Namibia - Damara Elephant Trail

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from CW of Singapore on 15/08/2024

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

Day 1
Arrival. Transfer from the airport to the River Crossing Lodge in Windhoek. 6pm briefing with the guide, Andrew, about what to expect on the trip either on the deck, or the restaurant, followed by dinner with the rest of the riding group.

Day 2
After an early breakfast the journey starts with a 7-hour transfer, lunch en route. The afternoon will include visiting a cultural village, the Twyfelfontein rock engravings, and Sundowners at a local view point.

Day 3
Set off on a morning ride to familiarise riders with the horses in the Aba-Huab area where sandy plains invite good canters.

Day 4
Start riding west across endless plains with a good chance of seeing desert-adapted game such as springbok and oryx, occasionally the route follows Mopani treed dry river beds, where kudu and ostrich lurk. Stop for a light lunch along a riverbed before continuing over some rocky and some sandy hills to our camp at De Riet.

Day 5
Continue along the Huab River shaded with huge Ana trees, which provide a favourite food for the Desert Elephants, before riding across another plain towards Mikberg to have lunch at the cheetah tree. This is followed by a long afternoon ride across the watershed with phenomenal vistas. The camp is pitched at View Point, where we enjoy the views and dramatic colours of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain.

Day 6
From View Point the group ride southwest towards the Ugab River. After lunch, set off for a nice long canter. Later, move through a very narrow gorge, pass Soutfontein (Salt Fountain), and arrive at the 'Save the Rhino' Camp near Brandberg West. This is a community run campsite to collect funds for the Save the Rhino project; it is really worth visiting their interesting information centre.

Day 7
Wind through reeds and kori bush thickets along the Ugab to Brakwasser, a place of brackish water. Leave the Ugab River and ride up a deserted gorge with fascinating folded rockwalls. Tonight's camp is very enjoyable: shady, sheltered and special!

Day 8
Leave the Ugab tributary and enter another open plain with spectacular views of the Brandberg. Enjoy some marvellous cantering and have lunch at the Quarry. The afternoon is a long ride across the stony plains towards the coast.

Day 9
The route heads toward the Messum River and Messum Crater. Again there are open plains and happy canters - and spectacular panoramas.

Day 10
The last ride to arrive on the beach around lunchtime! This unpredictable shore is called the Skeleton Coast and the infamous easterly wind can occasionaly whip up a sandstorm! Drive to Cape Cross and continue to the overnight accommodation at a lovely beach house in Henties Bay. (Letsiemeer Beach House or similar)

Day 11
Depart for Windhoek and Windhoek International Airport (a 5-6 hour transfer). Earliest possible flight departure time is 15.00

Please follow this link for a map of the start point of this itinerary: Damara Elephant-Skeleton Trail

Please note: Itinerary routes and accommodation are subject to change, due to circumstances unforseen and beyond our control.

Riders heavier than the 85kg weight limit can join the ride if they pay an additional supplement for an extra horse on the trail. They will then ride each horse, each day, ie. one in the morning then swap to the other for the afternoon.

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. 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).

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses are of mixed breeding including Arab, Haflinger, Lippizzaner, Trakehner, Ranch Horses and crosses. They are from 14.2-16hh. These fast and sure footed horses were raised on rough terrain, some of them with experience in endurance rides, each one of them a kind, reliable companion. The horses are ridden in skirted endurance saddles, mostly in snaffle bridles and on a long rein. They are schooled in a continental way and do not usually respond to neck reining. The riding is up to 7 hours per day and at a good pace. The terrain is very varied and rides are at all paces.

• Riders must be experienced and be comfortable in walk, trot, canter and gallop
• Must be riding fit and generally fit
• Weight limit 85Kg (13 1/2 Stone)
• You will be expected to groom and tack up your horse

Heavier riders can be taken by arrangement. Please enquire for the rate as varies according to your weight and the ride you choose.

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

En route, a tented camp is set up with big igloo-type tents (two people per tent), camp stretcher beds, swags with lambskin, duvet or continental quilt and pillow. Folding chairs are placed around the camp fire.

Hot showers are available in the evenings. Luggage is transported on trucks; the riders take short-cuts through the bush or desert and meet the back-up vehicles at lunch time most days and at the camp sites.

Camp is erected for riders every sunset. Meals are prepared around the open fire, usually "braai"or "potjiekos", typically Namibian and often a surprise.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.

NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures

When visiting Namibia your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive and have at least one blank page. Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

If you are planning to visit South Africa before or after Namibia your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months and we recommend you have two blank pages. Be sure to check the latest regulations concerning travelling with children under 18. Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.

Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.

In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/namibia

In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Namibia.html

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/namibia

The best time to visit Namibia is from April to September generally when the days are sunny and warm (25 Celsius) with cool, even cold evenings... At other times the desert is too hot to make riding practical during the day. Temperatures begin to climb mid to late September with the rainy season beginning in November, peaking in January and ending in March/April.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you, and spare, just in case.

Anti-malaria precautions are not needed for most parts of Namibia, for further details please see your local doctor.

There is excellent medical treatment available in Namibia, but only with immediate payment. Please ensure you travel with a credit card or sufficient cash to cover emergencies as you will need to pay immediately and claim on your insurance later.

Cholera is known to occur in Namibia.

Some people suffer skin irritation and/or dehydration due to Namibia’s hot and dry climate. Make sure you carry a good supply of drinkable water.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Namibia and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Anti-malaria precautions are not needed for most parts of Namibia, for further details please see your local doctor.

In Namibia the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

On arrival in Windhoek there is the opportunity to purchase batteries but we do advise to pack supplies before you travel. There is not usually the option to recharge batteries on the camping portion of the trip and there is no or limited Wi-Fi/mobile reception on most of the trip.

Khaki, green and bush colours are most practical.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Broad rimmed hat which stays on firmly
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Half chaps are recommended or even full chaps for the first few days when you will be riding through thorny country
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a small heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Extra pair of shoes for the evenings
- 8 pairs of Socks
- Jersey
- Warm jacket
- Shorts
- Long sleeves shirts
- T-shirts
- Raincoat
- Sarong
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses with string
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Binoculars
- Torch

They will provide:
- Saddle bags (which have a pocket to hold a 1 ltr water bottle)
- Comfy bed rolls with down sleeping bags. Every rider keeps his/her sleeping roll throughout the ride.
- Towels
- Water bottles are handed out at the beginning of the safari and can be refilled

This is a 10 night point to point trail with set departure dates.

2024: 24 July (Full); 4 September
2025: 30 July; 10 September (Full)
2026: 24 June; 5 August; 16 September

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• The Sheltering Desert by Henno Martin An unmissbale account of 2 German geologists who hid in the desert to escape internment in WWII


• For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

You will be amazed at how much life there is in the desert. From oryx, kudu, springbok, jackal, hyena and zebra to smaller animals such as beetles, rock rabbits, hares.

Namibia is a vast semi-desert country with a population of only 2.3 million making it the least densely populated country in the world. There are frequent prolonged periods of drought. The little rainfall is largely confined to the summer months (November to March). Due to the nutrient-rich Benguela Current that flows up from Antarctic waters and is the source of Namibia's rich fishing, the country's coastline is cooler than the rest of the country, with frequent sea fog. Namibia is well known for its diversity of plants and wildlife. Germany took control of the area which it called South West Africa in the late 1800s. The discovery of diamonds in 1908 prompted an influx of Europeans. South Africa seized it during World War I and administered it under a League of Nations mandate. It has since enjoyed more than a decade of stability under its founding president Sam Nujoma, who led the long fight against rule by South Africa. The official languages are English and Afrikaans, but German and Herero are also widely spoken. Namibia has seascapes, bushwalking and boundlessness. Its desert dunes take on shapes and colours according to the elements. It is blessed with rich mineral resources, a solid modern infrastructure and diverse traditional cultures. Namibia is on GMT during the summer months and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code is +264.