Fish River Canyon

Day 1 (L,D)

Meet your fellow riders in Windhoek for the transfer to Augurabis. Arrive late afternoon at Augurabis, a nearly forgotten farmstead, well hidden in lush vegetation near a natural fountain in the Gaap river which is in the northern Fish River Canyon area. Augurabis is located in Gondwana Park, a private park of about 120 000 ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Day 2 (B,L,D)

Have breakfast and briefings and go on a 'trial ride' where you meet and match with the horses and adapt to the riding style and the terrain. This is a leisurely ride along the Gaap River and surrounding area. The afternoon is free for relaxation, hiking, photographs, etc. At this point your luggage needs to be re-arranged, to take just a small bag for two days, since the tracks are non-existent, or poor and the vehicles used only have room for the bare essentials. Please note that pack horses may be used.

Day 3 (B,L,D)

Ride from Augurabis to Koelkrans (cool cliffs). This is serious riding over variable terrain, to meet the Canyon with a stunning view, stop at the view point and descend into the canyon. Camp at a large natural pool surrounded by steep cliffs. Go for a much appreciated swim in an otherwise extremely dry area. You could see mountain zebra, Oryx, klipspringer and rock dassies, as well as birds of prey and owls, on the way.

Day 4 (B,L,D)

From Koelkrans past Sandy Beach to Flamingo Bay - names as extraordinary as their setting. Yes, you might see a flamingo in the desert. The ride will follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what is waiting for you. Whether you ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the edge will depend on the water level in the river.

Day 5 (B,L,D)

Flamingo Bay along the Gaap River to Augurabis. Following the Fish River further down to the mouth of the Gaap River, another stunning viewpoint. Continue up along the Gaap with its own interesting and winding passage. Past ruins of a homestead where one cannot believe any human being could have lived, and on into an unexpected dense riverine forest, back to Augurabis, to be reunited with your entire luggage.

Day 6 (B,L,D)

Augurabis to Dassiepos. Serpentine away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges ends onto end on a vast open plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell's zebra, springbok, ostrich and herds of Oryx. As you ride in a fenceless environment, the riding is not limited to a specific route. Camp in a dry riverbed at the foot of Holoog mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama.

Day 7 (B,L,D)

Dassiepos to Mountain Camp. Ride through endless savannah into an area strewn with granite boulders and charismatic quiver trees, to arrive for lunch at Mountain Camp. The afternoon will include a drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon, where the normal tourists go hiking and sight seeing. You will be amazed to see where the group has been with their horses. Enjoy some luxury and a very special evening at Mountain Camp.

Day 8 (B,L,D)

Parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Fourie se Gat ('a hole dug by Mr. Fourie'). Over wide open savannah with game and hills in the east and the awesome sight of the Canyon area, to the west. Usually you can enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Fish River Canyon 'bad lands' to the west, the Granite kopjes behind you and the sandy plains of the Gamkab basin ahead of you, with Norotshama peak on the southern horizon.

Day 9 (B,L,D)

Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. Ride towards the Orange River basin, winding through granite kopjes, past unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

Day 10 (B,L,D)

From Gamkab Camp to Aussenkehr camp. Riding over a patch of isolated sand dunes onto Aussenkehr plains to a camp surrounded by stacked boulders which could only have been the work of giants. Again, riding is not limited to a specific route, as you can roam freely in a vast environment.

Day 11 (B,L,D)

The last ride. Stunning contrast again; ride from the wide open plains into the very narrow Kings Throne canyon, onto a view point surprisingly displaying the Orange/Gariep River with its vineyards in an otherwise barren landscape. Another happy canter and some strolling through the vineyards to finally untack at Norotshama Lodge, 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 12 (B,L)

Maybe go for a short canoe trip down the river and leave late morning for 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 of on a Sundowner excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with an experienced guide.

Day 13 (B)

Depart for Windhoek after an early breakfast.

Alternatively, if your time is limited, you can also book just part of this trail: A. Northern Canyon Trail - 8 days, 7 nights, Sunday to Sunday (day 1-7 plus return transfer). 6 days riding, 2 days for transfers and an excursion to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon. B. Southern Plains Trail - 7 days, 6 nights, Saturday to Friday (transfer to Canon Mountain Camp, join the Fish River Canyon to Orange River Trail for day 8-13). 4 days riding, 2 days for transfers and a visit to the famous Wild Horses of the Namib.