Namibia Desert Crossing

11 Days | From £5800pp

Namibia ( Best airport: Windhoek)

One of the most challenging trail rides in the world. Fast riding across 400km taking in the wide open spaces of the Namib desert, the highlands and semi-desert sheep farms, through mountainous terrain and red sand dunes until finally reaching the Atlantic ocean. Camp in tents or sleep under the stars, this is an extreme riding experience for experienced riders craving a real adventure.

The Riding

Expect to ride between 5-7 hours per day and at a good pace. You’ll ride through the highlands and cattle farming areas, to deep river valleys where you may encounter elephant, rhino, oryx, springbok and other desert-adapted wildlife.

Leaving the valleys behind you cross the open plains with the striking Brandberg (burning mountain) forming a dramatic backdrop. The endless plains allow for some fast riding through the sandy desert before you finish the trail with a final gallop on the beach. The terrain is very varied and you will ride at all paces.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This is one of the most extreme trails we offer and is only suitable for intermediate or advanced riders with a good level of current fitness. You must be able to mount your horse from the ground unaided, and must feel completely at ease riding at all paces and over uneven terrain. It is important to be secure and balanced in the saddle and capable of riding up to 50kms a day, often at speed. On the trail you will be responsible for grooming, checking over and tacking up your own horse.

Heavier riders can be taken by arrangement with a supplement for an extra horse. Additional horses are required for riders weighing over 85kg in riding gear.

Guides and Group Size

Your guides have been running these remote horse riding safaris for almost 30 years and are knowledgeable, attentive and experienced. They have crossed the Namib desert many times so you’ll be in safe hands.

Group size: 5-15

Any questions?

The Horses

Horses at this destination are a real mix and include Arab, Haflinger, Lippizzaner, Trakehner, and even the famous wild horses of the Namib desert. They range in height from 14.2-16hh, are fast and sure footed. Raised on rough terrain, all of them make kind and reliable companions for the trail. These horses live as a herd in the bush when they are not on safari, each horse generally working no more than six safaris each season. This keeps them interested in the job and in good form, both mentally and physically. The horses are mainly ridden in skirted endurance saddles, mostly in snaffle bridles and on a long rein. They are well-schooled, responsive and experienced in the desert.

Accommodation and Dining

On the first and last night of the ride you’ll stay in local lodges or guest houses in twin-bedded rooms with en-suite facilities. If you do not want to share, you can request a single room at the beginning or end of the trail subject to availability and a supplementary charge.
Most guests choose to sleep out under the glorious canopy of desert stars during the ride – a very special experience. Large dome tents can be provided if required (two people sharing). If you request a single tent every effort will be made to supply one but due to varying circumstances this may not always be possible.

Camp beds are supplied with a bedroll consisting of a canvas bag containing an insulating mattress, down duvet and pillow. You are welcome to add a fleece liner if you feel you might get cold but extra blankets are available on request. Hot ‘bucket showers’ are available at all camps. Overnight camps are usually pitched at sunset followed by a typical Namibian meal cooked over an open fire.
Breakfast is usually porridge or cereal, coffee or tea and a hot dish. At lunch you’ll meet up with the supply trucks and either a light lunch is served or sandwiches/wraps are enjoyed under a shady tree. Dinner is a delight of typical Namibian fare; wild game, free-range beef or karoo mutton served as braai (grilled over an open fire) or potjie (pot casserole) with vegetables and a dessert.

The menu is suitable for vegetarians but it is important to inform us of dietary requirements when booking – we will endeavour to accommodate your needs but please keep in mind that you will be in extremely remote areas making it difficult to cater to some complex dietary issues. Tea, coffee and juice are always available in camp with chilled drinks, beer, wine etc available in the evenings.

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Gallery

Namibia Desert Crossing Long Horse Riding Trip

Itinerary

Day 1 You will be met at Windhoek International Airport and transferred to one of the lodges where you’ll meet the rest of your riding group for dinner and attend a group briefing on what to expect on your trip.

Day 2 After breakfast, you’ll depart for the Sossusvlei area (around a 5 hour drive) via the Spreetshoogte Pass which gives the first glimpse of the seemingly endless Namib Desert below. Arriving at the first campsite with a spectacular view over the Namib Sand Sea you will meet the horses and crew for lunch. This afternoon’s excursion is to the clay pan of Sossusvlei in the soft light of twilight. You are welcome to attempt to climb the towering dunes for a spectacularly panoramic view. Return to camp for a traditional Namibian meal cooked over an open fire.

Days 3 The start of your riding adventure takes you to a wide grassy valley flanked on one side by the distant Namib Sand Sea. Lunch is at the surprising desert oasis before you continue on to reach that evening's campsite where you’ll enter the foothills of the rugged Namib Naukluft Mountains. The nearby water trough attracts numerous Mountain Zebra, Kudu and Oryx during the night.

Day 4 Riding along a long ramp-like dune in the morning enjoying the unspoiled wilderness and striking scenery. In the afternoon the pace quickens as the valley opens into a riverbed before a gentle climb up to our campsite on a hill with a view. Dinner is served in an old farm dam converted into a unique dining room.

Day 5 Today you’ll cross some red dunes before a rugged descent into the Gaub Canyon for lunch. Climbing out of the canyon after lunch you’ll ride across the wide plains to a cave with a spectacular view of the ephemeral Kuiseb River in the distance.

Day 6 Today you’ll negotiate the terraces leading down to the rugged Kuiseb river – with a technical descent into the riverbed. It is this river which forms a dramatic end to the Namib Sand Sea, flowing just often enough to prevent the dunes from crossing the river. The tracks of Mountain Zebra criss-cross the steep sides of the canyon down to the water which is preserved by the high, narrow walls of the canyon. Tonight our camp is amongst a grove of trees on the plain above the Kuiseb.

Day 7 Smooth terrain on today's ride allows for some fast-paced riding towards the water point at Ganab where Mountain Zebra, Oryx, Ostrich, Springbok, and if you are lucky, some desert-adapted warthogs come to drink. Here the wide grassy plains are scarred by several watercourses, some only distinguishable by the long lines of trees which mark their course, sometimes giving shelter to desert-adapted giraffe.

Day 8 Another day which allows for fast-paced riding past the water point of Hotsas and across the Tinkas and Tumas plains which become more and more stark as you approach the coast. When approaching Marble Mountain, Ostriches and Mountain Zebra often run alongside the horses, making for an unforgettable ride. From now on life-giving evening fog can be expected, producing 5 times as much precipitation than rainfall in this extremely arid area.

Day 9 You’ll ride through the hyper aridity of true desertscapes where you encounter the dinosaur-like plants such as the gnarled Welwitschia Mirablis. Strange shapes form and disappear in mirages and the fascinating survival devices of desert-adapted creatures astound; this is a land of great antiquity and also tremendous solitude. Passing the spectacular Moon Valley on our descent to a wonderfully sheltered campsite in the Swakop River.

Day 10 The last ride down to the Swakop river and over to the coastal dunes and then, at last, the Atlantic Ocean. Your first glimpse of a town in days! The last stretch of riding is along the soft white beach sand of Swakopmund. Tonight’s accommodation is a comfortable guest house while the horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in a large sandy paddock with a wonderful view of the sea. After sundowners, enjoy your last memorable meal together, reminiscing over an adventure unlikely to be forgotten.

Day 11 It’s time to say a fond farewell at breakfast as the transfer to Windhoek (4 hour commute) leaves in time for departure flights from Windhoek International Airport after 15:00.