The Desert Vista Horse Trail is a circular trail of 5 or 6 days, which takes in diamonds, dunes and desert! This is a relaxed trail on historic ground in the area of the Wild Horses of the Namib, next to the Restricted Diamond Area. The trip includes transport to and from Windhoek and the ride starts and ends at Klein-Aus Vista's Desert Horse Inn and Eagles Nest.

The area around Aus, a little village close to Klein-Aus Vista, is quite unique in Namibia. It has even been called (a little exaggerated to be honest) Namibia's Switzerland - due to occasional snowfalls which may cover the mountains with a white blanket, although usually for only a few days at most. More importantly it is an area with an exceptionally diverse flora, because 3 desert biomes overlap here; the Namib Desert, the Succulent Karoo and the Nama Karoo.

Depending on the rainfall, wild flowers may be in full-bloom, forming colourful carpets in spring or even in autumn. As the trail combines a variety of landscapes, from mountains to vast open plains and sand dunes, riding will be slow in some places, but fast (with exhilarating canters) in others.

• Horses used are 'one of each breed,' i.e Arab, Haflinger, Trakehner, ranch horses and even cross-breeds of the famous wild horses of the Namib Desert. They are small to medium (14.3 to 16 hands) horses, sure-footed and a kind and reliable companion, deserving the best treatment and care.
• Comfortable and equitation and Western-style saddles that fit both horse and rider.
• The terrain includes rocky hills, riverbeds and gravel plains - at times the going is tough.
• Distance covered per day is between 20-40km.
• Hours in the saddle is 6-8hrs.
• Camping is in large domed-shaped tents, with camp beds and canvas bedrolls.
• Luggage is transported on trucks; the riders ride across bush or desert as the crow flies and meet the back-up vehicles at camp sites.
• Camp is pitched at sunset and meals are prepared on an open-fire, usually a braai or potjie.
• Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and handling horses are essential.

Horse Riding | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Klein Aus Vista

Driving from Windhoek to Aus takes about eight hours, including a picnic. We arrive at Klein-Aus Vista's Desert Horse Inn, in the late afternoon. Meet your fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2: Introduction

Meet the horses and get mounted to follow a rocky trail, built by German soldiers, to an old ‘transport and breeding station' in the Aus Mountains. After lunch we continue through this interesting mountainous terrain to our first camp, pitched at Leopard's Gorge in ReitSafari fashion. You may spot oryx, kudu, klipspringer and rock hyrax as well as birds of prey during this ride.

Day 3: Leopard's Gorge - Kuckaus Camp.

The day starts slowly but picks up momentum as we cross some mountain slopes before venturing onto the red sandy plains of Rooikam (Red Ridge). In the afternoon it is mostly downhill to an eccentric inselberg called Kuckaus. Imagine a totally unspoiled landscape of vast desert plains with a few prominent hilltops.

Day 4: Kuckaus Camp - Paddaputs (Frogs' Well).

After breakfast we explore the fascinating diversity of fauna and geology around Kuckaus Mountain. Then we are heading north again across the plains, parallel to the border of the Restricted Diamond Area, to some smaller rocky outcrops and our next camp.

Day 5: Paddaputs - Ausweiche.

Riding uphill to the watershed we come across the old transport or ox wagon route between Aus and Lüderitz. One simply has to admire the people of those early years who conquered the desert at the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions. We follow the old route for a while and then turn to the big ‘Sand Ramp' at Ausweiche. This ‘dune' at the foot of Saddle Hill affords the most magnificent view of the desert home of the Wild Horses of the Namib.

Day 6: Ausweiche - Eagles Nest or Geisterschlucht.

Across sandy plains we return to Klein-Aus Vista for lunch. The afternoon is for relaxation as well as a sunset excursion to the Wild Horses.

Day 7: Luderitz

After breakfast we drive west through the desert towards the harsh Atlantic Coast and visit the ghost town of Kolmanskuppe where diamonds were mined early last century. We also spend some time in Lüderitz and drive back to Klein-Aus Vista past the Wild Horses in the afternoon. Goodbye dinner at Desert Horse Inn at Klein Aus Vista.

Day 8: Windhoek

after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer to Windhoek. Alternatively fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Luderitz airport on Day 7 after visiting Kolmanskuppe.

Includes

transfer from Windhoek to Klein-Aus Vista, full board at lodges and good ReitSafari fare while camping on the trail, excursion to the Wild Horses, picnics, transfer back to Windhoek.

Excludes

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).

Experience

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

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.
Should we get into a sand storm (June/July from Day 8-11 of the Namib Desert Trail) we shall leave the desert immediately either for Swakopmund or our ranch.
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.

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