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Horseback riding holidays on a career break or as a riding volunteer your best holiday for working and riding horses
both on the beach and safari adventures. A combination of equine work and
riding at a busy trail riding stable 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 working with horses in South Africa
with Mkulu Kei riding holidays, a diversity of experiences, equestrian, scenery and terrain on each day and get on the job
experience working overseas. An equestrian horse working riding gap
experience in South Africa
Join us on a volunteer vacation, Mkulu Kei for your volunteer work in South Africa. We are an equine breeding stud and horse riding establishment, offering coastal horse-riding trails, horseback trekking safaris, vacations, shorter out rides to the public and Safari riding through a game reserve. A gap year working riding holiday program with lots of horse riding on the beach at Morgan Bay, on the unpopulated beaches of the South African Wild Coast and trail riding with Wildlife. On a working riding holiday work 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.
A great way to gain work experience for the equestrian student or those interested in the tourism industry. On a gap year opportunity for a few months or a full year working with our horses you will gain equine experience, help teach and guide. Volunteers while you are having fun riding horses on the beach in the South African sun, playing with your horse in the sea: You are giving an under privileged black child the chance to better their lives. Your horse riding holiday daily rate helps to finance the development project. See riding development programme pages
Working abroad with horses is a great way to see the world without getting out of pocket, an affordable riding holiday. See what our previous volunteers had to say. Volunteer Comments
Read on to see which of our horse back riding holiday options suits you, work out your travel dates and plans and contact us by email. 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.
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 natural 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 working with horses and riding. Would you like to have a better relationship with a horse? Improving the relationship starts with YOU! Your attitude, the way you touch your horse and how you choose to communicate. Learn how with our horse training methods.
If you are passionate about horses and looking for a fun and relaxed working gap riding holiday Mkulu Kei Horse Trails is the one for you. The applicant will be in contact with our riding clients and must have good people skills, be self-motivated and conscientious. The riding we can help you with if you are not experienced. Why not join us on a working riding adventure, a very economical way of enjoying a riding holiday. By helping us care for the horses and assisting with riding clients, you will have a superb horse-riding holiday at a fraction of the rate of a trail client. By joining us on this program you will gain practical knowledge of horse care and management in a holiday environment, Mkulu Kei Horse trails is for you, the best of South African tourism. Don't miss out; our horses are of high standard, our approach to teaching different, the results of word of mouth extremely high. Being one of the few riding stables where you can actually learn about horses and how to ride in an informal environment our client base increases and more trained horses are required to meet the demand. We need your help to maintain the quality of our trail horses. Come and put your experience and your skills to good use on your affordable gap year with horses for a few months or longer and gain the most from a gap year. 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?
We are based in a popular seaside town, Morgan Bay and a high percentage of our riding guests are here on their beach holiday from all over the country, giving you an opportunity not only to meet new people but to experience our way of teaching clients how to ride. Be a part of a busy stable yard and South African tourism horse trail company. As a helper and second guide get the chance to go horse riding on the beach and work with horses during your working holiday abroad. Organize 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;
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.
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 as a bachelor herd and feel comfortable? Or lie down and take a nap with a stallion in the field? Slid off a horses bum or play follow my leader with kids through the horses legs? Every day is different. Out of season, we work more at home (Cher-a-Don) 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 client's 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. Out of season there is
Helping as an instructor with the development project is fun work and in the long run the impact on the community will be noticeable. We are looking for volunteers who 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 four young Xhosa boys, September, Alex, October (nicknames) and Mussa 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 Octoberm, and later Mussa to jockey school to further their riding skills and give them a career. Alex may be too tall to be a jockey so we are looking at the tourism side as a guide or farrier. We believe we can open doors and opportunities to help them make something of their lives. You too can make a difference.
Exempt: Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, USA, France, Switzerland.
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. Go to the beach, town or local watering hole.
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.
Please if you are not in a good place in your life and need a totally different environment, need time to heal. Come but be honest with us and don't choose the height of our busy season. We would like to help you and have helped others in the past. One December a lady on anti depressants decided she was well enough to stop taking her prescription, against her doctors and our advice and crashed in the height of season impacting on her life and our business! We are aware that volunteers on your working riding gap vacation have different requirements and expectations so we are offering different 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 how long you wish to stay 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 when we have available space. Experienced riders, those that can ride responsibly on their own will benefit coming any time during the year while those who can't ride would get the most out of coming during the school holidays. When we are teaching holiday makers how to ride all day and everyday, your riding skills will improve dramatically in a very short time. A great way to get horseback riding lessons in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Our weight limit restriction is 95 kg (210 lbs) and you must be fit enough to ride, tack up and fetch horses from the field. Different options to suit you.Shuttle Service: East London airport return R 1065.
If you are intending to stay for longer than 90 days, it is worthwhile applying for an extended visa in your home country before you travel. For the volunteers who wants the full working with horses experience or gap year. You must be keen to work, willing to try anything, and looking to benefit from all that the Mkulu Kei Horse Trails experience has to offer. These options are for the volunteer who is a good rider and can work on his or her own without supervision through to a beginner rider who is willing to learn. We do not expect you to know everything
Daily rate includes accommodation and all meals with us. Those who are on a 6 months plus gap year experience a four day overnight trail will be included in your daily rate. 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 1465 per person, 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.
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* 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 |
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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.
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We reserve the right to accept or deny the requests and to change the daily rate should a volunteer book on option 1 but not participate. Please if you don't want to be here don't take someone else's place. 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. Or book a 6 months plus gap year experience and have a free 4-day over night trail on the Wild Coast. |
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 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 and pay the hotels prior to departing.
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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. 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. Those who are on a 6 months plus gap year experience a 4 day over night trail will be included in your daily rate. Booking essential |
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* 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 cash deposits.
Important information.* Rates are calculated per DAY or part there of. * No Refunds due to forward planning 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 volunteer leaves early for whatever reason. Payment methods. |
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* 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 volunteers 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.
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Tel/Fax: (+27) 043 841 1525 Cell: 083 632 7298 Contact Cheryl with your enquiries. E-mail: cheryl@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za 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. |
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Just for fun. Email we received unknown author and a chance to laugh at our self's
Braai What is a braai? It is the first thing you will be invited to when you visit South Africa. A braai is a backyard barbecue and it will take place whatever the weather. So you will have to go even if it's raining like mad. At a braai you will be introduced to a substance known as mieliepap.
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Ag This one of the most useful South African words. Pronounced like the "ach" in the German "achtung", it can be used to start a reply when you are asked a tricky question, as in: "Ag, I don't know." Or a sense of resignation: "Ag OK, I'll have some more mieliepap then." It can stand alone too as a signal of irritation. Donner A rude word, it comes from the Afrikaans "donder" (thunder). Pronounced "dorner", it means "beat up." A team member in your rugby team can get donnered in a game, or your wife can donner you if you come back from a braai at three in the morning. Eina Widely used by all language groups, this word, derived from the Afrikaans, means "ouch." Pronounced "aynah". You can say it in sympathy when you see your friend the day after he got donnered by his wife. |
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Hey Often used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the importance of what has just been said, as in "You're only going to get donnered if you come in late again, hey?" It can also stand alone as a question. Instead of saying "excuse me?" or "pardon me?" when you have not heard something directed at you, you can always say: "Hey?"
Izit? This is another great word to use in conversations. Derived from the two words "is" and "it", it can be used when you have nothing to contribute if someone tells you something at a braai. For instance, if someone would say: "The Russians will succeed in their bid for capitalism once they adopt a work ethic and respect for private ownership." It is quite appropriate to respond by saying: "Izit?"
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Ja well no fine This is another conversation fallback. Derived from the four words: "yes", "well", "no" and fine", it roughly means "OK". If your bank manager tells you your account is overdrawn, you can, with confidence, say: "Jawelnofine." Klap Pronounced "klup" - an Afrikaans word meaning smack, whack or spank. If you spend too much time in front of the TV during exam time, you could end up getting a "klap" from your mother. In America, that is called child abuse. In South Africa , it is called promoting education. But to get "lekker geklap" is to get motherlessly drunk. Lekker An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all language groups to express approval.. If you enjoyed a braai thoroughly, you can say: "Now that was lekk-errrrrrr!" while drawing out the last syllable. |
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Tackies These are sneakers or running shoes. The word is also used to describe automobile or truck tyres. "Fat tackies" are really wide tyres, as in: "You've got lekker fat tackies on your Vτlla, hey?"
Dop This word has two basic meanings, one good and one bad. First the good: A dop is a drink, a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. When invited for a dop, be careful! It could be one sedate drink or a blast, depending on the company. Now the bad: To dop is to fail. If you "dopped" standard two (Grade 4) more than once, you probably won't be reading this.
Saamie This is a sandwich. For generations, school- children have traded "saamies" during lunch breaks. In South Africa you don't send your kid to school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to trade.
Bakkie This word is pronounced "bucky" and can refer to a small truck or pick-up. If a young man takes his "girl" (date) in a bakkie it could be considered as a not so "lekker" form of transport if the seats can't recline.
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Howzit This is a universal South African greeting, and you will hear this word throughout the country. It is often accompanied with the word "Yes!" as in: "Yes, howzit?". In which case you answer "No, fine." Now now In much of the outside world, this is a comforting phrase: "Now now, it's really not so bad." But in South Africa, this phrase is used in the following manner: "Just wait, I'll be there now now." It means "a little after now". Tune grief To be tuned grief is to be aggravated, harassed. For example, if you argue with somebody about a rugby game at a braai and the person had too much dop (is a little "geklap"), he might easily get aggravated and say.: "You're tuning me grief, hey!". To continue the argument after this could be unwise and result in major tuning of grief.. |
Boet This is an Afrikaans word meaning "brother" which is shared by all language groups. Pronounced "boot" but shorter, as in "foot", it can be applied to a brother or any person of the male sex. For instance a father can call his son "boet" and friends can apply the term to each other too. Sometimes the diminutive "boetie" is used. But don't use it on someone you hardly know - it will be thought patronizing and could lead to you getting a "lekker klap".
Pasop From the Afrikaans phrase meaning "Watch Out!", this warning is used and heeded by all language groups. As in: "The boss hasn't had his coffee yet - so you better pasop boet" Sometimes just the word "pasop!" is enough without further explanation. Everyone knows it sets out a line in the sand not to be crossed.
Skop, Skiet en donner Literally "kick, shoot and thunder", this phrase is used by many South African speakers to describe action movies. A Clint Eastwood movie is always a good choice if you're in the mood for of a lekker skop, skiet en donner flick.
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Vrot Pronounced - "frot". An expressive word which means "rotten" or "putrid" in Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe anything they really dislike. Most commonly intended to describe fruit or vegetables whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of old tackies (sneakers) worn a few years too long can be termed "vrot" by some unfortunate folk which find themselves in the same vicinity as the wearer. Also a rugby player who misses important kicks or tackles can be said to have played a vrot game - opposite to a "lekker" game (but not to his face). A movie was once reviewed with this headline: "Slick Flick, Vrot Plot." Could also be used as an expression" I got vrot last night" (drunk) |
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Rock up To rock up is to just, sort of arrive (called "gate crash" in other parts of the world). You don't make an appointment or tell anyone you are coming - you just rock up. Friends can do that but you have to be selective about it. For example, you can't just rock up for a job interview.
Scale To scale something is to steal it. A person who is "scaly" has a doubtful character, is possibly a scumbag, and should rather be left off the invitation list to your next braai.
Ja-nee "Yes No" in English. Politics in South Africa has always been associated with family arguments and in some cases even with physical fights. It is believed that this _expression originated with a family member who didn't want to get a klap or get donnerred, so he just every now and then muttered "ja-nee". Use it when you are required to respond, but would rather not choose to agree or disagree.
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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. |
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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!
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