A must read when booking your over night safari holiday. This safari horse trail in South Africa offers a total riding holiday experience. A memorable horse back eco-adventure along the, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, South Africa. For your African safari horse trekking adventure or equestrian working gap volunteer destination. Mkulu Kei Horse Trails. The Transkei Wild Coast, a beautiful unpopulated coastal area, experienced on horseback, is a must do South African experience. "A real ride to many places at any paces" There are so many equestrian safaris riding holidays and riding working vacations, why choose us? Read on and find out. Planning a South African safari horse-riding holiday? Mkulu Kei Horse Trails hours of riding along open savannah grasslands, pristine coastal forests or unspoiled Wild Coast beaches, there's a Mkulu Kei package that suits you.

1 Size of Trails

• We do not have pre-determined equestrian trail dates and try to accommodate you with your own trail dates. However by joining another similar riding ability group we pass on the reduced daily rate to all in the trail!
• 2 - 16 riders in a group (excluding guide/s)
• A single horse rider can be accommodated

2 Riding ability Novice riders, Intermediate, Adventure Enthusiasts to Advanced horse riders can be accommodated We cater for beginners and novice horse riders on the shorter trails and recommend you be intermediate or experienced for the longer trail vacations For your safety you are required to be competent at all paces on your horse and be able to swim to cross the Kobonquuba River or Nxaxo Estuary. We can adapt a longer trail holiday not to include any big river crossings and we reserve the right to judge a rider as not competent and change the itinerary if necessary Please see our #New Trail. An opportunity to learn to ride a horse, an equestrian experience aimed at the never ridden or beginner rider. A horse will be allocated to you based from your description of your riding ability! This is important not only for your own safety and those riding in your group but for maximum enjoyment

• The most nervous rider sets the pace for safety reason and as they become more confident we increase the pace
• For the safety and pleasure of yourself and others, please be totally honest with us regarding your riding ability and experience
• We reserve the right to judge the attitude of and to dismount any rider, who in the guide's opinion is unwilling to control their horse, or who in any way poses a threat to the safety of themselves, other riders or horses. Holding your mount back and galloping into the back of a ride will not be tolerated
• In the Transkei, if the Wild Coast beach conditions are right I am more than happy for you to open up your pace or even race. (If the sand is too soft you can blow a horses tendon)
• Our weight limit restriction is 95 kg (210 lbs) Please don’t put us in the difficult position of having to turn you away, empathise with the horses.

Assess your riding ability It is extremely important that you are honest about your REAL riding ability. The most novice rider sets the pace for safety reasons both for the rider and the horse. It is our experience that clients that have not had formal training are inclined to play up their riding ability while those that really can ride often say they have only had a few rides. We need to allocate you the correct horse or pony for you to enjoy your ride. If you are nervous or had a bad experience please say so.

• Can't ride: Has never been on a horse, or as been on a horse a few times and has some kind of idea as to stay on
• Novice: Ridden a few times recently, but still not rising at the trot
• Intermediate: Horseback rides regularly, can rise at the trot, canter, gallop, and can handle a horse in most situations. These riders are divided into prefer a 'calm' or a 'hot' horse
• Experienced: Has been riding for many years, and has had formal training and has his or her own horse, and can handle any horse, in any situation. These riders are divided into prefer a 'calm' or a 'hot' horse

3 Breeds of horses

• We keep a variety of horses and ponies. Friesians, Boerperd, Nooitgedachts, part breeds and Arabs to compliment your preferences and riding ability
• The size of our horses vary from 12 to 17 hands and they are fit and in good condition
• They all have even temperaments and are forward moving
• We ride with English style saddles and snaffles and our tack are kept in excellent condition
• All our horses are voice controlled, giving us an element of control of the horses, giving beginners a chance to find their seat before having to worry about controlling their horses too
• I have a selection of quality ponies and horses for your riding ability, from never ridden through to advanced rider

4 Duration of riding per day on an over night trail.

• Equine trail vacations are individually tailored to meet your riding ability and enthusiasm with a minimum of 3 hours riding a day and for those who want to ride more up to 6 hours
• On trail the horses require sometime to graze and rest, so we can't ride maximum hours every day

5 Meals All breakfasts and dinners are eaten at the hotels along the coast Lunches are either at the hotel or packed and are eaten along the trail Please let me know of any special dietary requirements when you book.

6 Suggested kit list

• Jodhpurs, chaps or long trousers – jeans or pants with thick seams should be avoided for your comfort.
  Tip: Wearing panty hose under your pants can be hot but will prevent rubs
• Jodhpur boots or outdoors boots with a definite heel. (Full-length boots and cowboy boots are not recommended. (Please note that there is a compulsory river crossing for the longer trails so we suggest that you do not bring your show gear)
• T-Shirts
• A long sleeved shirt is recommended against the sun
• Half or full chaps recommended
• No spurs allowed
• Riding hats are compulsory for children, recommended for adults, but not enforced. Mkulu Kei has a number of riding hats available
• Warm clothing such as a jersey or warm jacket
• Rain Jacket
• Sun hat or cap (that stays on in the wind and at the canter/gallop)
• Sun block
• Swimming costume and shorts. Towels available at the hotels
• Camera and film or extra memory cards, and cables to down load pictures.
• The hotels do not enforce a dress code but bring something comfortable to change into at night
• There is a laundry service at the hotels for a small fee
• Everything you require for your horse trail is carried in a saddlebag by your horse, which we supply. Please pack as if you had to carry it yourself on a soft Wild Coast beach

7 Bookings

• When booking a trail, a 50% deposit is required within 7 days. The balance is payable 30 days before the Trail commences
• Your faxed/e-mailed deposit slip confirms your trail and indicates to us that you have read and acknowledged the information on this page
• NB. Please I live in a rural area, without convenient banking facilitates and reliable phone lines for Internet banking, it is important you check that I am aware of all deposits

8 Rates and tariffs

• See Rates page
• Rates are calculated per DAY or part there of
• Tariffs for trails include at least one guide, horse and equipment, overnight accommodation during the equine trail at various beach hotels and three meals a day. But exclude transport and transfer fees to Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, gratuities, personal bar account tabs and back up vehicle
• In the event the trail group is larger or smaller, affecting your daily rate an adjustment will be made to the balance
• Tariffs for day rides include a guide, and where necessary two/three guides will be supplied

9 Refunds

• No deposit or full payments will be refunded unless the client finds a replacement
• No refunds are given if a client leaves early for whatever reason

10 Payment methods

• Payment may be made in cash, direct bank deposits, travellers cheques, bank guaranteed cheques or debit or credit cards where such can be accommodated
• If all payments have not been paid in full prior to your horse trail commencement date, it will be assumed the trail has been cancelled and the client will forfeit any money paid

11 Indemnity

• All guests are required to sign a standard indemnity form on arrival
• Please let me know at the time of booking of any existing medical conditions such as diabetes, partial sightedness, hard of hearing, etc. This is for your safety
• It is very important that you let me know if you are a poor swimmer or cannot swim if we are crossing rivers

12 General

• The horse trail vacation commences at approx 9:30 on the first day and finishes at approx 16:00 on the last day of trail. I can be flexible to fit in with your travel plans; the East London airport is about an hour away
• East London is our nearest airport; you can fly via Johannesburg or Cape Town. Shop around with your domestic flights as there is a price war and some good bargains are to be found. South African Airways - www.flysaa.com, One-time www.1time.co.za and Kulula www.kulula.com often have specials
• You may require accommodation locally the night before or after the trail
• Mkulu Kei Horse Trails reserves the rights without further notice to make use of any photographs (digital or 35mm) or video footage taken on trail by our staff for general purposes without payment or permission
• International visitors are advised to obtain medical travel insurance before leaving their country of origin
• Accommodation on route in the Wild Coast is at good family orientated beach hotels, cottages and B&B with clean rooms, hot water and incredible food
• Our add on extra camping experience is an optional extra. Please make sure we are aware you would like to take advantage of adding another element to your trail.

Please take Note

• Horse trails maybe extended upon request, subject to availability of hotel accommodation and at the guide's discretion. Any extension of the trail must be paid in full prior to the extra days
• Any extension of the equine Wild Coast trail due to inclement weather and the effects there of (floods, swollen dangerous rivers, etc) will be for the clients account at the full daily rate
• Arrangements can be made to accommodate guest’s own horses but any special feeds need to be brought by owners to the overnight hotels. There will be no reduction in rates for own horses used
• Arrangements can be made for non-riding partners to join us on trail, either in their own vehicle or in a backup supplied by us, (at extra cost) at the full daily rate
• Although every attempt is made to adhere to the itinerary, please note that itineraries are subject to change according to riding abilities, availability of hotel accommodation, rider's preferences and possibility of inclement weather and swollen rivers along the Wild Coast. The beaches also change with the shifting of sand and tides, making some paths inaccessible one day and an easy route the next

See you in the saddle soon!

P O Box 25, Haga Haga 5272, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Tel/Fax: (+27) 043 8411 525 A/H Cell: 083 632 7298 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.

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