So, I decided to surprise my wife on a Saturday morning with a little adventure. I booked us a two-hour horse riding trail at Papiesfontein in Jeffreys Bay which I booked a few days in advance on WhatsApp (079 299 8080). I didn’t tell my wife a thing about where we were going.
When we arrived, her eyes lit up. She was shocked, excited, and there was no backing out now! We were a few minutes late thanks to some roadworks between Port Elizabeth and J-Bay, but the folks at Papiesfontein were cool about it.
Pro tip: If you’re planning this trip, don’t forget to take a cross-body bag for easy access to your camera. Trust me, you’ll want to capture these views! Also, wear a hat for sun protection and thick pants to shield yourself from the bush and thorny trees. Oh, and it costs R500 per person, just so you know.
They set us up with two horses – Lucy and Coco, a brother and sister duo. Apparently, they like walking together. Funnily enough, they gave me the girl horse and my wife the boy horse. Go figure!
We started off walking through the streets of Jeffreys Bay, heading towards the beach. Once we hit the sand, our guide told us to keep it slow – no trotting or galloping. Makes sense, really. Wouldn’t want to freak out the newbies or start a horse race on the beach!
As we got ready to set off, I couldn’t help but take in the breathtaking scenery. The vast, open ocean stretched out before us, its waves gently lapping at the shore. Sand dunes dotted the landscape, adding texture to the already picturesque scene. I found myself wishing we’d opted for the sunrise or sunset ride – can you imagine this view with a golden sky? Mental note for next time!
Riding along the shoreline was nothing short of magical, although I must say I was very focused on the horse since it was my first time too. The endless blue of the ocean stretched out to our right, the rhythmic sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to our adventure. The horses seemed to enjoy the sea breeze as much as we did.
The trail then took us through some bush, and this is where things got interesting. The path wound through a beautiful array of indigenous trees and shrubs native to the Eastern Cape. It was like taking a scenic nature tour on horseback! Every now and then, our horses would veer off into the bush to scratch themselves on a tree or shrub. We had to stay alert and gently rein them back onto the path.
We even crossed a couple of water pools, and let me tell you, those were deeper than they looked! These pools, we learned, come from the river that meets the sea nearby. Our horses started stomping in the water, which apparently is a no-no. We had to rein them in a bit, but it was all part of the fun.
Looking around, I realized we were the only South Africans in the group. We had folks from all over – Americans, Belgians, Germans, and Indians. It was like a mini United Nations on horseback!
By the time we got back to the camp, our legs were feeling it. We stuck to walking the whole time since we were all beginners, but they do offer trails for more experienced riders who want to trot and gallop.
After the ride, we treated ourselves to some well-deserved dofills and Ice Cream at The Do-Fill Shop. Perfect way to end the adventure!
For those looking for halaal food options after the ride, there’s a KFC on Da Gama Road and Bismillah Goedehoop Street (062 517 4348) in Jeffreys Bay that’s halaal.
All in all, it was a great day out. The combination of beach, bush, and river made for a diverse and exciting trail. If you’re ever in Jeffreys Bay and fancy doing something a bit different, I’d definitely recommend giving horse riding a go. Just maybe do some stretches first, and consider that sunrise or sunset option for an extra special experience!
