The 5-Day Epic
5 days riding alongside a wild river
4 nights under the stars with horse nearby
3 delicious meals per day
2 unique accommodations
1 waterfall stop you’ll never forget
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Itinerary
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Food
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Alcohol
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Riding
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Accommodation
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Horses and Tack
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Lifts from the Airports
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Insurance and Safety
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Luggage
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Experience Required
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Tacking up and Horse Care
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Cancellation Policy
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Our Values
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Who Can Join Our Rides?
Itinerary
Day 1 - Getting Comfortable
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Hello and Welcome!
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This is a day for everyone flying or driving in from far away to make their way to the starting point. We hope to have everyone arrive by the lunchtime, so that we can enjoy a lunch together and briefing before going on a "practice ride". This gives us the opportunity to check every riders tack, stirrup length and make sure they are paired with the right horse and ready for the trip.
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We ride from the farmlands and into the wild.
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Followed by sundowners around a fire and watching the horses graze below us.
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Estimated total riding time: 1 - 2.5 hours.
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Day 2 - The Waterfall
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We ride into a large gorge through winding rocky tacks before descending toward the waterfall.
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At the waterfall we tie up the horses and enjoy a packed lunch before heading back to our next night's accommodation on the edge of the reserve.
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Estimated total riding time: 4 - 5 hours. Excluding a lunch break at the waterfall.
Day 3 - Crossing the River
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We will ride through beautiful reserve land and have the opportunity to see lots of game. We eventually find the river and ride on sandy tracks alongside it, before arriving at our river crossing spot.
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We paddle across the river and are picked up by a bakkie at the other side, to travel a short distance to the accommodation at the opposite side of the river. The horses are transported on a truck to the other side of the river as it is too deep and rocky at the entrance points to swim the across.
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Afternoon (optional): Sundowners at a gorgeous lookout point. You can either walk there (about 30min) or hop on the back of the bakkie for a ride there.
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Estimated total riding time: 3 - 4 hours.
Day 4 - Summit the Kranz
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Morning: We will ride through the reserve ​to summit a massive kranz overlooking the entire valley and then loop back to our starting point.
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Afternoon: We will ride through more bushveld to then alongside paths right next to the river.
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Estimated total riding time: 2 - 3 hours (morning) 1 - 2 hours (afternoon).
Day 5 - Sentimental Goodbye
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We have a final ride in the morning. It is a chance to say thank you and goodbye to your horse.
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The rest of the day gives you the opportunity to get home or back to the airport.
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Estimated total riding time: 1 - 2 hours.
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Please be aware that route and itinerary are subject to change depending on conditions.
Food
Our food is a mix South African-style cooking, inspired by the flavours of KwaZulu-Natal. Our meals are healthy, filling, and delicious—keeping you energised for the journey. There are plenty of fresh vegetables available with every meal.
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We also offer snacks, tea and coffee between rides.
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We are able to cater for the following diets: vegetarian, no red meat, gluten free, dairy free and more.
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We DO NOT cater for: carnivore diet and no carbs diets.
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If you are feeling unsure we can send you a meal plan for a trip as an example, please contact us for this.
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We are proud to source local and ethically farmed products. We also support local chefs, farmers, cake-makers, free range eggs farmers, and veld raised beef farmers. A single ride will support multiple local businesses.
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Alcohol
Alcohol is included in the price of your trip. You will need to pre-order your drink preferences per person as it is difficult to carry a fully stocked bar with us to each new remote location.
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Riding
We will be riding across varying landscapes: cantering through grasslands, wandering through forests, and carefully navigating winding, steep rocky pathways into gorges. The riding can get technical. We walk for a lot of the time although there is lots of opportunity to trot, canter and sometimes gallop.
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Estimated riding times per day vary throughout the trip (see our itinerary for more info).
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Accommodation
Our accommodation varies from small cottages to large historic farmhouses. They are cosy, comfortable and offer a fantastic view! ​
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We have sharing and non-sharing prices available, however, there are limited rooms available for each ride and this means it is possible that you may have to share. It is also possible that you might not have to share if you have not paid a non-sharing price. It does depend on the dynamics of the group. You will need to contact us for each individual ride and we can help figure out the best options for you.
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Day 1 and 2 - The Estate
The second night we will be at Fountain Hill Estate, a historic German farming estate transformed into guest accommodation. Nestled on the border between wilderness, conservation area, and agricultural sugarcane fields, our location features a pool, stables, and a charming dining room. This is a truly unique and exclusive stay.
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Day 3 and Day 4 - Cottages overlooking to uMgeni river
Our third evening will be enjoyed at the remarkable Cumberland Nature Reserve, in a quaint cottage transformed from an old trading station. Positioned right at the cliff's edge, this beautiful retreat overlooks the scenic uMgeni valley and river.
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Horses and Tack
Our horses are hardy South African crossbreeds (Boerperd, Friesian, Nooitgedacht, Basotho, Appaloosa influences) ranging from 14.3 - 15.2. They are all used to wild game, fit, and experienced on the trail.
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We ride mostly ride in trail saddles but also have some English GP saddles available on request. Every rider will have a saddle bag available to them to put in water and a jacket.
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Lifts from the Airport
2026: Transfers from Pietermaritzburg Airport are ZAR 600 for 1 - 3 people.
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2026: Transfers from King Shaka International Airport (Durban) are ZAR 900 per trip for 1-3 people and ZAR 1,500 per trip for groups of 4 or more.
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If you are using the shuttle service we will try to link you up with other riders to make the shuttle more affordable for you.
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Insurance and Safety
Before rides indemnities will be signed. If you choose to ride without a helmet it is at your own risk. We do carry a medical aid kit in the car and have a 4x4 support vehicle available. You will be required to provide us with your medical aid details.
Luggage
Your luggage will be transported in the support vehicle. Please bring regular sized bags.
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Experience Required
Participants need to be fit and experienced riders. Please refer to our FAQs for more information.
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Tacking Up
Your horse will be tacked up and untacked for you.
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When we arrive at a new location, please may you assist with taking the bridle off the horse, putting the halter on a typing them up. Please also loosen the girth.
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Please do not assist with tacking up and untacking your horse.
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What types of animals are you likely to see? ​
Prepare to encounter an array of wildlife including giraffes, eland, kudu, nyala, ostriches, zebras, blesbok, wildebeest, impala and many, many bird species. Additionally, sightings of the African rock python, crocodiles, jackals are possible.
The section of the valley we ride through is free from large predators.
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Where can I put my stuff during the ride?
There will be saddle bags available for your water bottle, jacket, sunscreen etc.
Cancellation Policy
Please note that all deposits are strictly non-refundable, regardless of when you cancel. Our trips are often booked months in advance, and we spend significant time preparing for each one. Last-minute cancellations are difficult to accommodate, which is why this policy is in place.
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If you cancel 40 days or more before your trip, you will not be required to pay the remaining balance, but your deposit will be forfeited.
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If you cancel within 40 days of your trip, you will still owe the full cost, and no refund will be issued.
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Our Values
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Healthy and happy horses
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Ethically farmed products
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Supporting local businesses (a single ride can directly support up to 10 local businesses)
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Respecting the environment
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Using as little plastic as possible and reusing when possible
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Who Can Join Our Rides?
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Our safaris are designed exclusively for competent riders. For the safety of our horses and the enjoyment of every guest, we only welcome intermediate and advanced riders.
To help you know where you fit, here’s how we define the different levels:
Not Suitable for Our Rides:
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Beginner – Learning the basics: walk, stop, steer, and rising trot. Balance and control are still developing.
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Novice / Strong Novice – Comfortable at walk and trot, and canter, but only in a controlled environment. Not yet fully secure or confident in open country or for long hours in the saddle.
Welcome on Our Rides:
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Intermediate – Secure, well-balanced, and in control at all paces (walk, trot, canter, gallop). Comfortable riding for several hours and confident in open country and varied terrain.
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Advanced – Experienced and very well balanced, with soft hands and an independent seat. Fit enough for long hours in the saddle, comfortable with spirited horses, and able to manage fast, sustained canters and unexpected situations.
Why This Matters:
Our horses are responsive, forward-going, and happiest when ridden by confident riders. To maintain their welfare—and to keep the rides enjoyable and safe for everyone—we ask that all guests meet at least the intermediate standard.
