Ride Overview
Namibia has many great natural assets, not least of these are its dramatic landforms – remote, inaccessible and rugged – and yet etched with poignantly delicate colors. From Twyfelfontein to the Skeleton Coast, the sheer remoteness of this challenging horse riding safari makes it unsuitable for inexperienced riders since encounters with elephant, rhino and even lion are possible. On the other hand, this could be the most thrilling riding adventure of your life!
Spend eleven of the most magical days living 24/7 with your horse in the great Namib desert. Sleep under a canopy of stars that fill the sky so fully you may find it hard to find any darkness. Ride with zebra and see free ranging black rhino and elephants. Sure this is a “camping trip” but with hot showers, a full bar cart for lovely sundowners (happy hour) as the sunsets and varied daily meals served around the campfire – this is a journey that will be a highlight of your life.
Dates: 2024 – July 24-Aug. 3, Sept. 4-14
Rate: $7,250.00 USD or £5,800 GBP per person sharing. Single Supplement: $285.00 USD or £200 GBP
Included
- 2 nights hotel accommodation
- 8 nights open air accommodation
- All meals during the ride
- All beverages during the ride
- Horse and all tack
- Guiding Services
- Airport transfers at pre set time
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Drinks at hotels/lodges
- Additional horse fee for riders over 185 lbs (including riding gear)
- Transfers outside of pre set time
- Staff gratuities
Day 1
Arrive to Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako Airport – in time for pre-dinner briefing and safety talk with your riding guide. Overnight at a hotel in Windhoek
Day 2
After an early breakfast, transfer by vehicle to places north enroute to the start of the ride - it's about a 7 hour trip altogether. On the way, you'll stop for lunch and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein - a series of ancient rock engravings and petroglyphs that date back 5,000 years - before arriving in the camp along the Aba Huab River. A welcome sundowners awaits you with the Crew.
Light sleepers - take note - elephant sometimes walk through the camp at night!
Days 3 and 4
Off you go! Starting early, you'll spend the next days riding along the Aba Huab and Huab rivers and up to the top of the mountains for a spectacular view of Damaraland's dramatic Geology - be sure to have your camera on hand! This is the start of your westward journey to the distant Atlantic Ocean.
In these ephemeral river systems, the cycles of rainfall dictate the season movement of game which is not concentrated, so you can encounter elephants, rhino, oryx, springbok and other desert adapted game!
Days 5 and 6
One of the most amazing parts of this ride - these next days will take you from rivers to plains - the change in topography is remarkable and invigorating. You'll ride down to the Ugab River, and then follow its course finally coming out onto the huge and and open coastal plains - perfect for long gallops. You'll LOVE how the pace quickens considerably!
This area is full of glacial valleys, impressive tableland mountains exhumed by erosion, folds an fractures that have resulted in cataclysmic eruptions - all of which present a well preserved snapshot of a land of great antiquity.
Days 7 to 10
The next days are spent exploring the breadth of the coastal plains,. On the way, you'll venture to the Messum crater and finally, the vast Atlantic Ocean where a welcome overnight awaits you at a luxury Beach House.
You'll be crossing the vast open plains with the striking massive Brandberg (burning mountain) as a dramatic backdrop. Endless plains allow for the fast paced riding you'll love as you approach the Messum Caldera, the eroded remains of a massive collapsed volcano.
Your last ride takes you across huge desert plains to the ocean - at last! This is the spectacularly formidable Skeleton Coast, apparently so called for the wrecked hulks of stranded ships which dot this rugged coastline. The cold upwelling Benquela current results in some diverse weather conditions from hote desert easterlies to cold south Atlantic westerlies and lots of fog. I's truly a place of extremes!
You'll overnight in the small coastal town of Henties Bay in a wonderful private house with the most spectaular view over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 11
Departure for Windhoek Airport (about a 6 hour transfer) , arriving in time for flights departing after 3PM
