Horse riding trails in South Africa are as diverse as the terrain. You can take a brisk canter along a beach, an amble through vineyards, a fast ride across sweeping grasslands or a meander through magnificent mountain scenery.
If you're comfortable on a horse, you can ride among some big game. If you're not, there are some easier options where the game is not likely to consider eating you (or your mount).
Trips range from an hour or two on the outskirts of cities to multi-day treks in the wilderness; in some places you can even do moonlit rides at full moon.
If you'd like to get in some hunting while you're in South Africa, note that we only offer drag hunts. Everything - dress, formalities, hounds - is traditional but the "fox" is a jackal-scented bag dragged by a hunt member. Drag hunting is run by the Rand Hunt Club near Johannesburg, and by the Cape Hunt and Polo Club in and around Cape Town.
Organisations, portals
Cape Nature Conservation administers a number of horse trails in the Western Cape.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife offers horse riding in the conservation areas and parks of KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal Horse Trails, on the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal website, lists some of the better known horseback adventures in the province.
Trail Linx provides a comprehensive list of horse trails in South Africa.
Operators, trails
Adventure Purists offers various adventure package tours across South Africa, including horse trails.
African Horse Company offers short outrides and 2- to 10-day overnight trails in the Cape Town, Hermanus, Stanford and Overberg areas of the Western Cape. Through the fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom - a world heritage site - the rides cover rugged mountain terrain and kilometres of wide beach and dune coastline.
Amadiba Trails is a community project on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, running trails with a few days' horseriding, a bit of paddling, some hiking, lots of scenery and close interaction with the local community.
Ant's Nest Horseriding Safaris offers excellent game viewing in the Waterberg in Limpopo province. From horseback you are able to get closer to the wildlife, blending in with the bush.
Bhangazi Horse Safaris offers day and multi-day rides around Lake Bhangazi and Lake St Lucia in northern KwaZulu-Natal. You can also combine a horse ride with a paddling trip.
Biggarsberg Horse Trails on Larksend Farm near Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal offers the novice and experienced rider the opportunity to combine the excitement of horseback riding and the comfort of first-class accommodation in an area of great natural beauty.
Bokpoort Horseback Adventures has short rides near a farm in the eastern Free State or multi-day trails that hug the Lesotho border and head up into the mountains. Choose between comfortable, affordable accommodation and budget, backpacker-style accommodation.
Colin's Horseback Africa Safaris, based outside Pretoria in Gauteng, offers riders the chance to see game on short day rides. Beginners will feel particularly secure, while experienced riders may have a short canter when the terrain permits.
The Danielsrust Horse Trails cross some of the last remaining big farms in Gauteng. Situated in the Kromdraai Conservancy, 40km from Johannesburg, one can view over 700 head of game from horseback. Trails take you through the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, and you can also visit the spectacular Wonder Cave.
Der Kap Ritt Unique eco-friendly horse trails in the Western Cape of South Africa including Big 5 Game Drives and whale spotting with an English/German speaking guide. Three different trails make their way through the spectacular landscapes of South Africa. Each day you will ride through remote and varied, breathtaking landscapes. Explore long white beaches, wetlands, wine orchards, wheat fields, semi-desert, mountains and fields of wild flowers.
Equitrailing offers trails through the indigenous forest and fynbos of the Garden Route near Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. (Tel +27 (0)44 533 0599, e-mail)
Equus Horse Safaris, a pioneer of luxury horse safaris in South Africa, offers trails through unspoilt mountain wilderness in the Waterberg in Limpopo province, with a variety of wildlife to be seen. The sweeping grasslands of the main valleys offer fast riding, while the mountainous areas can be explored at a slower pace.
Excelsior Farm, an organic peach and nectarine farm high above Piketberg in the Western Cape, offers short rides through scenic mountains and orchards. Self-catering accommodation is available, and you can organise overnight trails.
Fynbos Trails specialises in a variety of horse trails and adventures near Cape Town, varying from half-day trails to a three-day trail through the Berg River Valley.
Glendale Trekking Centre offers short rides on the beach at Cintsa near East London in the Eastern Cape. (Tel +27 (0)43 7385141, +27 (0)83 4596646, e-mail)
Grootbos Nature Reserve, an upmarket lodge near Hermanus in the Western Cape, offers scenic horse rides for guests.
Horizon Horse Trails is a general horse experience resort. Pretend to be a cowboy and learn to round up cattle, try your hand at polocrosse, or just go for a ride.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails runs day and multi-day trips in the mountainous area of Kaapsehoop in Mpumalanga province. A big attraction is the opportunity to link up with the wild horses that roam the area.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, on the road to Morgan's Bay on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, offers trails along some of the finest undisturbed coastline in South Africa.
Roberts Farm Horse Trails offers scenic rides in the Magaliesberg area of North West province, usually only on weekends as this is a working farm. (Tel +27 (0)14 577 3332, e-mail)
Spier Horse Trails offers both gentle and invigorating rides through the vineyards and open land on the Spier estate near Cape Town, with wine tasting, cellar tours and breakfast optional extras. Non-riding companions can enjoy a carriage ride, and pony rides are available for children.
Thornview Horse Trails near Potchefstroom in North West province offers horse trails across more than 4 000 hectares of rolling grass plains. Ranch outrides, pleasure rides, horse training using natural horsemanship methods, mounted game days, horse camps, tented camp safaris ... or just riding across the veld for the sheer joy of it.
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, a luxurious Relais & Chateau resort deep in the Northern Cape desert, offers riding for guests.
Wait a Little Horse Trails, based in the Karongwe Conservancy, a Big Five reserve in the Limpopo lowveld, offers big game trails for a maximum of four guests. Choose between staying in luxury tented accommodation and riding out each day, or moving from one spot to another, alternating between camping and lodges. Guides speak English and German.
Wine Valley Horse Trails, based on the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate 60km from Cape Town, has horse rides through vineyards and up onto Paarl Mountain.
Xplora Tours, based in Hermanus in the Western Cape, offers custom-designed adventure tours and coast-based activities, including horseriding.
SouthAfrica.info reporter and South African Tourism
