This is an amazing opportunity for you to experience the wonderful world of horse rehabilitation on South Africa's beautiful and rugged Wild Coast. With all meals, in-country flights, transfers, accommodation and horse trails included, this working holiday will appeal to horse lovers everywhere.

Chintsa Horses has been running for 10 years under the careful dedication of the Dickerson Family. Although the operation is reliant on the tourism trade to maintain the horses and run the Rehab centre, it is truly the love of horses that keeps the operation running successfully.

Over the years the local SPCA has asked the Dickerson’s to assist with horses which have been removed from places of neglect. This has lead to the development of the New Hampshire Rehab Centre, a small project aimed at nurturing abused horses back to good health. New Hampshire strives to rehabilitate horses to the point where they can once again be ridden. It is these very horses that are used on trails by Chintsa Horses and therefore generate the income for the centre.

As a volunteer you will work alongside the team and will be actively involved in the rehabilitation of abused horses. The centre runs on a well structured routine, so you could find yourself preparing feed, grooming, examining horses, helping with excersing and schooling of the horses, cleaning and replenishing water troughs and, of course, mucking out! The work can be demanding, but infinitely rewarding, and with many opportunities for trail rides during your stay, there is no doubt that you will often find yourself exhausted and elated at the same time!

Orientation

The on-site project team provides all new volunteers with an orientation period, the aim of which is to provide you with a broad understanding of South Africa and in particular the Chintsa area. During the orientation period the following aspects will be covered, SA history, our natural environment, the local culture and customs, and an introduction to IsiXhosa (the local dialect in our region).

Accommodation

You will be staying in shared accommodation (two or three to a room) in cottages situated behind coastal dune forest overlooking the lagoon or over the river in the village of Chintsa East. Both houses are within two minutes of the beach and lagoon and volunteers will have access to canoes, boogie boards and beach accessories through the local hostel. Bird life is plentiful and there are a number of walks in the area, both forest and beach.

Final Weekend Trail

As your time on the programme draws to an end you will head out on a 2 day trail along the Wild Coast. This trail will involve a combination of beach and bush riding and allows you to experience one of the South Africa’s most special coastlines, the Wild Coast.

What's included?

• Cape Town Airport collection and drop-off.
• A Welcome Pack complete with many useful items that will help you settle in, and an opportunity to let your family or friends know you have arrived safely.
• An embroidered AVIVA Fleece.
• Accommodation at one of our AVIVA Houses in Cape Town before and after your project, with self-service breakfasts.
• Return flights between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape to join your project.
• A comprehensive welcome brief from a member of the on-site team.
• Accommodation in a cottage close to a lagoon bordering the Indian Ocean.
• All your meals during your project.
• Project orientation activities.
• Transfers to and from the farm.
• Work experience and trail rides, including a 2-day Wild Coast horse trail.
• Advice and support from the experienced on-site project team during your stay.
• Our booking service for all attractions and events.
• An attractive certificate recognising your contribution to the Wild Coast Horses project.

If you are adding the optional Cape Town Week, the following will also be included:

• An extra 7 nights’ accommodation at one of our AVIVA Houses in Cape Town with self-service breakfasts.
• A full-day Peninsula tour which includes lunch, visits to Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point, Simon's Town, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and much more. An incredible day rich with history and some of the world’s most beautiful scenery.
• A half-day Cultural tour, a fascinating introduction to South Africa’s recent political history before and after Apartheid, includes highlights of Khayelitsha, South Africa’s second largest township after Soweto.
• A full-day tour to the Cape Winelands including the Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch regions. Wine tastings and lunch included.
• Advice and support from our experienced team during your stay.
• Our booking service for attractions, events and tours.
• If required, extra nights can be added to your stay to meet your flight dates for only R120 per night. This may help you to take advantage of any cheaper flights that arrive in Cape Town before your planned arrival date.