Horseback Riding in Namibia
FISH RIVER TO THE BORDER |
Surveying the Grand Canyon of Africa
The drama of color, light and rock
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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.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met by the River Crossing Lodge at Windhoek International Airport and taken to the lodge located in a game reserve high overlooking Windhoek for lunch depending on your arrival time. In the afternoon we will commence on our journey south and after approx 3 hour drive arrive at the Kalahari Anib lodge where we overnight. In the evening- dinner with the group. |
| Day 2: | After breakfast the group heads towards the Fish-River-Canyon area. Transfer of about 5 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive early afternoon at Fish-River Mule Station meet your guides and local crew. Time for the first afternoon ride. Unpack your luggage into a smaller bag for the following 2 days to come. The terrain is inaccessible for larger trucks and we therefore take small bags only. |
| Day 3: | After relaxing breakfast ride over variable terrain, reaching an amazing plateau, and continue along the edge until we reach Horse Shoe Camp. During lunch break we 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. We climb up to Horse Shoe Camp for overnight. |
| Day 4: | Horse Shoe Camp to Augurabis. The ride may follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what is waiting for us! Whether we 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 we make our way up on a steep tract 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 of about 120 000 ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Stunning views, unbelievable space and awesome scenery await. Tonight we stay at Canyon outpost camp. |
| Day 5: | Augurabis to Mountain Camp. 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: | Mountain Camp to Kanebis. We 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: | Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. In the morning we follow the road towards the Fish River Valley and then parallel to it to arrive upon wide-open plains. We meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cozy spot next to the Gamkab River. |
| Day 9: | From Gamkab camp to Boulders camp. Riding over everlasting 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: | The last day of riding. Stunning contrast again; 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 we finally dismount and untack 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: | Maybe go for a short canoe trip down the river and leave late morning for Klein Aus Vista. Driving along the Orange River to Rosh Pinah and then along the Sperrgebiet (Restricted Diamond Area) to Aus. In the afternoon set off on a sundowner excursion to find the wild horses of the Namib desert with an experienced guide. Last night at Desert Horse Inn. |
| Day 12: | Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer. Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven-hour 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 (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. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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Taking it all in...
A well-deserved rest for the horses and sundowners around the campfire for you
Sunset in Namibia
The arid basin
Flora and fauna of Fish River
Miles of sand and rock
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | From Windhoek International airport we will organize transport to River Crossing. |
| Length of Ride | 12 days, 11 nights and 9 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-6 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 6-8 hours |
| Pace | moderate / fast |
| Tack | English and western |
| Horses | Arab Cross, Trakehner, Local Ranch Bred |
| Weight Limit | Over 180 lbs must pay 30% supplement |
| 2010 Dates | April 22-May 3, May 5-16, June 8-19, September 16-27 |
| 2010 Price | $5,505
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $4,865 |
| Single Supplement | Not available |
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