Horseback Riding in Namibia
DAMARALAND TRAIL |
This is an extraordinary trail through a nearly inaccessible and little visited part of Africa. It is an area of vivid colors and wide open spaces.
You are not likely to see elephants, giraffe and rhino in a desert habitat anywhere else in the world, but here you can see them.
There may be late rains, causing the rivers to flood, which results in natural spectacles of tremendous adventure.
This trail is very tough on the crew and support vehicles, because of the poor roads and scarce water. For half the trip, the truck, water cart and trailer cannot make it into the campsites.
The gifts of Damaraland are many. The famous fauna and flora,elephant & rhino, Welwitschia mirabilis, Skeleton Coast and disintegrating ship wrecks all make for an adventure that is hard to describe and impossible to forget.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met on arrival from Windhoek International airport (Hosea Kutako airport) and transferred to a Bed and Breakfast in Windhoek on this day. Here you will meet the rest of your riding group for dinner and you will be given an overview of the week ahead. |
| Day 2: | After an early breakfast the journey starts with a 7 hour transfer, lunch en route, to a camp near Twyfelfontein, a world heritage site known for its rock art. Here you will meet the horses and crew, and go on a sunset ride if time permits. Enjoy a traditional dinner around the campfire, before retiring to your tent, or if you prefer, sleep under the stars.
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| Day 3: | Set off on a morning ride to familiarize you with your mount in the Aba-Huab area where sandy plains invite good canters, stopping at interesting rock formations along the way. The afternoon will include visiting a cultural village, the Twyfelfontein rock engravings and Sundowners at a local view point. |
| Day 4: | Ride west across endless plains with a good chance of seeing desert adapted game such as springbok and oryx, occasionally riders follow Mopani treed dry river beds where kudu and ostrich lurk. Stop for a light lunch along a riverbed and continue over the hills to camp at De Riet. |
| Day 5: | Continue along the Huab River shaded with huge Ana trees, which provides a favorite food for the Desert Elephants. Ride across another plain towards Mikberg to have lunch at the ‘cheetah tree’, followed by a long afternoon ride across the watershed and its phenomenal vistas. Camp is pitched at View Point where you can enjoy the views and dramatic colors of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. |
| Day 6: | From View Point, ride southwest towards the Ugab River. After lunch at Lion Head, riders set off into a nice long canter. Move through a very narrow gorge, pass Soutfontein (Salt Fountain) and arrive at Save, the Rhino Camp near Brandberg West. This is a community run campsite that collects funds for the Save the Rhino project; it is also worth a visit to their information center. |
| Day 7: | Wind your way through reeds and kori bush thickets along the Ugab to Brakwasser, then leave the Ugab River for a deserted gorge with fascinating folded rockwalls. Camp is in a very enjoyable, shady, sheltered location. |
| Day 8: | Leave the Ugab tributary and enter another vast open plain with spectacular views of Brandberg. You will experience some marvelous canters before stopping for lunch at the Quarry. This afternoon is a long ride across the stony plains towards the coast. |
| Day 9: | Ride towards the Messum River and Messum Crater. Again there are open plains, happy canters and spectacular panoramas. |
| Day 10: | Your final ride arrives on the beach around lunchtime. The shore is called the Skeleton Coast and the infamous easterly wind can create temperatures warm enough for a swim or whip up a sandstorm! Drive to Cape Cross to view the seals and continue to your overnight accommodation at a lovely beach house in Henties Bay. |
| Day 11: | Depart for Windhoek and Windhoek International Airport (a 5-6 hour transfer). Earliest possible flight departure time is 3:00 PM |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Windhoek |
| Length of Ride | 11 days, 10 nights and 7 1/2 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-6 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 6 - 8 hours |
| Pace | Depends on terrain, moderate and tough, to fast |
| Tack | Endurance Saddles |
| Horses | Arab Cross, Trakehner, Local Ranch Bred |
| Weight Limit | 180 lbs, riders over this must pay 30% supplement |
| 2012 Dates | 10 Night
April 26-May 6
May 10-20
June 28-July 8
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| 2012 Price | $5600 |
| Single Supplement | $270 |
| Additional Information | Ride price is set, guaranteed and final at the time deposit is paid |
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