ReitSafari HorseTrails Namibia - Desert Vista Trail

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Desert Vista Trail

Dunes and desert – let's go! With just a few time slots left between all our exciting trails we have devised a shorter, more relaxed trail on historic ground in the area of the Wild Horses of the Namib, next to the Restricted Diamond Area. It is a circular trail of five or six days which starts and ends at Klein-Aus Vista’s Desert Horse Inn and Eagles Nest.

The area around Aus, a little village close to Klein-Aus Vista, is quite unique in Namibia. It has even been called Namibia's Switzerland – due to occasional snowfalls which may cover the mountains with a white blanket, although usually for only a few days at most. More importantly it is an area with an exceptionally diverse flora because three desert biomes overlap here: the Namib Desert, the Succulent Karoo and the Nama Karoo. Depending on the rainfall, wild flowers may be out in bloom forming colourful carpets in spring or even in autumn. As the trail combines a variety of landscapes, from mountains to vast open plains and sand dunes, riding will be slow in some places, but fast with exhilarating canters in others.

Details

Windhoek - Windhoek: 8 days, 7 nights. Four and a half days riding, 2 days for transfers, a visit to the Wild Horses, a day in Lüderitz with a visit to Kolmannskuppe.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet us at 8h00 at the Tourist Information kiosk in central Windhoek. The kiosk is at the airport bus terminal and taxi rank opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel. Please let us know about your travel arrangements in advance so that we can contact you in case of delays. Driving from Windhoek to Aus takes about eight hours, including a picnic. We arrive at Klein-Aus Vista's Desert Horse Inn, in the late afternoon. Meet your fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2: Meet the horses and get mounted to follow a rocky trail, built by German soldiers, to an old ‘transport and breeding station’ in the Aus Mountains. After lunch we continue through this interesting mountainous terrain to our first camp, pitched at Leopard’s Gorge in ReitSafari fashion. You may spot oryx, kudu, klipspringer and rock hyrax as well as birds of prey during this ride.

Day 3: Leopard’s Gorge to Kuckaus Camp. The day starts slowly but picks up momentum as we cross some mountain slopes before venturing onto the red sandy plains of Rooikam (Red Ridge). In the afternoon it is mostly downhill to an eccentric inselberg called Kuckaus. Imagine a totally unspoiled landscape of vast desert plains with a few prominent hilltops.

Day 4: Kuckaus Camp to Paddaputs (Frogs’ Well). After breakfast we explore the fascinating diversity of fauna and geology around Kuckaus Mountain. Then we are heading north again across the plains, parallel to the border of the Restricted Diamond Area, to some smaller rocky outcrops and our next camp.

Day 5: Paddaputs to Ausweiche. Riding uphill to the watershed we come across the old transport or ox wagon route between Aus and Lüderitz. One simply has to admire the people of those early years who conquered the desert at the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions. We follow the old route for a while and then turn to the big ‘Sand Ramp’ at Ausweiche. This ‘dune’ at the foot of Saddle Hill affords the most magnificent view of the desert home of the Wild Horses of the Namib.

Day 6: Ausweiche to Eagles Nest or Geisterschlucht. Across sandy plains we return to Klein-Aus Vista for lunch. The afternoon is for relaxation as well as a sunset excursion to the Wild Horses.

Day 7: After breakfast we drive west through the desert towards the harsh Atlantic Coast and visit the ghost town of Kolmanskuppe where diamonds were mined early last century. We also spend some time in Lüderitz and drive back to Klein-Aus Vista past the Wild Horses in the afternoon. Goodbye dinner at Desert Horse Inn at Klein Aus Vista.

Day 8: Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer. Alternatively fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Luderitz airport on Day 7 after visiting Kolmanskuppe.

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

Rendezvous Point

From Windhoek International take the airport bus or a taxi into town. We meet you at 8h00 (to be confirmed prior to arrival) at the Tourist Information kiosk opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel in the city centre. Kindly let us have your flight number and contact details in Windhoek, should you arrive earlier. We are happy to assist with your arrangements and ensure that all works out well.

Conditions

To enjoy the trail you have to be physically fit as well as fit to ride; you should have a good sense of humor and extensive riding experience. You will spend six to eight hours in the saddle every day; all paces (see General Information).

Departure Dates

Trail Dates for 2009

27 October – 3 November

Costs

€ 1,500.00 (includes 15% Value Added Tax)

NB: SADC citizens may ask for a generous rebate. Must be able to provide proof of citizenship!

Included: transfer from Windhoek to Klein-Aus Vista, full board at lodges and good ReitSafari fare while camping on the trail, excursion to the Wild Horses, picnics, visit to Lüderitz and Kolmanskuppe, transfer back to Windhoek.

Excluded: bottled and canned drinks on the trail and at lodges and homesteads; souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew; drinks at lodges; flights, if applicable, from Lüderitz bucht; airport transfers.