No Trophy Needed: How Wild Coast Horses
Won the Hearts of the Eastern Cape

Our journey to becoming a top 3 finalist at the Eastern Cape Tourism Awards was, as we said at the time, almost as challenging as riding our signature 8-day Wild Coast Horse Trail. 

Not only did we have to navigate technical terrain and undertake daunting river crossings, but rather ambling along on a trail ride, this was a race—and we were racing to the finish line with everything we’ve got, including your support! 

We jumped through all the right hoops, produced a clear round when it counted, and even secured the most votes in our category—Ultimate Adventure Attraction. Sadly, our efforts weren’t sufficient to secure a victory, but they were enough to leave us feeling like winners anyway! 

In fact, our journey to the finals of the Eastern Cape Tourism Awards reflects much that Wild Coast Horses stand for…resilience, passion, and the joy of bringing people together for unforgettable experiences. 

Just like our riders on the Wild Coast, we embrace every challenge, celebrate every milestone, and keep moving forward, no matter how rough the terrain. Being finalists reminded us that recognition isn’t only about the trophy—it’s about the community we’ve built, the memories we create, and the trails we’ve yet to explore.

Triumph for Giant Of Adventure Tourism

Not only are we proud of our achievement, we’re also incredibly proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of South Africa’s biggest and best adventure tourism attractions! 

The ultimate winner, Face Adrenalin – Bloukrans Bungy, is not only the highest bridge bungy jump in the world, but it also holds no less than six Guinness World Records, making it the World’s Best Bungy! When we said it was something of a David and Goliath story, we weren’t joking! 

As well as being a world-leader in extreme sports tourism, the Bloukrans Bungy jump attracts thousands of visitors every year—something our horses would almost certainly baulk at! We’d need a herd of hundreds to cope with numbers like those! 

Averaging around 200–300 adventure seekers a day, it’s one of the province’s top tourism attractions… and surprisingly one of the safest! Who would have thought that jumping off a 216m bridge could feel secure?

Well, in the hands of experienced professionals, there’s a reassuring level of precision, planning, and safety that lets thrill-seekers take the plunge with confidence. I should know—I’ve done it myself… though I didn’t even get a T-shirt, just a sore throat from all the screaming!

Tsitsikamma Makes Splash for Adventure on the Rapids

The other finalist, Blackwater Tubing Tsitsikamma, offers a very different kind of adrenaline fix. Navigating the twists and turns of the Storms River in inflatable tubes, adventurers are treated to a combination of heart-pumping rapids and the breathtaking scenery of Tsitsikamma’s indigenous forest. 

Established long before bungy jumping became a global phenomenon, the history of tubing on Storms River dates back nearly 50 years. 

Of course, things have changed a lot since those farmers and foresters took to the river in their tractor inner tubes. 

Today’s experience involves purpose-built tubes, wetsuits, life jackets, and expert instruction. In fact, even the route has evolved since the original six-hour adventure proved a little much for the average adventure seeker! 

Like the Bloukrans Bungy jump, Blackwater Tubing Tsitsikamma is a much larger operation than Wild Coast Horses, which is where we bring something unique to the adventure tourism table. 

Our Journey to the Finals Mirrors Our Hoofbeats

While our scale may be smaller, our connection with the environment and with our guests is just as powerful, if not more so. There’s no doubt that a bungy jump creates unforgettable memories, but a Wild Coast Horses experience—stretching over eight days—offers a deeper, more immersive adventure. 

After all, there’s something truly special about spending hours, days, and even nights in the company of your horse, the coastline, and the forests, compared to the five (admittedly agonising) seconds of free fall on a bridge!

Through our trails, riders experience the coastline, rivers, forests, and local villages firsthand, creating memories that are as immersive and unforgettable as any adrenaline-fueled adventure. 

Our journey to the awards reminded us that adventure tourism isn’t just about records or numbers—it’s about the shared experiences, the stories created along the way, and the bonds formed between people and place.