The 5-Day Epic
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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
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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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Tacking up and Horse Care
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Our Values
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Who Can Join Our Rides?
Itinerary
Day 1 - Getting Comfortable
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Welcome to the uMgeni River valley.
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Today is an arrival and settling-in day for guests travelling from near and far. We aim for everyone to arrive by lunchtime so we can enjoy a relaxed welcome lunch together, followed by a full briefing.
In the afternoon, we head out on a gentle “practice ride.” This gives us time to:
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Check tack and stirrup lengths
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Pair each rider with the right horse
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Ensure everyone is comfortable and confident before the journey begins
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We ride from open farmland into wilder terrain, offering a first taste of the landscape to come.
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The evening is spent enjoying sundowners around the fire, watching the horses graze below as the light fades.
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Estimated total riding time: 1 - 2 hours.
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Day 2 - The Waterfall
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Today we ride deeper into the reserve, descending into a dramatic gorge via winding, rocky paths.
Our destination is a secluded waterfall, where we tie up the horses and enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by cliffs, flowing water, and birdsong.
After lunch, we ride on to our next night’s accommodation, located 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 spend the morning riding through beautiful reserve land with excellent opportunities to see wildlife.
Eventually, we reach the river and follow sandy tracks along its banks before arriving at our crossing point. Riders paddle across the river on foot, while a bakkie meets us on the far side for a short transfer to the evening’s accommodation.
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For safety reasons, the horses are transported by truck across the river, as the crossing points are too deep and rocky for swimming.
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Optional afternoon:
Sundowners at a spectacular lookout point. You can either walk there (approximately 30 minutes) or hop on the back of the bakkie.
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Estimated total riding time: 3 - 4 hours.
Day 4 - Summit the Kranz
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This is a highlight day.
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In the morning, we ride through the reserve to summit a dramatic kranz overlooking the entire valley. From the top, the scale and beauty of the uMgeni River Valley truly reveal themselves before we loop back toward our starting point.
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After lunch, we head out again, riding through bushveld and along paths that run right beside 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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Our final morning ride offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and say goodbye to your horse.
After the ride, guests depart at their own pace, either heading home or returning 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 meals are inspired by the rich flavours of KwaZulu-Natal, blending traditional South African-style cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Every dish is designed to be healthy, filling, and delicious — giving you the energy you need for long days in the saddle.
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We provide snacks, tea, and coffee between rides, keeping you fueled throughout the day.
Dietary needs:
We happily cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and no-red-meat diets. If you’d like to see an example meal plan before your trip, just get in touch.
Please note: We do not cater for some diets such as zero-carb or carnivore-only.
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Ethical and Local sourcing:
We take pride in supporting our community. Meals are made with ethically farmed ingredients, sourced from local chefs, farmers, cake-makers, free-range egg producers, and veld-raised beef farmers. A single ride can directly support up to ten local businesses.
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Drinks
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price of your trip.
You will pre-order your preferences (beer, wine, cider, etc.) so we can pack the right amounts for each person. We cannot carry a full bar into remote locations, so pre-ordering helps us plan.
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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.
We walk about 60% - 70% of the distance, the rest of the way is either a trot or canter.
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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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Our prices are based on shared accommodation. If you would like to guarantee your own private room for the duration of the trip, a single supplement (non-sharing rate) will apply.
If you do not select the single supplement, you may still end up with a private room depending on the group dynamics (for example, when friends or couples share). However, this cannot be guaranteed in advance.
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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
Our horses are hardy South African crossbreeds, with influences from Boerperd, Friesian, Nooitgedacht, Basotho, and Appaloosa lines. They range from 14.3 to 15.2 hands and are all fit, well-trained, and experienced on the trail.
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These horses are accustomed to open country, wildlife, and varied terrain. Each horse is carefully matched to its rider using information from your Rider Information form.
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Tack
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We ride primarily in lightweight trail saddles, designed for comfort on long rides and stability across varied terrain.
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Every rider has a personal saddle bag to carry essentials such as water, a jacket, sunscreen, or snacks.
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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
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All guests are required to complete and sign an indemnity form before participating in any ride.
Helmets are strongly recommended; if you choose not to wear one, you do so entirely at your own risk.
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Riders must provide their medical aid or health insurance details prior to the ride. International guests are required to hold valid and comprehensive travel insurance.
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We have a backup vehicle is always on standby during rides to assist with riders or horses if needed.
Luggage
Your luggage will be transported in the support vehicle. Please bring regular sized bags.
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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, you may assist by taking the bridle off the horse, putting the halter on, loosening the girth and typing them up.​
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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.
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.
