Horseback Riding in Namibia
FISH RIVER TO THE BORDER |
A combination of dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious desert plains and the mighty Orange River, this trail offers the opportunity to experience both inaccessible countryside, real wilderness areas, and riding without limitations.
The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognised as one of Africa’s most magnificent sites. Commonly referred to as "Africa's Grand Canyon", it is the second largest canyon in the world.
Riding will commence in and along the upper Fish River canyons, where you will experience part of the canyon not seen by many. After the endless Nama Karoo, the plains inspire everlasting cantering, only to be stopped by the Orange/Gariep River, which forms the southern Namibian border. Distances covered daily will vary between 20 and 55 kilometres.
The Fish River Canyon – Orange River Trail crosses over three private parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park. Altogether these cover an area of about 220,000 hectares. These parks fall within the Nama Karoo Desert biome and are on the fringe of the transitional area between Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo. The Orange River basin at Aussenkehr is the most arid part of this vast Karoo region.
I had the most fantastic time in Africa. The trip that you put together was simply unbelievable. I loved every minute of the three rides that I did and they were truly each a once in a life time experience. I could not recommend them more highly...
- Daphne Chester
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met at the Windhoek airport and transferred to meet your fellow riders and enjoy traditional hospitality, dinner and overnight at a local bed and breakfast. |
| Day 2: | After breakfast the group heads towards the Fish-River-Canyon area. Transfer of about 8 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive early afternoon at Fish-River Mule Station meet your guides and local crew. If time permits, enjoy your first afternoon ride and get familiar with your horse. Unpack your luggage into a smaller bag for the following two nights. The terrain is inaccessible for larger trucks and you therefore take small bags only. |
| Day 3: | After relaxing breakfast ride over variable terrain, reaching an amazing plateau, and continue along the edge until you reach Horse Shoe Camp. During lunch break admire the stunning, breathtaking view! In the afternoon the trail serpentines until we reach Koelkrans (the cooling rocks) with a huge waterhole surrounded by a very steep and narrow canyon. Enjoy a relaxing swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. Climb up to Horse Shoe Camp for overnight. |
| Day 4: | The ride may follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Whether you ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the top will depend on the water level in the river. The ride in the riverbed is difficult and demanding but then you make your way up on a steep track to the plateau before crossing some plains to find the unexpected forest at Augurabis in the Gaap River. Augurabis is situated on Gondwana Park, a private park dedicated to conservation and tourism. Stunning views, unbelievable space and awesome scenery await. Tonight you stay at Canyon outpost camp. |
| Day 5: | Ride through endless savannah into an area strewn with granite boulders and charismatic quiver trees, to arrive for lunch at Mountain Camp. The afternoon is free for leisure and relaxation and individual photographic excursions or sundowner walks. Enjoy the luxury of en-suite bathrooms, made-up proper beds and a very special evening at Mountain Camp. |
| Day 6: | Follow the road towards the Fish River Valley and then parallel to it to arrive upon wide-open plains. You will most probably spot quite some different game along the way and enjoy the evening stories around the open campfire. |
| Day 7: | Follow the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Fourie se Gat (a hole dug by Mr. Fourie). Ride over wide open savannah with game and hills in the east and the awesome sight of the Canyon area to the west. Usually you can enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Fish River Canyon ‘bad lands’ to the west, the granite kopjes behind you and the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you with Norotshama peak on the southern horizon. |
| Day 8: | In the morning follow the road through granite outcrops, or, alternately travel by motor vehicle to Ais-Ais hot springs along the same road, to spend the morning relaxing in warm water while your horse runs loose to the lunch spot at Mt. Elena. You find unlimited, ever changing scenery while riding in the afternoon to your camp at a cozy spot next to the Gamkab River. |
| Day 9: | Riding over endless plains to a patch of isolated sand dunes on Aussenkehr Nature Park, then on again to a camp surrounded by stacked boulders, which could only have been the work of giants. Again, riding is not limited to a specific route, as we can roam freely in this vast landscape. |
| Day 10: | Stunning contrast again on this last day of riding. Ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Thorn Canyon, onto a view point surprisingly displaying the Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another long, joyous canter and some strolling through the vineyards before finally dismounting and untacking at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River. You can take a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners on the river before dinner at the lodge. |
| Day 11: | Depart for Cape Town after an early breakfast-an eight hour road transfer. Alternatively an option is possible to fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Rosh Pinah airport (on day 11 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or from Luderitz airport (a one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista). You may also like the option of staying an extra night at Ludertitz to see the diamond palaces of a by gone era and experience this quaint ghost town and the seafood that it offers. Fly back to Windhoek at your own expense. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | From Capetown airport we will organize transport to River Crossing. |
| Length of Ride | 11 days, 10 nights and 8 1/2 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-1 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 6 - 8 hours |
| Pace | moderate / fast |
| Tack | Endurance Saddles |
| Horses | Arab Cross, Trakehner, Local Ranch Bred |
| Weight Limit | Over 180 lbs must pay 30% supplement |
| 2012 Dates | Aug 30-Sept 9 |
| 2012 Price | $5760 |
| Single Supplement | $360 |
| Transfers | Included for guests arriving at Windhoek Airport on the first day of the itinerary. |
| Additional Information | Ride price is set, guaranteed, and final at the time deposit is paid.
Insurance is required.
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