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 after the endless Nama Karoo plains inspire easy 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 at the airport and taken to the lodge located in a game reserve overlooking Windhoek. The afternoon can be spent at leisure by the pool or doing a sundowner ride or visit Windhoek, a charming small city. In the evening you will have dinner with the group and meet your fellow riders. |
| Day 2: | Head towards the Fish-Canyon area which is a transfer of about 8 hours. You will picnic along the way at arrive late afternoon at the Fish- River Mule Station meeting crew and guides. 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). |
| 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 will 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. Go for a much appreciated swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. Climb up to Horse shoe camp for the night. |
| Day 4: | Horse Shoe Camp to Augurabis. The ride may follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. 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. |
| Day 5: | Augurabis to Grenspos. 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 at the foot of Holoog mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama. All luggage is available again. |
| Day 6: | Grenspos 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, individual photographic excursions or sun downer walks. Enjoy some luxury and a very special evening at Mountain Camp. |
| 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. As we ride towards the Orange River basin, we follow the road for some way winding through granite kopjes. Unlimited space, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River. |
| Day 9: | 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 10: | The last day of riding. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Thorn Canyon 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 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 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 12: | Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast. This is a 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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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 |
| 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 | $5,150 |
| Single Supplement | Not available |
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