DESERT VISTA - NAMIBIA
more photos | enquiry | availability check
This horse riding holiday takes you on a journey next to the Restricted Diamond Area (Sperrgebiet) on historic ground in the area of the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert. It is perfect for fit and experienced riders comfortable with camping and the outdoors, who want to experience this isolated area and its amazing views. Visit Aus, a unique place on the Namibian map, sometimes refered to as Namibia's Switzerland - due to occasional snowfalls that can cover the mountains in a white blanket (although usually only for a few days). The trail offers a variety of landscapes from mountains to wide open planes and sand dunes, and so the riding will be slow sometimes and fast at others with exciting canters. The Aus area also boasts the convergence of three desert biomes, the Namib Desert, the Succulent Karoo and the Nama aroo, and has an exceptionally high botanical diversity. Depending on the rainfall at any time of year, you may experience carpets of wild flowers during either autumn or spring.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - DESERT VISTA
Day 1
Meet at 8am before driving about 8 hours from Windhoek with a picnic along the way. Arrive late afternoon at the Inn, just west of the town Aus. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides, local crew.
Day 2
Find your Mount and ride on a rocky trail built by German soldiers to an old "transport and breeding station" within the Aus Mountains. Visit an archaeological site with Bushman paintings on your way. Continue after lunch through this interesting mountainous terrain to the first camp at Leopardenschlucht (Leopards Valley). You could see Oryx, Kudu, Klipspringer and rock dassies as well as birds of prey during the ride.
Day 3
From Leopardenschlucht to Kuckaus Camp. A day which will start slow and build in momentum as we cross some mountain foot slopes before we venture onto the red sandy planes of an area called Rooikam (Red ridge). The afternoon will be downhill most of the way to an eccentric Island Mountain called Kuckaus. Imagine unlimited desert plains with a few prominent hills and totally unspoilt landscape.
Day 4
Kuckaus Camp to Paddaputs ("Frogs’ Well"). After breakfast we explore the fascinating variation of fauna and geology which the Kuckaus Mountain offers. Then north again across the planes parallel with the border of the Sperrgebiet (Restricted Diamond Area) to some smaller rocky outcrops where our next camp is.
Day 5
Paddaputs to Ausweiche. Ride uphill to the Watershed where we come across the old transport or ox wagon route between Aus and Luderitz. One just has to admire the people who, at the mercy of unpredictable weather conditions, conquered the Desert in those early years . We follow the old route for some way before turning off to the big "Sand ramp" of Ausweiche; our camp on this "dune" at the foot of Saddle Hill presents the most magnificent view over the Namib Desert’s home of the Wild Horses.
Day 6
Ausweiche to Eagles Nest/Geisterschlucht. Ride back across sandy planes to the Lodges for lunch. Time for relaxing in the afternoon as well as for a sunset excursion to the Wild Horses; farewell dinner.
Day 7
After an early breakfast drive through the desert to the stark Atlantic Coast at Lüderitz and visit Kolmanskuppe (an old mining ghost town). Depart from Lüderitz at lunch and transfer (6 hours) to a Lodge in the Kalahari Desert. Alternatively fly from Lüderitz airport to Windhoek or Cape Town.
Day 8
Depart after breakfast from the Lodge for Windhoek (3 hours).
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.
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 Klein-Aus Vista, full-board at lodges and camping on the trail, excursion to the Wild Horses, transfers back to Windhoek, picnics, all horse riding and baggage transfers.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, insurance, bottles and canned drinks on trail and during transfers, drinks at lodges, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, gratuities for local guides and crew, flight cost if flying from Luderitz airport.
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.
more photos | enquiry | availability check
