Adventurous Horse Riding Safaris
Enjoy a challenging and unforgettable horse riding safari. During the riding safari, you ride in some of the most remote and dramatic desert terrain Namibia has to offer. Spend two nights in lodges and the other 8 nights you are camping wild with all the luxuries. For example, you will still have Ice in your sundowners and hot bucket showers. Over and above, you enjoy delicious food around companionable campfires. All the while living with horses 24/7 – surely life seldom gets better.
Wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee, have a hearty breakfast, saddle up, ride, lunch and rest, ride, sundowners, shower, delicious dinner, sleep…
…and do it all again tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!
The horses
Between safaris the horses stay relatively fit by living out in thousands of hectares of natural bush. The herds form natural social bonds and because they are more comfortable within these familiar groups, they go on safari together too. They do 10-night safari every six weeks or so between April and late October remaining fit between safaris by walking huge distances from grazing to water every day. All horses spend the four/five months of off-season out in the bush, undisturbed.
While on safari horses are continually fed – even at night, and are groomed three times a day. Backs, legs, and hooves are regularly checked and each horse has a mini-vetting at the end of the day. Like this you can be sure that they are fit for work the next day. Because injuries do occur and young horses need more rest than experienced campaigners, several spare horses join the safari and can be rotated.
Tack
Above all, there is an expert saddle-maker on the team. She has designed the new safari saddles specifically for the purpose. Hence, they spread the riders’ weight evenly over a wide area. Even though it leaves the shoulder free to move naturally. The stirrups are placed specifically to allow you to stand and to ease the horses’ backs at regular intervals. The water panniers are moved to the back of the saddle to not restrict the riders’ knees. Simple snaffle bridles or bit-less bridles are used, where possible. Each horse has its allotted bridle and saddle for the duration of the safari.
Who can come
Above all, the weight limit per horse is strictly under 85 kg dressed in riding gear. As a result, above 85 kg a supplement is levied for a second and even a third horse to help with the work. So that the absolute maximum weight limit is 93 kg in riding gear. Having said this, for the horses’ sake (and yours) please be accurate about your riding ability, your weight and your fitness level. You have to be able to mount your horse, from the ground, unaided. The right is reserved to rest horses during a safari if you are not able to sustain an independent seat, or if your weight and riding ability do not fall within the minimum required.
If you do not ride regularly (2 – 3 times a week), we strongly recommend that you get into practise before joining one of the challenging safaris. It will be at the discretion of the guide, whether unfit or less experienced riders will be permitted to ride, taking into consideration their safety and enjoyment. As well as that of the group as a whole and particularly the well-being of the horses.
Being on Safari
You arrive in Windhoek on the first day of your safari, preferably in time for pre-dinner group briefing. At the end you arrive back at Windhoek International Airport (Hosea Kutako) in time for fights leaving after 15:00
Camp life has a leisurely pace – your days begin at sunrise with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through camp. After a hearty breakfast the riding starts around 8am for 4 – 5 hours. The lunch breaks are 1 – 2 hours, followed by another 2 – 3 hours riding in the afternoon.
You ride 20 – 60 km per day at all paces and over rough terrain – some very long canters
Please consult our Riding Policy before booking – by signing the required Indemnity it is assumed you have understood the terms and conditions contained therein. Because of the remoteness of our riding safaris, all guests require comprehensive medical insurance including repatriation.
Interested? Give us a call!
