Horseback Riding in Namibia
RIDE TO THE SEA |
|
This is an endurance ride through a region of overwhelming beauty and isolation. It crosses 400 kms of the world's oldest desert from central Namibia to the Atlantic Coast, with practically no contact with civilization of any kind before reaching the sea. Participants must be prepared for 9 consecutive days of riding, which will challenge one's physical strength, stamina and riding ability. In the desert's constantly changing topography, riders gain a deep appreciation for the remarkable horses, and the fascinating flora and fauna which have adapted to this beautiful, austere environment.
The scenery and horses are spectacular. I fell in love with the desert and thought the pace of the ride was challenging, but exhilarating.
- Nancy Hutson
I have nothing but respect and admiration for the horses we rode: tough as nails, impossibly agile and sure-footed, fit and enduring beyond belief, reliable and safe, and with great personalities. As for our guide she proved to be an exceptional woman. Her ferocious love of Namibia, her knowledge of the country's history, culture, flora and fauna, her wonderful sense of humor, her quiet leadership, her politeness and the way she cared for us and her horses made me feel like a friend of the family.
- Florence Bautista
|
|
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met on arrival day at Windhoek airport (Hosea Kutako airport) and transferred to a B&B in Windhoek. Here you will meet the rest of your riding group for dinner and your guide will brief you about the ride. |
| Day 2: | After breakfast, depart Windhoek on a transfer to the starting point of the ride (2-3 hours). After a light lunch, get to know your horse on the first ride. The evening will be spent at a tented camp or guesthouse, and a good meal and drinks will settle all into the flow of the ride. |
| Day 3: | Continue on your riding adventure: cross-country on game and cattle tracks through the bush savannah and plains with stunning views of endless hills and steep rock faces in constantly changing colours. Ride onto and over the Hakos Mountain Range (2000m). There will be chances to see mountain zebra, oryx, and other game, as well as leopard caves and tracks. The geologically fascinating landscape is characterized by caves and precipices. This night’s camping is spent around a campfire in either a tent or stretched out under the stars. |
| Day 4: | A long and exerting, but particularly memorable day awaits! Ride over tricky terrain, along dry riverbeds and on the tracks of mountain zebra, oryx and baboons. This is unspoiled countryside with stunning panoramic views... and you are sure to appreciate a hot shower and a good meal at the end of this day! Our camp is somewhere down the escarpment, remote and rugged on a Namibian desert farm. |
| Day 5: | Another memorable day, riding to the fringe of the Namib Desert ever further away from the Gamsberg-the third highest mountain in Namibia. Sunset is usually stunning after another beautiful day. |
| Day 6: | Enter the largest nature conservation area in Africa (an area as large as the British Isles). The Skeleton Coast Park, Namib Naukluft Park and Sperrgebiet Park extend along Namibia’s entire coastline (2000km) up to a width of some 100 km. Ride through the bizarre Kuiseb Canyon and camp at Aruvlei, the place where Henno Matin and his friend hid their car. Marvel at the incredibly beautiful African sunset and myriads of stars. |
| Day 7: | This is a long, tough riding day with non-stop sunshine! See mountain zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok and if you’re lucky, desert warthogs, while crossing the gravel plains. Here it has been known for the mountain zebra to run alongside riders on one of many canters. Stop at Ganab, a borehole that provides much-needed water for the game in the desert. Then you are off again, to Hotsas (Tinkas and Tumas plains). |
| Day 8: | From Hotsas ride across the desert to Poacher's Turn and Marmorpforte; a place of desert mirage, endless spaces and solitude. |
| Day 9: | Continue through true desert landscape where you will see unique Welwitschia plants. Close to the coast, enter Moon Valley and ride into the dry riverbed of the Swakop River. The campsite is located under palm trees and Prosopis of the Goanikontes Oasis. |
| Day 10: | Today's ride will be an exhilarating one, across the Swakop River Valley to the dunes of the Namibian coast, and then at last to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund. This will be the first sight of a town in ten days. Spend the night in bungalows, while the horses enjoy their well-earned cozy stable. Share you farewell dinner and final night with your fellow adventurers. |
| Day 11: | Depart after breakfast returning to Windhoek by road. This is a 4-5 hour transfer.
** To avoid the travelling time by road to Windhoek it is possible to make special road transfer to Walvis Bay International airport at the end of the ride, and then fly direct from Walvis to Johannesburg** |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Windhoek |
| Length of Ride | 11 days, 10 nights and 9 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-8 Maximum-15 |
| Riding Per Day | 6 - 10 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 | March 30-April 9, April 26-May 6, June 6-16, Aug 1-11, Sept 19-29
|
| 2012 Price | $5365.00 |
| Single Supplement | $280 |
| Additional Information | Ride price is set, guaranteed and final at the time deposit is paid.
|
|
|
|
|
