DAMARA ELEPHANT-SKELETON TRAIL - NAMIBIA

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This trail previously had the tag “Only for those who have done the Desert Trail; be ready to ride for your life if needed!” . It is now open for anyone, but done only once a year!

This is a truly exceptional trail; where else can you expect to see elephant, giraffe and rhino in a desert habitat! And you will be surprised at how they have adapted. Damaraland is a very spectacular part of the country, almost inaccessible, with amazing colours and vast open spaces, ancient craters and remnants from prehistoric times, not to mention the forbidding Skeleton Coast. We may encounter elephant, rhino or lion, or be caught by rivers in flood, all of which combines into a tremendous adventure. Each and every Damaraland Trail so far has been an experience of a lifetime!

Trip length 10 days / 9 nights / 6.5 days riding Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010 prices: double pp £2,875/€3,199/$4,415 Departure dates 2010: 1 - 10 July Approximate riding time per day 4 to 7 hours Riding ability required fit confident riders Group size 5 - 12 riders Meeting point (getting there) Windhoek Town Transfer Included from Windhoek Town Taxi from Windhoek about £15-£18 payable on site. Flight guide London - Windhoek return £450 - £750. See below for flight info. Single supplement detailed prices No single rooms available. Riders must be prepared to share.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - DAMARA ELEPHANT-SKELETON TRAIL

This trail is for experienced riders familiar with fast desert riding and who can "ride for their lives", if necessary. In comparison to the Desert Trails this trail is easier riding and more relaxing, but much tougher on crew and back-up.

Day 1: You will be met by the RiverCrossing Lodge at the airport and take to the lodge located in a game reserve high overlooking Windhoek for lunch depending on your arrival time.Please pass on your flight details so we can make arrangements for. The afternoon can be spent at leisure by the pool or a chance to do a sundowner ride or visit Windhoek, a charming small city. In the evening you will have dinner with the group and hosted by SJG or one of ReitSafaris representatives.

Day 2 : Windhoek to Damaraland - As soon as everybody is on board we head north. We pick up a packed lunch in Otjiwarongo and later stop for a picnic at the Petrified Forest, or along the road, before driving on to Aba Huab. Meet the horses and crew and settle in at Aba Huab Camp (highly inventive constructions set up by the local community). In the evening there will be stories and lots of excitement around the campfire: will the elephants pass through at night and how will the horses react?

Day 3: Be ready for a trial ride after a leisurely breakfast. The afternoon is for sightseeing and a walk among the famous rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. Enjoy the spectacular views of Damaraland and relax until it is time for dinner and another great evening at the campfire.

Day 4: From Aba Huab we ride across endless plains to Rendezvous and after lunch continue along the Aba Huab River to De Riet. This is where the nerve-tingling starts: we have no idea where the elephants are and whether we might bump into them just around the next bend. Will we make it to the camp before dark?

Day 5: We continue along the Huab River and across another plain towards Mikberg (where we saw cheetahs last time) to have lunch at the ‘cheetah tree’, followed by a long afternoon ride through fascinating scenery. Our camp is pitched at View Point where we enjoy views of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, and Doros Crater.

Day 6: From View Point we turn southwest towards the Ugab River. After lunch at Lion Head we set off for a nice long canter. Later we move through a very narrow gorge, pass Soutfontein (Salt Fountain) and arrive at the Rhino Trackers´ Camp near Brandberg West. Keep your fingers crossed that our truck has managed the long way from Aba Huab via Uis in time! Extraordinary driving skills and extra strong nerves are needed for the challenge of taking trucks and trailers through the gorge in one piece. It is only when you fly over this landscape (preferably after the trail!) that you realize how spectacular it really is. Meet the trackers of the Save the Rhino Fund and perhaps see a slide show on request.

Day 7: Alternative routes depending on lion encounters, weather conditions and dry riverbed, usually we ride out of the Ugab River onto the wide open plains and into a deserted gorge described as “out of this world”. Or: through reeds and lion bush thickets we make our way along the Ugab to Brakwasser, another place of brackish water, frequented by elephants. We then turn southeast, away from the Ugab River, and move through another narrow gorge. Whichever: camp is very enjoyable: shady, sheltered and special!
Day 8: We leave the Ugab tributary and enter another vast open plain with spectacular views of Brandberg and Doros Crater. The crater exploded millions of years ago, and the purplish rocks around us are a result of the horrendous blast. We enjoy some marvellous cantering and have lunch at Klippenberg where you can pick up some gemstones. Our camp is at Cross Roads.

Day 9: We are headed straight for the Atlantic Ocean. Our camp is at Mile 108 on the beach, with no luxury whatsoever, just our trucks and some rudimentary wind shelter. The sound of crashing waves might make you wonder whether they could sweep over your tent at night. Then again, the infamous easterly wind could cause temperatures warm enough for a swim at sunrise...or it could whip up a sandstorm which leaves us with plates flying around. Of course we could also be greeted by dense fog which has everyone shivering and asking for glühwein and a roaring fire! This unpredictable shore is called the Skeleton Coast for good reason! Heading off to Henties Bay or Swakopmund for a nice last evening together.

Day 10: Leaving for Windhoek. The cherry on top is a scenic flight in a small aircraft over the route we took or to Sossusvlei (rates depend on the number of passengers). Usually we coordinate transfers to save costs and make life easier for you!

 

NOTES - DAMARA ELEPHANT-SKELETON TRAIL

We can arrange other transfer arrangements to Henties Bay if you want to stay another night (affordable De Duine Hotel, or stunning Cape Cross luxury lodge near the seals and Mile 108, or even the new famous Hydro Wellness Centre in Hentiesbay - all cost extra). 

An excellent option is to fly in a small aircraft back over the route we took, optional Sossusvlei (price depends on number of riders); otherwise transfer by car to Swakopmund or Windhoek. Usually we co-ordinate transfers to save on costs and make life easier! Let us know in time what you have in mind - we will help with reservations.

Riding is easier than on the Namib Desert Trail with more time for relaxation because of more days travelling, much faster riding and no mountains to be crossed. Company is super, as we only take riders who can really ride and who have ridden within Namibia before; itinerary much more flexible.
The trail is very tough on crew and back-up, because there are only few roads and very little water; we really have problems keeping logistics going (for half the trail we cannot take the truck, water cart or trailer).

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

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfer from Windhoek Airport to overnight accommodation, transfer to Aba Huab, visit to Twyfelfontein rock engravings, full-board camping and drinks at Aba Huab, on the trail and at the Skeleton Coast, all riding and guiding, sight seeing drive to Messum river.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, souvenirs, tips for communal guides and grooms, luxury options (Mowani mountain camp or Twyfelfontein Lodge before start of trail; De Duine, Cape Cross Lodge and Hentiesbay Wellness Centre after trail), extra transfer not scheduled for back-up vehicles.

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