NAMIB DESERT TRAIL - NAMIBIA

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The Namib Desert trail is the flagship ride of Namibia. On this tough and challenging 12 day ride you cover 400 km across the desert. You have the opportunity to see all of Namibia's landscapes, from the highlands and semi-desert sheep farms, down the magnificent escarpment, through stoney and mountainous desert, red sand dunes and finally the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Not for the faint hearted, this is a long distance adventure. Sooner or later all serious riders end up here!

Trip length 2009: 12 days/11 nights Ride only price 2009 - £2,275 Departure dates 2009; 6 Apr; 3 & 24 Aug; 06 Oct Approximate riding time per day 4 to 9 hours on one day Riding ability required Intermediate onwards, must be fit. Min age 12. Group size Min 5 max 15 Meeting point (getting there) The Tourist Information Kiosk opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel at 11am. Transfer Included from meeting point. Taxi from Windhoek Airport to the town about £15-£18, payable on site. Return transfer shuttle not included. Flight guide London - Windhoek return £450 - £750 return. See below for flight info. Single supplement £139 if not willing to share

SAMPLE ITINERARY - NAMIB DESERT TRAIL

Day 1
We meet you in Windhoek mid-morning (usually 11am but to be confirmed prior to arrival) and take you 1-2 hours drive southwest to a guest farm, where you spend the first night. You are introduced to your riding guides and fellow-riders, do a short trial ride, acquaint yourself with the awesome terrain and have supper and a good night’s sleep

Day 2
We start off on our riding adventure: cross-country on game and cattle tracks through the bush savannah of the central highlands (1500-2000 m above sea level) towards the escarpment, where the highlands drop into the plains with stunning views of endless hills and steep rock faces in constantly changing colours. Unbelievable where horses can go – riding not for the faint-hearted! An easy descent takes us to the campsite where our back-up vehicles are waiting. After a good meal, cooked on the campfire, some jokes and chatting about the day's events you retire to your tent or sleep under the stars.

Day 3
A long and exerting, but particularly memorable day awaits us! We ride over the Hakos Mountains (2000 m), along dry riverbeds and on the tracks of mountain zebra, oryx and baboons, past leopard caves and thorn bushes. This is pristine 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 at Natas, another remote and rugged Namibian cattle farm.

Day 4
First we venture into the shaft of a long-forgotten gold mine not far from our camp; then do a short ride (20 km) along dirt roads to the red sand dunes of Rooisand on the fringe of the Namib Desert. In the early afternoon we arrive at our campsite, beautifully situated at the foot of Gamsberg, the third highest mountain in Namibia. Just before sunset we might hike to a natural shelter on the mountain nearby to see Bushman paintings.

Day 5
We ride through the semi-desert between the Gaub and Kuiseb valleys; past remote, abandoned farms towards the Namib-Naukluft Park's (500 000 ha) main entrance.

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 extend along Namibia’s entire coastline (2000km) up to a width of some 100 km. We ride through the bizarre Kuiseb Canyon and alongside its banks and camp at Aruvlei, an interesting oasis in the Namib. 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 your lucky some of the desert warthogs while crossing the desert’s gravel plains as the crow flies. For our lunch break we stop at Ganab, a borehole which provides much-needed water for the game in the desert. Then we are off again, to Hotsas (Tinkas and Tumas plains). After the considerable distance that we have covered that day, our camp with the prospect of chilled drinks and a relaxed dinner is a particularly welcome sight.

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 unspoilt, 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 trail 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! For the next two nights we stay in comfortable holiday chalets/guest house and our horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in cosy stables.

Day 11
This is a day for you to rest and relax or take part in one of a few exciting activities in and around Swakopmund such as a lagoon cruise – with oysters and champagne as well as seals on board, sand boarding, skydiving, etc. which can be arranged at your own cost.

Day 12
On Friday morning we have breakfast together and say goodbye to friends. Air Namibia flies from Walvis Bay to Windhoek, Johannesburg and Cape Town. You can also catch one of four busses to Windhoek. 

Note: Routes can be changed due to unpredictable weather (sandstorms!) and other unforeseen conditions.

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
Transfers from Windhoek; accommodation and meals at the guest farm, accommodation (tents) and meals on the trail, 2 days bed and breakfast at Swakopmund, all horse riding and transport of baggage by car.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, bottled and canned drinks, souvenirs, tips for local guides and crew, activities in Swakopmund, lunch and dinners in Swakopmund e.g. dolphin cruise or desert quad biking, transfer or flights from Swakopmund to Windhoek

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