Bushmanland Horse Riding Safari

The Bushmanland Trail is only offered on request when enough people are interested to come and ride in this interesting and remote eastern part of Namibia. The terrain and vegetation is typical African Savanna and Woodland with abundant wildlife. Attractions include big game, huge Boabab trees, vast shallow pans after a good rainy season and the Aha hills on the border between Namibia and Botswana.

Vital Statistics
Duration	10 Days
Cost	Euro 2835
Departures	2008 departures: 15 July. Additional departures for groups on request
Mode of Transport	Horse
Included	Transfer from Windhoek – Dornhügel – Windhoek, 2 nights half board at Dornhügel, 7 days riding and camping after Reitsafari fashion, transfer from Rumara to Tsumkwe and later from somewhere in Bushmanland back to Dornhügel.
Excluded	Tsumkwe Lodge accommodation in bungalows offered as luxury supplement at own expense please let us know so we can pre-book this). Bottled and canned drinks, souvenirs and personal expenditure, tips for crew and bushman, extra bushman demonstrations and programs etc.
General info	HORSES and SADDLES: "One of every breed", i.e. Arab, Haflinger, Lippizzaner, Trakehner, Ranch Horses, even the famous wild horses of the Namib desert; small to middle-sized, swift horses raised on rough terrain, some of them with experience in endurance rides, each one of them a kind, reliable companion deserving the very best treatment and care. Comfortable equitation and Western saddle, which we prefer. TERRAIN and DISTANCE: Gravel, sometimes hard and difficult, later sand. On average we cover 35km a day, 6 - 10 hours on horseback. Speed depends on terrain and temperatures as well as on fitness and weight of riders; gait, trot and canter. 6 - 15 riders + 1 - 2 riding guides per group. TENTED CAMP: big igloo-type tents (two people per tent), camp-beds, swags with lambskin, duvet or continental quilt and pillow; folding chairs, hot shower. Luggage is transported on trucks; the riders take short-cuts through the bush or desert and meet the back-up vehicles at camp sites. Camp is erected every sunset; meals are prepared around the open fire, usually "braai" or "potjiekos", typically Namibian and often a surprise. BRING your sleeping-bag, wide-brimmed hat, windcheater, warm pullover, 2 neckerchiefs, long-sleeved shirts, sun-tan lotion, sun glasses, comfortable riding clothes (well-fitting beloved sportswear rather than fashionable brand-new jeans) - bring at least 3 changes -, riding boots/tekkies/chaps/mini-chaps according to habit, leisure wear, towel, water bottle (2l!), torch, gloves, moon bag, lip salve. We strongly recommend riding caps (not wearing them is at your own risk). Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and dealing with horses is essential. You need not be a professional dressage or show jumping rider, but should really feel very much at ease on the back of a cantering horse, have a tough mind and a sense of humour.
Conditions	Our weight limit is 85 kg - anyone heavier has to pay additional 30% for an extra horse. Canned or bottled drinks are supplied by us to your prior instructions and on your account. As we are not liable for any loss, damage or injury on your side, your travel insurance should include accident, health cover, emergency rescue. Day rides and shorter trails may be arranged by individual enquiry. We also offer to handle or help with other travel arrangements around our country. Non-riding company is welcome to join the trucks.

Email us for more information about this tour

Day	Route/Activities
1 Start of riding safari	We try to leave Windhoek no later than 10h00 and drive via Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Grootfontein to Dornhügel, so that we arrive there early enough to meet our crew and horses, go for a swim and enjoy a sundowner and the beautiful sunset in this typically African landscape...
2 Riding in Bushmanland	Tack up and go, no trial ride. We set off directly across farms named Sachsenwald en Oopval, through a vast commercial farming area with palm trees, large pans of water and small coal processing plants. Evening camp at Blystroom
3 Riding in Bushmanland	We enter Eden, a private game reserve, which boasts an amazing variety of game and different bird species. We ride towards the Big Pan and from there, as the crow flies, towards the Omuramba Omatako. It is one of the usually dry riverbeds which fizzle out in the Okavango Swamps in the Kalahari. Lunch at Omatako, night camp at Morestêr.
4 Riding in Bushmanland	We ride a short distance to the nearby loading ramp, load horses and tack and have them transported to Tsumkwe to avoid a rather boring part of Bushmanland. Riders travel from a first world commercial farming area across the Red Line at Rooidaghek into third world communal Bushmanland. We visit a Bushman settlement and join in with day-to-day life. Then we continue to Tsumkwe, visit the souvenir shop and meet the crew and horses near Tsumkwe Lodge. We camp with the horses, but you are welcome to spoil yourself by renting a luxurious chalet at the lodge at your own expense (rates and reservation on request).
5 Riding in Bushmanland	We meet our pick-up at Nyae-Nyae Pan for lunch and continue to the incredible Baobab Tree where we set up camp for two nights. Usually some Ju/'hoansi Bushmen appear out of nowhere and we make an appointment for the next day for them to take us into the bush for a demonstration of their famous hunting and tracking skills.
6 Riding in Bushmanland	We spend the day with the Bushmen and follow elephant tracks.
7 Riding in Bushmanland	We continue to follow the elephants via Maheri to either Baraka or into the vicinity of Grenspos and the Aha Mountains – depending on where the elephants are!
8 Riding in Bushmanland	We definitely want to find elephants and if they are around, the world-famous Bushmen trackers will find them for us. Where we will camp at night is not certain at this stage, but it will probably be close to the Aha Mountains.
9 Riding in Bushmanland	We ride to the main road at the border to Botswana, load the horses and travel back to Dornhügel where we enjoy our last dinner together, share endless stories.
10 Windhoek	After breakfast we drive back to Windhoek.

Bushmanland Horse Riding Safari - Namibia

Horse Riding Trail in Namibia