Bivane Vallei is more than a ranch; it's an experience filled with adventure and learning.
Live with the horses. Work with purpose.
Are you craving something real? Wake to early mornings with the herd, learn the rhythm of a working Boerperd stud, and spend your days in the mountains of northern KwaZulu-Natal. This is a chance to step into farm life, do meaningful work, and experience something unforgettable. South African and international guests welcome.
✓ Live on the farm
✓ Work alongside the horses every day
✓ Learn the rhythm of a real working stud
✓ Northern KwaZulu-Natal: wild, remote, unforgettable
What You Get
Accommodation
Your own space in a 3-bedroom house exclusively for working holiday guests in Kempslust Village. 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, outdoor braai, parking, and walking distance to the stables. Weekly cleaning and laundry (washing, drying, ironing) included.
Meals
All wholefood groceries provided: fresh items, grains, bread, condiments, coffee and tea, and basic baking necessities. Cook at your own pace in the communal kitchen. You'll be invited to shared dinners with the host family from time to time. Personal snacks, special dietary items, and alcohol not included.
Daily horse work
Hands-on involvement every day: feeding, grooming, foal handling, young horse training, and general stud duties. What you do depends on your experience and the season.
Riding & trails
Up to one ride per day, with more as a bonus. Daily riding varies: herding stud mares, mapping new trails, longer exploratory rides, or fitness rides. Not all riding is trail riding — most fits into the working schedule. Intermediate to advanced riders only.
Stud management & heritage
Exposure to natural breeding, herd management, and the full cycle of stud life. You'll be working with South African Boerperde — a registered native heritage breed. Your stay actively supports the preservation of this breed.
Farm life & beyond
Seasonal kiwi-fruit orchard activities, cattle stockmanship, hiking, swimming in rivers, waterfall exploration, and visits to local Zulu villages. Ithala Game Reserve (180km) and Kruger National Park (4hrs) available as optional extras.
Where you'll stay
You'll be based in a comfortable 3-bedroom house in Kempslust Village — a historic settlement in the Bivane Valley, within walking distance of the stables. The unit is exclusively for working holiday guests — your own space to come back to after a full day on the farm.
3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms (shared ablutions, max 4 guests)
Fully equipped kitchen and dining area
Linen and towels provided
Veranda and outdoor braai area
Wi-Fi available in the accommodation
Weekly cleaning and laundry (washing, drying, ironing) included
Parking available on site
Walking distance to the stables
Limited cell connectivity on the rest of the farm
Note: Personal snacks, special dietary items, beverages, and alcohol are not included in the package.
How long. What it costs. How to apply.
Working holidays are available from 2 to 12 weeks. International guests are encouraged to stay a minimum of 3 weeks to allow time to acclimatise and get the most from the experience. Up to 4 guests at a time.
1 Week — R9,000 per person (SA guests only — logistics for international guests require minimum 2 weeks)
2 Weeks — R16,000 per person
3 Weeks — R22,500 per person
4 Weeks — R28,000 per person
Stays longer than 4 weeks available up to 12 weeks — contact us for pricing.
What's included: shared accommodation in 3-bedroom house (max 4 guests), all wholefood groceries, weekly cleaning and laundry, up to one ride per day (more as a bonus), horsemanship sessions and daily horse involvement, stud management exposure, South African farm life and cultural exchange, small groups and personalised attention, logistical and travel support, airport transfer from O.R. Tambo both ways.
Not included: flights, insurance, riding gear, medications, personal snacks and drinks, day trips and excursions off the farm.
How to apply: Email bvboerperd@gmail.com to receive a Booking Form — or WhatsApp +27 67 400 5207. We'll confirm availability and discuss your dates and experience, then confirm your booking and get you set up.
A day at Bivane Vallei
7:00am — Feed horses and general stud duties
9:00am — Horsemanship sessions, learning opportunities in stud management, morning ride
12:00pm – 2:00pm — Siesta time and lunch
2:00pm — Afternoon horsemanship sessions, exploring the farm, or a second ride (when schedule allows)
3:30pm — Evening horse-related duties
5:00pm — Done for the day — exploring, socialising, or preparing shared dinners
Riding happens daily, but not always as a formal trail ride. Some days you'll ride to herd stud mares, map new routes, or do fitness work. The schedule shifts with the seasons — flexibility is part of the experience.
What we expect from you
This is a working farm. The days are early, the work is physical, and the weather doesn't always cooperate. If that sounds like your kind of experience, you'll fit right in.
Stable cleaning and maintenance are not expected of guests. You will not ride unbacked or green horses.
Getting here: shuttle from O.R. Tambo departs Fridays at 11am — a 4-hour journey to Newcastle, then 1.5 hours on gravel road to the farm. Nearest town: Paulpietersburg, 38km. Book your shuttle seat in advance.
Pack for both summer and winter — conditions vary. Ask us for the full packing list when you apply.
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Enquiries & Applications
We welcome enquiries from international visitors who feel aligned with our values and way of working. To ensure a good fit, we ask prospective guests to contact us with a brief introduction, including their background, experience with horses, and intended length of stay.
A working holiday at Bivane Vallei is an opportunity to slow down, work with purpose, and experience the SA Boerperd within the landscape and lifestyle that shaped it.