Description

This trail is the second half of the Fish River Canyon Orange River Trail. The Fish River Canyon area is internationally recognised as one of Africa’s most magnificent sites; it is also the second largest canyon in the world. Riding will be parallel to the Fish River Canyon across endless plains, only to be stopped by the Orange / Gariep River, which forms the southern border of Namibia. Distances covered daily will vary between 20 and 55 kilometres. The area falls within the Nama Karoo Desert biome. Aussenkehr Park is also home to a small Namib Feral Horse population, descended from seventeen horses that were relocated during the 1992 drought from the original wild horse population at Garub in the Namib Desert.

Highlights

• Experience the changing scenery of the Namib desert
• Encounter wildlife along the trail
• Spectacular desert sunsets
• Ride down the Fish River Canyon
• Visit the Feral Namib horses

Sample Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive in Windhoek and proceed to the meeting point at 08h00 at the Tourist Info kiosk in Windhoek. Board the vehicles for the 8 hour transfer to the Fish River Canyon, enjoying a picnic lunch en route. Arrive at Canyon Lodge early afternoon for a drink or coffee; meet your fellow-riders on a drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon where tourists usually go hiking and sight-seeing. Go back to Mountain Camp and be welcomed by hosts, guides, local crew and the horses. Welcome (for you who have just arrived) and goodbye dinner (for those who have done Northern Canyon Trail) - happy chats around the campfire under the African sky.

Day 2:
Riding parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp you arrive at Fourie se Gat (a hole dug by Mr. Fourie). The ride takes you over wide open savannah plains where you’ll see game. Enjoy a spectacular sunset view of the Fish River Canyon, with the Granite kopjes behind you, the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you, and the Norotshama peak on the southern horizon.

Day 3:
Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. As we ride towards the Orange River basin, we follow the road for some way winding through granite kopjes. Then we meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

Day 4:
From Gamkab Camp to Boulders camp. The route takes you over a patch of isolated sand dunes riding onto Aussenkehr plains. The campsite is surrounded by stacked boulders which could with some imagination appear to be the work of giants. Again, riding is not limited to a specific route, as we can roam freely in a vast environment.

Day 5:
The last day of riding. Once again a stunning contrast of scenery. Ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, and then on to a view point overlooking Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. After an enjoyable canter descend through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama River Resort, on the banks of the Orange River. Go for a swim in the pool (or river) and enjoy sundowners on the river and dinner at the lodge.

Day 6:
After breakfast depart Klein-Aus Vista. Driving along the Orange river to Rosh Pinah and then along the Spergebiet (Restricted Diamond area) to Aus. In the afternoon set off on a sundowner excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with an experienced guide.

Day 7:
Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast, a seven hour transfer. Alternatively an option is possible to fly to Windhoek or Cape Town from Rosh Pinah airport (on day 12 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or Luderitz airport (one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista).