ReitSafari HorseTrails Namibia - Fish River Canyon Trail

Language: English l Deutsch

		Fish River Canyon Trail Itinerary Download Please download or print detailed PDF itinerary, inclusive rates and maps: Fish_River_Canyon_Trail.pdf (400 KB)

		Please note that the 'Acrobat Reader' version 4.0, or later is required to view the document. If you do not have the required version, it is available from www.adobe.com.

Fish River Canyon Trail
ReitSafari's new challenge for enthusiastic riders!

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 recognised 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, 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.

The Fish River 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 seventeen horses that were relocated during the 1992 drought from the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.

Alternatively, if your time is limited, you can also book just part of this trail:

A. Northern Canyon Trail - 7 days, 8 nights. 5 days riding (1 trial ride), 2 days transfers and a visit to the main viewpoint at the Fish River Canyon.

B. Southern Plains Trail - 8 days, 7 nights. 5 days riding, 3 days transfers and a visit to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.

Details

Windhoek-Windhoek: 13 days, 12 nights, 9 days riding, 3 days transfers, a visit to the main view point at the famous Fish River Canyon and an afternoon/ sunset drive to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet 8h00 at the Tourist Info kiosk in Windhoek, where airport busses and taxis stop (Windhoek central, opposite Kalahari Sands Hotel). Please inform us in advance of your flight or hotel arrangements, in order for us to find you, in case of delays. Transfer of about 8 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive late afternoon at Springfontein, a nearly forgotten spring, where rhinos and elephant quenched their thirst about 100 years ago in this barren and stark landscape. Springfontein is located on a private farm along the Sout (salt) River, which is a tributary to the Fish River north of the Main Canyon. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2: Have breakfast and briefings and go on a “trial ride” where you meet and match with the horses and adapt to riding style and the terrain we will explore. 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.

Day 3: Ride from Springfontein to Koelkrans (“cool cliffs”). Riding over variable terrain, to meet the Canyon with a stunning view, stop at the view point and descend into the canyon. Camp at a large natural pool surrounded by steep cliffs. Go for a much appreciated swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. You could see mountain zebra, Oryx, klipspringer and rock dassies, as well as birds of prey and owls, on the way.

Day 4: From Koelkrans 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.

Day 5: Augurabis to Grenspos. Serpentine away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges ends onto a vast plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell’s zebra, springbuck, ostrich and herds of Oryx. As we ride in a fenceless environment riding is not limited to a specific route. We camp at the Mule Station from where Mule Trails Namibia is operated at the foot of Holoog Mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama. All luggage available and back to ReitSafari's usual camp facilities and routine.

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 will include a drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon, where the normal tourists go hiking and sight seeing. Enjoy some luxury and a very special evening at Mountain Camp.

Day 7: Parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Fourie se Gat (‘a hole dug by Mr. Fourie’). 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 Ais-Ais Hot water springs. In the morning we follow the road for some way winding through granite kopjes to the famous hot water springs at Ais-Ais Resort. There we camp and spent the afternoon in the hot or cold swimming pools relaxing possible sore muscles.

Day 9: From Ais-Ais to Gamkab Camp. In the morning we follow the road out of the Fish River Valley again to arrive upon wide open plains. We meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

Day 10 : From Gamkab Camp to Boulders camp. Riding over a patch of isolated sand dunes onto Aussenkehr plains 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 11: The last ride. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, onto a view point 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 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 the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with and experienced guide.

Day 13: 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 12 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or Luderitz airport (one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista).

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

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 humour and sufficient riding experience. It entails six to eight hours riding per day, all paces (see General Information).

Departure Dates

Trail Dates for 2008

9 - 21 May
25 May - 6 June
5 - 17 October
20 October - 1 November

Costs

€ 2,835.00 (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 Springfontein; 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.

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 Rosh Pinah or Lüderitzbucht; airport transfers.