ReitSafari HorseTrails Namibia

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The Team

A wise man once said: “In the desert you meet nobody except yourself.” Luckily our team goes where you go...to make sure that you loose nothing but your heart in the desert.

You are accompanied by a highly professional, well-qualified and very experienced team wanting you to enjoy the desert as much as your horse, while having a safe ride while falling in love with our marvellous country. Even when we are busy with various chores, at least one of us will be approachable at all times. Each trail includes at least two riding guides, two truck drivers, two packers and someone in charge of the horses.

We were all born and bred on African soil and have some or other commitment to the desert environment, to horses and to tourism. We have ridden across the desert more than a hundred times; since each trail is about 400 km, the total distance equals once around the globe. We can tell you unforgettable stories! When we are asked whether we ever get tired of doing this the reply is: “No, we are always on holiday! Because of the temperatures in the desert our riding season lasts eight months. This means we only work part of the year... and when we work we are on holiday with other people! Do us a favour, please enjoy your holiday as much as we enjoy our work!”

Trails of this dimension require a variety of different skills: apart from exceptional ‘horse people’ you need good farriers, mechanics for the supply trucks, tour guides, a cook, a tack-maker, off-road drivers, a logistics manager, someone for marketing and finance, and reliable office staff of course.

Claudia - When you come on a trail with us you will first meet Claudia who pulls the strings in the office in town. She will happily answer all your questions and help with your travel arrangements. She has been on quite a number of trails herself. When extra hands were needed Claudia jumped in as a second riding guide or as a driver. With her tourism and hotel management background and her experience in running a farm she is tremendously suited to coordinate all the different aspects of trail logistics. Just watch her answer the phone while at the same time operating the fax machine, typing some details and listening to instructions from Waldi and Telané, and you will have no doubt that she knows what she does!

		Telané - does not really like talking but nevertheless has so much to say, especially when horses are discussed. If she could, she would love to create a recreational resort for horses. But for the time being - while dreams do not always come true immediately - she makes a hundred percent sure that the horses on trail are happy horses, well trained, totally fit and equipped with saddles and bits that fit perfectly well, of course. Telané strives for the perfect match of horse and rider, which is a guaranty for success: when you dislike your horse you won’t enjoy your holiday even if the rest is fine – BUT when you like your horse, everything else can go wrong and you will still feel that you had a great riding holiday.

Telané is the Number One expert on the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert. Visiting them in her company is an experience of a lifetime!

		Waldi - Chief riding guide, truck driver, campfire cook and coordinator, has done around a hundred desert trails on a remarkable number of horses. As fit as a jack-in-the-box! “Life is far too precious to spend in a boring office”, says the modern gypsy. Life is so exciting: during the riding season every month consists of two weeks on horseback, one week in town and one in the office! Where home is? Oops, something to think about – probably where the bedroll is. By the end of the season we are fit enough to dance straight through a party night!

You will probably meet Waldi with her Land Rover and mobile phone somewhere between Windhoek, the airport and the farm. Or in the desert, sporting a cowboy hat and riding boots, giving some last minute instructions while mounting her horse for another exhilarating fast canter or gallop. Any suggestions for a new challenge? Don’t hesitate, our team will take it on immediately!

Frederic - nicknamed Damab (meaning “black”), is the small man who drives the big truck... or takes over as chief riding guide when Waldi is driving the truck. He has been on every single trail arranged by ReitSafari during the past 16 years; he shoes all the horses and takes care of logistics. He is very polite, utterly reliable... and a marvellous campfire cook. He seems shy but he really has a very cheerful nature and loves to listen to you - or tell you what he thinks of riding camels.

Emma - packs the kitchen trailer and, among other things, peels the potatoes. She does not mind grooming horses and sleeping out somewhere amongst jackals and hyenas – which is very unusual for local ladies. Talk to her and you will meet a very special local lady.

Martin - called Doimab, is a nephew of Frederik’s and one of those who stay. He was with us on trail when he was a teenager and has kept coming back. Eventually he set his mind on being with us forever and developed a special potential for solving mechanical problems.

Among the many others are Lazarus, Moses, Jonas, Justus, Izak, Abraham and Michael... happy children of the desert who look forward to meeting you while they are with us.

People often say that we resemble nomads. In fact the true nomads are our indigenous workers who come and go as it suits them. And here we have a problem: introducing them is difficult. Somebody who was still with us yesterday may have left last night, and someone presented here now may be gone by the time you come to see us.

The Fish River Canyon Trail
ReitSafari's new challenge for enthusiastic riders!
Combining dramatic canyon landscapes, vast desert plains and the mighty Orange River...
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