Horse Healing Safari
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Embark on a five-day life-changing horseback safari in Plettenberg Bay, a breath- taking gem on South Africa’s coastline, where you'll ride through the stunning wilderness, encounter magnificent wildlife, and experience a profound healing journey with Candice and her herd.
About this trip
AN IMPACTFUL ADVENTURE
Embark on a five-day transformative horseback safari in Plettenberg Bay, one of South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal regions. Ride through wild and stunning landscapes, encountering giraffes, zebras, antelope, and three of Africa’s Big Five—elephants, rhinos, and leopards.
This journey is made even more meaningful as we ride alongside two incredible local South African women—an honoring of Black South African presence and a celebration of shared connection to the land.
Your home for the week is Belle Balance Bush Hideout, a tranquil sanctuary where luxury and nature meet. Nestled in the bush, your private room offers space to rest, reflect, and restore. Grounding practices like meditation, yin yoga, and breathwork are thoughtfully woven throughout the experience, deepening your connection to self and the wild landscape around you.
At the heart of the journey is a powerful opportunity to work with Candice and her intuitive herd of horses. Through their wisdom and presence, you’ll be invited into a space of emotional clarity, self-discovery, and deep healing.
Beyond the saddle, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Plettenberg Bay, take in sweeping coastal views, and let the peace of this extraordinary place wash over you. Whether riding at sunrise, gathering for meals under the stars, or sitting in stillness with the horses—every moment is an invitation to reconnect, renew, and come home to yourself. This is more than a horseback safari—it’s a journey into the wild beauty of South Africa, and into the wild truth of your own being.
Highlights
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Ride through breathtaking wilderness, encountering giraffes, zebras, antelope, and three of Africa’s Big Five—elephants, rhinos, and leopards
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Ride with two local South African women on our beginner-friendly safari—a celebration of their presence and shared connection to the land.
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Stay at the serene Belle Balance Bush Hideout, where your private room provides a tranquil retreat for rest and reflection
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Immerse yourself in meditation, yin yoga, and breathwork, thoughtfully woven into your journey
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Embark on a profound healing journey with Candice and her herd, where the wisdom of horses nurtures deep transformation
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Swim in Plettenberg Bay’s pristine waters and soak in breathtaking coastal views
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More than just a horseback safari, this journey offers renewal, adventure, and profound transformation in the heart of nature
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Savor nourishing, locally-inspired meals designed to fuel your body and enhance your experience
OUR OFFERINGS
01 Healing Ceremony with the Herd
This immersive healing and transformational experience is a co-creation between Candice, her herd of horses, nature, the client, and the Divine. The ceremony is a sacred space where Candice offers her wisdom, healing gifts, and medicine, alongside the profound energetic presence of the herd, to serve each individual’s journey of healing, transformation, and progression. Horses are highly intuitive beings who naturally attune to the emotional and energetic states of those around them, offering a powerful mirror for truth, connection, and deep release. Within the sacred container of this work, the herd's healing energy helps to regulate the nervous system, dissolve barriers to the heart, and invite profound shifts on emotional, physical, and spiritual levels. All that is required is a willingness to open one’s heart to receiving.
OUR OFFERINGS
02 Mindful Riding
Mindful riding is the practice of riding in a state of meditation through developing a present connection of mutual trust with your horse. Riding in this state of trust, presence and openness allows the rider to receive countless somatic benefits by being held by an intuitive, pure, and grounded sentient being. The rider will learn about their own energy through slowing down enough to see how they communicate and in turn receive messages from their horse’s body language. They will tap into the naturally meditative energy of horses and sensitize their intuition, the ability to energetically communicate, and connect with their true nature.
OUR OFFERINGS
03 Equine Guided Empowerment®
Equine Guided Empowerment® is a unique Somatic Reprogramming® practice developed by Cassandra Ogier. This practice provides an opportunity to ground and discover your true nature through the reflection of horses. Through being led by horses as an energetic guide and dropping into Somatic Reprogramming® exercises participants are invited to deepen into their empowerment and discover their inner wisdom. By doing so, the possibilities are endless in finding connection, belonging, individuation, authenticity, healing, and purpose.
OUR OFFERINGS
04 Trauma Informed Breathwork
Ceremonial, trauma-informed breathwork, drawing inspiration from Taren Maroun’s teachings, integrates the science-backed benefits of breathwork with the depth of a spiritually grounded healing journey. This practice invites profound transformation by releasing stored energy or trauma within the body, restoring emotional resilience, and opening pathways to expanded states of consciousness. Through the rhythm of intentional breathing, the body’s innate wisdom is reawakened, guiding you into deeper connection, and the emergence of your authentic self. It is within this sacred integration of body, mind, and spirit that true healing unfolds.
OUR OFFERINGS
05 Somatic Yin Yoga
Somatic Yin Yoga is a trauma-informed, embodied practice that reconnects you with the body’s innate wisdom. Rooted in nervous system regulation and somatic awareness, this slow, intuitive approach supports the release of tension, emotional stress, and energetic blockages. Through long-held postures and deep listening, it nourishes connective tissues, enhances flexibility, and fosters resilience. Its meditative quality soothes the mind and strengthens the body's capacity for deep repair, renewal, and integration.
Join us
AVAILABLE TO BEGINNER TO ADVANCED RIDERS
All riding is done at a walking pace. Prior riding experience is recommended but not required to participate.
If paying in two installments, your second payment will be due on March 3rd.
Both buttons will take you to the payment info. Additional payment plans. View our terms here.
Price includes: meals, guides/wranglers/cooks. A bed in a shared room, and bus transport to and from Reykjavik.
Price doesn’t include: travel insurance, flights to and from Reykjavik, accomodation in Reyjavik and airport transfers. Group size: 12-15 riders
Join us
AVAILABLE TO BEGINNER TO ADVANCED RIDERS
ADVANCED RIDE - 3 spots available
Available to intermediate to advanced riders.
Comfortable and in control at all gates and terrains in open country.
November 8th-12th, 2025
PRICING
$5,995
If paying in two installments, your second payment will be due on July 14th. Both buttons will take you to the payment info. Additional payment plans. View our terms here.
Price includes: 1:1 healing session with Candice & her herd, our program, meals, horseback safari, guides, and your own private room at the Belle Balance Bush Hideout for 4 nights.
Price doesn’t include: travel insurance, transport to and from Belle Balance, flights to and from Plettenberg Bay. Group size: 5 riders per trip
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive at Belle Balance Bush Hideout and settle into your private room surrounded by the peaceful rhythms of nature. We’ll begin with an opening circle to ground, set intentions, and connect as a group. After a light snack and some settling time, you’ll join a yin yoga session or your first 1:1 healing session with Candice and her herd. In the early evening, we’ll embark on a guided wildlife safari drive—your first touch with the wild beauty of this land. We’ll close the day with a nourishing welcome dinner.
Day 2:
Start your morning with either a yin yoga class or a personal healing session with Candice and the horses. Enjoy some quiet time to journal or prepare for the day’s adventure. Late morning, we head out for a picnic-style outing—whether for a beach or hiking adventure. After a restful afternoon, we’ll ride into the wilderness on a horseback safari at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, immersing ourselves in the energy of the land and its wildlife. After dinner, unwind by the fire or take in the quiet beauty of the stars.
Day 3:
Begin with your chosen morning practice—yin yoga or a 1:1 horse healing session—then take time for reflection and rest. Later, we’ll venture out for another picnic and nature excursion, allowing intentional time in nature to guide your process. The afternoon deepens with a horseback safari ride on the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve remote and wild terrain. In the evening, we gather for a nourishing meal.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 4:
After a yin yoga morning practice or your 1:1 horse healing, we'll set off for a special final ride at the Kurland Park Horse Trails, where we’ll enjoy a change of pace and take in some of the beautiful and varied landscapes. Lunch is served back at Belle Balance, followed by a powerful breathwork ceremony with Candice’s herd designed to help integrate your experience on a cellular level. Afterward, enjoy time to integrate your ceremony by the sea—swim, walk, or sit in quiet reflection. We’ll close our final night together with a shared dinner and time by the fire, soaking in the beauty, transformation, and connection of this.
Day 5:
On our final morning, choose between yin yoga or a final 1:1 healing session with Candice and her herd. We’ll gather one last time for a closing circle, where you’ll be invited to share reflections, insights, and farewells. Depart feeling grounded, renewed, and deeply connected—to the land, the herd, and yourself.
Please note: this itinerary is subject to change to best support the group’s needs and the natural rhythm of the experience.
End of trip
Itinerary
Meet your guides
Aniela Gottwald
CALIFORNIA, USA
Aniela Gottwald is the founder of Riding Wild, a 1% For The Planet nonprofit organization that takes women on transformative wilderness expeditions, com- bining personal and collective healing with intersection- al environmentalism. With over 20 years of experience in horsemanship, Aniela is a certified Equine Guided Empowerment® facilitator specializing in integrative somatic trauma and attachment therapy. Aniela’s lifelong connection with horses began in childhood, but it was her solo 1,300-mile backcountry expedition with wild horses she trained herself that deepened her understanding of the mirroring power of these animals in the healing process. Her work with Riding Wild stems from this understanding, offering equine-guided journeys that foster empowerment, personal sovereignty, and a sense of freedom. Through these immersive experiences, Aniela helps women, especially BIPOC and Indigenous communities, reclaim their voices and rediscover their inner strength. Guiding horse-riding expeditions throughout the world, Aniela has created a powerful program that seamlessly integrates tools for nervous system regulation and therapeutic practices into each journey. Her approach is grounded in the belief that individual healing contributes to collective well-being, creating a ripple effect of generational healing and transformation. Riding Wild’s purpose is to make these healing experiences accessible through scholarships, providing safe spaces for adventure, connection, and the discovery of new possibilities. Through her work, Aniela invites women to step into a journey of personal growth and resilience, supported by the essential connection between humans and nature. She believes that empowering women to heal, we also open pathways to advocate for the healing of nature - recognizing that personal and environmental restoration are deeply interconnected.
Candice Webster
PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA
Candice Webster is a healer, mother, and intuitive guide who bridges the ancient wisdom of metaphysics, nature and the profound healing power of horses. Nestled on her farm, surrounded by her herd of seven equine companions, she creates sacred spaces for transformation—where deep wounds are met with compassion and sacredness, and souls are invited to remember their Divine Heritage. As a medicine woman, priestess and facilitator, Candice’s work is rooted in presence, intuition, and sacred remembrance. She believes in the intelligence of the body, the wisdom of the soul, and the alchemy that occurs when mind, body and spirit are aligned. This is coming Home to the Heart. Her healing ceremonies with horses are not just about connection; they are about awakening—rekindling the wild, untamed and unique essence within each individual she works with. Her approach weaves together intuitive energy healing, equine-assisted healing, and channeled wisdom, allowing clients to release blockages, heal trauma, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her offerings, she helps individuals reclaim their voice, power, and unique essence, guiding them to embody their truth in all aspects of their lives. She shares her experiences through storytelling, social media, and podcasts, where her voice carries the essence of her teachings—one of grace, wildness, beauty, profound reverence for the healing journey, and living a life of Joy.
At Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, the terrain is flat, open plains with golden rye grass and wide horizons. Here, you'll ride among big game like lions, elephant, zebra, giraffe, and wildebeest—an unforgettable horseback safari experience.
At Kurland Park— the ride covers varied terrain—from forest paths and mountain trails with sweeping views to open grassy fields. The landscape is lush and green, offering a mix of gentle climbs, shaded tracks, and open canters.
EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
- We use trail saddles which are similar to an endurance saddle.
- Riders are required to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit
HORSES
The herd is a diverse mix, including Thoroughbreds, South African Boerperds (often referred to as ‘farm horses’), Warmblood crosses, a few Gypsy Cobs, a Percheron, a Percheron cross, a Stock Horse, and several mixed breeds. Overall, they’re all gentle and easygoing—well-suited to the work they do. Some tend to be more relaxed and laid-back, while others are a bit more responsive and forward-moving, offering a nice range of personalities to match different riders.
GUIDE & LOCAL TEAM
You will be guided by local South Africans who are familiar with the horses and the landscape.
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY
For our Advanced ride, you need to be an intermediate-advanced rider to join. You should be a confident rider, capable and in control at all gates in open spaces and ready to ride in the saddle for up to 3 hours a day. For our all riding level ride, we recommend that you have some riding experience to join and categorize yourself as a strong beginner rider. Please consult our riding ability guide here. The weight limit of our riders is 200 lbs/90 kgs.
PACE
Riders joining our advanced ride should be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter. For all rides, participants should be able to spend up to three hours in the saddle.
TRANSFERS
To get to Plettenberg Bay, you can fly into Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ), serviced by CemAir, with direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
For those traveling from international destinations, the best route is to fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town and connect to a domestic flight to Plettenberg Bay. Another option is to fly into George Airport (GRJ), about 90 kilometers away, and take a scenic drive or shuttle along the Garden Route to reach Plettenberg Bay.
CLIMATE
In Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, November brings late spring weather with mild temperatures and moderate humidity. Daytime highs typically reach around 22°C (71°F), while nighttime lows drop to approximately 14°C (57°F).
Rainfall is moderate, averaging about 70 mm over roughly 10 days, with occasional showers. The region enjoys around 13.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise at 5:15 AM and sunset at 7:06 PM.
The climate is generally pleasant, offering warm but comfortable conditions, making November an excellent time to explore Plettenberg Bay’s natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Enjoy your own private room at Belle Balance Bush Hideout, a luxurious yet tranquil retreat nestled within the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. The lodge features ten beautifully designed rooms, each offering stunning views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, a dam, and a watering hole. With en-suite bathrooms, cozy fireplaces, and private patios, every space seamlessly blends comfort and elegance. Guests can experience game drives, spa treatments, bush picnics, and scenic forest walks, or unwind in inviting communal spaces like the plunge pool and outdoor swimming area. Just a short drive from Plettenberg Bay, Belle Balance is the ideal escape for those seeking a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.
At Belle Balance Bush Hideout, guests enjoy a culinary experience inspired by the rich flavors of South African cuisine. Breakfast and dinner are served in the farmhouse dining room or on the patio, offering fresh, thoughtfully prepared dishes in a beautiful setting. The lodge’s restaurant focuses on high-quality ingredients, with guests praising the delicious meals. Whether starting the day with a hearty breakfast or unwinding with a flavorful dinner by the fireplace, dining at Belle Balance is a highlight of the stay.
CLOTHING
Upper body
- long-sleeved shirts (lightweight + breathable for sun protection
- warm sweater or fleece (mornings and evenings can be cool)
- casual clothes for the evening
- comfortable yoga clothes for warm climates
Lower body
- lightweight, comfortable riding pants - casual pants or shorts for downtime
- comfortable yoga pants or lounge bottoms
Outerwear
- lightweight waterproof jacket (for surprise spring showers)
- light windbreaker (optional)
Footwear
- comfortable riding boots (short boots + half chaps recommended)
- sandals or flip-flops
- trail shoes or sneakers (for walking or hiking)
Headwear
- riding helmet (mandatory)
- sunhat or wide-brimmed hat
OTHER ITEMS
- riding gloves
- scarf/bandana
- sunglasses with a strap
- swimsuit
- toiletries
- 1.5-2L water bottle
- headlamp
- camera & accessories
- power plug adapter (South Africa uses type M)
- journal
MEDICAL KIT
- high SPF sunscreen
- lip balm with SPF
- insect repellent
- any personal medications
- band aids & second skin plasters (for chafing or blisters)
- antiseptic cream, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- electrolytes
CLIMATE
- All We Can Save - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katherine K. Wilkinson
- Rooted - Lyanda Lynn Haupt
- The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle
of Oppression to Protect People + Planet - Leah Thomas- The End of Eden: Wild Nature in the Age of Climate Breakdown - Adam Weltz
HORSE
- Tao of Equus - Linda Kohanov
- Riding Between Worlds - Linda Kohanov
- Sacred Spaces: Communion with the horse through science and spirit - Dr. Susan Fay
HEALING
- Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
- Healing Collective Trauma - Thomas Hübl
- Attuned - Thomas Hübl- If Women Rose Rooted - Sharon Black
- Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times - Katherine May- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma - Peter A. Levine
- The Power of Now - Ekhart Tolle
- Being Peace - Thich Naht Hahn
- One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder - Brian Doyle
- The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief - Francis Weller
- Gender(s) - Kathryn Bond StocktonRELATIONSHIP
- Us - Terrence Real
- Perfect Love, Imperfect relationships - John Welwood
- Conscious Loving: The Journey to Co-Commitment - Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendrick
- The Conscious Heart - Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendrick
- Nonviolent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg
- The Power of Attachment - Diane Poole Heller
- Eight Dates - John Gottman
please note, this is an optional reading list for your enjoyment
Belle Balance & Kurland Trails
We’re excited to be bringing horseback safaris back to the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve through a special partnership with Belle Balance Bush Hideout and Kurland Park Horse Trails. Nestled within the reserve, Belle Balance offers a serene retreat where guests can unwind, surrounded by roaming wildlife—lions, elephants, zebra, giraffe, antelope, and more. Our rides through the reserve are made possible by Kurland Park’s experienced team, led by founder Debbie Fermor, who bring their deep horsemanship expertise to this wild setting. Together, this collaboration offers a rare opportunity to experience the untamed beauty of Plettenberg Bay on horseback—where adventure, comfort, and nature converge.
Testimonial
“Time in the backcountry on horseback surrounded by an incredible group of women who share the same values and inspiration was balm for my soul. Riding Wild created a beautiful safe space for heart centered healing and connection through every aspect of this journey. Thank you for an epic adventure of body and spirit.”
- Jenn whitney
