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NAMIBIA : HORSEBACK SAFARI IN OKAPUKA GAME RESERVE...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

ITINERARY

Our trails are designed to provide you with as much variation and choice as possible. Our goal is to ensure that you ride in some of the most spectacular landscape this planet has to offer and come into very close contact with the game. The riding is fairly intensive and our guests are welcome to take either a morning, afternoon or day off "out of the saddle" to enjoy the other activities or just recuperate walking or by the pool. Even though Okapuka is a large reserve, we normally spot most of the game within the 7 days on horseback. However, just being an integral part of this fascinating environment is an incredible experience in itself.

Less than two centuries ago the first pioneers discovered this paradise and since then very little has changed. Whether you watch the sun going down on the wild hartebeest grazing on the lush grass metres from your dinner table or ride amongst a herd of giraffe or just watch the rhino from a safe distance, we promise you an unforgettable holiday.
The programme below is given for information only, the organisation of the rides can vary according to the weather and the unforeseeable character of Africa!

Day 1
We meet you at Windhoek airport and transport you to Okapuka Ranch (75 minutes by car). Once you're unpacked and refreshed (possibly with a fine lunch depending on your arrival time) it's time to meet the horses and the rest of our staff.
This is followed by a short ride to allow your horse to get to know you and, perhaps, you to get to know your horse! After the ride, over a refreshing drink, we explain the itinerary for the week and and give you a briefing on 'living and survival' in the African bush.
Accommodation :Okapuka Lodge
Food : à la carte dinner at the Okapuka lodge restaurant. Optionnal lunch depending on your flight arrival.

Day 2
After breakfast around 07.00, we saddle up and depart for a savannah ride along ancient game trails. During this ride you encounter much of the wildlife.
We return to Okapuka Ranch for a shower, drinks and a relaxing lunch. After lunch and a siesta by the pool we saddle up for our afternoon ride. We arrive back at around 17.00 for a drink at the bar. Dinner is served whenever you are ready.
Accommodation: Okapuka Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 3
After breakfast we saddle up and depart for a mountain trail ride. We start along the Okapuka riverbed then cross the mountains into Leopard Valley. The valley is protected by the natural mountainous surroundings and, until recently, has been largely unexplored.
Our trail takes us through spectacular scenery to Leopard Dam. We stop for a well-earned picnic lunch at a shaded natural spring.
After a 2-hour stop we continue our trek, and having passed Crocodile dam, eventually arrive back at Okapuka Ranch (16.00). Then it's time for a shower and a sun-downer before you watch the lions feeding. Dinner is served whenever you are ready.
Accommodation: Okapuka Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 4
Today, after breakfast, we saddle up and depart for a short ride to the baboon infested "little Okapuka" Hill. Having ascended the hill we are rewarded with a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the surrounding hills, river-beds and savannah-lands. We ride down through ancient riverbeds in search of majestic kudu and gemsbok. After a short siesta we ride out towards Okapuka where we arrive at around 17.00, to be greeted with a well deserved cold drink, a dip in the swimming pool, followed by a hot shower in your en-suite private bathrooms.
Accommodation : Okapuka Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 5
Continental breakfast and around 09.00, having saddled up, we depart once again for a savannah ride. This area is well known for its Burchell's zebra and gemsbok. We return to our base camp at Okapuka Ranch for lunch. After a well-earned siesta we depart in search of white rhinos and white tailed wildebeest, the comics of the savannah.
We climb the Hochland trail to watch the magnificent African sunset over the adjacent mountains savouring the majesty of Africa with sundowners. This is followed by a brisk ride in the sunset's afterglow back to Okapuka Ranch where we arrive, hopefully, before dark. Dinner is served whenever you are ready.
Accommodation: Okapuka Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 6
We saddle up at 08.30 hrs for a challenging ride. We start along the Okapuka riverbed towards Crocodile Dam. But instead of dropping down into Leopard Valley we continue to ride higher and higher. Today our goal is the top of the highest mountain on the Okapuka estate. Some of the terrain is so steep that we will have to dismount and lead our horses.
However, once you have reached the top the reward is a view of a lifetime; both the cities of Windhoek and Okahandja (30 and 45 km away) lie at your feet. After we have caught our breath, both from the exercise as well as the breathtaking view, we will descend towards Okapuka Park Restaurant for a well-deserved late lunch at around 14.00 hrs. The rest of the afternoon is spend relaxing. And dinner is served whenever you are ready.
Accommodation: Okapuka Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 7
Breakfast is taken at a leisurely pace and those of you who wish to take advantage of the helicopter tour can do so (weather permitting). The flight is not included in the package price. Those of you who can still stand the sight of a horse and have energy left can join us for a last ride. Lunch is taken at Okapuka Ranch.
In the afternoon there is an optionnal game-drive in 4x4 Land Rovers. This gives you a last opportunity to take quality photos of the wildlife. Those who prefer to visit the famous wood carving market at Okahandja to purchase those promised presents can do so (not included in the price). In the late afternoon and early evening there is a lion feed. Dinner, as usual, is served at Okapuka Park Restaurant.
Accommodation: Okapuka
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and a 3 course à la carte dinner at the Okapuka Park Restaurant.

Day 8
Breakfast is served until 10.30. After entering your comments in our Guest Book, you can say goodbye to your horse and the rest of our staff and continue your journey within Namibia or begin your return journey home (contact us for the different possibilities). If your flights leaves lately from Windhoek, you can keep your room for "day use" (75 € per person to be paid directly at the lodge). Transfer back to Windhoek airport.

This program is just an example and it is all weather, and arrival departures dependable.

Other activities

There are a variety of other activities for riding and non-riding guests (to be paid directly).

Game drives take place most mornings and afternoons and are a popular feature of Okapuka with many visitors coming solely for the game drives. You may have to share the game drive vehicle with day visitors or other residents at the lodge. The game drives are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the bush as well as to photograph some of the game you will have seen from horseback.

The ranch has lion in a large fenced enclosure (35 hectares). It is exhilarating to visit the lions at feeding time.
You may choose to see the ranch and the mountains by helicopter. The owner of the ranch has a four-seater helicopter and takes clients for approx. 20 minutes rides. Helicopter rides are an additional cost payable locally.

There is also a 4x4 trail (only for experienced drivers having hired their own car), hiking trails, excursions to the Okahandja wood carving market or to the capital city Windhoek.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Discover Namibia after your riding safari

Take advantage of your stay in Namibia to visit the country : the Kalahari desert, the red sand dunes of Sossusvlai... We can organize all the logistic: hired car, hotels or lodges reservation on a half board or breakfast basis, etc. We recommend to reckon an additional week on the spot. If you have a short time, a 5-nights mini-tour can be organised. Contact us for any inquiry.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Tack
The saddle style is an endurance type. They are hand-made African Stock, renowned for giving the best support, safety and comfort for both horse and rider during long trails through challenging terrain.

Required riding experience
You should be an experienced rider confident at all gaits. While much of the trail riding is done at a walk or trot, it is essential that you can cope with higher speeds. Some of the trails are in the mountains and can be narrow and steep.
Riders should be physically fit. Even though we make frequent stops the terrain can be challenging and the tempo high.

The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
When riding you are advised to wear a hard riding hat, preferably lightweight with good ventilation.

Age-weight
Non-accompanied children must be over 16 years of age. However, there is no age limit for our non-riding visitors.
There is a rider weight limit of 90 kilos. Riding guests weighing more, the registration is subject to acceptance, will be subject to a 455 € surcharge a week, because we will alocate to you two horses that you will alternately ride .

The progress of a day on horseback
You will spend about 4h30 on horseback a day. Namibia is at its best first thing in the morning. It is at this time that most wildlife can be seen. During the summer period (November - January) riding is most comfortable from 5.30 to 10.00 a.m. and then from 4.00 to 7.30 p.m. This is the best time for visitors to combine a few hours of riding with (longish) periods relaxing by the pool or undertaking some of the other activities.During the winter, autumn and spring we ride virtually all day with a (picnic) lunch during the midday hours (12.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.) when it is too warm to ride. Choosing which time of year to make your visit depends on whether you wish to relax and ride a little or to ride and relax a little!The Sambulenni Trail has you riding in the early morning either before or afterbreakfast (depending on season and climate) for 2 to 3 hours. Then it's back to the Okapuka Ranch for breakfast or lunch, a swim and a siesta. Some days we have a lunch break and picnic in the bush.
In the afternoon we spend between 2 to 3 hours in the saddle ending with sundowners (evening drinks) back at the lodge. One night is spent at Dune Camp. In the evening the restaurant's extensive menu and wine list are at your disposal. The ride may be adjusted due to changes in temperature or other reasons.Riders requirementsYou should be a competent rider capable of riding at walk, trot and canter. Some of the trails in the mountains can be narrow and steep. When game viewing or when riding through thorn, you ride mainly at a walk. There are also long sandy tracks and dried riverbeds which are perfect for long trots and canters.

YOUR GUIDES

The trail rides are supervised by experienced local guides. We limit the groups to 6 people in order to be able to ensure an optimal and a safe discovery of the African wildlife. The ride may be adjusted due to changes in temperature or other reasons.

ACCOMMODATION

Okapuka Lodge
We will accommodate you in either the Okapuka Lodge (transport required) or in extremely comfortable thatched bungalows with full-equipped en suite bathrooms. The bungalows provide wonderful views of the Otjihavera river(bed) or the golden veld.
The Okapuka Park Restaurant is a few minutes walk from the bungalows. The facilities include two swimming pools, a hard court tennis court and sauna.

Okapuka bungalow
New accomodation in 2007 for lower budget. Confortable accomodation with private bathroom less typical as the okapuka lodge.

Meals
Except for the night(s) spent at Dune Camp and for long days trails where we will have picnic lunches, all meals will be served at the Okapuka Park Restaurant. Our restaurant is known as one of the best in Namibia and has an extensive à la carte menu which combines fresh, local produce with African and European cuisine. The chef is specialised in "game dishes" you will have the opportunitiy to discover. Special diets can be catered for with prior notice.
For breakfast, you will find a choice of fresh fruits, juices, dairy products, coffee, tea, toast, bacon, eggs...

DATES AND RATES

At some departure dates, our guide will not be able to welcome you at ranch because she practices endurance rides :

- May 2 and 3
- May 10
- June 13

- July 5
- July 19

- August 16
- October 4

Contact us if you're interested in joining her on one of the endurance ride and ride one of her excellent horses.

EXTENSIONS
- discover the Namib desert
- make a safari in Etosha National Park
- visit Namibia

RATE INCLUDING

- the trail ride and a guide's services,
- the accommodation at the lodge or in bungalow for 7nights,
- meals as described in program,
- access to tennis courts, swimming pools and saunas,
- 2 lions feeding,
- transfers from and toward Windhoek,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

RATE NOT INCLUDING

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Dorothee, the specialist for this destination !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

Most of Namibia enjoys a minimum of 300 days of sunshine a year, but generally, the winter climate is the most pleasant. Namibia has a dry climate. Most days are pleasantly warm (the average temperature is between 20 to 34 C), while the nights are generally cool (in winter temperatures can fall to 0 C.)
There are two relatively short rainy seasons, the shorter occurs between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs between January and April. The storms are brief and spectacular. Forked lightening illuminates the dark thunderclouds while the rain refreshes the air and soaks down the dust.
The lodge enjoys low humidity and gentle breezes, which make for a pleasant and comfortable climate in which to ride. The area averages between 200 to 400 mm of rain per year, all of which falls in the summer.

The climate is ideal for riding which is exceptional in Africa.

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
Contact your regular doctor for advice. The park is not in an area afflicted by malaria. However, if you travel to other parts of Namibia (particularly the north) you will require inoculation against malaria.

REFERENCE :CH53-Namibia