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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Namibia
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Great Namibian Canyon Trail
Namibia
Namibia
Imagine: the second largest Canyon in the world combined with African game,
wild horses and vast desert plains! The Great Namibian Canyon Trail combines
dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious desert plains and the mighty
Orange River. It offers the opportunity to experience both inaccessible
countryside and real wilderness areas, as well as riding without
limitations.
The trail takes you right up to the canyon rim to
experience the stunning views from the top, before descending into the
canyon and exploring alongside the Orange River. The trail then leads
away from the canyon and takes you across open savannah plains and
rocky landscapes to reach Klein Aus Vista. Here you have the chance to
see the wild horses of the Southern Namib Desert.
The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognized 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 you will experience part of the canyon not seen by many. 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. The Canyon 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 the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.
The shorter Fish River Canyon Ride is the ideal getaway for those who do not like camping that much, or don't have enough time to get away for the longer rides. Explore the Fish River Canyon
with good plains game viewing opportunities and inspiring canyon landscapes with amazing rock formations - all in comfortable accommodation and traditional hospitality
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Camping Ride with vehicle support
Progressive Ride (no camping)
Safari Ride
Ride with Western Tack
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Meeting:
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Winhoek
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Airport:
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Windhoek
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Transfer:
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Windhoek, drop off Cape Town
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Riders:
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Min
8 riders
Max
15 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
All accommodations and meals, drinks in (camp)
11 day trip: 4 nights camping, 4 nights lodge, 2 nights tented lodge
| A | 2013 | 11 day trip, AP | 11d / 10n | £3600 | $5760 |
Minimum Deposit:
~$50.00 per person
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from/to Windhoek Airport included
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First night is in a local guesthouse in Windhoek. Riders can meet the group there or we will provide a transfer from the airport for you.
Drop off will be in Cape Town, South Africa
Tour Dates for 2013
Available for group bookings only (min of 8)
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Rates do not include:
Drinks at lodges and homesteads; souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew.
Day 1: You will be met at Windhoek International Airport and transferred to Wmdhoek to rest and refresh. At 14h30 your riding group departs on a 3- hour road transfer, driving south from Wmdhoek to a guest farm to spend the night.
Day 2: After breakfast the group heads towards the Fish-River-Canyon area. A road transfer of about 5 hours before we arrive by lunch at Mule Station, our overnight stop. Meet your guides and friendly crew, and after lunch meet the horses and go on a short trial ride to familiarise horses with riders. That evening at Mule Station, pack bare necessities for the next 2 nights into a small bag. Roads are inaccessible for the larger safari vehicles that meet up with us again on Day 5.
Day 3: The morning ride follows the 4x4 track to a place called Koelkrans (cool cliff) next to the Fish River where we take the welcome opportunity for a swim. In the afternoon we ride back out of the canyon to one of the most spectacular camp sites, called Horse Shoe Camp.
Day 4: From the edge of the canyon, down zebra paths, along rocky tributaries down to the Fish River. Ride along the river to a lunch spot at Sandy Beach, the last opportunity to swim in the Fish River. We make our way up and over the mountain on a steep track, to the unexpected oasis of Canyon Outpost in the Gaap River.
Day 5: A long, fast exhilarating day's ride across the black limestone plateau during the morning and then through endless savannah into an area strewn with granite boulders and dotted with charismatic Quiver trees, to arrive at Mountain Camp. Enjoy the luxury of en-suite bathrooms, beds with linen and a very special evening at Mountain Camp.
Day 6: We visit the Main Viewpoint overlooking the Fish River Canyon before lunch, back at Mountain Camp. Winding through milk bushes across the plains to Kanebis, you will most probably spot some game along the way and enjoy the evening stories around the open campfire.
Day 7: Ever changing scenery awaits us, a 'Smarties box' of geological formations and depending on rainfall, this day could deliver good game viewing. Camping against a rock wall at Fourie se Gat (a hole dug by Mr. Fourie) and enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
Day 8: Enthusiastic riders can ride along a dirt road through granite outcrops. Alternately, travel by motorvehicle to Ais-Ais hot springs along this same road, to spend the morning relaxing in warm water while your horse runs loose to the lunch spot at Mnt. Elena. The topography unfolds into wide-open plains and the afternoon ride will cross some of the best riding plains in the world, to our camp in the dry Gamkab River.
Day 9: Riding over endless plains we can roam freely in a vast environment, to isolated sand dunes in Aussenkehr Nature Park, then on again to a camp surrounded by stacked boulders which could only have been the work of giants.
Day 10: The last ride. Stunning contrasts again; ride from the wide-open plains, where we could encounter the Wild Horses, into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon and on to a viewpoint, surprisingly revealing the Orange/Gariep River flanked by vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another canter and some strolling through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River.
Day 11: Depart on a 7/8-hour road transfer for Cape Town.
Please note: Itinerary routes and accommodation are subject to change, due to circumstances unforseen and beyond our control.
Additional attractions:
Many guests extend their Namibia experience from this point with an add-on itinerary. Guided canoe safaris on the Orange River, or if it's big game viewing you're after, a charter flight will take you to world famous Etosha Pan, for unmatched big game viewing and a few nights of luxury in a unique treetop camp, or a desert fort. We'd be happy to make any enquiries and bookings on your behal£
Meeting:
Winhoek
Airport:
Windhoek
Transfer:
Windhoek, drop off Cape Town
Distance:
360 miles
First night is in a local guesthouse in Windhoek. Riders can meet the group there or we will provide a transfer from the airport for you.
Drop off will be in Cape Town, South Africa
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Tack:
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Western-style trail saddles
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Horses:
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Arab, Haflinger, Lipizzaner, Trakehner, ranch horse, even cross-breeds of the famous
wild horses of the Namib Desert, etc
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Pace:
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15 to 35 miles
a day, 6-8 hours in the saddle. You should be a fit and experienced rider. The pace depends upon the terrain and temperatures but there are many long fast trots, canters and gallops.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong Intermediate+
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Weight:
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Max
190 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
8 riders
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Max
15 riders
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Riding helmets are mandatory for this ride.
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Horses
Your horse will be chosen from a mixed herd of many breeds i.e. Arab, Haflinger, Trakehner, ranch horses, 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.
Tack
We use comfortable skirted saddles (endurance type) to properly fit the horse as well as the rider. Each saddle is fitted with 2 specially made water bottle holders with water bottles supplied. You may bring your own western shaped sheepskin bumnah if you normally ride with one. You will be responsible for grooming checking over and tacking up your own horse.
Riding experience
Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and handling horses are essential in order to be able to enjoy these rides. You need not be an accomplished dressage rider or show jumper, but you must feel totally at ease on the back of a cantering horse; and be prepared for the riding adventure of your life!
We often ride 50 kms or more a day and often at a fast pace and sometimes over uneven terrain – so you must be secure and balanced in the saddle at all paces for many hours a day.
Terrain
We travel through rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains, open sandy plains and undulating sand dunes – sometimes the going is tough and difficult and can be quite challenging. Occasionally you may need to dismount and walk with your horse for some sections. Often there are wide-open spaces suitable for lovely long canters, and several areas of rolling sand dunes. The rides are challenging, and therefore requires riders with strong personalities, and a sense of humor that will see you through the tough moments!
Distance
On average we cover 20-50 km a day, spending up to eight hours in the saddle on some days. Other days may be less. Pace depends on the terrain and temperatures as well as on fitness and weight of riders with walk, trot, canter and gallop. Because Namibia has such wide-open spaces it is possible to accommodate up to 15 riders on most trails plus 2 - 3 riding guides.
Riders Weight
We have a normal riders weight of 85 kg dressed in your riding gear – fit riders heavier than this and very welcome but there will be surcharge in order for you to have the use of a 2nd or possibly a 3rd horse to share the work load on these long rides. Surcharge depends on weight and the ride you choose.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from Namibia required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above fo. more
Windhoek has a semi-desert climate, very hot in summertime with mild winters, but temperatures tend to drop each night. Average temps in wintertime (June to August) range from 43F/6C to 70F/21C. Nights are cold but temperatures normally do not dip below 32F/0C. Popular times to travel to Windhoek is between March and October, with April to June being the peak travel months, when the rainfall is the lowest and temperatures are fairly mild. Namibia receives about 300 days sunshine a year on average. Droughts tend to come once a decade to the region.
We recommend bringing a warm (3 or 4 season) sleeping bag as nights can be very cold. (basic bags can be hired from us in advance if required at GB pounds 15 per trip)
One set of warm clothes including a jacket or all-weather coat or fleece, especially for winter months
Light weight water proof/wind breaker jacket
Tracksuit pants, warm sweater
Wooly hat, gloves
Comfy shoes for around camp
Towel, soap and other toiletries, Personal medications, plasters, rehydrates etc
Sarong and flip-flops for moving to and from the shower
Wide-brimmed hat/ cap for when not riding
Shorts, casual tops
Torch, smaller head torch and spare batteries
Small binoculars
Camera
Sufficient batteries for cameras and spare memory card.
Once you leave Windhoek you should assume there will be no cell phone coverage or electricity available for charging batteries etc so bring enough batteries for the duration of the ride.
For riding
Light weight-riding helmet (riding without protective headgear is at your own risk and only if your insurance still covers you without one).
At least 3 changes of comfortable riding trousers (tried and trusted riding wear rather than brand-new fashion)
Comfortable short riding boots/trainers/ long chaps/mini-chaps according to your preference
Several neutral colored long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, polo shirts etc
Buff (for covering your neck and face from sun and dust)
Lots of socks, underwear ,2 neckerchiefs/bandanas. Riding gloves
Sun block, lip salve, talcum powder
2 pairs sunglasses on strings, .
A bum bag, to wear whilst riding for lip balm, sunscreen and a small camera.
Remember it can get very hot in the desert during the day – so you should be prepared to “ cover up “
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
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..view other reports for different trips
Type of accommodations
All rides stay in Guest farms/ lodges/ guesthouses on the first and last nights of the ride. These accommodations vary but are all comfortable, twin-bedded rooms, mostly with ensuite facilities.
Camping on the ride
We provide large dome-shaped tents (two participants sharing) with camp beds and swags (canvas bedrolls) consisting of lambskin, duvet or quilt and pillow, folding chairs and hot showers. Many guests choose to take their camp bed and swag and sleep out under the canopy of the desert stars - a very special experience. Camp is normally pitched at sunset with meals prepared on the open fire, usually a ‘braai’ or ‘potjie’ (casserole) - typically Namibian and often a surprise.
Most guests are happy to share accommodations – but you may request on booking single accommodation in the guests houses at the beginning or end of the trail subject to a supplementary charge. We will always try to supply a single tent if requested – but sometimes due to varying circumstances this may not always be possible.
Meals and drinks
All meals are included in the package – Breakfast is typically porridge or cereal, cold meats and cheese. Lunch can be packed sandwiches or on some days we meet up with the truck for a cold salad. Supper is a delight of tasty stews, or fish and vegetables with a surprise dessert made on the open fire. Vegetarian meals are available – please let us know your requirements when booking.
Tea, coffee and juice are always available with other cool drinks, beers, wine etc in the evenings.
All drinks are included in the cost whilst on the ride – please let us know your drink preferences by completing the questionnaire form when booking. Only drinks at the guest farms and restaurants, petrol stations etc are not included in the package rate.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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|
Western-style trail saddles
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Arab, Haflinger, Lipizzaner, Trakehner, ranch horse, even cross-breeds of the famous
wild horses of the Namib Desert, etc
|
|
Pace:
|
|
15 to 35 miles
a day, 6-8 hours in the saddle. You should be a fit and experienced rider. The pace depends upon the terrain and temperatures but there are many long fast trots, canters and gallops.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Strong Intermediate+
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
190 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
8 riders
|
Max
15 riders
|
|
Horses
Your horse will be chosen from a mixed herd of many breeds i.e. Arab, Haflinger, Trakehner, ranch horses, 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.
Tack
We use comfortable skirted saddles (endurance type) to properly fit the horse as well as the rider. Each saddle is fitted with 2 specially made water bottle holders with water bottles supplied. You may bring your own western shaped sheepskin bumnah if you normally ride with one. You will be responsible for grooming checking over and tacking up your own horse.
Riding experience
Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and handling horses are essential in order to be able to enjoy these rides. You need not be an accomplished dressage rider or show jumper, but you must feel totally at ease on the back of a cantering horse; and be prepared for the riding adventure of your life!
We often ride 50 kms or more a day and often at a fast pace and sometimes over uneven terrain – so you must be secure and balanced in the saddle at all paces for many hours a day.
Terrain
We travel through rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains, open sandy plains and undulating sand dunes – sometimes the going is tough and difficult and can be quite challenging. Occasionally you may need to dismount and walk with your horse for some sections. Often there are wide-open spaces suitable for lovely long canters, and several areas of rolling sand dunes. The rides are challenging, and therefore requires riders with strong personalities, and a sense of humor that will see you through the tough moments!
Distance
On average we cover 20-50 km a day, spending up to eight hours in the saddle on some days. Other days may be less. Pace depends on the terrain and temperatures as well as on fitness and weight of riders with walk, trot, canter and gallop. Because Namibia has such wide-open spaces it is possible to accommodate up to 15 riders on most trails plus 2 - 3 riding guides.
Riders Weight
We have a normal riders weight of 85 kg dressed in your riding gear – fit riders heavier than this and very welcome but there will be surcharge in order for you to have the use of a 2nd or possibly a 3rd horse to share the work load on these long rides. Surcharge depends on weight and the ride you choose.
Passports
Passport valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from Namibia required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who do require a visa.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the consulate or high commission for visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business and Transit: US$50.
Validity
Valid up to three months from date of issue for stays of up to three months from date of entry. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at high commission); see Contact Addresses.
Working Days Required
Three to four.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No/1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Great Namibian Canyon Trail
Tour Code:
PG-NACT
11 days /
10 nights
~$5,760.00
Dates :
April, June
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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