FEED THE SENSES : A 5 DAY TRAIL
Overberg Trails5 DAYER - ITINERARY
This trail offers the best combination of long riding, relaxation, delicious food and wine. Accomodation in beautiful nature retreats.
- Trail Info:
- 5 days and six nights
- Accomodation:Homestead retreats with Hot baths and luxurious rooms. All meals are fully catered for including wine and all non- alcoholic beverages
- Min. riders : 2 persons Max. Riders: 6 persons
- PRICE: R 8 500.00
- Dates: On demand from February to November
- Highlights:
- Long beach canters
- Riding over fynbos covered mountains
- Whales in Walker Bay (July – November)
- Everchanging landscape of Proteas, ericas and other fynbos vegetation
- Serenity of Bodhi Khaya (see www.bkr.co.za)
- Sumptuousness of Farm215 ( see www.farm215.co.za)
- Terroir wines of Springfontein (see www.springfontein.co.za )
- Shiatsu with Hendrik Rabie
- Criteria:
- Riders must be confident and comfortable at trot and canter. Physically fit and prepared for long hours in the saddle under an African sun. Trail has two half days for relaxation and body rejuvenation.
- Travel medical insurance and sun protection are a must
- Hard hats are provided for. Half chaps are available but it is suggested you bring your own
- Riders should not be carrying any recent injuries or other debilitations. If this is the case, please look to our 2 and 3 day packages .
- Optional extras:
- Body work: Massage or Shiatsu. Price R250 per session.
- Guided fynbos hike (3 hrs).Price R250 per person.
- Extended Trails: 8 and 10 day Trails:
- for 8 day trail: add R 4 500.00
- For 10 day trail: add R 6 500.00
3 or 5 days can be added on to this trail to encompass riding through the Aghulas National Park.
DAY 0 : optional 1 hour ride
Arrival at Springfontein Farm early afternoon where you will spend the first night and get to meet and know your horse, the route and fellow riders.
See www.springfontein.co.za
Springfontein Farm is 5km from the Victorian village of Stanford, on the R43 between Hermanus and Gansbaai. Stanford is a small, charming village at the foot of the Kleinrivierberge with a rich historical background. Known for its architecture, flowers and tranquillity), Stanford is home to large dried-flower and protea exporters and known as a birdwatchers’ paradise. – It is also the Gateway to theFynbos Road (the first fynbos Route in South Africa)
DAY 1 : 6 hours - Springfontein farm to Baviaansfontyn- (Bodhi Khaya)
Ride through the Walker Nature Reserve to the unspoilt white beaches of the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. This is arguably the best land based area in the world to watch Southern Right whales (whale watching capital of the world from June to December – whales and their calves often come within metres of the coastline). Admire these magnificent creatures and their ‘aquabatic’ displays, splashing, crashing and blowing, breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and sailing close to shore.
Enjoy the long, sandy beaches and experience the thrill of beach riding. Just before De Kelders the coastline gets rougher with rocky beaches and limestone cliffs which flatten out onto sandy stretches of die Plaat.
Before we reach De Kelders (Gansbaai - a fishing village) we will head east through the coastal shrubland and traverse the vast magical almost surreal sand drifts (Grys Dunes) of die Plaat. The mysterious landscape will give way to mountain fynbos when we hit the slopes of the coastal hills towards Grootbos and the Flower Valley.
We will pass through Grootbos Fynbos Nature Reserve, famous as a botanical hot-spot and for the awrad winning lodge. We peak at god’s window descend into Flower Valley, a large valley filled with fynbos and indigenous forests and a Unesco supported project for sustainable fynbos harvesting and education.
From here, the ride angles down the mountain slopes to Baviaans fonteyn We sleep in the historical farmhouse and enjoy local specialities for dinner. (www.bodhi-khaya.co.za)
DAY 2 : 2-3 hours - Baviaansfontyn Meander.Overnight on Bodhi khaya
This ride is a circular route around Baviaansfontyn. Includes walking along mountain streams, passing by and through Milkwood and Afro-montane forest on the way to climbing Mount Dyer for breathtaking views of the ocean. Ride can be done morning or afternoon.
Rest of the day is spent lounging, reading and eating in the wonderful valley of Bodhi Khaya. Or treat yourself to a massage or Shiatsu. Here there is no mobile phone reception and the stillness is all encompassing.
DAY 3 : 4.5 hours -
Baviaansfontyn to Farm215. Overnight on Farm215 and 3 course Dinner
Leaving the valley, the ride follows the valley stream to its source and then on up.
Riding the plateau , we canter through fields of protea and other fynbos,
along firm farm tracks before making a number of ascents and descents
through the flower fields of the area.
This brings us to our overnight stop ,
Farm215. After unsaddling , enjoy sundowners on the deck and dinner in the restaurant.
(www.farm215.co.za)
DAY 4 : 2 or 3 hours Meander around Koudeberg "Cold Mountain" – 20 km
Breakfast | Lunch on Koudeberg | 3-course dinner at farm 215
Overnight at farm 215
A day of some leisure. On this day you will see hundreds of mountain fynbos species in an ancient and undisturbed landscape. From Hartebeeskloof we follow the ridges along Hartebeeskloof (gorge of the Hartebees) and climb “Perdekop” (Head of the horse, named after the once common mountain zebras on this spot). Perdekop is the highest peak in the area and allows for a 365 degree-view over the shore-line and the plains towards Elim and Cape Agulhas. We go down through the mountain catchment into the Koudeberg Valley where lunch will be served. After lunch, you can swim in the mountain-dam or have in guided botanical hike through a fynbos-covered gorge to the waterfall hidden in an Afro-montane remnant with indigenous trees of more than 200 hundred years old. We will return to Hartebeeskloof, rounding Baviaanskop (Head of the baboon). On this trip you will see hundreds of mountain-fynbos species.
Relax your muscles in the 25 m lap-pool on a short distance of the villa of farm 215 and enjoy a spectacular sunset from the terraces.
DAY 5 : 6-7 hours Farm215 to Springfontein. Overnight on Springfontein
Leaving the farm, we pick up the track to Kraaibosch dam, circumventing it via the vineyards of Lomond Estate. Back through Flower valley and Baviaansfontyn, we climb out of the valley onto the Western Slopes. After lunch, we re-enter the Gruis duine , back to the beach and long canters home.
Back at base, a fire is made and we settle in for a South African Braai and a few bottles of Springfontein’s own wine.
A good nights sleep, early breakfast and home.