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 The Original Mkulu Kei Horse Trails The stamp of Quality and Authenticity |
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 Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Lalapanzi Adventure Centre Cher-a-Don Please add comments And your riding & activity photos. |
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Mkulu Kei Horse Trails |
& Saddlery |
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails
for your Wild Coast, South African multi day guided horse riding
holiday, working riding holiday destination, pony camp, beach outride
and horse riding equipment. An award winning horse riding company, now also incorporating Lalapanzi Adventure Centre.
See Lalapanzi Adventure Centre Page.
Join an Mkulu Kei horse trek 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 horse
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.
Mkulu Kei horse trails for your horse riding holiday in South Africa. The best riding horse holidays, a eco tourism horse riding adventure on the Wild Coast of South Africa.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
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Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Saddlery Mkulu Kei horse trails and horse back riding holidays is situated on the Mkulu Kei horse farm called Cher-a-Don just outside Morgan Bay, north of East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa on the R349 and 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.
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Cher-a-Don Mkulu Kei horse trails. A memorable horseback adventure trip, for your SA horse trekking eco-adventure, working with horses volunteer gap destination or youth and children's pony camps. Mk horse trails; the best of equine experiences and riding holidays in South Africa. 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. |
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Saddlery
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails and Riding HolidaysAn award winning horse trailThe South African, Eastern Cape Tourism Board Adventure Province Tourism Awards 2009. Held in East London on 26 November 2009 |
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Mkulu Kei Saddlery Emerging Qualifier Technology Top 100The Technology Top 100 Awards are recognised as South Africa's showcase for technological initiative and the measurement of achievements against the best of the best. Held in the Vodadome at Vodaworld, Midrand on 28 April 2010 |
A new division of Mkulu Kei horse trails, the saddlery was identified as a Technology Top 100 Emerging Qualifier 2009 |
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What we offer at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails and Riding Holidays. Now in conjunction with Lalapanzi Adventure Centre Mkulu Kei horse trails and riding holidays established in 1998 and now with over 70 horses and a mix of 42+ different trained horses for different riding abilities, we can cater for small to large groups. Personally guided by the owners Don and Cheryl to ensure you receive the best horse-riding holiday. Mkulu Kei horse trails and riding holidays is situated on the Mkulu Kei horse farm called Cher-a-Don. A horse stud farm outside the holiday village of Morgan Bay, north of East London on the R349 off the N2 highway just past Cintsa, Mooi Plaas and Haga Haga. An easy hours drive through from Buffalo City, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa on a well signposted tar road. 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. To find the more detailed information for your holiday horse riding or riding holiday.
To find out a bit more about the owners please read on.For an introduction to our horses and our natural traing methods See our horses page, for an insight of the horse you will ride See our geldings and stallions page. Our weight limit restriction is 95 kg (210 lbs). Day out rides:For more information. Short Day Rides Page Offering the public a few hours riding on the Morgan Bay beach and surrounding areas.
Cell: +27 (0) 83 632 7298 Tel/Fax: +27 (0) 43 8411 525 A/H Skype: cheryl. giacchetti 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. cheryl@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za
Over night horse trails:For more information. Over Night Trails Page Horse riding holiday in South Africa for a multi day horse ride, hopping along the Wild Coast from one alternative night stop to the next. Stunning beach riding and awesome scenery. Accommodation three star family beach hotels or B&B on route.
cheryl@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za
Working riding horseback holiday opportunity:For more information. Working Holiday Page A very affordable horse back riding holiday,
working with horses and hours of riding on the beach and riding
safari in the game. Small groups of students, working and riding with horses of all ages. As a riding volunteer you get the opportunity to see our holistic approach to horses and learn how to communicate with horses and join up. Learn equine skills and use your equestrian knowledge to teach clients and underprivileged black children to ride. Work with rescued and abused horses.
A horseback riding holiday you can gain work experience for tourism and equine related jobs. Have a home base and network with South Africans to extend your
And now with Lalapanzi Adventure Centre we can accommodate non-riding adventure volunteers. Lalapanzi Adventure Centre Page
See Working riding gap holiday cheryl@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za Children's pony camps:For more information. Pony Camp Page An opportunity for children and youngsters to learn to ride and get comfortable on and near horses, how to care for a horse, basic stable management and to communicate with a horse all in a safe, fun environment on trained horses. A great horse riding holiday adventure.
For more info see help page to guide you for more detailed information.
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For more info see Help page to guide you to more detailed information.
2-12 day trips, 3-6 hours per day in the saddle with no predetermined
trail dates. Contact us with your requirements and travel dates and we will either try to accommodate you with the trail dates that suit
you, or advise you of other trails booked around that date that you can join.
holiday in South Africa. A letter of reference is given on the completion of your riding working holiday experience and the chance to join a Wild Coast overnight trail at a substantially reduced rate. 
Contact Us:
At present activities include abseiling,
obstacle course and team building, hiking both in the Gugura river
and on the game farm, canoeing on the farm dam and raft building,
bush art, volley ball and paintball.For your South African horse trek vacations or beach riding holiday.
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A horse back riding holiday destination that offers: 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, safari riding, teambuilding and activity centre. Read on we have the horse riding holiday for you. |
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Are you looking for a horseback riding holiday that offers 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? Mkulu Kei horse holidays. |
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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 S Africa one of the most beautiful places in the world.
An incredible combination of cross country horse riding 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...
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails South Africa's premier horse riding holiday on the beaches of the Wild Coast and surrounding countryside. The best South Africa has to offer in riding vacations.
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Greetings to You from all at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged.
Cheryl and Don would like to invite you to a Wild Coast horse riding vacation of a lifetime, come experience the Transkei on horseback with us.
Visit Mkulu Kei Horse Trails to experience what this horse and pony trekking holiday has to offer. Each ride personally guided by owner Cheryl or her partner Don and assisted by senior guides Jason, Daniela and Luisa and our friendly and experienced staff.
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This is a family business offering you the opportunity to contact Mkulu Kei Horse Trails directly when planning your get away horse-packing holiday. 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 equestrian holiday travel adventures. About Us: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 Tourist Guide. |
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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 behaviour and how to ride in an informal environment. She has made it her personal vision to encourage more males into the equestrian sports.
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Riding for a year familiarising herself with the secluded splendours of the Wild Coast during which time she trained and 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 trains and 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. A quality riding horse not often seen at horse trail companies. |
Don has trained several horses to be ridden
without a bridle, just with a neck strap and is often seen guiding the
Morgan Bay rides with no bridle or saddle.
Jason, 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 (riding/training first few times); the result happy horses. See Our horse page
Our trail 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 and stallions 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. This way we can incorporate all riding abilities within the same 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.
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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. It is tradition for the children to ride their horses facing the tail on the last stretch to the stable yard. A fun ending to a great out ride. 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. The correct horse for you on your riding holiday.
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Our clients are pleasantly surprised about the quality of our horses and the care and time we take in matching each rider to a horse thus ensuring maximum pleasure for both horse and rider.
We 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.
Our team
of horses are happy to work 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. Our approach to horses gives you the best equestrian experience both on and off the horse and an opportunity to learn how to communicate with equines. The relaxed stable yard gives you the chance to understand horses better and thereby get more out of your riding holiday and horses in general.
We 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 and we want you to have a great riding holiday with us. At Cher-a-Don we do not sell horses but rather find a place for them in the Mkulu Kei working team.
In 2009 we where awarded the Award of Excellence in the category Best Hiking Trail 2009 from the South African, Eastern Cape Tourism Board Adventure Province Tourism Awards 2009. And Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Saddlery. A new division of Mkulu Kei horse trails, the saddlery was identified as a Technology Top 100 Emerging Qualifier 2009. In 2010 we took over the running of Lalapanzi adventure center giving us the opportunity to offer you adventure activities and safari riding in the game.
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Come to Mkulu Kei horse trails in South Africa and join us at a working horse stud for an exchange working equine holiday opportunity. More than just a volunteer, with us you are not one of lots of helpers, you become one of the family. We only invite 1 to 6 volunteers at a time, into our home, to experience a working vacation of a lifetime. Learn our natural horsemanship methods, horse behaviour & breeding methods and spend lots of time in the saddle beach riding.
Are your children bored during the school holidays? Send them to us. A children's equestrian pony camp. 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 fun 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. Special needs riders can be accommodated. We offer both a few hours in the saddle and a multi day riding experience. Join us for a family horse-riding holiday or as a single rider on his or her own riding tour. By joining another group on trail a reduced rates will be given to all on the over night trek. 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 and daily rates.
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. An opportunity to go on a horse riding holiday together and each get a equine experience at the pace you are comfortable with.
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On trail we ride the same track as the day rides, 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 horseback 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. Your riding partner gets to join you each day riding out together but separating on different paths to get a faster pace, then rejoining you to see just how much you have learnt to ride. |
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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 / Wild Coast horse adventure.
Awesome equine treking conditions, the best trail riding countryside, hours of time in the saddle. A award winning horseback riding holiday.
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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 your Wild Coast riding 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 guesthouse 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.
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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 traveller 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 riding holiday 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 also for that of your fellow riders and our horses. On the longer trail 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. |
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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 and riding holiday you will want to tell your friends about. Single travellers, groups, team building, adventure enthusiasts, beginners, advanced riders, half-day beach ride, and 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 S 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.
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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 ... Mkulu Kei horse riding holidays, 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 , horse-packing adventure trip. |
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Come ride with us...
See you in the saddle soon. |
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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.
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"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 |
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The Wild Coast, Transkei on our horse trek and riding holiday, a scenic underdeveloped coast experienced on the back of a riding trail horse is a must do pony trekking activity experience for your family and riding friends.
There are so many equestrian holidays, pony treking and safari riding vacations, why choose us? Read on and find out.
An awesome diversity of horse-back conditions, the best equine riding countryside. Hours of stunning in the saddle holiday time, riding on the beach, inland, with extremes of terrain and alternative paths, few fences and incredible views, make 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.
Why hike it, join us on a horseback safari holiday in ZA, your South African reitsafari / pferdetrekking, paardrijroute / strand ritten.
For your horse trecking holiday in South Africa.
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.
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
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