ReitSafari HorseTrails Namibia - Namib Desert Trail

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Namib Desert Trail

Crossing the oldest desert in the world on horseback you will experience all of central Namibia’s spectacularly fascinating contrasts: from the Khomas Hochland Mountains and the escarpment to the Kuiseb Canyon, the Tinkas, Tumos and Welwitschia plains, the Moon Valley, the seasonal Swakop River, the coastal dunes and the Atlantic Ocean. This is an experience of a lifetime!

Details

Windhoek to Swakopmund: 13 days, 12 nights, Sunday to Friday. 1½ days on the ranch, 9 days riding (400 km from the central highlands to the Atlantic Ocean), 1½ days at the coast (Swakopmund).

Itinerary

Day 1: We meet you in Windhoek and take you 120 km southwest to Weissenfels guest farm, where you spend the first two nights. You are introduced to your riding guides and fellow-riders and have time for relaxation and a good rest.

Day 2: After a leisurely breakfast we go for a 'trial ride' - meet your horse and get used to tack and terrain. It is a ride of about two hours to match horses and riders and smooth out any problems, be it with tack or something else. The afternoon is again for your own disposal.

Day 3: Luggage and riders are transferred to neighbouring farm Hohenheim after breakfast, 10 minutes away. This is where we finally start off on our riding adventure: cross-country on game and cattle tracks through the bush savannah of the central highlands (1500-2000 m above sea level) towards the escarpment, where the highlands drop into the plains with stunning views of endless hills and steep rockfaces in constantly changing colours. An easy descent takes us to the campsite where our back-up vehicles are waiting. After a good meal, cooked on the campfire, and some jokes and chatting about the day's events you retire to your tent or sleep under the stars.

Day 4: A long and exerting, but particularly memorable day awaits us! We ride over the Hakos Mountains (2000 m), along dry riverbeds and on the tracks of mountain zebra, Oryx and baboons, past leopard caves and thorn bushes. This is pristine 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 at Natas, another remote and rugged Namibian cattle farm.

Day 5: First we venture into the shaft of a long-forgotten gold mine not far from our camp; then it is a short ride (20 km) along dirt roads to the red sand dunes of Rooisand on the fringe of the Namib Desert. In the early afternoon we arrive at our campsite, beautifully situated at the foot of Gamsberg, the third highest mountain in Namibia. Just before sunset we might visit a natural shelter in the mountain to see Bushman paintings.

Day 6: We are riding through the semi-desert between the Gaub and Kuiseb valleys; past remote, abandoned farms towards Namib-Naukluft Park (500 000 ha).

Day 7: On Saturday we enter the largest nature conservation area in Africa. The Skeleton Coast Park, Namib Naukluft Park and Sperrgebiet extend along Namibia’s entire coastline up to a width of some 100 km. We ride through the bizarre Kuiseb Canyon and alongside its banks and camp at Aruvlei, an interesting oasis in the Namib. Marvel at the incredibly beautiful African sunset and myriads of stars.

Day 8: Another long, tough day and non-stop sunshine! See mountain zebra, Oryx, ostrich and springbuck while crossing the desert’s gravel plains as the crow flies. For our lunch break we stop at Ganab, a borehole which provides much-needed water for the game in the desert. Then we are off again, to Hotsas (Tinkas and Tumas plains). After the considerable distance that we have covered that day, our camp with the prospect of chilled drinks and a relaxed dinner is a particularly welcome sight.

Day 9: We canter happily towards Poacher's Turn and Marble Mountains, encountering strange shapes and mirages, fascinating survival devices of desert adapted creatures, infinite space and tremendous solitude.

Day 10: We continue through unspoilt, true desert landscape where you will see unique Welwitschia plants. Close to the coast we enter the spectacular Moon Valley. It is our last night on the trail and we camp out under the stars, around the campfire in the dry riverbed of the Swakop near Goanikontes.

Day 11: It is Wednesday again and we joyfully ride along the Swakop valley until we reach the dunes and then at last the ocean shore at Swakopmund. Our first glimpse of a town in ten days! For the next two days we stay in comfortable holiday chalets and our horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in cosy stables.

Day 12: Bareback to the dunes, at a gallop on the beach - will your horse go for a swim?

Day 13: On Friday morning we have breakfast together and say goodbye to friends and horses. Air Namibia flies from Walvis Bay to Windhoek, Johannesburg and Cape Town. You can also catch the Mainliner Bus to Windhoek.

Be sure to return for another trip - to Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast or elsewhere in Namibia!

Rendezvous Point

From Windhoek International take the airport bus or a taxi into town. We meet you either at 10h00 or at 16h00 (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 is one of the toughest trails in the world you have to be physically fit as well as fit to ride; you should have a good sense of humour and extensive riding experience. Six to eight hours in the saddle per day, all paces (see General Information).

Departure Dates

Trail Dates for 2008

30 March - 11 April
3 - 15 August
24 August - 5 September
14 - 26 September

Costs

€ 2,500.00 (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 Weissenfels; full board and lodging at Weissenfels guest farm and good ReitSafari fare on the trail and in Swakopmund.

Excluded: bottled and canned drinks; souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew; activities in Swakopmund, e.g. dolphin cruise; transfer or flights from Swakopmund to Windhoek.