This horse ride is designed for the less able rider and gives extra time to ensuring you get an understanding of the country, the wildlife and the people. 

Not the Namib Desert, but the Kalahari in the far north east of Namibia.  The Bushmanland Trail is only offered when there is sufficient demand for a ride of at least 6 riders through this interesting and remote part of Eastern Namibia. Terrain and vegetation are typical African savannah and woodland with an abundance of wildlife. Attractions include big game, huge Baobab trees, vast shallow pans filled with water after a good rainy season and the Aha mountain scenery on the border between Namibia and Botswana.

We head to Eden Wildlife Sanctuary which covers nearly 70,000 acres, in north western Namibia. Eden was formed in the 70s when the Jooste family made plans to encourage the native wildlife to return and thrive in the area. They used very sound wildlife management practices. In the Eden Wildlife Sanctuary you will find sable, giraffe, kudu, eland, springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue and black wildebeest, warthog, impala, cheetah, leopard, elephant and black rhino, which are all doing well.

We also have a wonderful chance to meet the bushmen and they allow us to learn a few of their skills and we see how they spend their daily life.

Namibia with its sunny climate and scenic beauty has the perfect conditions for horse riding, with terrains varying from mountains, bush and wooded areas to desert plains and dunes.  The going is easier on this ride.

Itinerary - 8 days of riding with bush camps.

Day 1:  We try to leave Windhoek not later than 10:00 hrs and drive via Okahandja, Otjiwango, Otavi and Grootfontein to  Dornhügel, so that we arrive there early enough to meet our crew and horses, go for a swim and enjoy a sun-downer and the beautiful sunset in this typical African landscape. D.

Day 2:  Tack up and go (no trial ride needed as we start off easy) directly over farmland dotted with palm trees and also into open valleys. Evening camp at Blystroom. B, L, D.

Day 3:  Enter the private game park Eden which has an amazing number of wildlife species and many different birds. We ride towards the big pan and from there as the crow flies towards the usually dry Omuramba Omatako, one of those dry riverbeds flowing towards the Okavango Swamps in the Kalahari. Lunch at Omatako, night camp at Morestêr. B, L, D.

Day 4:  Ride a small distance to the nearby loading ramp, load horses and tack and let them travel to Tsumkwe to avoid a very boring part of Bushmanland. Riders travel from first world commercial farming area across the Red Line at Rooidaghek into third world communal Bushmanland. We visit a Bushman settlement and join their day to day life. Drive on to Tsumkwe, visit the souvenir shop and meet the crew and horses near Tsumkwe Lodge. We camp with the horses, but you can happily spoil yourself by renting a luxurious bungalow at the lodge at your own expense (price and reservation on demand). B, L, D.

Day 5:  We meet our pickup at the Nyae- Nyae Pan for lunch and continue to the incredible Baobab Tree where we set up our camp for 2 nights.  Usually some Dxo.hwe bushmen show up and we make an appointment for the next day for them to take us into the bush for a demonstration of their famous hunting and tracking skills. B, L, D.

Day 6: We spend the day with the Bushmen and track elephants. B, L, D.

Day 7:  Following the elephant via Maheri either to Baraka or into the vicinity of Grenspos and Aha Mountains  - depending where the elephants are! B, L, D.

Day 8:  We definitely want to find elephants and if they are there, the world famous Bushmen will help us track them down. Where ever we shall camp at night cannot be said yet, probably close to the Aha Mountains. B, L, D.

Day 9:  We ride to the main road (Botswana border), load the horses and travel back to Dornhügel. We shall enjoy our last dinner together, share endless stories.  B, L, D.

Day 10:  After breakfast transfer back to Windhoek. B.

Anticipated start date :  May, 2010. Subject to a minimum of 6 riders.

Price Indication per person Euro: 2835.

                                          Email for current price

You can book as an individual, but we need to take bookings from a minimum of 6 for the trip to proceed at these prices. We are happy to plan a trip for smaller groups. The maximum number on this tour is 12.

Deposit: 30% of the total.    Balance Due: 60 days prior to start date.

What is included
Fully supported camping, which includes all the food you’ll need. All transportation throughout and the use of the horses for those that ride. Guides and support crew throughout. Transfer to and from Windhoek – Dornhügel – Windhoek.  2 nights half board at Dornhügel, 8 days riding and camping, transfer from Rumara to Tsumkwe and later from somewhere in Bushmanland back to Dornhügel. Tsumkwe Lodge accommodation in bungalows offered as luxury supplement at own expense (please let us know in plenty of time so that we can process this extra reservation - as communication with Bushmanland is most difficult).

What is not included
The price allows for joining and finishing in Windhoek. The above price does not include international airfare and departure taxes. Breakfast and lunch on day 1, lunch and dinner on day 10. Personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all drinks. Souvenirs and personal expenditure, tips for crew and bushman, extra bushman demonstrations and programs etc.

Visas
A visa is not currently required for most European or US passport-holders. See the embassy page for contact details. 

Additional Accommodation
If you need accommodation in the cities you travel through, we can help.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.