Our Destinations
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
NAMIBIA : NAMIB DESERT TRAIL RIDE ...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
 |
Crossing the oldest desert in the world on horseback is a journey of a lifetime! This ride is also one of the toughest rides in the world and not for the faint hearted. Tremendously rewarding, it challenges you the rider and builds mutual respect between yourself and your horse. |
ITINERARY
Day 1
Meeting at Windhoek International airport on your arrival and transfer to a specific B&B in Windhoek. Here we will meet the rest of the riding group for dinner. The team will brief you about the ride. Overnight in Windhoek.
Day 2
Ater breakfast we depart Windhoek on a transfer to the starting point or the ride (2-3 hours). After a light lunch we get to know our horses on the first ride. The evening will be spent at a tented camp or guesthouse depending circumstances, whichever a good meal and drinks wil settle us into the flow of the ride.
Day 3
We continue on our riding adventure : cross-country on game and cattle tracks, through the bush savannah and plains with stunning views of endless hills and steep rock faces in constantly changing colors. The night's camping spent around a campfire in either a tent or stretch out under the stars.
Day 4
A long and exerting, but particularly memorable day awaits us! Over tricky terrain, along dry river-beds and on the tracks of mountains zebra, oryx and baboons. This is unspoiled countryside with stunning panoramic views... and you are sure to appreciate a hot shower and a good meal at the end of this day! Our camp is en route down the escarpment, remote and rugged, on a Namibian desert farm.
Day 5
Another memorable day, riding to the fringe of the Namib Desert even further away from our sentinel, the Gamsberg, the third highest mountain in Namibia. Sunset is usually stunning after another beautiful day.
Day 6
We enter the largest nature conservation area in Africa (an area as large as the British Isles). The Skeleton Coast, Namib Naukluft and Sperrgebiet Parks extend the length of Namibia’s 2.000km coastline, 100km inland at the widest point. We ride through the strange Kuiseb Canyon and camp at the oasis of Arunvlei. Marvel at the incredibly beautiful African sunset and myriad of stars in an area acclaimed world-wide for clarity of the night sky. Strongly recommended reading before this safari is the unique tale of escape and survival in this desert, told in the autobiography “the Sheltering Desert” by Henno Matin; together with his friend Herman and dog Otto, they sought shelter in the Arunvlei area from the madness of the Second World War.
Day 7
A long, tough riding day and non-stop sunshine. Long sleeved shirts, broad-rimmed helmet covers and maximum UV protection recommended. See mountain zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok and if you’re lucky, desert warthogs while crossing gravel plains “as the crow flies”. Here, it has been known for the mountain zebra to run alongside us on one of our many canters. We stop at Ganab, a borehole that provides much-needed water for game in the desert, for lunch. Then, we are off again to Hotsas (Tinkas and Tumas plains).
Day 8
An exuberant canter towards Poacher’s Turn and Marble Mountains, infinite space and tremendous solitude, encountering strange shapes and the first mirages, fascinating survival devices of desert adapted creatures.
Day 9
Continue through true desert landscapes, habitat of the ancient and unique Welwitschia plants. Close to the coast we enter spectacular Moon Valley. Our last night on the ride and we camp out under the stars around the campfire near Goanikontes, in the dry reiverbed of the Swakop.
Day 10
Joyfully ride along the Swakop valley until we reach the dunes andd then at last ocean shore at Swakopmund. Our first glimpse of a town in ten days! And the possibility of riding your horse for the last time along the beach! We overnight in comfortable holiday chalets while our horses enjoy their well-deserved rest in a cosy stable. We meet for a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 11
“Good bye” after breakfast and return transfer to Windhoek on a (approx 4 hours drive). Return flight possible after 3 pm.
Note : Itinerary routes and accommodation are subject to change, due to circumstances unforeseen and beyond our control.
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 Sossusvlei... We can organize all the logistic: hired car, hotels or lodges reservation on a half board or breakfast basis, etc. We suggest you below 2 different samples of itinerary. For any other quotation, please contact us.
|
Discover the gigantic red dunes of Sossusvlei (2 nights in Lodge near the dunes) and the coastal city of Swakopmund (1 night in 2* hotel). Your rental car will be delivered directly to our ranch and you'll give the car back to the airport before departure. Consult us for the detailed program. |
Included :
- rental car (Toyota Corolla type) based on 2 people sharing with super cover insurance,
- 3 nights in double room basis with breakfast,
- all necessary travel documents.
To add :
- fuel,
- meals not included (lunches and dinners),
- tips and personal expenses,
- eventual upgrade in accommodation or rental car (4x4) if required,
- insurance.
Departure all year long on request. Consult rates below.
 |
A great summary of Namibia : Etosha National Park (2 nights), Damaraland (1 night), Twyfelfontein (1 night), Swakopmund (2 nights), Starting point to Walvis Bay or a flight over the Sossusvlei dunes. Your rental car will be delivered directly to our ranch and you'll give the car back to the airport before departure. Consult us for the detailed program. |
Included :
- rental car (Toyota Corolla type) based on 2 people sharing with super cover insurance,
- 6 nights in double room basis with breakfast, and dinner on day 3,
- all necessary travel documents.
To add :
- fuel,
- meals not included (lunches and dinners except dinner on day 3),
- tips and personal expenses,
- eventual upgrade in accommodation or rental car (4x4) if required,
- insurance.
Departure all year long on request. Consult rates below.
Please also note it's possible to combine this ride with another short ride to another part of Namibia.
Consult our horseback short rides.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
 |
Horses No, we do not breed horses – we collect them. Sixteen years ago we started with six horses. Now we keep average 50 riding horses. They are horses of different breeds, each of them a very dear, reliable companion: most are crossbred from Arabs, Hanoverian, Trakehner, Lipizzaner, Haflinger and all types of ranch horses. On average they are medium-sized and since all of them were raised outdoors, without a stable, on the rough terrain in the bush, they are swift as well as surefooted. Some have participated in show jumping and dressage, others in endurance riding, but the majority are just plain happy trail horses. |
Tack
Saddles are either of the lightweight Western variety or a tailor-made combination of a Western and a stock saddle, specially designed for our horses’ backs as well as our own needs. All saddles come with saddlebags. We have a tack maker in our employ and make most of the tack ourselves. Bridles are either fitted with snaffles or are totally without bit.
Recommended riding experience
You should be an experienced rider confident at all gaits. You’ll ride from 20 to 70 km a day, with challenging and fast paces (6 to 8 hours on horseback).
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.
Weight limit : 92kg dressed in your riding gear (fit riders over 85kg, please enquire re-surcharges for additional horse : +300 €)
Children over 12 year old accompanied with their parents are accepted but they must be very experienced pony riders.
YOUR GUIDES
2 or 3 riding guides, depending on group size. We all are experienced guides. We guarantee 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.
A back-up vehicle will carry all luggage, camps, food every day, except during two consecutive nights, so you’ll have to pack the minimum necessary equipment into saddlebags.
ACCOMMODATION
|
Accommodation You'll be accommodating during the first and last night in comfortable hotels (category : guesthouse with twin rooms en suite) and the 8 other nights will be spend in camps in desert. All the camping equipment is provided (tent, mattress and stretcher, pillow). We will ask you to take your own sleeping bag, or you can rent it directly at 20 euros extra cost for the all trail. Riders who don't want to share their accommodation with another rider have the possibility to book at extra cost a single room.
Meals All drinks are included except the extra drinks you can have the opportunity to buy to the guesthouses. If required, we can cater vegetarian meals. Please advice us before departure. |
DATES AND RATES
| 2012 | ||
| June 06 to 16 | 3770 € |
available |
| August 01 to 11 | 3770 € |
available |
| September 19 to 29 | 3770 € |
available |
- Single room supplement : + 220 €
(Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accommodation)
Flights to Windhoek
Please contact us to check the best
available rates from your country.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride and a guide's services,
- the 10 nights accommodation (8 nights camp + 2 nights guesthouse) based on 2 people sharing,
- full board,
- all drinks on the rides, except beverages in the guesthouses,
- transfers from and toward Windhoek,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to Windhoek, please contact
us to check the best available rate from your departure country,
- the organisation of a possible tour through the region before or after
the trail ride,
- extra drinks at the guesthouses,
- lunches on day 1 and 11,
- single room supplement,
- optional activities,
- any other service,
- tips (we recommend 10€ per day per guest),
- insurance : multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation) : More information.
| SOSSUSVLEI 4d/3n 2012 - based on 2 people sharing | ||
| From November 01, 2011 to March 31, 2012 | 380 € |
on request |
| From April 01 to June 30 | 400 € |
on request |
| From July 01 to October 31 | 455 € |
on request |
| Single supplement | consult us |
|
What is included, what's not?
| GREAT TOUR 7d/6n 2012 - based on 2 people sharing | ||
| From November 01, 2011 to March 31, 2012 | 820 € |
on request |
| From April 01 to June 30 | 840 € |
on request |
| From July 01 to October 31 | 1010 € |
on request |
| Single supplement | consult us |
|
What is included, what's not?
Please contact us for any other quotation.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Please, contact us for any enquiry!
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Namibia
LENGTH
11 days / 10 nights / 9 days on horseback
LANGUAGE
English, Spanish, Afrikaans
GROUP SIZE
1 to 15 riders maximum
ACCESS
Windhoek airport.
Arrival in Windhoek on day 1 before 6pm.
Departure from Windhoek on day 11 after 3pm.
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 climate is ideal for riding which is exceptional in Africa.
Formalities
Please check with your local embassy.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommend to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.
REFERENCE :
CH54-Namibie_namibdesert_en
