Namibia is an amazing country to enjoy horse-riding safaris – whether you are looking for just a half-day ride (or even less) to a week’s adventure then contact us.  The trips we use have horses to accommodate all levels of riding experience and the horse will be matched to your needs. 

Trips can be worked around your time frames and places you would like to see but to ride through the desert, camp overnight and gaze at the stars while your horses munch on their hay and food nearby is an amazing experience.  It’s better if you can canter as the desert will often have areas where you can relax and cover distances at a faster pace

Alternatively you can choose a trip into Damaraland, here the rocky terrain often means your speed is restricted but the landscapes are truly amazing.  With flat topped plateaus, strange plants and game such as springbok, kudu, mountain zebra as well desert elephant and black rhino this truly is a safari on horseback.  You are able to spend 3-4 days visiting local tribes to find the recent locations of the elephant and then spend the day tracking them on horseback.  To sit on a horse close to the elephant’s is exhilarating

The following are sample itineraries that can be adapted to suit your needs

Option 1 - 6 days, Namib Desert

Day 1: Arrive Desert Homestead in the afternoon / lunch time. Late afternoon guests enjoy a scenic sundowner ride, which our back-up team set-up on top of a mountain. Dinner is alfresco on the homestead's veranda

Day 2:  Namibrand  An early start to the day. Scrumptious home baked rusks with coffee, and guests are off to Sossusvlei in our air-conditioned Condor 4x4. They return for a light lunch around midday, and then they're off duty until a bit later in the afternoon. Guests meet in the late afternoon for tea and coffee, and then depart for the first leg of their horseback sleep-out safari. Our backup crews set up the camp, which the guests stumble upon in time for sundowners. Dinner is cooked on an open fire, either a traditional potjie or a barbecue. Dinner under the stars in the desert is an unforgettable experience

Day 3:  Namibrand   The day starts as and when the guests wake up. Guests enjoy freshly brewed coffee and breakfast cooked on the fire, after which the set off on the first stage of the riding for the day. At about mid morning they stop for tea and the horses are fed and watered. Hammocks are strung between trees and guests are off duty again until the late afternoon. A picnic lunch is enjoyed with chilled white win. After tea and coffee and cake, guests set off for stage two of the days riding, eventually ending up at their new camp for the evening. Dinner once again under the stars

Day 4:  Desert Homestead   The next morning after the usual scrumptious breakfast. Guests make their way back to the stables. Get back to the lodge around mid morning and enjoy a light lunch on the veranda. That afternoon they are accompanied by a guide and taken on a nature drive on the property, which includes a short walk at the end of the drive up to the highest viewpoint in the area, for a 360 degree view of the area. A good night's rest in their chalet follows a three-course dinner at the lodge with some fine wines

Day 5:  Desert Homestead   Guests enjoy a leisurely breakfast, after which they depart for the Naukluft Park and the gorgeous rock pools, which are found there. With a picnic lunch and some cold drinks in tow, a relaxing time is spent in the park, with guests returning in the late afternoon.

Day 6: Guests depart after breakfast.

Rates – upon application
Min 2 people    Max 6 people

Option 2 - 14 days, Sand dunes and desert elephants

Day 1  Desert Homestead
Arrive in Windhoek and be met at by Desert Homestead representative.  We’ll be transferred to the lodge via Spreetshoogte Pass, one of the most stunning Passes in Namibia and with inspiring views across the desert floor before continuing onto Solitaire.  If time allows, we’ll a sundowner ride to meet your horse and get acquainted.  Dinner and overnight at lodge.
 
Day 2:  Namib Desert
Early morning wake up and Sossusvlei excursion in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.  This is the region of the famous sand dune sea and you’ll have a chance to explore the region on foot, climbing and running down the dunes and taking photos.  Dead Vlei is renowned for the ancient skeletal camel thorn trees set on a shimmering white pan set against the red sand dunes and blue sky – it really is a photographers dream.   Picnic in the dunes, visit the Sesriem canyon and return to the lodge at around midday
Ride out later that afternoon after a bit of down time at the pool for the first night out under canvas.  We’ll arrive at the camp already set up by our backup team complete with cosy campfire, set tables and chilled G and T's.  Dine alfresco and sleepout with tents, stretchers, duvets, hot bucket shower and long drop toilet with a view (normally of other riders) only kidding.
 
Day 3:  Namib Desert
Early morning coffee, bacon and eggs around the fire, saddle up and ride out for another day of long slow canters through magnificent desert scenes.  Our back up team drives ahead to set up lunch with chilled wine, food platters, camp beds and magazines to while away the midday sloth.  After tea and coffee we’ll head out for the afternoon’s riding to our adventure camp down the Aub river bed.  With the red dunes as a backdrop enjoy a cold beverage and witty conversation as the sun stands aside for the emerald night skies of the Namib.  Sleep out for a second night.
 
Day 4:  Namib Desert
Another early morning wake up call and ride out into the desert.  We’ll have mountain views as we ride across the gravel plains winding our way along paths and taking in the silence with just the beating of hooves and the occasional calling of birds.  Again, our back up team will meet us so we can rest our aching muscles.   Our final night in the desert star gazing and listening to the calls of the barking gecko – pure heaven

Day 5:   Desert Homestead Lodge
Our loop has bought us back to the lodge and we’ll arrive back by late morning.  Time to relax at the pool, read a book and just chill.  For the diehard you may wish to head out for a sundowner ride or a walk up the hill or a sundowner drive for the evening.  Dinner and overnight at the lodge to sleep in comfy beds
 
Day 6:   Desert Homestead Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast we’ll head to the nearby Naukluft Mountains for a walk up to the pristine, natural rock pools that are refreshing particularly in winter and only for the brave.  We’ll picnic here and enjoy some great birding, as well as looking out for the game including Hartmann’s mountain zebra, baboons aplenty as well as kudu, klipspringer etc.  We’ll return to the lodge in the early afternoon and have the same options of sundowner ride, drive or walk after tea and coffee when the day cools.  Overnight as above
 
Day 7:  Bed and Breakfast, Swakopmund
After breakfast we’ll drive to Swakopmund – this will take around 5-6 hours.  You’ll have time for a bit of sight seeing, or maybe join an optional activity such as sky diving or a scenic flight over the dunes and coastline to see a shipwreck, flamingos etc.  Dinner is usually at The Tug, an excellent fish restaurant set on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and not surprisingly partly built around an old tugboat.  Overnight on a twin bed share basis  
 
Day 8:  Grootberg Lodge
Early morning dolphin cruise (optional extra) where guests are likely to see two species of dolphin, seals, pelicans and even whales at certain times of year.  Sometimes a seal jumps onto the side of the boat so you get to see them at very close quarters, you may even have the chance to kiss one if you want (bit fishy!)   Enjoy a platter of oysters and some champagne, beg your pardon, sparkling wine before being whisked off to the marvels of Damaraland.  Dinner and overnight stay at Grootberg Lodge.  This lodge is situated on the edge of the flat-topped plateau with commanding views over the valley, it’s one of the most beautifully situated lodges in the country and was originally setup with the backing of the EU.  The lodge is geared to employing staff from the local community and has strong emphasis with developing and empowering them
 
Day 9:   Damaraland
Leisurely breakfast, then we’ll meet our new horses, saddle up and ride out in search of the desert-adapted elephant.  We’ll stop and enjoy a packed lunch (back up is not provided so we’ll carry our rations in saddlebags to be enjoyed in the shade of a big tree in some forgotten waterway in the wilderness.  We’ll reach camp by sunset in time for cold drinks, hot showers and fireside tales of bravado in the face of massive pachyderms (that’s elephants) viewed at point blank range from the saddle of a plunging steed.  OK, so they were carthorses bought by the lodge from the locals in the area and they don't plunge but we were just starting to get on a roll and enjoy ourselves.  Dinner under the stars and sleep under canvas in tents and all equipment provided.
 
Days 10 - 12:  Damaraland
Resume the safari life style, breakfast around the fire, morning ride tracking elephant’s.  Lunch back at camp, some down time to relax or read a book, tea and coffee afternoon ride, sundowners, campfire chronicles.  In Damaraland we only shift camp every second day as we have endless options for riding in all directions, through varied terrain and spend on average 7 hours a day in the saddle.  We’ll still enjoy different locations for lunch and on occasion have come across rhino spoor in one of the regions so you never know – we could be lucky and not only see elephant’s but black rhino as well.   Naturally, the wine and stories will continue to flow
 
Day 13:   Grootberg Lodge
Ride back to the Grootberg Lodge, arriving late afternoon.  Time for a long deserved hot shower and a final posh dinner at the lodge and sleep the sleep of the worn out in luxury
 
Day 14:   Windhoek
Transfer back to Windhoek after breakfast.  Stop at Outjo bakery for a glass of freshly squeezed OJ and a toasted sandwich. You’ll be dropped at your accommodation or arrangements can be made for your onward flight

Prices are subject to group size and transfers

Rates are approximately N$31,000/person based on 2 people/twin share

Inclusive: of all riding, meals, drinks, accommodation, other excursions and laundry;land transfers between lodges and city
Excluding: telephone or curios; personal insurance which is compulsory; optional activities; meals not stated in itinerary

Minimum group size 2      Maximum group size 6

Please note that maximum weight is 95kgs

These are just 2 sample itineraries and can be shortened to suit your requirements, you may just wish to ride in the desert or head into Damaraland – please contact us for further details