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| Bushmanland Horseriding Trails - Namibia & Botswana - 10Days |
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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 savannah and woodland with abundant wildlife. Attractions include big game, huge baobab trees, vast shallow pans after a good rainy season and the Aha hills on the border between Namibia and Botswana.
Details: Windhoek to Windhoek: 10 days, 9 nights. 2 days transfer, 7 days riding.
Conditions: Similar to other trails you should be physically fit as well as riding-fit, have a good sense of humour and sufficient riding experience. 6-8 hours riding per day, all paces (ref. General Information).
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Day 1
We try to leave Windhoek not 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 our sun-downer and the beautiful sunset in this typically African landscape.
Day 2
Tack up and go; no trial ride, but go directly over farms named Sachsenwald en Oopval, vast commercial farming area with palm trees, large pans of water and small coal processing plants. Evening camp at Blystroom.
Day 3
Enter the private game park Eden,which has an amazing number of game and different bird species. We ride towards the big pan and from there as the crow flies towards the usually dry Omuramba Omatako, one of those dry riverbeds flowing towards the Okavango Swamps in the Kalahari. Lunch at Omatako, night camp at Morestêr.
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Day 4
Ride a small distance to the nearby loading ramp, load horses and tack and let them travel to Tsumkwe to avoid a very boring part of Bushmanland. Riders travel from first world commercial farming area across the Red Line at Rooidaghek into third world communal Bushmanland. We visit a Bushman settlement and join their day-to-day life. Drive on to Tsumkwe, visit the souvenir shop and meet the crew and horses near Tsumkwe Lodge. We go camp with the horses, but you can happily spoil yourself by renting a luxurious bungalow at the lodge at own expense (price and reservation on demand).
Day 5
We meet our pickup at the Nyae-Nyae Pan for lunch and continue to the incredible Baobab Tree where we set up our camp for 2 nights. Usually some Dxo.hwe-bushmen show up 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.
Day 6
We spend the day with the Bushmen and follow the tracks of the elephants.
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Day 7
Following the elephant via Maheri either to Baraka or into the vicinity of Grenspos and Aha-Mountains - depending where the elephants are!
Day 8
We definitely want to find elephants and if they are there, the world famous Bushmen will help us track them down. Where ever we shall camp at night cannot be said yet, probably close to the Aha-Mountains.
Day 9
We ride to the main road (Botswana border), load the horses and travel back to Dornhügel. We shall enjoy our last dinner together, share endless stories and who knows, make plans for another riding trip!
Day 10
After breakfast transfer back to Windhoek.
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2009 Rates Eur2835
Departure date 2009 - Upon request and on minimum of 6 people
Price Includes: 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.
Price Excludes: Tsumkwe Lodge accommodation in bungalows offered as luxury supplement at own expense (please let us know in time so that we can proceed reservations – Bushmanland is not on the map and communication is most difficult).
Also excluded are bottled and canned drinks, souvenirs and personal expenditure, tips for crew and bushman, optional activities such as bushman demonstrations etc.
As the company is not liable for any loss, damage or injury on your side, your travel insurance should include accident, health cover and emergency rescue.
Meeting point:
On arrival day your pick-up is at 8h00 (will be confirmed before the trail) in Windhoek at the Info Kiosk and bus terminal opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel (take airport bus to Windhoek).
Kindly inform us about your flight details and hotel or guesthouse in Windhoek, should you arrive earlier. If needed, we can happily find other arrangements to be sure that everything works out well.
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General Information:
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. Saddles are 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), campbeds, swags with lambskin, duvet or continental quilt and pillow; folding chairs, hot shower. Luggage is transported on trucks; the riders take shortcuts through the bush or desert and meet the back-up vehicles at campsites. 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.
Weight limit is 85 kg - anyone heavier has to pay an additional 30% for an extra horse.
We also offer to handle or help with other travel arrangements around Namibia. Non-riding company is welcome to join the trucks. |
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