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An equestrian
working riding gap experience in South Africa with Mkulu Kei horse
trails, if you love horses and are looking at travelling abroad, this
is your work & travel, affordable, volunteer exchange adventure.
We are an equine breeding stud and riding establishment, offering
horse-riding trails, horseback trekking safaris, vacations and shorter
out rides to the public. Trail riding on the beach at Morgan Bay and
unpopulated beaches of the South African Wild Coast, working with
trained horses in the saddle, training foals on the ground, and with
the young horses, helping us back get them and get them going under
saddle. Students, pass on your equine knowledge by guiding, helping
teach our clients on the day out rides and an opportunity to transfer
your skills to underprivileged local black children in our development
programme. During your working/gap holiday use your knowledge and
gain experience with sick or injured horses, work with abused and
rescued equines.
Horse riding gap volunteers on their working travel vacation
in South Africa will get the chance to work with horses of all
ages, ride, learn our horse training methods, holistic approach
and could witness a foal being born. This is your first choice
in a gap year volunteering work and travel holiday destination.
A combination of equine work and riding in a family environment,
relaxed accommodation in our home, tranquil farm life, wilderness,
unspoiled pristine coastline, history, rural life, bird life,
game, rolling hills, jagged cliffs, culture and heritage. A
diversity of experiences, equestrian, scenery and terrain on
each day and get on the job experience working overseas.
There are so many equestrian working gap holidays and vacations,
why choose us? Read on and find out.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
Mkulu Kei horse trails and safari riding exchange gap holiday opportunity
on the Wild Coast in South Africa. Volunteer with us you will not
be just a number, you become one of our family. We only invite 1 to
4 volunteers at a time, into our home, to experience a personalised
equine experience, a horseriding working holiday of a lifetime.
Read on to see which of our four options suits you, workout your travel
dates and plans and contact us by email. Tell us about yourself, your
riding capability and expectations and we will contact you with suggestions
on dates and availability.
Most images have been thumb-nailed - click on the image
to see a larger photo.
Ever thought you would like to canter along a beach, sun on your
face, wind in your hair or play in the waves with a horse?
The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the water
will live with you forever. Combine your dream on a working holiday.
Take a break from work or studies and join us at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails.
Organise your working holiday adventure with riding now.
Working gap/riding holiday, volunteer programs with horses.
Horse mad! Pony Nuts! Does that sound like you? Most of us
are born horse mad;
Take a gap between studies or from the office with our volunteer
exchange program. Maybe you are looking at a career working
with horses or tourism? Burnt out and need a totally different
experience, a change in direction. Just want to work with
horses outside in the sun.
At Mkulu Kei Horse Trails we offer you the opportunity to
work with different aged horses, pass on your knowledge to
others by working at a stud and riding stable. You will improve
your knowledge, riding skills and equestrianism experience.
Students then this working safari riding gap experience is
for you. Or maybe you never had the chance to ride and want
to learn on your travel adventure we can give you an intensive
learn to ride experience.
Volunteering with us on your working job with horses you could
back youngsters, train green horses, school, lunge and exercise
going trail horses. Learn the day-to-day management of an
equine establishment at a riding school and become a second
guide. Spend time teaching at the development project or riding
lessons, work with foals, abused and rescued horses. Each
day different, no mucking out stables or endless cleaning
of tack, get to the task of working with the horses both in
and out the saddle.
While some of us get a chance to ride others never have the
privilege. We would like to offer you the chance to pass on
your knowledge and love of riding, to someone who has not
had this experience.
At Mkulu Kei Horse
Trails we offer you the opportunity to work abroad with
different aged horses and ponies at a stud and riding stable.
We have numerous products. Day rides, overnight trails,
kids pony camps, pony rides, lessons and our development
project, teaching the local black kids to ride. You will
get to experience who we are and how our stable is different.
We have a holistic approach to our horses using natural
horsemanship techniques. Cheryl was determined that she
would pass on her equestrian knowledge on to others, being
one of the few trail companies that actually teach the clients
about equss, horses and how to ride in an informal environment.
It is our aim to improve the lives of horses generally and
if we can explain how to communicate with horses their lives
will be better.
On our volunteer opportunities in Africa you will get to
work with foals, working horses, mares and stallions. Where
else can you stand with 21 stallions plus colts in a field
in a bachelor herd and feel comfortable? Or lie down and
take a nap with a stallion in the field?
Every day is different. Out of season, we work more at home
with the horses here on the ground, taking out rides as
and when the clients book but if you choose to join us in
a high season (school holidays) you are going to clock up
the hours in the saddle, become a second guide. Holidaymakers
from the local hotels booking for day rides make up a large
proportion of our clientele. Each ride comes with its own
dynamics. Our clients riding abilities vary from beginners
having their first try to advanced riders, kids from 3 years
though to 70 year olds, fat, thin and everything in between.
We work every day Monday through to Monday with little
to no time off; it is a very physical job. However it is
extremely rewarding. Each day comes with its own challenges;
learn people skills while assisting, encouraging and often
controlling the ride. Become a leader.
Helping as an instructor with the development project is
fun work, but in the long run the impact on the community
will be noticeable. We are looking for volunteers that want
to make a lasting impression on the community; you will
get more than you give. We have taught lots of local underprivileged
kids to ride but three young Xhosa boys, September, Alex
and October (nickname), are extremely talented and we hope
they will one day they ride for South Africa. They are still
young but already riding extremely well, and have developed
leadership skills. We are hoping to send September who has
been riding with us since he was six years old, and in a
few years October, to jockey school to further their riding
skills and give them a career. Alex will be too tall to
be a jockey so we are looking at the tourism side as a guide.
We believe we can open doors and opportunities to help them
make something of their lives.
Come visit us, here is an opportunity to see South Africa.
Help at a working equine farm. Experience everyday living
in our incredible country, meet South Africans either living
in this area or on holiday, extend your network of friends
in South Africa. Learn the culture both black and white,
(It is politically correct to say black, white or coloured
when referring to race in South Africa). The saying “Just
now” in South Africa means when it happens, not immediately.
Africa has its own unique time frame. Experience first hand
why our “Rainbow Nation” is so special and sometimes
complicated.
Then look at visiting other areas of South Africa, have
a safe home base. We can help you with ideas as to where
else to go and what to see and can advise what not to do
for security reasons.
Working students from abroad or outside South Africa are
required to hold a valid passport which expiry date at least
6 months later than your intended date of return to your
own country.
Volunteers from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand are not required to pay for a visa to enter South
Africa. You will be granted a temporary visitor’s
permit valid for 90 days when you present your passport
on arrival at the airport in South Africa. However if you
are intending to stay for longer than 90 days, it is worthwhile
applying for a visa in your home country before you travel.
This will save you the trouble of having to extend your
visitor’s permit once you are in South Africa. To
extend in South Africa there is a small fee and you will
need to go to the Home Affairs office in East London one
month before your visa expires.
Exempt: Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark,
Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden,
USA, France, Switzerland
Accommodation is a bedroom in our home
overlooking a beautiful area, with rolling hills and dams.
With horses grazing outside your window, watch the inter-play
and pecking order of a herd of horses from the veranda. Check
out the awesome African sunsets.
All meals are taken with
our family, an all-inclusive package on your working / gap
vacation and we open our home and hearts to our volunteers.
This is a family run business and it is important
to note:
It is a privilege that you are invited as a guest into
our lives and home. We have teenage daughters and their
friends and ask you to respect our home.
Due to the nature of tourism and working with animals this
is no 8-5 job! You could find yourself up early and working
until late, however it balances out, some days we just relax.
Why should I pay to work?
This is a working gap holiday not employment, without the
paying volunteers we could not finance the development project
or be in the position to take in unwanted and injured horses.
We only want those who really want to be here to help and
work. Many years ago we had a guest who refused to get out
of bed but was happy to eat the meals. This is not a free
holiday, you pay a small fee to enjoy our privileged life,
learn from our horsemanship techniques and gain equestrian
experience. Volunteering is an affordable, inexpensive holiday
option; on a ride you are riding a horse that we could have
used to earn revenue, and we have done alterations to the
house to accommodate you plus your living expenses to consider.
In the high season the development project must be put on hold, although
we invite a few boys to join the ride depending on the level of ride.
Without your extra pair of hands we would not have successfully rehabilitated
so many abused and neglected horses. It is time consuming to get their
trust and work through issues and they require constant reassuring
handling
We are aware that volunteers on your working
riding gap vacation have different requirements and expectations
so we are offering four types of all-inclusive packages at
different daily rates.
We try to accommodate you with your overseas travel plans
and have no fixed dates. You tell us which option suits you
and which dates. Send us an email. See contact details. Tell
us about yourself your riding level, expectations and future
plans. Nothing-formal just chat. We can then advise you if
we have available space or whether you should look at another
time.
Students and volunteers will be allocated tasks according
to their riding ability. And could find themselves painting
poles and jumps, grooming, halter training foals through to
backing youngsters, schooling going horses with potential,
jumping, helping with medical problems, working with abused
and neglected horses, pulling out foals, helping with teaching
in the pony camp, help around the stable and being a second
guide / instructor.
You will be required to sign a contract.
Our weight limit restriction is 95 kg (210 lbs)
Shuttle Service:
East London return R 1065
Option 1. R 275 per person sharing, per day
or part there of.
Duration: 15 nights – 90 nights.
For the volunteers who wants the full working with horses experience.
Keen to work, willing to try anything, and looking to benefit
from all that the Mkulu Kei Horse Trails experience has to offer.
We do not expect you to know everything but are willing to try.
You could even come to us to learn how to ride.
The volunteer will be allocated tasks according to their equine
experience.
Daily rate includes accommodation and all meals with us.
Please note: all suggestions on training etc are taken seriously
and we thank you for your interest. However we ask you to respect
that we can’t change what is working and not to abuse
our safety rules when guiding.
Option 2. R 395 per person sharing, per day
or part there of.
Duration: 7 nights – 14 nights.
For the volunteer who wants the full experience but has a limited
time. Keen to work, willing to try anything, and looking to
benefit from all that the Mkulu Kei Horse Trails experience
has to offer. We do not expect you to know everything but are
willing to try.
You could even come to us to learn how to ride.
You will be allocated tasks according to your equestrian capability.
If there is work you are more than happy to help, any hour,
any day. You work with us and play with us they become part
of our family lifestyle.
Daily rate includes accommodation and all meals with us.
Option 3. R 1465 per day or part there of.
For the volunteer that wants their own room and is happy to
work from 8 until 5, a hour for lunch and 5 days a week, with
weekends off, doing what is required within the time specified.
Limited to certain times of the year, Sorry but we cannot accommodate
you in the high seasons (South African government holidays).
Daily rate includes accommodation and all meals with us.
Option 4. R 1850 per day or part there of.
For the volunteer that wants to have their own room, hours,
and does the tasks they like. Ride as often as they want either
at Morgan Bay stable or at home. Wants to be treated as a guest
as in a B&B.
Limited to certain times of the year, Sorry but we cannot accommodate
you in the high seasons (South African government holidays).
Daily rate includes accommodation and all meals with us.
See you in the saddle soon!
See what our previous volunteers had to say at
bottom of this page,
And what better to experience South Africa’s beautiful coastline
than on the back of a horse…
Included in your daily rate:
Accommodation
Meals (Please inform us of any special dietary requirements).
Laundry
Emails - check mail on internet after hours
You will need to bring: •
Drinks, soft drinks, cigarettes, sweets • Toiletries
• Cell phone
Pocket money basically to go out.
A valid driving license is a nice to have but not essential
Join us from one week to a 90 day period, any volunteer may
request to extend their stay or change their daily rate at
any stage by giving us 48 hour notice period.
We reserve the right to accept or deny the requests and to change
the daily rate should a volunteer book on option 1/2 but not
participate. Please if you don’t want to be here don’t
take someone else’s place. We had one volunteer that did
not like animals! Why come? When the dogs or cats came near
her she pushed them away with her foot. And hit a horse in the
face because she thought it was going to bite her. Not acceptable.
Take advantage of a reduced daily rate of our overnight trails.
This is a very inexpensive way to extend your stay in South
Africa and get to go on trail. Come and stay with us on a working
gap holiday then experience a trail at the reduced rate.
Volunteers on a working holiday may request to join an existing
over night trail at a quoted and reduced rate, as a second guide.
You will be required to assist on trail as a guide where needed,
with feeding, grooming and generally as a second pair of hands.
The quoted trail daily rate must be paid prior to departure.
Please don’t tell us the day the trail starts, we need
to book the hotels prior.
However should we require and approach you as a guide on an
safari trek either as backup in the vehicle or riding guide,
your equine trail vacation will be included in your daily rate.
Come Ride with Us ...
This invitation extends only to volunteers that in our opinion are
an asset to Mkulu Kei Horse Trails our name, and who we are. It is
a bonus not to be expected. The invitation would not necessary be
the best rider but the volunteer who would be the most helpful on
trail.
Bookings
Booking essential
When booking an exchange riding working gap holiday, a 50% deposit
is required, within 7 days of booking. This secures your place.
The balance is payable 30 days before your volunteer gap holiday
commences.
Your faxed/e-mailed deposit slip confirms your working holiday
and indicates to us that you have read and acknowledged the information
on this page.
NB. Please we live in a rural area, without convenient banking
facilitates and reliable phone lines for Internet banking, it
is important you check that we are aware of all deposits.
Rates and tariffs
Rates are calculated per DAY or part there of.
Refunds Due to forward planning and that we only
accept a few volunteers at a time.
No deposit or full payments will be refunded unless the volunteer
finds a replacement.
No refunds are given if a client leaves early for whatever reason.
Payment methods
Payment may be made directly into our bank account - details
will be forwarded.
If all payments have not been paid in full prior to your riding
work gap holiday commencement date, it will be assumed that you
have cancelled and will forfeit any money paid.
Indemnity
All guests are required to sign a standard indemnity form on
arrival.
All guests will be required to sign a standard contract with
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails.
Please let me know at the time of booking of any existing medical
conditions such as diabetes, partial sightedness, hardness 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.
A Horse Ride Through Sub-Tropical Coastal Hills and Riverines to the
Beaches of the Wild Coast in South Africa, a horse working exchange
holiday, with so much more. Mkulu Kei Horse Trails a riding exchange
gap holiday opportunity on the Wild Coast in South Africa. Volunteer
with us you will not be just a number, you become one of our family.
What previous volunteers had to say.
Cheryl the one and only person that seems to be able to get
anyone to do anything.... and i mean anything from getting terrified
six year olds to ride without their stirrups to getting an aprehensive
adult just to get on the motionless horse
while saddling up or leading the trail you will hear a constant
verbal noise coming from her, and she plays mind tricks on everyone
and i mean everyone, not only the clients....
even ive heard it... "janine, just ride that 3 year old
stallion today", "september play follow the leader
through that horses legs"....
so the question is 'what did she get you to do'?? or 'who
did you see her talk into doing something that they normally
wouldnt do'??
Janine on Mkulu Kei group on face book asks.
Volunteer Testimonial
Dear Cheryl, Don and Lou
Well what can I say apart from a huge thank you? :) In the 48
hours I have been home I think I have told everyone about riding
backwards, riding blindfolded, swimming in the lagoon, loosing
my voice shouting to Excalibur and Blase, the Midnite Macarana
and sleeping in a field with a stallion. The 10 days I was with
you guys was simply one of the best times of my life. The horses
were incredible and I learnt SO much but I don't think it would
have been as good if it hadn't been for you guys. After destroying
the contents of your fridge upon arrival I relaxed completely
and I think you saw me being as mad as I am at home normally.
It's also safe to say that every muscle in my body aches but
I have never felt better. I even stopped biting my nails and
all the other nervous ticks I usually have. How on earth I will
go back to living and working in London I don't know. Nevermind,
will cross that bridge when I come to it :)
I have always loved horses and longed to understand them better.
Now I realise how much more there is to learn and how badly
I want to learn it. I wish I could imbibe all the knowledge
and experience the 3 of you have by osmosis or something. I
can't tell you how much I enjoyed just being able to sit and
talk about horses in the evening – even better than eating
Caramel I think!! I have resolved to find a way to make horses
a permanent feature in my life. I am no longer content with
riding once a week in a stable. As I said to Don at the airport
– I think I enjoy working with horses on the ground more
than actually riding (perhaps because I know I will never be
a brilliant rider, but I might learn to be a better communicator
with horses). At the end of the day though, the more you understand
about horses the better you should be able to ride. I
can't wait to get back and hack out with my new
improved leg position and low, still hands. Woe betide me if
I come back to you with more bad habits though! I think I will
have to come and ride with you at least once a year so you can
check I'm still on track. Then we can get my husband riding.....
:)
Cheryl – big hugs. You have a reputation for "fixing"
horses and people. I don't think I was broken, just needed a
bit of fine tuning and you certainly did that. You pushed me
to do things I would never have believed I would do. Thank you
for believing I could. I cried all the way home on that plane.
You guys must be something special.
Tons of love to you and the herd (and the dogs and cats).
Just wanted to drop you a quick email and try and express
my thanks for such a life changing couple of weeks. You guys
helped me through a really difficult time and I will always
be so grateful to you. I loved every single minute of my time
with you and learnt so much about horses, Africa and life!
I cried on the way home, mainly because I was sad at leaving
you all but also because I’d forgotten what feeling
that happy and carefree felt like. I tell you what set me
off (again) - they gave me a little bar of ‘topdeck’
to eat after dinner on the flight – I promptly burst
into tears and took it as a sign!
Back at work, wading through emails and thinking about you
all – and planning my return of course! Do keep in touch
and let me know how Don is getting on with his leg, and Caesar
too!
Thanks for being my matriarch mare for a time, and setting
me back on the right track – if there’s anything
I can do for Mkulu from over here then let me know
(Our white wolf Abbie is never clean after swimming in the
dams, she is two toned. We call her Top deck.)
Of all the things I have done in
my life my 4 months spent at Mkulu Kei has been the most life
changing, amazing, self-discovering journey I have ever undertaken.
Not only do I have a new lease of life but I have also learned
to look at life in a new and more optimistic way.
Cheryl, Don and the girls treated me like a member of the family;
through their guidance I have learnt so much from injecting
horses, to leading rides and most importantly of all teaching
me to believe in my own capabilities.
No words can describe how very grateful I am to them; it was
the most awesome, amazing, fantastic, once in a lifetime experience,
which will stay with me forever.
You guy's I see as a second family and the Eastern Cape as my
second home, thank you so much for everything you have done
for me.
Tell the girl's I send my love and thank them for the letters.
I was in bit's reading them on the plane the letters were very
touching.
Tell Daniella if she get's a Rotary exchange to Europe I'll
send her a ticket or come and collect her if she wants to stay
with me for a while.
As for you my friend and mentor I thank you deeply from the
bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me I am
a better person for having known you guy's.
Speak to you soon
To explain: Kelly had a phobia of needles and injections she
could not look at a needle without panicking; by the time she
left Kelly was competent in injecting any horse by her self.
A huge growing experience that has had a positive impact in
other areas in her life.
Volunteer Testimonial
This young lady was our first volunteer; she was in a very bad
way when she came to us. She was a drug addict (heavy stuff), and
she cut herself. She was not the easiest to help and eventually
we could not take responsibility for her and sent her home. Only
years later I found out we did make a difference to her life.
I cried when I received her e-mail 3 years later!
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged
are so proud of who she has become. Keep going and know our door
is always open.
Extract from an e-mail received.
Hey Stranger,
For some unknown reason i stumbled upon your site today, My chest
closed and my eyes watered as I remember a time that seemed so long
ago and a time that was one of the most amazing in my life and also
linked with much pain.
I'm doing well now, I have a little boy, (name supplied), he'll
be two in Jan, the light of my life and love of all my heart:
Working and trying to maintain a 'white picket fence' life. I have
4 dogs, my other babies:
Cheryl, you and your family will always be in my heart and you and
your horses touched my life more than you will ever know! I'm sorry
for any difficulty I caused you!!
I miss riding, it’s like a physical pain I carry, one day
I'll get back into it I hope!
All my Love and more than you'll ever know!
Extract from 2nd e-mail.
I'm so happy to hear everything is well, So amazing to make contact
again:
My life is going great and despite the inevitable ups and downs
I am happy and sometimes look back and shake my head in disbelief
at how far I have come, my past seems like a lifetime ago!!
Love to all, next time you fly along the beach, waves lapping at
your horses hooves, think of me and know you are in my heart!
SHE IS FOREVER,
Cheryl
A horse trekking safari vacation with Mkulu Kei horse trails
that suits your available time, riding level and budget. On
your horse-riding holiday see nature at its best from the back
of a horse suitable for your riding ability. The South African
Wild Coast on an equestrian trail is awesome horse riding country;
see stunning views, pristine coastline, rural village, nature,
birds, game, dolphins and whales.
This unique safari horse trail in South Africa offers a total
riding holiday experience. A memorable horseback eco-adventure
along the, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, South Africa. For your
African horse trekking eco adventure, equestrian working exchange
volunteer gap vacation destination or children’s pony
camps
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 South Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world. An incredible combination of cross-country horse
riding and the exploration of our beautiful coastline.
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 working holiday memories.
Thank You.
Cheryl See you in the
saddle soon!
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 South Africa one of the most beautiful places
in the world. An incredible combination of cross-country horse
riding and the exploration of our beautiful coastline.
