SOSSUSVLEI AND DAMARALAND LODGE TRAIL - NAMIBIA

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Explore two very different parts of Namibia the luxurious way, staying in well-appointed private lodges and riding responsive horses. This horse riding holiday starts in the south, near the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Desert Park. Here we visit the dunes and enjoy a few nights under the stars in the desert (optional) before departing to the coast and Walvis Bay. After an estuary tour we head to Grootberg in Damaraland and ride with the Damaraland elephant and other game as well as visiting the local Himba tribes living in the area. Again there is an option to camp out in this game rich area. Your accommodation is very comfortable throughout, with all the hard work taken care of, even when sleeping under the stars.

Trip length 11 days/ 10 nights Ride only price 2009: £1,999 Departure dates Dates by arrangement April to October Approximate riding time per day 2 - 6 hours per day Riding ability required Intermediate onwards. Group size 2 - 10 Meeting point (getting there) Windhoek airport Transfer Included from meeting point. Flight guide London - Windhoek return £450 - £750 return Single supplement none if willing to share

SAMPLE ITINERARY - SOSSUSVLEI AND DAMARALAND LODGE TRAIL

Day 1
Arrive in Windhoek and be met at the airport by our representative. Transfer down to the eco lodge on the edge of Sossusvlei in an air-conditioned vehicle, with drinks and light snacks. Light lunch on arrival and settle in to luxurious chalets with desert views. Afternoon sundowner ride to familiarize riders with horses and get a feeling for the surroundings and for what to expect on your riding holiday. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2
Early morning wake-up and a light breakfast at the lodge (normally coffee, tea, juice, cereals and rusks)- then depart in 4x4 air-conditioned vehicle for Sossusvlei. Guide, drinks, and picnic to be enjoyed amongst the tallest sand dunes on earth. There are spectacular vists here with towering red dunes and dramatic shadows at sunrise. You are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who can point out features of this eco system and it's wildlife. Afternoon options include joining a sundowner drive or ride, or a self guided walk up a mountain. 

Day 3
Meet at the lodge for an early breakfast, before setting out for a morning ride. Return to the lodge for a swim and a light lunch. Afternoon siesta, then meet for afternoon tea, before setting on the first night of the sleep-out. Scenery is varied - you will enjoy riding across wide open grassy plains, through drainage lines and river courses, up and down sand dunes, across gravel plains - with endless vistas in every possible direction. Arrive at camp at sunset where ice cold sundowners await the you. Guests freshen up while the back up team feeds and waters horses and gets some fine bush cuisine ready. Chilled white wine and barbecued game steaks with fresh garden salads and home-baked bread are the order of the day. Home grown vegetables ensures that our vegetarian riders are also well taken care of.

Day 4
Early morning coffee, eggs and bacon around the fire and a fairly continental spread for breakfast. Saddle up and head out for day 2 of the adventure. Back up team sets up lunch, stretchers (books and magazines), and cold drinks during the heat of the day. Tea, coffee and decadent chocolate cake and then off for the afternoon stint. Camp has been moved by the back up team and is now at another spectacular setting - sundowners, dinner - fairly witty conversation... fall asleep under the stars.

Day 5
Same routine, with different scenery. Going on a 3 night camp out allows us to explore the more remote and spectacular parts of this area.

Day 6
Arrive back at the stables late morning - enjoy a swim or shower and meet for brunch. Leave shortly after brunch for Swakopmund by air-conditioned 4x4. We drive via Solitaire and Walvis Bay, through two river canyons and across the famous "badlands" moon landscape. Overnight at Brigadoon's in Swakopmund or similar. This coastal town has pretty Germand architecture and is worth a visit in itself. We suggest dinner at the Tug (great seafood, fireplaces in an old boat right on the water's edge.)

Day 7
Today we visit nearby Walvis Bay and enjoy a dolphin cruise in the morning. You are very likely to see two different species of dolphin, seals, pelicans, flamingoes and maybe even a whale. Oysters, champagne and other light snacks on the boat. Transfer back to guest house, pack your bags and transfer to the Damaraland lodge (5-6 hour drive). This is again a fantastic trip and there are snacks, fruit and cold drinks available in the vehicle. Overnight at the very comfortable lodge.

Day 8
Here in Damaraland the scenery is very different from the desert. This is Big Game country and also home to some well known native tribes. Would suggest a Himba excursion in morning, combined with elephant tracking. Return in time for lunch. Siesta and then set out after afternoon tea for our first night camping out. The scenery is very varied and a complete contrast to the desert: Mopane woodland, mountains, river courses, grassy plains, possibly even waterfalls and flowing rivers (depending on the time of year and the rains).

Day 9
The daily program follows much the same routine as for Sossusvlei, but is very flexible depending on your wishes. Sleep out at overnight camp again. The camp is normally not moved as often as there are more possibilities from the respective camps in Damaraland: from game viewing to interactions with local people, souvenirs and rural farming.

Day 10
Back to the lodge for a final day of relaxing - lovely self guided OR guided walks available on top of the plateau - you are very likely to see springbok, oryx, kudu, baboons, mountain zebra, klipspringer (and very rarely also - Leopard!).

Day 11
Enjoy a final gentle ride on top of the plateau, before packing up and being transferred back to Windhoek.

Please note that nights camping out can be substituted for nights in the lodge for no extra cost but this must be booked beforehand for the group as a whole.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers in air conditioned vehicle, all riding, meals (except in Swakopmund), accommodation, other excursions, drinks and laundry.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips, telephone and shop purchases, dinner on night 6.

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.

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