FISH RIVER CANYON TO ORANGE RIVER - NAMIBIA

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With a combination of dramatic canyon landscapes, spacious desert planes and the mighty Orange River this horse riding holiday offers the oportunity to experience both inaccessible countryside and real wilderness areas as well as riding without limitations. The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognised as one of Africa's most magnificent sites and is the second largest canyon in the world. This trail crosses over three parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park, which is home to a small Namib Feral Horse population. This trail can be taken as a whole or split into two parts: Northern Canyons Trail (days 1 - 7) and Southern Plains Trail (days 8 - 13).
The riding is at all paces and this is for adventurous and fit riders with a love of nature and camping.

Trip length Full trip 13 d/ 12 n (9 days riding) Northern Canyon Trail 8d/7n Southern Plains Trail 7d/6n Ride only price Full trip £1,970 Northern half £1,210 Southern half £1,060 Departure dates Full trip: 9-21 May, 25 May - 6 Jun, 5-17 Oct, 20 Oct - 1 Nov 2008 Northern Half: 9-16 May, 25 May - 1 Jun, 5-12 Oct, 20-27 Oct Southern Half: 15-21 May, 31 May - 6 Jun, 11-17 Oct, 26 Oct - 1 Nov Approximate riding time per day Note: 6 - 8 hours but some days may be even longer Riding ability required Intermediate onwards, confident at all paces, must be fit. Min age 12. Group size 5 - 15 Meeting point Windhoek town at 8am Transfer Included from meeting point. (Windhoek town) Taxi from Windhoek Airport to the town about £15-£18, payable on site. Flight guide London - Windhoek return £450 - £750 return. See below for flight info. Single supplement no single supplement possible

SAMPLE ITINERARY - FISH RIVER CANYON TO ORANGE RIVER

Day 1
Meet at 8am and transfer for about 8 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive late afternoon at Augurabis, a nearly forgotten farmstead, well hidden in lush vegetation near a natural fountain in the Gaap River which is in the northern Fish River Canyon area. Augurabis is located in Gondwana Park, a private park of about 120 000 ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2
Have breakfast and briefings and go on a “trial ride” where you meet and match with the horses and adapt to riding style and the terrain we will explore. Leisurely ride along the Gaap River and surrounding area. The afternoon is free for relaxation, hiking, photographs, etc. At this point your luggage needs to be re-arranged, to take just a small bag for two days, since tracks are non-existent or poor and only tough 4x4’s can transport as little as possible, but as much as needed. Mechanical back-up will only be used for the pioneer rides; employment of pack animals is envisaged and in progress for future trails.

Day 3
Ride from Augurabis to Koelkrans (“cool cliffs”). This is serious riding over variable terrain, to meet the Canyon with a stunning view, stop at the view point and descend into the canyon. Camp at a large natural pool surrounded by steep cliffs. Go for a much appreciated swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. You could see mountain zebra, Oryx, klipspringer and rock dassies, as well as birds of prey and owls, on the way.

Day 4
From Koelkrans to Sandy Beach or Flamingo Bay – names as extraordinary as their setting. Yes, we might see a flamingo in the desert. The ride will follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what is waiting for us. Whether we ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the edge will depend on the water level in the river.

Day 5
Flamingo Bay along the Gaap River to Augurabis. Following the Fish River further down until we meet and continue up along the Gaap with its own interesting and winding passage. Past ruins of a homestead where one cannot believe any human being could have lived, and on into an unexpected dense riverine forest, back to Augurabis, to be reunited with your entire luggage.

Day 6
Augurabis to Holoogberg. Serpentine away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges ends onto a vast plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell’s zebra, springbuck, ostrich and herds of Oryx. As we ride in a fenceless environment riding is not limited to a specific route. We camp in a dry riverbed at the foot of Holoog mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama. All luggage available and back to usual camp facilities and routine.

Day 7
Holoogberg to Mountain Camp. Ride through endless savannah into an area strewn with granite boulders and charismatic quiver trees, to arrive for lunch at Mountain Camp. The afternoon will include a drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon, where the normal tourists go hiking and sight seeing. You will be amazed to see where our group has been with their horses. Enjoy some luxury and a very special evening at Mountain Camp. Today also sees the arrival and transfer to Mountain camp from Windhoek of those joining only the second half of the trail.

Day 8
Today those doing the first half only will transfer back to Windhoek. Parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Fourie se Gat (‘a hole dug by Mr. Fourie’). Over wide open savannah with game and hills in the east and the awesome sight of the Canyon area, to the west. Usually you can enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Fish River Canyon ‘bad lands’ to the west, the Granite kopjes behind you and the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you, with Norotshama peak on the southern horizon.

Day 9
Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. As we ride towards the Orange River basin, we follow the road for some way winding through granite kopjes. Then we meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

Day 10
From Gamkab Camp to Boulders camp. Riding over a patch of isolated sand dunes onto Aussenkehr plains to a camp surrounded by stacked boulders which could only have been the work of giants. Again, riding is not limited to a specific route, as we can roam freely in a vast environment.

Day 11
The last ride. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, onto a view point surprisingly displaying the Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another happy canter and some strolling through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River. Go for a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners on the river and dinner at the lodge.

Day 12
Maybe go for a short canoe trip down the river and leave late morning for Klein-Aus Vista. Driving along the Orange river to Rosh Pinah and then along the Spergebiet (Restricted Diamond area) to Aus. In the afternoon set off on a Sundowner excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with and experienced guide.

Day 13
Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer. Alternatively an option is possible to fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Rosh Pinah airport (on day 12 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or Luderitz airport (one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista).

Alternatively this horse riding holiday can be done in two halves:

• Northern Canyons Trail - days 1-7, 2 days transfer and a visit to the main viewpoint at the Fish River Canyon.
• Southern Plains Trail - days 8-13, 2 days transfer and a visit to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

NOTES - FISH RIVER CANYON TO ORANGE RIVER

Getting to Windhoek Airport

As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book you flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.

The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfer from Windhoek to Augurabis, full-board accommodation at homestead, lodges and while camping, sight-seeing drive to Fish River Canyon Main Viewpoint (not Southern Plains Trail), transfer from Norotshama Ladge via Klein Aus Vista Lodge, excursion to the Wild Horses(not Northern Canyons Trail), transfer back to Windhoek.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, insurance, bottles and canned drinks on trail and during transfers, drinks at lodges/homesteads, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, gratuities for local guides and crew, flight cost if flying from Rosh Pinah or Luderitzbucht airports, transfer to airport.

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