Working Riding Holiday Frequently Asked Questions

Program Requirements and Eligibility

Are there any age restrictions for volunteers? 

The minimum age for volunteers is 18, but there is no upper age limit. While you do need a certain level of fitness to work with horses, this will develop quickly once you’re here. 

What riding experience is required for this program?

You don’t need to be an expert rider to join our working riding holiday program, nor do you need lots of hands-on experience caring for horses. As long as you can do a rising trot, a steady canter, and are comfortable around horses, this is the perfect place to build on your equestrian knowledge and boost your riding ability and confidence. If you are an advanced rider, more diverse and challenging riding opportunities will open to you!

What level of fitness is required for the program? 

You need to be moderately fit to cope with the rigours of working with horses and riding daily.  This is a hands-on experience that involves physical activities such as grooming, tacking up, and riding for several hours each day. While you don't need to be an athlete, you should be comfortable with being active for extended periods. 

The program will naturally improve your fitness over time, but starting with a reasonable baseline of stamina and strength will make your experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

Is there a minimum time commitment, or can I stay for less than 2 weeks? 

The minimum stay for volunteers is 2 or 4 weeks but if you can’t commit to this long a stay, we can still accommodate you on our Kei River Stay and Ride program.

Is there a weight limit? 

Volunteers must weigh 90kg or less to participate in this program.

Daily Schedule and Activities

What is the typical daily schedule like? 

The daily routine starts at 8 am at the horse paddocks. Mornings involve feeding, grooming, riding, and schooling horses. Afternoons include more rides (weather permitting) or maintenance of tack and other equipment, and afternoon feeding. The schedule varies depending on beach ride bookings and overnight trails.

Do I get to ride every day?

You will ride most days, weather permitting, but some rides will be faster-paced than others.  Some days, you may join experienced riders on a fast-paced day ride, while on others, you may find yourself joining a beginner's walk either as a backup rider or bringing a new horse into work.  

In addition to out-rides, we also lunge, school and exercise our horses in hand. Every week, you’ll have a chance to do at least one full-day ride, preparing you for the overnight trail included in your package. You can find out more about our mini-trails here and, if you’re staying for 12 weeks or more, you’ll join us for a Wild Coast Trail, which you can read about here.   

How many hours per day will I be working with the horses? 

We generally start work at 8 am and finish around 5 pm with an hour for lunch. However, this is flexible and we will make sure you have plenty of free time to explore, enjoy our beautiful beaches, and take part in local activities.

Is there free-time to explore?

You get every Sunday off to relax and do your own thing.

What does hosting guests involve?

You help the team hosting guests by riding with them as a backup rider, ensuring the client's safety and comfort throughout the ride and assisting them with any problems, such as picking up dropped items, helping them adjust tack, etc. 

You will also host some evenings, which involves helping to serve dinner, joining them for the meal, and clearing the table afterwards. Evening hosting is done on a rota basis, so you will only be expected to host one or two evenings a week.

You don’t need to be formal while hosting - just happy to chat, ensure that they have what they need and make the guests feel at home.

Accommodation and Living Arrangements

Where will I be staying?

Volunteers stay in a fully self-contained holiday home called Nguni House, with private bedrooms and shared bathrooms. There is Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities are available.

What is loadshedding?

South Africa has been experiencing rolling power cuts for many years. These come and go, but when they occur, they can be as frequent as two to three times a day for up to four hours at a time. 

Nguni House is  equipped with emergency rechargeable lights to ensure that you are never in the dark. It also has a gas stove so you can still cook and boil the kettle!

We have a loadshedding schedule which we can use to make sure everything is charged beforehand.

Please note that during load-shedding the lack of power can affect local data networks and the WiFi will work for a while on a backup battery.

How many other volunteers will be there at the same time? 

We host a maximum of four volunteers at a time, although you could find you’re the only one, depending on bookings.

Could I extend my stay beyond the initial 2, 4, 6, or 12 weeks? 

If you arrive and find that the four weeks you originally booked simply aren’t long enough, there’s always the option of extending your stay. You can even apply for an extension on your visa and stay for another 90 days! Just ask one of the Wild Coast Horses team for more information and advice. 

The program is self-catering but I don’t want to cook - what are the alternatives?

Although this working riding holiday is self-catering, you don’t actually have to cook if you don’t feel like it. One evening meal a week is provided as a ‘group volunteer’ meal and the team usually goes out for dinner once a week (budget approx. R200 - less than £10 - for a meal and drinks). 

Don’t forget, every meal you host is also provided and when you join a trail, it's all-inclusive.

Add to that the fact that you’ll get lunches out on day rides and can grab ready-to-eat frozen meals and take aways at the local shop, you can get through an entire 12-week program without even slicing an onion! 

Getting There and Local Information

How do I get to Kei Mouth?

The easiest way to get to Kei Mouth is via East London airport. If you’re coming from overseas, you will fly into either Johannesburg or Cape Town international airports and then get a connecting flight to East London's domestic airport. From there, the Wild Coast Horses team can arrange a transfer from East London airport to Kei Mouth. You'll pay the driver directly for this service.

Are there any vaccinations or health requirements for visiting South Africa? 

There are no specific vaccinations required for entering South Africa unless you’re travelling from a country with a high risk of Yellow Fever transmission. You should ensure that all routine vaccinations are up-to-date, including tetanus.

What is the area like?

Kei Mouth is a small, friendly coastal village. The beach is within walking distance of your accommodation, as are several restaurants, shops, and pubs. If you wish to explore further afield, one of the Wild Coast Horses team will be happy to book transfers.  Unfortunately there is no local Uber but for a token fee towards fuel,we can transport you to Morgan Bay, our neighbouring village, if you fancy a change of scenery.

Is Kei Mouth a safe place to live? 

Kei Mouth is a safe village with friendly residents. 

During the day, it's safe enough for you to walk around alone, but after dark, we recommend travelling in pairs or groups. It's also a good idea to let someone know your plans if you're going out in the evening. 

Remember, many of our social activities and dinners are organized as a group, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local nightlife safely with your fellow volunteers and our team.

Are there opportunities to interact with local culture and communities? 

Yes, as a volunteer, you get to "live like a local,” visiting local markets, and restaurants, and engaging in community activities.

Can I combine this program with other travel in South Africa? 

Yes. You might want to consider combining this experience with other volunteering or horse-riding activities.

What kind of weather can I expect during my stay? 

Kei Mouth enjoys a sub-tropical climate with wet summers and warm winters. During the summer months, the temperature during the daytime hovers around 25 to 30℃, while in winter it rarely drops below 16℃. The evenings are cooler, dropping down to around 18℃ in summer and as low as 10℃ in winter. There is no central heating in your accommodation so the winter evenings can feel a little chilly - so packing an extra fleece or warm top is highly recommended. 

Financial Considerations

How much spending money should I budget for my stay? 

You can eat well for about €9/ £7.50/$10 a day, including groceries, snacks and drinks.

Bring along a little extra to cover other activities and excursions, such as kayaking at Double Mouth, joining a guided safari in a local game reserve, or pampering yourself at one of the local spas. 

Do I need to pay gratuities?

It is customary to pay gratuities in South Africa. In restaurants, you should allow for about 10% of your meal, and don’t forget the housekeeping staff who work hard to keep your accommodation clean and do your laundry. 

While we understand that this is a working holiday and you are helping our guides, they also work hard to make your stay as fun as possible, so leaving them a little something is a great way of showing your appreciation.