Nguni Cattle Roundup
If you want to experience the thrill of bellowing Nguni, close-up game, wonderful horses (boerperde by the way), magnificent meals, tales of the day, and a horse safari that will go down as one of your lifetime highlights, read on and prepare yourself for goose bumps and adrenalin
Introduction
The beautiful, multi-coloured Nguni cattle are an indigenous African breed descended from the extinct wild ox of Europe and introduced to southern Africa over 2000 years ago by the Bantu-speaking farmers as they migrated south. As indigenous animals they are extremely hardy and well adapted to the Eastern Cape conditions. They co-exist, as they have for thousands of years, with the game inhabiting the undulating hills, mountains, yellowwood forests and valleys of this 8500 hectare reserve. It is this important ecological balance that Molweni Private Game Reserve is re-introducing.
The Nguni range freely over Molweni and provide a very necessary bulk-grazing aspect to the veld management and species distribution across the various biomes. They do however require an element of domestic management that is carried out on a monthly basis by the game trackers and stockman so as to prevent them becoming wild and unmanageable. We keep tabs of each Nguni bull, cow or calf but refrain from calling them by their distinctive Xhosa names such as inkomo engabantubegugile, which means beast which is like old people or bafazibaphikicala which means the women dispute the case for obvious reasons.
It is with this in mind that we decided to open this exhilarating and adventurous experience to a public that is looking for that something more than the traditional horse safari, vineyard ride or beach ride.
TOPThe Roundup
While on the roundup, all the excitement of game viewing on a normal horseback safari will be experienced as you team up with our trackers to collect and work the cattle. Many species of game roam the reserve and, as you go about the collection, you will be trotting and cantering close to zebra, kudu, blue and black wildebeest, buffalo, springbok, blesbuck, giraffe, impala, red hartebeest, gemsbok, mountain reedbuck as well as many other species. After the collection, should you wish to assist and learn about nose rings, tagging, branding, dipping etc. at the crush, there will be many opportunities to do so. Or, if tagging a moody cow seems a bit daunting, just leave it to the trackers and take photographs!
Our roundup takes three days and four nights. You will traverse the whole reserve by day and spend your evenings around the fire or dinner table as the dancing lights of the hurricane lamps lull your tired body to sleep. However, seasons do dictate the type of work to be done: during summer the cattle will generally be on top of the mountains, but during the winters they will remain in the numerous valleys as it can become bitterly cold on the higher parts of Molweni.
On the day of arrival the guests are introduced to Molweni’s layout and its history, and will be acclimatized to how we run the operations. The first day begins with an introduction to your horse, followed by an outride to check the ability of the riders and the compatibility between rider and horse. Any changes necessary are then done and the roundup begins. Molweni has horses suited to experienced and less-experienced riders. Regular or extremely proficient riding abilities are not a pre-requisite.
An added attraction is the Waterkloof valley which is steeped in history of the most vicious battles of the War of Mlanjeni. This conflict between the Xhosa warriors and the British is known as the Eighth Frontier War, and was fought between 1850 and 1853. At least seventeen battles were fought in and around the Waterkloof and many of these sites will be covered on the hoof and, if time allows, a brief description will be presented to bring alive the action and reality that took place there 150 years ago. See also History.
TOPNon-participating partners
Non participating partners are more than welcome and arrangements can be made for you to do hikes, game drives (at normal tariffs) or any of the other Molweni activities. Or you might like to accompany the roundup in your own 4x4, meeting at the lunch stops and at the cattle enclosures. If you have your own transport, there are interesting excursions in the surrounding area.
TOPDates
The dates for the roundups vary each month depending on the time of year. Dates can be moved to accommodate parties which incidentally must number between four and ten riders. The reserve is a relaxed 2½ hours hours drive from Port Elizabeth. Most of the roundups will run from Wednesday evening to Sunday morning but again this can be changed to suit the parties needs. TOP
Accommodation
We offer various accommodation options. See accommodation.Cost
Price and dates on application. Discount structure offered for 6 or more riders. Catered and uncatered prices available.What to bring
Bush wear, chaps (optional), helmet (optional), camera etc, alcohol and own snacks.
Moweni does provide helmets for those wishing to wear one, which is always advisable, and signed indemnities are obligatory before the roundup begins. Safety is paramount and the instructions of the trackers and management are to be adhered to at all times.
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