INTRODUCTION
The KAROO RANCHING cattle drives take place in the mountains of the Elandskloof ranch in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Elandskloof is a working cattle farm, that has been in the family since 1898 and is a place where guests are warmly welcomed in, to experience the beautiful authenticity of cattle ranching in the Karoo.
KAROO RANCHING hosts four of these cattle drives every year, enabling guests to become part of a working ranching team for a few days.
Here, they will get to herd cattle in big sky country while spending time with local stockmen & women.
ABOUT CATTLE DRIVES
Every herd is part of a sustainable management system on the ranch.
At various times in the year, the herds are collected up in the mountains & brought to the cattle pens, where various treatments are administered to ensure their well-being.
Ranchers are part of a team & are given instructions to follow that will help bring the herds in. Above-average fitness levels are required of ranchers, as the terrain is mountainous & rocky, often calling for ranchers to dismount & pursue a lost calf or cow on foot.
All ranchers get to play an active part in the cattle pens.
HORSES
Our team of ranch horses are all carefully selected on temperament & ability to manage the mountainous terrain.
All of our horses are unshod, as they have all grown up in the area & their feet are well adjusted to the tough terrain.
The horses enjoy their life on the ranch & enjoy having a sense of purpose, whether it be taking guests around or rounding up cattle.
We pride ourselves on a well-adjusted herd.
We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible by pairing riders with horses that will complement them in both experience and personality.
TACKING UP
All ranchers will be allocated a horse.
They will be shown how to catch their horse in the paddocks, groom them & saddle them with one of the western saddles & bridles.
After work every day, ranchers will be required to unsaddle & groom their horses, save their tack in the designated area & lead their horses back to their paddocks.
They will also be required to help with the feeding of the horses.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Although guests are not required to have any cattle ranching experience, this event is best suited to horse riders who are experienced on horseback.
The mountainous terrain is not easy going for either horse or rider, thus, an above-average fitness level is required of both.
Ranchers are expected to be able to saddle their own horses & be able to mount & dismount numerous times with ease.
Inexperienced riders will find the experience taxing, given the dynamic of herding cattle, added to navigating tough terrain on horseback.
PACE
As the old ranch saying goes, ‘The fastest way to move cattle is slowly.
We pride ourselves in handling our cattle in a low-stress manner.
This means not putting them under unnecessary pressure by going too fast, screaming or shouting, but patiently allowing them to move at their own pace in the tough terrain.
The pace dictated by Mother Nature often encourages guests to ride in silence, ponder upon the mountains & take time to reconnect with their soul and the animals around them.
DRESS CODE
For practical stock handling
& photographic purposes, a
strict dress code is adhered to.
There is a small shop on the ranch
that stocks various items.
It is, however, advised that you
bring your gear that is well worn in.
PERMITTED
Jeans
Leather Shoes/Boots
Denim Shirts (Women)
Navy Shirts (Men)
Wide-brimmed Hats
Neutral Scarves
Neutral Jackets/Coats (KAROO RANCHING
Oilskin coats are available for use while at the ranch)
Leather Accessories
NOT PERMITTED
Check / Plaid Shirts
Caps/Beanies
Sneakers/Takkies
Loud Brands
Bright Colours
Plastic Accessories
Plastic Water Bottles
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
During our events a professional photographer is tasked with photographing the event.
This imagery is then given to guests as a gift, as a fond reminder of their time spent at KAROO RANCHING.
Guests are invited to embrace the experience, the dress code suggested and be fully present without needing to snap away on their cell phones.
For this reason, we kindly request that no cell phones are used outside of the ranch accommodation.
Wi-Fi access is only available in the ranch accommodation too.
WHAT TO BRING
Rancher hat
Sunscreen
6 – 8 x Re-hydration sachets
2 -3 x pairs of comfortable jeans
2 -3 x denim or navy collared shirts
1 x neutral coloured coat
1 x pair of leather boots
1 x pair of working gloves
Comfortable Clothes
Slippers
Book
CATTLE DRIVES 2026
The following KAROO RANCHING Cattle Drives will take place in 2026:
11 – 14 June 2026 – FULLY BOOKED
9 – 12 July 2026 – FULLY BOOKED
23 – 26 July 2026 – FULLY BOOKED
27 – 30 August 2026 – FULLY BOOKED
** If you would like us to add you to the WAITING LIST, in case of a cancellation,
please email us at info@karooranching.co.za to do so.
CATTLE DRIVES 2027
The following KAROO RANCHING Cattle Drives will take place in 2027:
10 – 13 June 2027
15 – 18 July 2027
29 July – 1 August 2027
26 – 29 August 2027
** If you would like us to add you to the WAITING LIST, in case of a cancellation,
please email us at info@karooranching.co.za to do so.
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