 A
one-hour drive from Windhoek, located in a richly varied landscape with
one of the best stocked private game reserves in Namibia, you will ride
on endless trails covering an area of 100,000 acres. Overnights are at
the luxurious Okapuka Lodge, in comfortable thatched bungalows with
wonderful views of the Okapuka river (bed) and in the Dune Camp, a
permanent tented camp set in the middle of beautiful savannah near a
watering hole. The restaurant offers just the right mixture of a
tranquil relaxed atmosphere with friendly, high quality service. Just
what you'll need after a long day in the saddle. The restaurant is
reputed to be one of the best in Namibia and has an extensive à la carte
menu which combines fresh, local produce with African and European
cuisine.
The riding trails are designed to provide you with as much variation and
choice as possible. Some trails explore the mountains, others follow
mainly ancient game trails on savannah plains. Included in your week is
the overnight ride to the luxurious Dune Camp - a permanent tented camp
set in the middle of beautiful savannah near a watering hole. Imagine
riding amongst herds of giraffe or wildebeest, or watching rhino from a
safe distance! Whether you watch the sun going down on the wild
hartebeest grazing on the lush grass from your dinner table or ride
amongst a herd of giraffe we guarantee you an unforgettable holiday.
 IT-NASR01
Rates include:
Accommodations at the lodge & safari
camp, all meals a la carte, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,995
Single + $350
..... lodging near the stables deduct $145
2006/07 Dates:
any time from Jan 3 to Dec 18 - arrival days are: TU, FR, SU
Meeting: Okapuka
Airport: Windhoek
Transfer: included - $195 if less then 7 nights
Level:
Good
Intermediate
Pace: Walk, trot, canter, gallop
Tack:
African
Stock Saddle - Leon Liversage
Horses:
Registered
Arabians
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters
Max Weight: 90kg (200 lbs) - otherwise a surcharge of 25% may
apply.
Max Riders: 6 riders
Note: If you prefer to have a private riding guide for the 2 of
you, add $495 for the week.
Several times a year you can participate in official Endurance Ride
in Namibia while staying here. 10 days/ 9 nights $ 2,823
This is a luxurious private game lodge with wild game from
giraffe to lions; there are accommodations for 40 people, but the riding
groups are limited to 6 riders. Take a look at local
the wildlife
Game drives are available at an extra charge.
The trails are designed to provide you with as
much variation and choice as possible. Our goal is to ensure that you
ride in some of the most spectacular landscape this planet has to offer
and come into very close contact with the game. You can ride more or
less anywhere with few restrictions. Most of the trails follow natural
paths created over hundreds of years by the local wildlife. As such, a
trip to this enchanting country is a unique experience for adventurous
visitors. The facilities, horses and equipment are of the highest
quality. To guarantee a personal experience we deliberately restrict
riders to groups of between 4-6 led by an experienced guide. To add to
the pleasure of your visit we also offer you luxurious accommodation, à
la carte cuisine and the finest beers and wines of Africa.
Sample 1
week Itinerary
We meet you at
Windhoek airport and transport you to the ranch (75 minutes by car).
Once you're unpacked and refreshed (possibly with a fine lunch depending
on your arrival time) it's time to meet the horses and the rest of our
staff. This is followed by a short ride to allow your horse to get to
know you and, perhaps, you to get to know your horse! After the ride,
over a refreshing drink and an evening barbecue, we explain the
itinerary for the week and give you a briefing on 'living and survival'
in the African bush.
Hours ridden: 1-2
Meals: Lunch and a Braai (barbecue) at the Lion Bar
Day 2
Breakfast at 07.00 comprising tea, coffee, fruit juice, fruit, cereal,
bread, eggs and bacon. At 08.00 we saddle up and depart for a savannah
ride along ancient game trails. During this ride you encounter much of
the wildlife described in the wildlife pages. We return to Okapuka
Ranch for a shower, drinks and a relaxing lunch. After lunch and a
siesta by the pool we saddle up for our afternoon ride. We arrive back
at around 17.00 for a drink at the bar. Dinner is served whenever you
are ready.
Hours ridden: 5
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course gourmet dinner at the
Okapuka Park Restaurant
Day 3 After
breakfast we saddle up and depart for a mountain trail ride. We start
along the Okapuka riverbed then cross the mountains into Leopard Valley.
The valley is protected by the natural mountainous surroundings and,
until recently, has been largely unexplored. Our trail takes us through
spectacular scenery to Leopard Dam. We stop for a well-earned picnic
lunch at a shaded natural spring where those of you who are hardy enough
to try the cool water, can take a dip.
After a 2-hour stop we continue our trek, and having passed Crocodile dam,
eventually arrive back at Okapuka Ranch (16.00). Then it's time for a
shower and a drink before you watch the lions feeding. Dinner is served
whenever you are ready.
Hours ridden: 5
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and a 3 course gourmet dinner
Day 4 Today,
after breakfast, we saddle up and depart for a short ride to the baboon
infested "little Okapuka" Hill. Having ascended the hill we are rewarded
with a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the surrounding hills,
river-beds and savannah-lands. We ride down through ancient riverbeds in
search of majestic kudu and gemsbok. After a short siesta we ride out
towards Dune Camp where we arrive at around 17.00, to be greeted with a
well deserved cold drink, a dip in the small swimming pool, followed by
a hot shower in en-suite private tented bathrooms. The evening meal
consists of a hearty braai with lashings of local beer or wine.
Recollections of the day's experiences are exchanged around the fire
until the seduction of the soft double bed with fresh linen is no longer
resistible. Lights out!
Hours ridden: 6
Accommodation: Dune Camp - the overnight at the Dune camp needs a
min of 2 riders and is weather dependable.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and a tented camp braai
Day 5
Continental breakfast and around 09.00, having saddled up, we depart
once again for a savannah ride. This area is well known for its
Burchell's zebra and gemsbok. We return to our base camp at Okapuka
Ranch for lunch. After a well-earned siesta we depart in search of white
rhinos and white tailed wildebeest, the comics of the savannah. We climb
the Hochland trail to watch the magnificent African sunset over the
adjacent mountains savouring the majesty of Africa with sundowners. This
is followed by a brisk ride in the sunset's afterglow back to Okapuka
Ranch where we arrive, hopefully, before dark. Dinner is served whenever
you are ready.
Hours ridden: 4
Meals: Continental Breakfast, lunch and a 3course gourmet dinner.
Day 6 We
saddle up at 08.30 hrs for a challenging ride. We start along the
Okapuka riverbed towards Crocodile Dam. But instead of dropping down
into Leopard Valley we continue to ride higher and higher. Today our
goal is the top of the highest mountain on the Okapuka estate. Some of
the terrain is so steep that we will have to dismount and lead our
horses. However, once you have reached the top the reward is a view of a
lifetime; both the cities of Windhoek and Okahandja (30 and 45 km away)
lie at your feet. After we have caught our breath, both from the
exercise as well as the breathtaking view, we will descend towards
Okapuka Park Restaurant for a well-deserved late lunch at around 14.00
hrs. The rest of the afternoon is spend relaxing. And dinner is served
whenever you are ready.
Hours ridden:
5 to 6
Meals: Breakfast, late lunch and a 3-course gourmet dinner.
Day 7
Breakfast is taken at a leisurely pace and those of you who wish to take
advantage of the helicopter tour can do so (weather permitting). The
flight is not included in the package price. Those of you who can still
stand the sight of a horse and have energy left can join us for a last
ride. Lunch is taken at Okapuka Ranch. Those who prefer to visit the
famous wood carving market at Okahandja to purchase those promised
presents can do so (not included in the price). In the late afternoon
and early evening there is a lion feed. Dinner, as usual, is served at
Okapuka Park Restaurant.
Hours ridden:
2-4(optional)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a farewell braai at the Lion Bar
Day 8
Breakfast is served until 10.30. After entering your comments in our
Guest Book, you can say goodbye to your horse and the rest of our staff
and continue your journey within Namibia or begin your return journey
home.
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Dune Camp:
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Accommodations
Comfort, style and a glorious view ...
Set along the edge of the park are 16 thatched roof rooms,
specially designed to ensure comfort and luxury, while remaining almost
invisible from a distance, as great architectural care has been taken to
blend the rooms in with the surrounding bush. Equipped with ensuite
bathroom/ toilet, telephone, coffee making facilities, mini bar fridge
and open terrace, the rooms' walls are adorned with paintings by the
well renowned artist von Aschenborn, and tastefully laid out carpets,
made from wool of the local Karakul sheep, evoke the grandeur of times
long gone by.
Another 4 rooms with balcony form part of the mountain lodge. Furnished
with cane and wall to wall carpets, the rooms feature ensuite bathrooms
with toilet/ shower, satellite TV and all other facilities of the Park
rooms. A bonus of course, is the spectacular view of the African
landscape below, gently rolling towards the horizon.
The restaurant, separated from the bar by a water- and rock cascade,
offers a variety of specialties; unusual local game dishes, creative
starters and naughty desserts - all prepared with the particular touch
of the settlers' cooking philosophy, and as such, according to recipes
handed down from generation to generation. Sampling the cuisine, one
will find the cozy, candle-lit atmosphere centering around the open fire
place, while, at the same time, gazing across the green grass of the
park, relishing the dreamlike view of antelope herds grazing.
We now have new rooms called Stable Rooms as they
are opposite the stables. These rooms are suitable for riders who do not
mind a little bit more noise (horses, dogs and the occasional train).
Dune Camp is a permanent tented camp set in the middle of
beautiful savannah near a watering hole. This is part of the Sambulenni
trail and a visit is highly recommended.
Each tent has romantic queen sized beds with cast iron frames and comfy
mattresses in the traditional 'out of Africa' colonial style. Fresh
linen and towels are provided daily. Private shower, flush toilet and
washbasin. Wood-heated 'donkey' boilers provide hot water.
Camp attendants are permanently on hand to cook, prepare drinks, and
ensure there's plenty of hot water for the showers etc.
Porters transport all provisions and your overnight bag(s) from Okapuka
Lodge to Dune Camp.
The camp has a thatched sheltered dining area and a small swimming pool.
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