Damaraland Horse Riding Safari

Damaraland Horse Riding Safari - Namibia

Horse Riding Trail in Namibia

This is a truly exceptional trail: where else can you expect to see elephant, giraffe and rhino in a desert habitat! And you will be surprised at how they have adapted. Damaraland is a very spectacular part of the country, almost inaccessible, with amazing colours and vast open spaces, ancient craters and remnants from prehistoric times, not to mention the forbidding Skeleton Coast. We may encounter elephant, rhino or lion, or be caught by rivers in flood, all of which combines into a tremendous adventure. Each and every Damaraland Trail so far has been an experience of a lifetime!

The going is easier than on the Namib Desert Horse Trail and there is more time for relaxation because we have more days at our disposal, riding is much faster and no mountains have to be crossed. The company is great, as we take only seasoned riders along who have ridden with us before; the itinerary is also much more flexible. The trail is very tough on crew and back-up, however, because roads are few and there is little opportunity to replenish water. It is quite a task to keep up with the logistics (half the trail is unsuited for the truck, water cart or trailer). Nevertheless we love to tackle this extra challenge for the stunning scenery – just once a year and for special riders only!

Day

Route/Activities

Windhoek to Damaraland - We meet you at the airport if you arrive on an early morning flight or in Windhoek if you have spent the night. As soon as everybody is on board we head north. We pick up a packed lunch in Otjiwarongo and later stop for a picnic at the Petrified Forest, or along the road, before driving on to Aba Huab. Meet the horses and crew and settle in at Aba Huab Camp (highly inventive constructions, set up by the local community). In the evening there will be stories and lots of excitement around the campfire: will the elephants pass through at night and how will the horses react?

Be ready for a trial ride after a leisurely breakfast. The afternoon is for sightseeing and a walk among the famous rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. Enjoy the spectacular views of Damaraland and relax until it is time for dinner and another great evening at the campfire.

From Aba Huab we ride across endless plains to Rendezvous and after lunch continue along the Aba Huab River to De Riet. This is where the nerve-tingling starts: we have no idea where the elephants are and whether we might bump into them just around the next bend. Will we make it to the camp before dark?

We continue along the Huab River and across another plain towards Mikberg (where we saw cheetahs last time) to have lunch at the ‘cheetah tree’, followed by a long afternoon ride through fascinating scenery. Our camp is pitched at View Point where we enjoy views of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, and Doros Crater.

From View Point we turn southwest towards the Ugab River. After lunch at Lion Head we set off for a nice long canter. Later we move through a very narrow gorge, pass Soutfontein (Salt Fountain) and arrive at the Rhino Trackers´ Camp near Brandberg West. Keep your fingers crossed that our truck has managed the long way from Aba Huab via Uis in time! Extraordinary driving skills and extra strong nerves are needed for the challenge of taking trucks and trailers through the gorge in one piece. It is only when you fly over this landscape (preferably after the trail!) that you realize how spectacular it really is. Meet the trackers of the Save the Rhino Fund and perhaps see a slide show on request.

Through reeds and lion bush thickets we make our way along the Ugab to Brakwasser, another place of brackish water, frequented by elephants. Once we got trapped in the canyon between two herds of elephant, and on another occasion we rode past a fresh lion kill and on warm tracks most of the morning. Whether we encounter a river in flood, quicksand, dust, reeds or elephants all depends on the previous rainy season. After a brief stop for lunch we turn southeast, away from the Ugab River, and move through another narrow gorge. We pass famous rock formations and otherwise inaccessible Ugab sediments on our way to Steilwand Camp.

We leave the Ugab tributary and enter another vast open plain with spectacular views of Brandberg and Doros Crater. The crater exploded millions of years ago, and the purplish rocks around us are a result of the horrendous blast. We enjoy some marvellous cantering and have lunch at Klippenberg where you can pick up some gemstones. Our camp is at Cross Roads.

We are on our way towards the Messum River. Again there are open plains and happy canters - and spectacular panoramas. Only half the day is spent riding; in the afternoon we go for a scenic drive along the Messum River to see some large Welwitschia plants and places of amazing wind erosion.

We are headed straight for the Atlantic Ocean. Our camp is at Mile 108 on the beach, with no luxury whatsoever, just our trucks and some rudimentary wind shelter. The sound of crashing waves might make you wonder whether they could sweep over your tent at night. Then again, the infamous easterly wind could cause temperatures warm enough for a swim at sunrise...or it could whip up a sandstorm which leaves us with plates flying around. Of course we could also be greeted by dense fog which has everyone shivering and asking for glühwein and a roaring fire! This unpredictable shore is called the Skeleton Coast for good reason!

After breakfast we load the horses and wave them and the crew goodbye. There is an option to saty at the De Duine Hotel in Hentiesbay or the stunning Cape Cross lodge near the seals colony, but special transfers need to be arranged for these options. The cherry on top is a scenic flight in a small aircraft over the route we took or to Sossusvlei (rates depend on the number of passengers); otherwise transfer to Swakopmund or Windhoek by car. Usually we coordinate transfers to save costs and make life easier for you!

Note: Itinerary Description Text supplied by tour operator

Vital Statistics
Duration	10 Days
Cost	Euro 2835
Departures	2008 departures: 25 June
Mode of Transport	Horse
Included	Transfer from Windhoek to Weissenfels, full-board at Weissenfels guest farm, 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.
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.