Horse Adventures

We are situated on the N11 between Newcastle and Ladysmith in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal, in an area known as The Biggarsberg. We are part of the Biggarsberg Conservancy therefore have a rich diversity of birds and plains game, in fact two of our trails go through large game camps and the Mawelawela overnight stop is actually in one of the game camps.

The type of riding we do is long distance riding - we live in a very beautiful area with a variety of terrain, such as mountains, grasslands, farmlands and game camps, all of which makes for wonderful riding opportunities. The horses are mountain ponies, used to going anywhere and doing anything. They are easy to ride, going straight from the walk into a loping canter. They are trained daily so are very well behaved and have wonderful, laidback temperaments. We use McClelland saddles with long stirrups for comfort, the horses are all ridden with one hand and can neck rein. I have many riders who are not experienced and these horses just carry them through.

All trails will be led by myself and we will be accompanied by one other person who rides along as backup. I like to keep my groups small and personal but can handle groups of up to 8 riders. We pack saddlebag lunch on the days that we are trailing between overnight accommodation and like to stop frequently to stretch our legs, have a smoke break, take photos or eat snacks. We have one longer stop for lunch every day. The whole atmosphere is very relaxed! I believe that I can offer you a well structured riding experienced based on the fact that I am an experienced long-distance rider, having taken part in 80km, 160km and 480km endurance rides and have been hosting children's holiday riding camps for many years.

We are often chosen by families as this is the perfect opportunity for a family to spend quality time together, whether the family is made up of parents plus smallish children, or older parents with adult children. Here at Biggarsberg Horse Trails, we specialize in personalized itineraries and welcome ideas and suggestions of how we can structure your trails to make you, as the client, happy and comfortable. For an adventure of a lifetime come to Biggarsberg Horse Trails. Based on Larksend Farm we offer the novice and experienced rider a wonderful opportunity to combine the excitement of horseback riding and the comfort of first-class accommodation in an area that is of great natural beauty.

Open grasslands, umkhamba trees, clear sparkling streams and views that stretch as far as the Drakensberg 90km away are all part of the splendour of The Biggarsberg. Enjoy the privilege of seeing a wide variety of birds and plains game protected by the Biggarsberg Conservancy. The trails are run throughout the year and are 2 to 4 days. Overnight accommodation is at excellent guest houses or self-catering cottages. Daily saddlebag lunches are served on the trails.

Outrides, dayrides and Battlefields on horseback are also available. All transporting of luggage between the various overnight stops will be taken care of. Trails can be made up to suite individual time-tables and requirements. The 2 and 4 day trails are examples for your perusal and can be changed if need be.

Biggarsberg Horse Trails offer super outrides to residents or visitors to the area whether novice or experienced. We do a one hour ride which is good for real beginners that are a bit wary of what to expect.

The 2 hour ride is the most popular choice as it appeals to the keen beginner who wants to try a bit more speed and a little more distance and to the experienced rider it allows enough time to really get going.

If you are in the area long enough to join us for a whole day ride, you will enjoy a lovely ride which will include many long loping canters and covers a variety of terrain, including parts of the Biggarsberg mountains. The day rides includes a saddlebag lunch.

For more information on the specific trails click on the button above with the name of the trail.

We offer moonlight rides when and if the weather permits. This is an experience not to be missed ! Timing is everything - there are only a few nights of each month when there is the possibility of a moonlight ride.

STEENBOK TRAIL

(Suitable for weekend - 2 nights, 1.5 days ride)

Trail Description

1. Arrive in the afternoon of the first day at Larksend Farm where you will be directed to the catered accommodation. You will join Chuffy and Andrea for dinner in a homely atmosphere. Day 2, after a hearty breakfast we will meet at the horses around 9:30. We will be riding a route of approx. 30km today to one of 2 choices of Guest Houses - Fodo or Thatchers. See description of routes in "Blesbok Trail". The following morning we will continue a circle route back to Larksend - it will be a shorter route, as we will be back before lunch. There will, of course, still be time for a snack stop on the way home.

2. Arrive at Larksend in the afternoon of the first day. You will stay in the catered accommodation and join Chuffy and Andrea for dinner and again the following morning for breakfast. We will leave here at approx. 9:30 on the second day and ride 22km to our overnight camp at Mawelawela Game Farm. There is usually lots of plains game to see, as we will be riding for at least two and a half hours inside the Game Camp. Your overnight bags will have been taken by vehicle to Mawelawela and will be waiting for you when we arrive. We will stop for snacks/leg stretch/smoke break/ whatever and again later for saddlebag lunch. Chuffy and I will prepare supper and breakfast for you at Mawelawela while you soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Your overnight bags will be taken back to Larksend after breakfast. We should leave Mawelawela around 9:30 in the morning of the 3rd day and ride via a different, but shorter route home to Larksend in time for you to be on the road before lunch.

3. This trail is exactly the same as No. 2 above, except that it is now self-catering cottage at Larksend and will pack your own snacks and lunch for the second day and snacks for the return trip. Your food and overnight bags will be taken to and collected from Mawelawela.

DUIKER TRAILS

(Suitable for short rides)

They encompass a variety of terrain including river crossings; long open stretches for cantering, dongas, log jumping (if requested), farmland, grassland and forest. If you are coming for a weekend of riding, there will be plenty of variety trails to keep you busy. These trails are our 'everyday' trails and vary in length from 1 hour to 3 hours. They all leave and return to Larksend in ever-widening circles.

BLESBOK TRAIL

(4 nights and 3 days ride)

Arrive in the afternoon of the first day. You will stay in the catered accommodation and join Chuffy and Andre for dinner and again the following morning for breakfast. We will leave here around 9:30 on the second day and ride approx. 30km to Fodo, stopping along the way for snacks and saddlebag lunch. This is a varied trail taking us through farmlands and then into the Mawelawela Game Camp where we climb to the top of the Platberg Mountain and cross over into the Elandslaagte area. Spend the evening with your hosts George and Herta Mitchell-Innes.

The following morning, after a hearty breakfast we will meet at the horses and leave Fodo around 9:30. We will ride over Blanerne Farm, pass a pecan nut farm and arrive at Thatchers in the afternoon, having ridden approx. 30km. There your hosts, John and June Smith, will meet you. The following morning, after another hearty breakfast, we will leave Thatchers around 9:30. Today we will ride through Up George Farm, over the Biggarsberg mountain and down through Waterkloof and Balbrogie farms back to Larksend, having ridden approx. 30km. Join Chuffy and Andrea for dinner this evening and again on the last morning for breakfast before packing up.

KUDU TRAIL

(5 nights, 4 days ride)

This trail has been developed especially for riders who are not riding fit or who have not ridden for a while. It is a wonderful opportunity to work from our base at Larksend, trying out different horses and allowing me the time to guide you through the finer points of balance and comfort within our type of riding (western style). Because we are using the Duiker Trails we are never too far away from home and can monitor your comfort around the time in the saddle - all this in preparation for the upcoming 3 long days of trailing. After the first day, when we will be out and about and returning home for a lunch break, we will start the Blesbok Trail and continue for the following 3 days.