Horse riding trail - Namib to moon valley

A 15-DAY SAFARI, WITH A 10 DAY HORSE TRAIL ACROSS THE
NAMIB TO THE MOON VALLEY. Experience the thrill of the desert -
ending at the desolation, yet beauty, of the moon valley near Swakopmund!

Reading about crossing a desert on horse back must sound pretty daunting to most people, with
first thoughts being - WHY? With today's modern transport, what's the point? In any case it must
be dangerous, or difficult at best?

Quite so, IF the operators were not trained and very highly experienced - which in this case is
not applicable. The owners/operators have been crossing the Namib on horse back for 5 years;
a total of about 25 horse safaris; crossing Damaraland to the Skeleton Coast, plus incalculable
short safaris (not to mention time spent in the saddle on the farm). This all adds up to thousands
of kilometres on horse back - through rugged wilderness areas. (Last year alone a total of 4000
km were recoded for horse trails only - short rides and farm work excluded).

For true equestrians, this is NOT daunting, but an opportunity for a unique combination of horse
riding and experiencing the Namib desert like no modern transport can offer!

DAY-TO-DAY	ACCOMMODATION / ACTIVITY
DAY 1:	Meet your host at our International airport and transfer to Windhoek for a quick tour of its sights & sounds before settling into a comfortable B&B.
DAY 2:	Transfer to a farm in the Khomas Hochland.
DAY 3:	Entire day for getting to know your horse, the route and fellow riders.
DAY 4:	Leaving the farm early in the morning, from 1750 metres above sea level, ride through seemingly endless, gentle undulating hills onto the central highland (2000 metres above sea level). You then reach the edge of the escarpment with its breath-taking precipitous mountain faces glowing in the light of the setting sun. Another 1 - 2 hours' ride down double bends & serpentines brings you to the camp site. Here you meet the trucks which carry the baggage and all the other necessary accessories. Sleep in a tent or beneath the stars after a good meal cooked on the camp fire and some jokes and talks on the day's happenings.
DAY 5:	This is a tough day. You ride onto and over the Hakos-mountain range (2000m above sea level). Mountain zebra, Oryx and other game as well as Leopard caves, slopes, precipices and geologically fascinating sights make this an experience never to forget. And you will certainly appreciate a hot shower and a good meal at the end of the day!
DAY 6:	You visit an old gold mine not far from the campsite; after that, a short ride (20 km) to the red sand dunes of Rooisand.
DAY 7:	Today will take you over the last semi-desert farms to a camp near the Namib-Naukluft Park.
DAY 8:	Ride into the Namib, down the Kuiseb pass with its incredible rock formations and to Aruvlei in the Namib desert. By now you will have realized that the Namib is not all waving sand, but a land of ever-changing terrain and landscape.
DAY 9:	A long ride right across the lonely desert through a concealed donga to Ganab and Hotsas near Bloedkopje - across the Tinkas plains - with a spectacular Namib sunset.
DAY 10:	From Hotsas over Tumas-plain right across the desert to Poacher's Turn & the Marble Mountains, unlimited space, mirages and tremendous solitude.
DAY 11:	Across Welwitschia-Plains to the Moon Valley and into the Swakop River bed. Camp underneath the palm- and Prosopis trees of the Goanikontes oasis.
DAY 12:	A joyous ride along the Swakop River Valley to the dunes along the Namibian coast and then at last to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund. Imagine the first sight of a town after 10 days, and you haven't even missed it! No more camp with tents next to resting horses - your accommodation tonight is in a holiday house near the beach, while the horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in cosy stables.
DAY 13:	Bare-back to the dunes and along the sea shore; enjoy a last canter on the beach or go for a swim in the waves; perhaps you can convince your horse that the waves are not dangerous.
DAY 14:	Breakfast and then bid your friends good-bye. Return to a Game lodge on the outskirts of Windhoek to "unwind".
DAY 15:	Subject to flight departure time, you may have all morning to enjoy nature walks, or simply laze on pool chairs, viewing the wildlife. Transfer to the airport to arrive in time for your departure flight.

PLEASE NOTE! The table immediately above is a current guideline, only valid at date of
publication's exchange rate. The N$/ZAR table is valid as is until 31 October 2007. Subject to
only ONE possible change: Fuel price increases between now and 31 October 2007.

THE N$/ZAR FIGURES REFLECT THE TRUE PRICE FOR THIS SAFARI – THERE ARE
NO HIDDEN COSTS OR ADDITIONAL, UNPLEASANT COST SURPRISES UPON
ARRIVAL! VALID UNTIL 31 OCTOBER 2007.

(At the time of publishing, this safari was already over booked for all the departure dates during
2007 - and waiting lists compiled - only individual cancellations could possibly become available.
Alternatively, should an enquiry be received with no less than 6 riders per booking, an additional
departure date / horse trail could be inserted).