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 for being one of Africa’s most magnificent sites; it is also the second largest canyon in the world. Riding will commence in and along the upper Fish River canyons, where after the endless Nama Karoo plains invites you for everlasting canters 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 covering 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: | Meet in Windhoek at 8.00am, and drive about 8 hours, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Arrive late afternoon at Augurabis, a nearly forgotten homestead, well hidden in lush vegetation near a natural fountain in the Gaap River which is the northern Fish River canyon area. Augurabis is located in Gondwana Park, a private park of about 120 000ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Stay for collection of late luggage, meet crew, fellow riders and hosts. |
| Day 2: | After breakfast and briefings you will be assigned a horse and take a trial ride through spectacular scenery along the Gaap River and surrounding area. The afternoon is free for relaxation, hiking, photographs, etc. At this point your luggage needs to be re-arranged to take just a small bag for two days, since tracks are non-existent or poor and only tough 4x4’s can transport as little as possible (but as much as needed). Dinner and overnight at Augurabis. |
| Day 3: | This morning after a hearty breakfast, we ride from Augurabis to Koelkrans(“cool cliffs”). This is serious riding over varied terrain to the canyon edge where we stop to appreciate the stunning view before descending into the canyon. Camp for the night at a large natural pool surrounded by steep cliffs. Go for a much appreciated swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. You are likely to see mountain zebra, oyx, klipspringer and rock dassies as well as birds of prey and owls. |
| Day 4: | Ride from Koelkrans past Sandy Beach to Flamingo Bay – names as extraordinary as their setting. Yes, we might see a flamingo in the desert. The ride will follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot. Whether we ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the edge will depend on the water level in the river. |
| Day 5: | Flamingo Bay along the Gaap River to Augurabis. Following the Fish River further down to the mouth of the Gaap River, another stunning viewpoint. Continue along the Gaap with its own interesting and winding passage. Pass ruins of a homestead where one cannot believe any human being could have lived, and on into an unexpected dense riverine forest back to Augurabis to be reunited with the support vehicles and all the luggage. |
| Day 6: | Augurabis to Holooberg. The trail serpentines away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges end, onto a vast open plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and herds of game like Burchell’s zebra, springbuck, ostrich and oryx. Because we are riding in a land without fences, we are not limited to a specific route. We camp at a waterhole on wide open terrain with a great panorama. |
| Day 7: | Holoogberg 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 will include a drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon where the normal tourists go hiking and sightseeing. You will be amazed to see where we have been with the horses. Enjoy some luxury and a very special evening at Mountain Camp. |
| Day 8: | The route parallels 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 9: | Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. As we ride towards the Orange River basin, riding speed increases over wide open plains. Unlimited space, ever changing scenery and camp next to the Gamkab River. |
| Day 10: | From Gamkab camp to Boulders camp. We will ride over a patch of isolated sand dunes onto Aussenkehr plain 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 11: | The last day of riding. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Thorn canyon and to 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 our brave mounts at Norotshama Lodge on the banks of the Orange River. You can take a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners before a farewell dinner at the lodge. |
| Day 12: | 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 Spergebiet (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. |
| Day 13: | Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast. This is an 8 hour transfer arriving at 5pm. Do not book flights departing prior to 8.00pm. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Length of Ride | 13 days, 12 nights and 8-9 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-4 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 |
| 2008 Dates | May 9-21, May 25 - June 6, Oct 5-17, Oct 20 - Nov 1 |
| 2008 Price | $3,425 |
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