The Fish River Riding Trail is a 13 day safari combining horse riding, camping and dramatic canyon landscapes, vast desert plains and the mighty Orange River. Participants experience real wilderness areas, which are otherwise almost inaccessible, as well as the freedom of riding without restrictions.

The Fish River Canyon Riding Trail starts off in and along the upper canyon, and runs through 3 nature reserves - Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Canon Park and Aussenkehr Park - which together cover an area of some 220,000 ha. These parks are part of the Nama Karoo Desert biome, situated on the fringe of the transitional area between Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo. The valley of the Orange River at Aussenkehr is the most arid part of the Nama Karoo biome. Aussenkehr Park is also home to a small population of feral Namib horses. They are descended from a group of seventeen horses which were relocated during the 1992 drought, from the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.

Alternatively, it is possible to book part of this trail. The options are:

• The Northern Canyon Trail - 8 days / 7 nights, Sunday - Sunday (Days 1-7 plus a return transfer.) It includes:
  • 6 days riding, 2 days for transfers and an excursion to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon.
• Southern Plains Trail - 7 days / 6 nights, Saturday - Friday (transfer to Canyon Mountain Camp to join the Fish River Canyon to Orange River Trail for days 8-13.) It includes:
  • 4 days riding, 2 days for transfers and a visit to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib.

Horse Riding | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Fish River

The transfer from Windhoek to the northern Fish River Canyon takes about eight hours, including a picnic. In the late afternoon we arrive at Augurabis, an almost forgotten farmstead, well hidden in lush vegetation close to a natural spring in the Gaap River. Augurabis is located in Gondwana Cañon Park, a private nature reserve of some 120.000 ha, dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable tourism. Meet your fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2: Trial Ride

After breakfast and briefings you go on a ‘trial ride' to get acquainted with the horses, the riding style and the terrain that we are going to explore. Take a leisurely ride along the Gaap River and into the surrounding area. The afternoon is at your disposal for relaxation, hiking, taking pictures, etc. Your luggage also needs to be rearranged at this point: pack a small bag with just the necessary items for two days. Vehicle tracks are non-existent or poor in the wilderness, a challenge even for hardened four-wheel drives. They have to transport everything that is needed, but it should be as little as possible. Motorized back-up will only be used for the pioneer rides; pack animals are envisaged for future trails.

Day 3: Augurabis - Koelkrans (‘Cool cliffs')

This is serious riding over varying terrain where you may spot mountain zebra, Oryx, klipspringer and rock hyrax as well as birds of prey and owls. The canyon will greet us with stunning views. We will stop at the lookout point and then descend into the massive gorges. Our camp is pitched at a large natural pool surrounded by steep cliffs. You will no doubt appreciate a swim in this otherwise extremely dry area.

Day 4: Koelkrans to Sandy Beach or Flamingo Bay

The names as extraordinary as the setting. Yes, we might even see a flamingo in the desert. The trail follows a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what lies in store for us! Whether we ride through the canyon or on zebra tracks around the rim depends on the water level in the river.

Day 5: Flamingo Bay - Augurabis

We continue further down the Fish River to where it is met by the Gaap River and then follow the Gaap's own winding and interesting passage upstream, past the desolate ruins of a homestead - incredible that any human being could have lived there - and further on into an unexpected, dense riverine forest. Back at Augurabis you are reunited with all your belongings.

Day 6: Augurabis - Holoog Mountain

Leaving the canyon behind we move on zigzag paths through bizarre weathered rocks towards southeast where the basalt ridges open onto a vast plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell's zebra, springbuck and ostrich as well as herds of Oryx. As we find ourselves in fenceless surroundings we are not bound to a specific route. We camp in a dry riverbed at the foot of Holoog Mountain on wide open terrain with a grand panorama. You have your entire luggage at your disposal and the usual camp facilities and routine are fully operational.

Day 7: Holoog Mountain - Cañon Mountain Camp

We ride through miles and miles of savannah into an area dotted with granite boulders and charismatic quiver trees, to arrive at Cañon Mountain Camp for lunch. The afternoon includes a drive to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon, where ‘ordinary' tourists go hiking and sightseeing. You will be amazed to see where we went with our horses just a few days earlier. Enjoy a little luxury and a very special evening at Cañon Mountain Camp.

Day 8: Cañon Mountain Camp - Fourie se Gat (‘a hole dug by Mr Fourie')

We ride parallel to the Fish River Canyon across vast open savannah where game is abundant. Distant hills form a boundary in the east, while the awe-inspiring canyon landscape accompanies us in the west. Sunsets over the Fish River Canyon ‘bad lands' are spectacular, illuminating the granite hilltops behind you and the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you, with Norotshama peak on the southern horizon.

Day 9: Fourie se Gat - Gamkab Camp

As we approach the Orange River valley the trail is winding through granite hilltops part of the way, until we reach wide open spaces of ever changing scenery. Our campsite is a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

Day 10: Gamkab Camp - Boulders Camp

We ride across a patch of isolated sand dunes and enter the Aussenkehr plains. Our camp is surrounded by boulders, stacked as if giants had been at work with toy bricks. Again, we are not bound to a specific route and can roam our vast surroundings freely

Day 11: last ride

The contrasts are stunning yet again. From the wide, open plain we ride into the very narrow King's Throne Canyon. The view from the lookout point is simply amazing: lush vineyards on the banks of the Orange/Gariep River in an otherwise barren landscape. After another happy canter and a stroll through the vineyards we finally unsaddle at Norotshama River Resort on the riverbank. Take a swim in the pool (or the river) and enjoy sundowners on the river and dinner at the lodge.

Day 12: Klein Aus Vista

Early birds may want to go for a short canoe trip downstream, before we leave for Klein-Aus Vista later in the morning. First we drive along the Orange River, then turn north to Rosh Pinah and continue next to the Diamond Restricted Area to Aus. Join a sundowner excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib, with an experienced guide, later in the afternoon.

Day 13: Windhoek

Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, for a seven-hour transfer. Alternatively you can fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Rosh Pinah on day 12, or from Lüderitz which is an hour's drive from Klein-Aus Vista.

Includes

transfer from Windhoek to Augurabis; full board and lodging at homesteads and lodges and good ReitSafari fare while camping on the trail; scenic drive to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon; transfer from Norotshama Lodge via Klein Aus Vista Lodge with an excursion to the Wild Horses and 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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