“Riders can gallop along one of Europe’s longest uninterrupted, virgin beaches, covering 23 miles in a single day, paddling in the shallows and picnicking on the sand”
When travel writer and experienced rider Sophia Constant was asked to cover horse safaris in Europe for UK lifestyle magazine Country Life, she knew Kukutana would make the list, offering as it does incredible rides in a little-explored corner of Andalusia.
“The property, set inside the country’s Doñana National Park, belongs to the Llorente family, and a string of horses, stabled around a cobblestone courtyard, carry us along trails between here and the village of El Rocío“.
“Our horses drum a muffled rhythm down sandy paths, among eucalyptus trees, across marshlands and through former royal hunting grounds. Vultures circle above, a herd of red deer tunnels into the shade and fresh lynx tracks leave us sharp with anticipation. We are riding along ancient pilgrimage paths – once used by the brotherhoods of Andalucía, all devoted to the Virgin Mary”, writes Sophia, as she describes a typical ride from Kukutana, exploring Doñana on one of our team of beautiful Anglo-Arabs.
The largest nature reserve in Europe, Doñana’s wetlands, forests, dunes and coastline provide sanctuary for thousands of resident and migratory birds, as well as deer, wild boar and the elusive lynx.
“A short flight from London, I’m off grid, enjoying a trio of horse safaris that reveal the charms of rural Spain; adventures to rival those I’ve had in Africa and Argentina, without circling the planet for the privilege. I am riding through wild landscapes packed with history, fascinating people and, of course, great food and wine” continues Sophia.
