ReitSafari HorseTrails Namibia - Africa’s Greatest Canyon Trail

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Africa’s Greatest Canyon Trail

This trail certainly meets the aspirations of the Central Namib Desert as well as the Damaraland-Skeleton Coast Trail. With a combination of dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious Desert plains and the mighty Orange River, this trail offers the opportunity to experience both inaccessible countryside and real wilderness areas as well as riding without limitations. The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognized as 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 you will experience part of the canyon not seen by many. After the endless Nama Karoo, the plains invite you for everlasting canters, only to be stopped by the Orange/Gariep River, which forms the southern border of Namibia. Distances covered daily will vary between 20 and 55 kilometres.

Africa’s Greatest Canyon Trail crosses over three private parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park, altogether covering an area of about 220 000 ha. 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 being the most arid part of the Nama Karoo biome. Aussenkehr Park is also home to a small Namib Feral Horse population, descended from the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.

Details

Windhoek-Windhoek: 12 days, 11 nights, 81/2 days riding, a visit to the main view point at the famous Fish River Canyon, a drive along the Orange River and an afternoon/ sunset drive to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.

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. Riding over variable terrain, reaching the amazing plateau, and continue along the edge until we reach HorseShoeCamp. During lunch break we admire the stunning, breathtaking view! In the afternoon we ride along 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 the usually very dry area. We climb up to Horse shoe Camp for overnight.

Day 4: From Horse Shoe Camp to Augurabis. The ride might 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 Plato before we cross 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! 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: To Fourie se Gat (a hole dug by Mr. Fourie) We meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cozy spot…and look forward to an unforgettable 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 a vast environment.

Day 10: The last ride. Stunning contrasts again; ride from the wide-open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, onto a viewpoint surprisingly displaying the Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another happy canter and some strolling through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River. Go for a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners on the river and 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 the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with and experienced guide. Last night at Desert Horse Inn.

Day 12: 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.

Take note: Routes can be changed due to unpredictable weather and other unforeseen conditions!

Conditions

Since this trail is similar to the Namib Desert Horse Trail, you should be physically fit as well as riding-fit, have a good sense of humor and sufficient riding experience. It entails six to eight hours riding per day, all paces.

Departure Dates

Trail Dates for 2010

22.04.2010 - 03.05.2010
16.09.2010 - 27.09.2010

Costs

€ 3.550,00 (includes 15% Value Added Tax)

Included: Transfers from Windhoek airport to River Crossing and onto Mule Station; full board and lodging at homesteads and lodges and good ReitSafari fare while camping on the trail; scenic drive to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon; transfer from Norotshama Lodge via Klein Aus Vista Lodge with an excursion to the Wild Horses and transfer back to Windhoek airport.

Excluded: Drinks at lodges and homesteads; souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew; flights, and transfers if applicable, from Rosh Pinah or Lüderitz. Extra nights at Luderitz.