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.

ITINERARY – THURSDAY

  • 12 pm – Arrive at the Ranch & Get Settled
  • 1 pm – Lunch in the Gardens
  • 2 pm – Event Briefing
  • 3 pm – You Meet Your Horse & Get Fitted Out at the Tack Room
  • 4 pm – Short Ride Out
  • 5 pm – Feed & Water Your Horse
  • 6 pm – Sundowners on the Verandah
  • 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner

ITINERARY – FRIDAY

  • 6.30 am – Wake Up
  • 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House Verandah
  • 7.30 am – Depart for the Camps on Horseback
  • 10 am – Open Camp Fire Breakfast in the Mountains
  • 12 pm – Bring Herds into the Cattle Pens
  • 1 pm – Lunch in the Gardens
  • 2 pm – Cattle Work in the Cattle Pens
  • 3 pm – Cattle Returned to their Camps
  • 6 pm – Sundowners in the Riverbend
  • 7 pm – Traditional Karoo Dinner

ITINERAY- SATURDAY

  • 6.30 am – Wake Up
  • 7 am – Coffee & Rusks on the Ranch House Verandah
  • 7.30 am – Depart for Camps on Horseback
  • 10 am – Ranchers Breakfast in the Mountains
  • 12 pm – Cattle Work in Pens
  • 1 pm – Lunch in the Gardens
  • 2 pm – Time Off
  • 3 pm – Cattle Returned to their Camps
  • 5 pm – Sundowners at the Look Out Point
  • 6 pm – Releasing Your Horse into the Mountains
  • 7 pm – Flavours of the Karoo Banquet

 

ITINERAY – SUNDAY

  • 8 am – Relax and Sleep In
  • 8.30 am – Ranch Breakfast
  • 9.30 am – Pack Up
  • 10 am – Say Good Byes & Drive Home

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 in a well adjusted herd.

We strive to make every guest’s ride as memorable as possible, by pairing riders with horses that will compliment them in both experience and personality.

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.

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.

SAFETY

All guests are required to sign public liability forms upon arrival.

All guests are offered riding helmets, or encouraged to bring their own.

However, should they wish not to ride with a helmet & ride with a wide brimmed hat instead, they would be welcome to do so, however, they will be asked to sign a further public liability form.

While all possible forms of precaution are taken by the KAROO RANCHING team to ensure guest safety, we expect riding guests to act responsibly while handling the horses & take the safety of their fellow guests into consideration while at KAROO RANCHING.

The KAROO RANCHING team retains the right to ask any guest to refrain from further riding should their riding abilities be a danger to themselves or other guests.

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 (The KAROO RANCHING Oilskin Coats are available for use for the duration of the guest’s stay)
  • Leather Accessories

NOT PERMITTED

  • No check/ plaid shirts
  • Caps/Beanies
  • Sneakers/Takkies
  • Loud Brands
  • Bright Colours
  • Plastic Accessories
  • Plastic Water Bottle

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

Below is a suggested packing list for your visit to the ranch:

  • Rancher hat
  • Sunscreen
  • 6 – 8 x Re-hydration sachets
  • 2 -3 x pairs of comfortable jeans
  • 2 -3 x demin / navy collared shirts
  • 1 x neutral coloured coat (KAROO RANCHING Oilskin Coats available to guests to loan)
  • 1 x pair of leather boots
  • 1 x pair of working gloves
  • Comfortable Clothes
  • Slippers
  • Book

GENERAL INFO

  • Events take place in the Graaff– Reinet district, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • Location pins are provided upon booking confirmation
  • Suitable for moderately experienced riders
  • 90kg weight limit for riders
  • Minimum age 21 years
  • Above average fitness levels are required of riders
  • For practical purposes a dress code is adhered to
  • Signing of public liability forms are compulsory
  • Bookings: info@karooranching.co.za

CATTLE DRIVES 2026
3 Nights / 4 Days 

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.

2026 RATES

NON- SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS

  • First Time Ranchers – $2 200 USD per person
  • Returning Ranchers – $2 100 USD per person

 

SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS

  • First Time Ranchers – R21 500 ZAR per person
  • Returning Ranchers – R19 500 ZAR per person
  • Duration – 3 nights & 4 days
  • Includes all food, ranch accommodation, ranching activities & professional photography
  • Excludes transport to/from ranch & alcohol
  • Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol or ask us to arrange it for them
  • 50% deposit is required to secure a booking

DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY

DEPOSIT POLICY

  • A 50% deposit is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.
  • If the 50% deposit is not received by KAROO RANCHING, the reservation will be cancelled.
  • The balance is payable 30 days prior to arrival.
  • If the reservation is made less than 30 days prior to arrival, 100% payment is payable within 48 hours of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Due to the highly specialised & exclusive nature of our offering:

  • 20% cancellation fee is applicable on all cancellations.
  • 50% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 60 days prior to arrival.
  • 100% cancellation fee is payable if reservation is cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival.
  • Refunds: No refunds are allowed for late arrivals or early departures
  • All other costs incurred are payable on the last day of the guest stay.

BOOKINGS

Scroll to Top