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| Fish River Canyon Complete Horse Riding Safari (12 days) |
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This trail certainly meets the aspirations of the Central Namib Desert as well as the Damaraland-Skeleton Coast Trail. With a combination of dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious Desert plains and the mighty Orange River, this trail offers the opportunity to experience both inaccessible countryside and real wilderness areas as well as riding without limitations. The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognised as one of Africa’s most magnificent sites; it is also the second largest canyon in the world. Riding will commence in and along the upper Fish River canyons where, after the endless Nama Karoo, the plains invite you for everlasting canters, only to be stopped by the Orange/Gariep River, which forms the southern border of Namibia. Distances covered daily will vary between 20 and 55 kilometres.
Africa's Greatest Canyon – Orange River Trail crosses over three private parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park, altogether covering an area of about 220 000 ha. These Parks fall within the Nama Karoo Desert biome and are on the fringe of the transitional area between Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo, the Orange River basin at Aussenkehr being the most arid part of the Nama Karoo biome. Aussenkehr Park is also home to a small Namib Feral Horse population, descended from seventeen horses that were relocated during the 1992 drought from the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.
Details: Windhoek-Windhoek: 12 days, 11 nights, 9 days riding, 3 days transfers, a visit to the main view point at the famous Fish River Canyon, a drive along the Orange River and an afternoon/ sunset drive to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.
Alternatively this Trail can be done in two halves for those with limited time:
Northern Canyon Trail – 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days riding, 2 days transfers and a visit to the main viewpoint at the Fish River Canyon.
Southern Plains Trail – 7 days, 6 nights, 4 days riding, 2 days transfers and a visit to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.
PLEASE CONTACT FOR MORE DETAILS IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS TO CONSIDER THIS OPTION
Conditions: Since this trail is similar to the Namib Desert Horse Trail, you should be physically fit as well as riding-fit, have a good sense of humour and sufficient riding experience. It entails six to eight hours riding per day; all paces (see General Information).
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Day 1
Meet 8h00 at the Tourist Info kiosk in Windhoek, where airport busses and taxis stop (Windhoek central, opposite Kalahari Sands Hotel). Please inform us in advance of your flight or hotel arrangements, in order for us to find you, in case of delays. Transfer of about 8 hours including a picnic along the way and time for foto-shooting,chat to your fellow-riders. Arrive late afternoon at Fish-River Mule Station; meet your guides and local crew. Unpack your luggage into a smaller bag for the following 2 days to come. Terrain is inaccessible for larger trucks and we thus take small bags only.
Day 2
After a relaxing breakfast, riding over variable terrain, reaching the amazing plateau, and continue along the edge until we reach HorseShoeCamp. During lunch break we admire the stunning, breathtaking view! In the afternoon along serpentines until we reach Koelkrans (the cooling rocks) with a huge waterhole surrounded by a very steep and narrow canyon. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the usually very dry area. We climb up to Horse shoe Camp.
Day 3
From Horse Shoe Camp to Augurabis. The ride might follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what is waiting for us! Whether we ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the top will depend on the water level in the river. The ride in the riverbed is difficult and demanding but then we make our way up on a steep tract to the Plato before we cross some plains to find the unexpected forest at Augurabis in the Gaap River. Augurabis is situated on Gondwana Park, a private park of about 120 000 ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Stunning views, unbelievable space and awesome scenery! |
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Day 4
Augurabis to Grenspos. Serpentine away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges ends onto a vast plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell’s zebra, springbuck, ostrich and herds of oryx. As we ride in a fenceless environment we are riding wise not limited to a specific route and can go where the game is. We camp at the Mule Station from where Mule Trails Namibia is operated at the foot of Holoog Mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama. All luggage available and back to our regulat camp facilities and routine.
Day 5
Grenspos to Mountain Camp. Ride through endless savannah into an area strewn with granite boulders and charismatic quiver trees, to arrive for lunch at Mountain Camp. The afternoon is free for leisure and relaxation and individual photographic excursions or sun downer walks. Enjoy the luxury of en-suite bath rooms, made-up proper beds and a very special evening at Mountain Camp.
Day 6
After breakfast drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon, where the normal tourists go hiking and sight seeing. Drink a typical Namibian draft at Canyon Lodge on the way back and feast on home-made bread, meats, cheese and veggies for lunch. Tack up early afternoon to ride parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Kanabis |
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Day 7
Kanabis to Fourie se Gat (‘a hole dug by Mr. Fourie’).Wake up to the awesome sight of the shadows and colours of the view over the Canyon area towards the west. Then ride through the Euphorbia dotted plains and further on among granite hills to camp nestling onto a Quartz ridge. Usually you can enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Fish River Canyon ‘bad lands’ to the west, the Granite kopjes behind you and the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you, with Norotshama peak on the southern horizon
Day 8
Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. In the morning we follow the road towards the Fish River Valley and then parallel to it to arrive upon wide open plains. We meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.
Day 9
From Gamkab Camp to Boulders camp. Riding over a patch of isolated sand dunes onto Aussenkehr plains to a camp surrounded by stacked boulders which could only have been the work of giants. Again, riding is not limited to a specific route, as we can roam freely in a vast environment |
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Day 10
The last ride. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, onto a view point surprisingly displaying the Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another happy canter and some strolling through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River. Go for a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners on the river and dinner at the lodge.
Day 11
Maybe go for a short canoe trip down the river and leave late morning for Klein-Aus Vista. Driving along the Orange river to Rosh Pinah and then along the Spergebiet (Restricted Diamond area) to Aus. In the afternoon set off on a Sundowner excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with and experienced guide.
Day 12
Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer. Alternatively an option is possible to fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Rosh Pinah airport (on day 12 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or Luderitz airport (one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista).
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2010 Rate
Euro 2835.00/person
2010 Departure Dates
22 March - 03 May
05 May - 16 May
Price Includes: Transfer from Windhoek to Springfontein, full-board accommodation at homesteads and lodges and while camping on the trail, sight-seeing drive to Fish River Canyon Main Viewpoint, transfer from Norotshama Lodge via Klein Aus Vista Lodge as well as the excursion to the Wild Horses and the transfer back to Windhoek.
Price Excludes: Bottled and canned drinks on trail and at lodges / homesteads, souvenirs, tips for local guides and crew, drinks at Lodges, flight costs if flying from Rosh Pinah or Lüderitzbucht airports, transfer to airports.
Please note that if you would like assistance in booking accommodation pre or post your horse ride, along with airport transfers, please contact us.
Meeting Point
Pick-up on arrival day at 8h00 (will be confirmed before the trail) in Windhoek at the Tourist Info kiosk opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel (take airport bus to Windhoek or taxi to Info kiosk). Kindly inform us about your flight details and hotel or guesthouse in Windhoek, should you arrive earlier. |
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General Information
Horses and Saddles
“One of each breed", i.e. Arab, Haflinger, Lipizzaner, Trakehner, ranch horse, even cross-breeds of the famous wild horses of the Namib Desert; they are small to medium-sized (14.3 to 16 hands) sure-footed horses raised on rough terrain, some of them with experience in endurance riding, and every one of them a kind, reliable companion that deserves the very best treatment and care. We use comfortable equitation and Western-style saddles to properly fit the horse as well as the rider.
Terrain and Distance
Rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains – at times the going is tough and difficult. On average we cover 20-40 km a day, spending six to eight hours in the saddle. The pace depends on the terrain and temperatures as well as on the fitness and weight of the riders. Gaits: walk, trot, canter; gallop on demand. 6 to 12 riders plus up to 2 riding guides per group.
Camping
Large dome-shaped tents (two participants sharing) with camp beds and swags (canvas bedrolls) consisting of lambskin, duvet or quilt and pillow; folding chairs, hot showers. Luggage is transported by truck; the riders take short-cuts through the bush or desert and meet the back-up vehicles at the camp site. Camp is pitched at sunset; meals are prepared at the open fire, usually a ‘braai’ or ‘potjie’ (casserole) - typically Namibian and often a surprise.
Equipment
Bring a warm sleeping bag (nights can be very cold), a set of warm clothes including a jacket or all-weather coat (for the occasional cold front, even snow), a wide-brimmed hat, a windcheater, a warm sweater, 2 neckerchiefs, long-sleeved shirts, sun lotion, sunglasses, at least 3 changes of comfortable riding clothes (tried and trusted sportswear rather than brand-new fashionable jeans), riding boots/trainers/chaps/mini-chaps according to preference, leisure wear, towel, water bottle, torch, gloves, moon bag, lip balm, a small bag for everything you need for 2 days. We strongly recommend riding caps or cycle helmets (riding without protective headgear is at your own risk).
Conditions
Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and handling horses are essential. You do not need to be an accomplished dressage rider or show jumper, but you must feel totally at ease on the back of a cantering horse; in addition you should be mentally strong and have a sense of humour.
We apply a bodyweight limit of 85 kg - anyone heavier than that pays a 30% surcharge for an extra horse.
We also offer to handle or help with other travel arrangements around Namibia. |
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