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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Namibia
Intro to Namibia
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Great Namibian Desert Trail
Namibia
Namibia
Central Namibia offers spectacular and fascinating contrasts; from Khomas Highland mountains and escarpment to the Kuiseb Canyon; the Tinkas, Tumas and Welwitschia plains, Moon Valley, the seasonal Swakop River and the coastal dunes of the Atlantic Ocean. Crossing the oldest desert in the world on horseback is an experience of a lifetime!
Explore
unique and spectacular desert landscapes on super fit and responsive
horses. These are true adventures not for the faint-hearted. This is one of the most challenging rides - crossing the desert from inland near to Windhoek and finishing on the coast at Swakopmund.
You will ride fast for long stretches and yet, with some preparation, it is
within the capabilities of most seasoned riders. Throughout the rides you are
accompanied by an excellent horse people and adventurer
whose riding and organizational skills will continually impress you. The horses are strong and
fit as they live on the rough terrain in the bush.
This ride is a 250 mile adventure
which takes you through some of the most remote and spectacular parts
of Namibia. The expedition starts inland at the farm base near to
Windhoek and from here passes through gentle undulating hills and
mountain escarpments out onto the rocky desert and finally to the sandy
beaches of the Atlantic coast. The trail finishes in Swakopmund on the coast. The Naukluft conservation area supports large herds of mountain zebra and in the Namib you may come across the prehistoric looking Welwitschia plant which spreads its tentacles across the desert floor.
Luggage is transported by truck and a
simple camp is set up each evening. Tents are provided, although a
highlight for many people is the opportunity to sleep out under the
spectacular stars of the African sky.
This ride is also one of the toughest rides in the world and not for the faint hearted. Tremendously rewarding, it challenges you the rider and builds mutual respect between yourself and your horse.
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Camping Ride with vehicle support
Progressive Ride (no camping)
Ride with Western Tack
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Meeting:
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Windhoek
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Airport:
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Windhoek
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Transfer:
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Windhoek aiport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
15 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
All accommodations - 8 nights camping, 2 nights lodge -- and meals, drinks in (camp), 9 riding days
| A | 2012 | 11 day trip, AP | 11d / 10n | £3250 | $5200 |
| Single supplement (requested) | £175 | $280 |
| Riders over 190 lbs - Supplement for extra horse on request | £0 | $0 |
Minimum Deposit:
50 %
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Windhoek airport included on Day 1
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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. At the end of the trip - departure flights should not be before 3 PM
Rates do not include:
Souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew;, lunch and dinners in Swakopmund. Activities in Swakopmund e.g. dolphin cruise or desert quad biking; Flights from Swakopmund to Windhoek
Day 1: You will be met on arrival day at Windhoek airport ( Hosea Kutako airport ) and transferred to a specified B&B in Windhoek. Here you will meet the rest of your riding group for dinner and a Namibia Horse Safari company representative to brief you about the ride.
Day 2: After breakfast we depart Windhoek on a transfer to the starting point of our ride (2-3 hours). After a light lunch we get to know our horses on the first ride. The evening will be spent at a tented camp or guesthouse depending on circumstances, whichever a good meal and drinks will settle us all into the flow of the ride.
Day 3: We continue on our riding adventure: cross-country on game and cattle tracks through the bush savannah and plains with stunning views of endless hills and steep rock faces in constantly changing colours. The night’s camping spent around a campfire in either a tent or stretch out under the stars.
Day 4: A long and exerting, but particularly memorable day awaits us! We ride over tricky terrain, along dry riverbeds and on the tracks of mountain zebra, oryx and baboons. This is unspoiled countryside with stunning panoramic views... and you are sure to appreciate a hot shower and a good meal at the end of this day! Our camp is somewhere down the escarpment, remote and rugged on a Namibian desert farm.
Day 5: Another memorable day, riding to the fringe of the Namib Desert ever further away from our sentinel, the Gamsberg, the third highest mountain in Namibia. Sunset is usually stunning after another beautiful day.
Day 6: We enter the largest nature conservation area in Africa (an area as large as the British Isles). The Skeleton Coast Park, Namib Naukluft Park and Sperrgebiet Park extend along Namibia’s entire coastline (2000km) up to a width of some 100 km. We ride through the bizarre Kuiseb Canyon and camp at Aruvlei, the place where Henno Matin and his friend hid their car. Marvel at the incredibly beautiful African sunset and myriads of stars.
Day 7: A long, tough riding day and non-stop sunshine! See mountain zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok and if you’re lucky some of the desert warthogs while crossing the desert’s gravel plains as the crow flies. Here it has been known for the mountain zebra to run alongside us on one of our many canters. We stop at Ganab, a borehole that provides much-needed water for the game in the desert. Then we are off again, to Hotsas (Tinkas and Tumas plains).
Day 8: We canter happily towards Poacher's Turn and Marble Mountains, encountering strange shapes and mirages, fascinating survival devices of desert adapted creatures, infinite space and tremendous solitude.
Day 9: Continue through true desert landscape where you will see unique Welwitschia plants. Close to the coast we enter the spectacular Moon Valley. It is our last night on the ride and we camp out under the stars, around the campfire in the dry riverbed of the Swakop near Goanikontes.
Day 10: Joyfully ride along the Swakop valley until you reach the dunes and then at last the ocean shore at Swakopmund. Our first glimpse of a town in ten days! And the possibility of riding your horse for the last time along the beach!! For the night we stay in comfortable holiday chalets/guest house and our horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in a sandy paddock. We meet for a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 11: We all say goodbye at breakfast and you may return to Windhoek and Windhoek International Airport on a 4-5 hour transfer.
Conditions: Since this is one of the toughest rides in the world you have to be physically fit as well as fit to ride; you should have a good sense of humour and extensive riding experience. Six to eight hours in the saddle per day, all paces.
Take note: Routes can be changed due to unpredictable weather (sandstorm!) and other unforeseen conditions!
Options:
To avoid the travelling time by road to Windhoek it is possible to make special road transfer to Walvis Bay International airport at the end of the ride, and then fly direct from Walvis to Johannesburg.
Additional attractions:(we can book this for you)
• Stay a few days extra in Swakopmund where activities available include: dolphin cruises, scenic flights over the area which we rode, sand boarding, sky diving, desert tours, quad biking etc.
• Visit Etosha National Park before or after the ride for excellent African game viewing opportunities.
• Visit Sossosvlei sand dunes after the ride
Meeting:
Windhoek
Airport:
Windhoek
Transfer:
Windhoek aiport
Distance:
70 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. At the end of the trip - departure flights should not be before 3 PM
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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 25 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
4 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 20-70 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
Climate
During the months that we operate (March – Oct) - the days are mostly warm to very hot, while the evenings and nights in winter (June/ July / August) can be cold. Rainfall during this period is unlikely.
If you dislike heat then avoid the early and later rides and choose the ones in the middle of the year.
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 “
We strongly recommend riding caps or cycle helmets
(riding without protective headgear is at your own risk).
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.
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8 nights camping and 2 nights lodge
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.
Luggage
Your luggage is transported on trucks; the riders ride across bush or desert and meet the back-up vehicles at the evening campsites – so your bags need to be soft type canvas bags with lots of pockets for easy organizing. Max weight 20 kgs. Ideal to have 1 x medium size and 1 x smaller overnight bag. If you have other
non-riding luggage – this can be left at your own risk at the B & B in Windhoek to be collected at the end of the ride. Please ensure you have one small ‘ day pack” size bag that can carry your overnight things as some days the big truck will not be able to meet us at the end of the day as only the smaller vehicle has access.
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
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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:
|
|
15 to 25 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:
|
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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
4 riders
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Max
15 riders
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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 20-70 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 Desert Trail
Tour Code:
PG-NANW
11 days /
10 nights
~$5,200.00
Dates :
April to Oct
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Western-style trail saddles
Horses:
Arab, Haflinger, Lipizzaner, Trakehner...
Pace:
15 to 25 miles
a day, 6-8 hours in th...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Airport:
Windhoek
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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