DAMARA ELEPHANT-SKELETON TRAIL - NAMIBIA
more photos | enquiry | availability check
This riding holiday takes you through some of the most remote and inaccessible areas in the world. It is only for experienced riders who have been on one of the other Namibia Trails and are familiar with horses, terrain and circumstances on a desert trail and can "ride for their lives" if necessary. Trips are tailor made for 5 or more riders.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - DAMARA ELEPHANT-SKELETON TRAIL
This trail is only for those who have done the Desert Trail, experienced riders familiar with the horses, terrain and style, those who can "ride for their lives", if necessary. In comparison to the Desert Trails this trail is easier riding and more relaxation, but much tougher on crew and back-up.
Day 1
Drive from Windhoek to Damaraland. You are met at the airport or in Windhoek - Air Namibia arriving early morning, otherwise overnight in Windhoek (additional cost). Leave Windhoek early in the morning, lunch pack to be picked up at Otjiwarongo. Picnic at the petrified forest or along the road before driving on to Aba Huab. Meet horses and crew and settle at Aba Huab Camp (set up by communal people, very inventive constructions). In the evening campfire stories and lots of excitement: will the elephants pass at night and what will then happen to the horses? A really exciting start to your horse riding holiday.
Day 2
Be ready for trial ride after a relaxed breakfast. Sight seeing and walk to famous rock engravings in the afternoon. Enjoy the spectacular views of Damaraland and unwind until its time for dinner and another beautiful evening around the campfire.
Day 3
From Aba Huab over the endless planes to Rendezvous (lunch) and then along the Aba-Huab River to De Riet (quite nerve teasing not to know where the elephants are and whether you might bump into them just around the next bend). Shall we make it to camp before dark?
Day 4
On along the Huab River and over another Damaraland plane towards Mikberg (we saw cheetahs last time and Lumpi once missed the turn-off, because the elephants were just there). Lunch at the cheetah tree and a long afternoon ride through fascinating landscape. Night camp at View Point enjoying the sight of Brandberg (highest peak in Namibia) and Doros Crater.
Day 5
From View Point southwest towards the Ugab River. Lunch camp at Lion Head, in the afternoon a nice long canter and then into a very narrow gorge past Soutfontein (salt fountain) to the Rhino trackers´ camp near Brandberg West. Fingers crossed that our truck has managed to come the long way from Aba Huab via Uis to our night camp in time! Know that the drivers of the fly-vehicles really need extraordinary driving skills and extra strong nerves to meet the challenge of taking trucks and trailers down the gorge in one piece. Only by flying you realize how spectacular this countryside is (preferably afterwards!). Meet the Save The Rhino Trackers and perhaps have a slide show on request.
Day 6
Wednesday, 24th May 2006 All along the Ugab, passing its reeds, lion bush thickets and Brakwasser, another bitter tasting water place frequented by elephants. Once we got trapped in the canyon between two herds of elephants and last time we rode past a fresh lion kill and on warm tracks most of the morning. Whether we have a river in flood, quick sand, dust, reeds or elephants depends on the previous rain season. After a short hot lunch break you turn away from the Ugab river south east through another narrow gorge to Welwitschia Camp. Here you come past famous Damaraland formations and otherwise inaccessible Ugab sediments.
Day 7
From Welwitschia Camp onto wide open Damaraland planes with a spectacular view on Brandberg and Doros Crater; purple coloured rocks all over being the remnants of Messum Crater's horrifying blasts millions of years ago. Marvellous cantering and lunch at Klippenberg where you can pick up some gemstones; night camp at Cross Roads.
Day 8
Towards the Messum River. Again wide open plane and happy canters …… most spectacular panorama. Only half a day riding; in the afternoon we take you for a scenic drive in and on the back-up vehicles all along the Messum River to the largest Welwitschia plants and amazing wind erosion sites.
Day 9
Straight towards the Atlantic Ocean - camp at Mile 108 on the beach, no luxury whatsoever, only our trucks and some simple wind shelter. You may fear that the waves could sweep over your tent on the beach at night. The coast may have east wind and such warm weather that you can swim with sunrise …. or sandstorm which leaves us with plates flying around …. or nasty nerve teasing wind …. or dense fog which has everyone shivering and asking for Glühwein and a hot fire! Not for nothing this unpredictable place is called the Skeleton Coast!
Day 10
After a last early morning ride along the beach, load horses and wave horses and crew goodbye and transfer to Hentjies Bay.
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).
Nevertheless this extra challenge once in a year is well worth it for special riders and stunning scenery! It is an extraordinary trail, as you are not likely to see elephants, giraffe and rhino in a desert habitat anywhere else. You will be amazed how these animals have adapted. In comparison to the Desert Trail there is more game like Oryx, springbuck, and sometimes zebra.
Damaraland is a very spectacular area, nearly inaccessible, with amazing colours and wide open space, archaic craters and left overs from ancient times, not to mention the awesome Skeleton Coast. We might have some late rains and be caught by rivers in flood, which results in tremendous adventure. Until now every Damaraland Trail has been an adventure never to forget! Your non-riding partner is welcome to ride a camel across Damaraland sharing camp and company, but not canters!
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 Aba Huab, full-board camping at Aba Huab, on the trail and at the Skeleton Coast, all riding and guiding, sight seeing drive to Messum river, transfer (in back-up vehicles) to Hentiesbay.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Bottled and canned drinks, 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.
more photos | enquiry | availability check
