riding experience,
care has been taken to choose hospitable comfortable family
beach hotels, with the option to add on a night camping, and
to personalise the horseriding trails to your preferences making
us your first choice in holiday travel.
Come ride with us...See
you in the saddle soon.
Enjoy a rendezvous with pure relaxation and comfort. An unforgettable
magical and a unique cultural experience in Madiba ( Nelson Mandela
) country from the back of a horse suitable for you.
The Wild Coast in South Africa is the best-kept secret.
"Thousands of kilometres of untamed coastline,
our varied and spectacular terrain, the wealth of animal,
plant and bird life, the unparalleled variety of our climatic
regions. And our country's most valuable asset - its people:
a nation of warm and generous people. Their great variety
of culture and heritage are major attractions."
Nelson Mandela
(Madiba)
Opening Address
SATOUR Exhibition
Join us at a working horse stud for an exchange working equine holiday
opportunity. With us you are not one of lots of helpers, you become
one of the family. We only invite 1 to 4 volunteers at a time, into
our home, to experience a working vacation of a lifetime. Learn our
natural horsemanship methods, horse behavior & breeding methods.
Are your children bored during the school holidays? Send them to
us. Here is an opportunity for them to learn to ride, become comfortable
near and on top of a pony and horse. Eat, sleep, and learn in an
informal family environment.
Great care has been taken to have the correctly trained horse for
your level of riding and we can cater for the whole family, from children
to grandparents, with horses to suit all riding abilities, from beginner
to advanced rider. Join us for a family horse riding holiday or as
a single rider on his or her own riding tour. By joining another group
a reduced rates will be given to all on the trail. When planning your
horse-riding trail why not take advantage of our out of season months
when we pass on a reduced daily rate to you. See the overnight trails
for more details.
Greetings to You from all
at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged.
On the over night horse trails page see “My first equine trail”
A riding experience aimed at the never ridden or beginner rider. We
spend 2 days getting you confident near and on top of a horse, giving
you riding tips. Groom a horse, pick up the feet, and learn to tack
up in a relaxing atmosphere. An intensive riding experience, teaching
you all you require to take your first comfortable trail riding experience.
This is your chance in a practical way to learn to ride without going
for formal lessons in an arena, intensive riding instruction. A great
way to introduce riding vacations to non-riding partners.
We ride the same track as the day ride, up the cliffs and on to
the beach, staying at Morgan Bay hotel, Thatches or Mitford at night.
The third day we head off on your first riding tour onto the beaches
and rolling hills of the Transkei, spending the next 3 days exploring
what the Wild Coast has to offer on your horse packing holiday.
Jacaranda shipwreck, sunset or sunrise, capture your horse back
riding holiday photographs, your friends won’t believe how
much you have learnt. The aim is to teach in an informal environment
and by the end of the 5 days you will be competent. A taste of saddle
vacations to come.
Introduction
Cheryl was determined from the outset that her horses would
be mounts you would love to take home to ride no matter what
your previous riding experience.
Cheryl, grew up on her family's farm in Zimbabwe where horses
were always a big part of her life, getting involved in the
family's breeding programme, horse ranch and starting the
horses from foals through to competitive level. As a young
girl she represented Zimbabwe and got her colours for Three
Phase Evening. She also represented her school and pony club
in Dressage and Show jumping events. She subsequently got
her Eastern Cape Provincial Endurance colours, qualified as
a riding instructor and is a Friesian Junior Judge as well
as a qualified tourist guide.
Being familiar with this beautiful coast and surrounding area
which is still one of the few undeveloped coast lines resisting
the onslaught of civilization, it was a natural progression
to start the guided horse trails and horse riding safari vacations
in order to share this incredible adventure with fellow riders
and nature lovers.
She was also determined that she would pass on
her equestrian knowledge on to others, being one of the few
equine horse trail companies that actually teach the clients
about horse behavior and how to ride in an informal environment.
She has made it her personal vision to encourage more males
into the equestrian sports.
Riding for a year familiarising herself with the secluded splendours
of the Wild Coast during which time she put together a herd
of experienced trail horses, and having put together an itinerary
and package that would offer the discerning adventurer an equine
vacation experience of a lifetime she started offering horse
trekking holidays in 1998. Don her partner who in 2003 came
on a 7-day trail with his daughter, gave up his job and joined
Cheryl. Having ridden as a child then again as an adult he is
a valuable member of the management team. Don brings on the
green horses with
potential, getting them on the bit and generally rounding them for
the more experienced riders who don’t want a horse that just
follows. Don has trained several horses to be ridden without a bridle,
just with a neck strap.
Daniela and Luisa, are our senior guides who also back our babies
and get them ready to start their careers in the working team. We
have a different approach to backing; the result happy horses- please
see Our horse page.
Our working horses:
I am personally extremely proud of my working horses;
they work together in harmony, encouraging the younger horses
to be confident and work as a team. I use the geldings and
add mares when extra horses are required. The horses can be
separated during the ride thereby giving more advanced riders
the chance to increase the pace while more novice riders behind
the second guide horse to ride at a slower pace, they can
then be regrouped at any stage of a ride.
The advanced riders can canter away from the
novice riders with no drama. And although they are trained
to follow one behind the other in Indian file on the day rides,
as an intermediate rider you could ask your mount on trail
to ride on an individual path with ease.
Each horse must to be individually asked by his or her rider
to canter or they will continue to trot, even if the rest
of the ride canters off.
You as a rider you will not feel the difference of pace when
you turn for home and can relax on a long rein or can have
a controlled canter without fighting with your mount back
to the riding stable.
On the Transkei rides we seldom ride one behind
the other and the horses enjoy the freedom of being ridden by
their riders and really enjoy trails. It is not unusual to see
the slow steady horse; the ones usually at the back on the day
rides, confidently taking the lead on the longer trails. On
the Transkei side of the Kei River, we are very happy to extend
the canter, gallop or even race if the condition of the sand
is right. The horses are happy to ride abreast and change the
order of the ride at will or even ride on a different path.
As an experienced rider myself when I commenced the treks I
wanted to have the correct horse for you, either for an advanced
rider, beginner or nervous rider, and I can personally tell
you I have quality riding horses, some may not be confirmation
perfect but as riding horses they are. We have the correct horse
for your riding ability.
Our clients are pleasantly surprised about the quality of our horses
and thecare and time we take in matching each rider to a horse thus
ensuring maximum pleasure for both horse and rider. I get complements
from clients just how sure footed and confident the horses are over
rough conditions, up and down embankments, over rocks and through
water, both sea and rivers. My team works for your riding pleasure.
We have a holistic approach to our horses, they are all bare foot
and we keep them as natural as possible. Although I have a very young
string of horses they ride like horses twice their age. I have been
approached to sell horses for the shows, but if I did that, you would
not have the quality horses we can offer on the trails.
Cheryl
Why hike it, join us on
a horseback safari holiday in ZA, your South African reitsafari
/ pferdetrekking. Paardrijroute / strand ritten.
Hope to see you in the saddle soon!
There are so many equestrian riding holidays and vacations,
why choose us? Read on to find out.
Come Ride with Us ...
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged
would like to say a big Thank you to all our guests for sending
us their horse trekking photos, these are your memories.
Thank You.
Cheryl
P O Box 25, Haga Haga 5272,
Eastern Cape, South Africa.
During the day please contact me on the cell, I am
probably horsing around.
Signal can be irregular, please leave a message or phone
me on the landline in the evenings.
…and
you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested
valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers
that eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic
high rise cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make
the Wild Coast in S Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world.
