INTRODUCTION
“Namibia is a Technicolor dreamscape, a land of swirling apricot dunes and shimmering white flats, mirages and dust devils, black-faced impala and crimson-breasted shrike.
Its major game park the Great Etosha Pan, offers an exceptional range and abundance of wildlife. The coastal region is one of the world's most captivating desert regions,
and in the south lies a canyon second in magnificence only to the Grand Canyon itself.”
An exclusive riding safari in a country of exceptional beauty and contrasts: deserts boasting the world’s tallest apricot-colored sand dunes, rugged mountains, rivers and unique wildlife that has adapted to harsh desert conditions (elephant, rhino, lion… even wild horses). Meet and interact with the local bare-breasted Himba tribe.
Four days of riding around the majestic dunes of Sossussvlei, five days of riding in wild Damaraland, followed by a two-day photographic safari in Etosha National Park. The three different venues are linked via private charter flight. Comfortable and sophisticated accommodation throughout.
LOGISTICS
Day 1 – Thursday Sept. 3
Meeting point: Windhoek, Capital of Namibia. Upon arrival you will be transferred from Windhoek International Airport to “River Crossing” located on a private game reserve just outside Windhoek, to unwind and spend your first night out in the majestic Namibian landscape. o/n River Crossing
Day 2 – Friday Sept. 4
After a leisurely breakfast, a 45mn dramatic scenery flight takes us over the Naukluft Valley to Sossussvlei where our guide will meet and drive us to our base, the Desert Homestead Lodge. Lunch will be served once we have settled in.
Afternoon ride to introduce and match horse with rider. Sundowner drinks and snacks on a mountain side before riding home under the stars. o/n Desert Homestead Lodge
Day 3 – Saturday, Sept. 5
Today, we leave for the first of our two-night fly camps (hot showers and long drop toilets are provided at all camp sites) riding out into the valleys, along the sweeping slopes of the edge of the Namib Desert’s rocky topped foothills with chances of picking up on desert wildlife such as the Oryx, a bat eared fox or even the elusive Aardwolf. Lunch is provided under a shady tree where stretcher beds are set-up for those who would like to take a short nap. In the afternoon a shorter fun ride meanders along a dried out sandy river bed with windy canters through the flood plains and (for those who want to) the opportunity to jump sage bush under hoof. We reach a welcoming site where the lodge team have set up the tents, lit the campfire and are on hand to take care of our horses. Sundowner drinks and snacks precede dinner cooked over an open fire. o/n Fly Camp
Day 4 – Sunday, Sept. 6
After a cooked breakfast (over the open fire) we set off towards the red dunes that tantalize us in the distance. Loping upwards and through the boulders of the hills into the deep red sand, we look down over massive plains as far as the eye can see and go for widespread long, steady canters feeling like we are the only ones there. Desert game such as springbok and ostrich can be seen and ridden up close to. We rest up with a saddle bag picnic at the top of a ridge. It is however later, from the top of another hill, as we dramatically descend to our fly camp for the evening, that we are treated to one of the most spectacular vistas to be seen - a view to die for ! o/n Fly Camp
Day 5 – Monday, Sept. 7
After breakfast we ride out into the vast expanse that lies in front of us towards a back drop of mountains. The terrain, as always, allows many wonderful relaxed loping canters. We reach Desert Homestead in the late morning for a refreshing shower and lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, chance to relax by the pool, climb the nearby rocky outcrop to view the sunset or go for a last sundowner horse ride. o/n Desert Homestead Lodge
Day 6 – Tuesday, Sept. 8
With packed bags we drive before sunrise to the famous Sossussvlei sand dunes inside the Namib National park. The sunrise over these dunes is one of the “must see” on a visit to Namibia. This is followed by breakfast and a flight over the dunes as we fly northwards to our next destination: Damaraland. An hour drive through the scenic Grootberg pass takes us to the lodge perched on top overlooking the rugged beauty of the bush below where baboons bellow from the surrounding crags.
A late lunch/ big tea is followed by an introduction and an evening ride along the top of the plateau on local Damara horses, the only breed from which to see and appreciate this kind of country. Used originally as local transport, these horses would have many stories to tell. They are great characters. o/n Grootberg Lodge
Days 7, 8 – Wednesday / Thursday, Sept. 9 & 10
Early morning departure, packed for a three-night sleep out with the horses, using a similar camp as on the first 2 nights, this time nestled amongst big round boulders. The riding is very different starting with quite a steep descent off the plateau. Then a chance to experience the amusing sensation of the Damara horses, an unbelievable tripling trot along the dirt red access road we need to take. We then make our way into the bush community land where local Damara tribes and their domestic animals live alongside the wildlife. Following animal footpaths over stonier ground we move along the grassy river flood plain banks and through sandy river beds. There will be chances to track and find the Desert Elephant in his red earth war paint and the Rhino that reside in this area as well as see other game scramble up the hill sides, such as mountain Zebra and Kudu.
There is much to explore in this area; beautiful sites and falls to visit during lunch as well as interact with the local people and sample some delicacies. Here is a fine example of how everyone can survive without impacting this unique wilderness. o/n Fly Camp
DAY 9 – Friday, Sept. 11
Today we move to another camp-site run by the local community. Arriving for an early lunch, in the afternoon we will drive to meet another very exotic tribe of people called the Himba that are bare breasted and plastered in red mud from head to foot. These people are very proud of their traditions which we will get experience first hand. Later, we return to our camp and rested steeds for our last night around the camp fire. o/n Fly Camp
Day 10 – Saturday, Sept. 12
We make our last epic ride back up the pass to the welcoming Grootberg lodge for lunch. After a refreshing shower, we can relax by the pool and reflect over our riding adventures. Those who would like to ride again later can do so, or choose to descend by vehicle into the scenic valley below, or enjoy the full hospitality of this spectacularly situated lodge also partly owned by the community. o/n Grootberg Lodge
Day 11 – Sunday, Sept. 13
A chance to enjoy tea or coffee in bed with the breathtaking view between your feet!
We leave by vehicle for Palmwag Airstrip to fly further north to Onkoshi Camp nestled on a peninsula on the eastern rim of the world famous Etosha Pan, an area teaming with wildlife. All the rooms, tastefully equipped with locally crafted fittings and furnishings, are built on elevated wooden decks with thatched roofs, canvas walls and large wooden-framed retractable doors allowing spectacular panoramic views over Etosha Pan. Three nights will be spent at this exclusive, eco-friendly camp. o/n Onkoshi Camp
Days 12 & 13 – Monday & Tuesday, Sept. 14 & 15
The next two days include guided morning, afternoon and night game drives to surrounding areas of the park with access to exclusive areas within the north-eastern sand veldt area of For the intrepid, guided walks and moonlight walks on the Etosha Pan are also available. o/n Onkoshi Camp
Day 14 – Wednesday, Sept 16
After a leisurely breakfast, charter flight back to Windhoek and connection to your on-going international flight.
End of Services
