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Horse Riding in Namibia
An exciting group of three new trails for riders who enjoy wild, open spaces! You need to be physically fit to enjoy these rides to the utmost.
  
SPECIAL FEATURES
The Fish River Canyon is arguably one of the finest canyons of the world and this is a rare opportunity to ride in the region. All the trails include a trip to the Wild Horses of the Namib, led by a highly qualified biologist who has completed a PhD study on these horses.
Options
Namibia is a country full of surprises and contrasting scenery. There are many safari tour operators in Windhoek who can offer a variety of trips to Etosha Game Reserve, the Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei sand dunes as well as extended tours of the southern areas. Non riding company is welcome to join the truck.
| RIDE NAME |
Dates 2010
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TYPE OF RIDE |
Namib Desert Trail
2,500 Euros |
5 - 16 April
2 - 13 Aug
23 Aug - 3 Sept
13 - 24 Sept |
12 days, 11 nights (9day's riding) - camping - very challenging - need to be fit, 6 - 8 hours in the saddle per day. |
Fish River Canyon
2,835 Euros |
25 May - 5 Jun
15 - 26 Jun
5 - 16 Oct |
12 days, 11 nights (9 day's riding)- visit the famous fish river canyon - rider's need to be fit. |
| QUICK FACTS |
| Riding ability |
Strong Intermediate plus |
| Duration |
As above |
| 2010 Dates |
As above |
| Accommodation |
Lodges and camping |
| Group Size |
6 to 15 |
| Meeting Place |
Windhoek Town Centre |
Cost 2010
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As above, 30% deposit
Prices are quoted in Euros, however, payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking. |
| Flight Guide Cost |
£500 |
| Includes |
Transfers from Windhoek Town Centre to start of ride and return, full board accommodation, lodges and camping |
| Excludes |
International flights, insurance, gratuities, alcoholic and soft beverages except where stated, personal expenditure. airport to town transfers, accommodation in Windhoek, activties in Swakopmund and lunch and dinner in Swakopmund |
| Body weight limit |
85kg. Riders above this limit can pay a 30% surcharge for an extra horse |
GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION
Climate
The rides are run at the end of the rainy season in May/June and again in October/November before the rains commence. Be prepared for chilly nights and warm days always with the possibility of rain.
Riding
Rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains, about 20-40 km a day, spending six to eight hours in the saddle. The pace depends on the terrain and temperatures as well as on the fitness and weight of the riders.
Camping
Large 2 man tents with camp beds and swags (canvas bedrolls) consisting of lambskin, duvet or quilt and pillow. A hot shower in the wilderness is a memorable luxury. Meals are prepared at the open fire - typically Namibian and often a surprise.
Guides
You are accompanied by a highly professional, well-qualified and experienced team which wants you to enjoy the desert as much as your horse does while having a safe ride and falling in love with Namibia. Each trail includes at least two riding guides, two truck drivers, two packers, cooks and someone in charge of the horses. All the team were born and bred on African soil and have some or other commitment to the desert environment, to horses and to tourism. They have ridden across the desert more than a hundred times and can relate unforgettable stories around the campfire!
Horses
Arab, Haflinger, Lipizzaner, Trakehner, ranch horse, even cross-breeds of the famous wild horses of the Namib Desert; they are small to medium-sized sure-footed horses raised on rough terrain, and every one of them a kind, reliable companion that deserves the very best treatment. Care is taken to ensure that you are given the right horse to suit your riding ability and personality.
Tack
Saddles are either of the lightweight Western variety or a tailor-made combination of a Western and a stock saddle, specially designed for the horses’ comfort as well as our own needs. All saddles come with saddlebags and water bottle holders. Bridles are either fitted with snaffles or are bitless.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIDES
Namib Desert Trail
Crossing the oldest desert in the world on horseback is an experience of Namibia’s contrasting scenery from Khomas Hochland Mountains and escarpment to the Kuiseb Canyon, Tinkas, Tumas and Welwitschia plains, coastal dunes and the Atlantic Ocean. An experience of a lifetime! This ride is not for the faint hearted. Riders must be physically fit as well as fit to ride. You should expect to be in the saddle for 6 – 8 hours per day at all paces.
Fish River Canyon Trail
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. It has a combination of dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious desert plains and the mighty Orange River offering riding on countryside and wilderness with out limitations. Riding will commence in and along the upper Fish River canyons where you will experience part of the canyon not seen by many. 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 ride 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 the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.
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Namibia