Africa's Greatest Canyon Trail - Fish River

Meet 8h00 at the Tourist Info kiosk in Windhoek, where airport busses and taxis stop (Windhoek central, opposite Kalahari Sands Hotel). Please inform us in advance of your flight or hotel arrangements, in order for us to find you, in case of delays. Transfer of about 8 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive late afternoon at Springfontein, a nearly forgotten spring, where rhinos and elephants quenched their thirst about 100 years ago in this barren and stark landscape. Springfontein is located on a private farm along the Sout (salt) River, which is a tributary to the Fish River north of the Main Canyon. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Meet 8h00 at the Tourist Info kiosk in Windhoek, where airport busses and taxis stop (Windhoek central, opposite Kalahari Sands Hotel). Please inform us in advance of your flight or hotel arrangements, in order for us to find you, in case of delays. Transfer of about 8 hours including a picnic along the way. Arrive late afternoon at Springfontein, a nearly forgotten spring, where rhinos and elephants quenched their thirst about 100 years ago in this barren and stark landscape. Springfontein is located on a private farm along the Sout (salt) River, which is a tributary to the Fish River north of the Main Canyon. Meet fellow-riders, hosts, guides and local crew.

Ride from Springfontein to Koelkrans (“cool cliffs”). 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. Terrain is inaccessible for larger trucks and we thus take small bags only.

From Koelkrans to Augurabis. The ride might follow a section of the Fish River where few people have set foot before. Who knows what is waiting for us! Whether we ride in the canyon or on zebra tracks around the top will depend on the water level in the river. The ride in the riverbed is difficult and demanding but then we make our way up on a steep tract to the Plato before we cross some plains to find the unexpected forest at Augurabis in the Gaap River. Augurabis is situated on Gondwana Park, a private park of about 120 000 ha dedicated to conservation and tourism. Stunning views, unbelievable space and awesome scenery!

Augurabis to Grenspos. Serpentine away from the canyons through bizarre weathered rocks to the southeast where the basalt ridges ends onto a vast plain, to enjoy some fast cantering and larger numbers of game like Burchell’s zebra, springbuck, ostrich and herds of oryx. As we ride in a fenceless environment we are riding wise not limited to a specific route and can go where the game is. We camp at the Mule Station from where Mule Trails Namibia is operated at the foot of Holoog Mountain on wide open terrain with a great panorama. All luggage available and back to ReitSafari's usual camp facilities and routine.

Grenspos 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 is free for leisure and relaxation and individual photographic excursions or sun downer walks. Enjoy the luxury of en-suite bath rooms, made-up proper beds and a very special evening at Mountain Camp.

After breakfast drive to the main view point of the Fish River Canyon, where the normal tourists go hiking and sight seeing. Drink a typical Namibian draft at Canyon Lodge on the way back and feast on home-made bread, meats, cheese and veggies for lunch. Tack up early afternoon to ride parallel to the course of the Fish River Canyon from Mountain Camp to Kanabis.

Kanabis to Fourie se Gat (‘a hole dug by Mr. Fourie’).Wake up to the awesome sight of the shadows and colours of the view over the Canyon area towards the west. Then ride through the Euphorbia dotted plains and further on among granite hills to camp nestling onto a Quartz ridge. 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.

Fourie se Gat to Gamkab Camp. In the morning we follow the road towards the Fish River Valley and then parallel to it to arrive upon wide open plains. We meet unlimited, ever changing scenery and camp at a cosy spot next to the Gamkab River.

From Gamkab Camp to Boulders camp. Riding over everlasting plains to a patch of isolated sand dunes on Aussenkehr Nature Park, then on again 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 we can roam freely in a vast environment.

The last ride. Stunning contrasts 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 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.

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 Sperrgebiet (Restricted Diamond area) to Aus. In the afternoon set off on a sun downer excursion to the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert with and experienced guide.

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 11 when passing through Rosh Pinah) or Luderitz airport (one hour transfer from Klein-Aus Vista). Take note: Routes can be changed due to unpredictable weather and other unforeseen conditions!

Rendezvous Point From Windhoek International take the airport bus or a taxi into town. We meet you at 8h00 (to be confirmed prior to arrival) at the Tourist Information kiosk opposite the Kalahari Sands Hotel in the city centre. Kindly let us have your flight number and contact details in Windhoek, should you arrive earlier. We are happy to assist with your arrangements and ensure that all works out well. Conditions Since this trail is similar to the Namib Desert Horse Trail, you should be physically fit as well as riding-fit, have a good sense of humor and sufficient riding experience. It entails six to eight hours riding per day, all paces.Included: transfer from Windhoek to Springfontein; full board and lodging at homesteads and lodges and good ReitSafari fare while camping on the trail; scenic drive to the main lookout point at the Fish River Canyon; transfer from Norotshama Lodge via Klein Aus Vista Lodge with an excursion to the Wild Horses and transfer back to Windhoek. Excluded: bottled and canned drinks on the trail and at lodges and homesteads; souvenirs; tips for local guides and crew; drinks at lodges; flights, if applicable, from Rosh Pinah or Lüderitzbucht; airport transfers.Horses and Saddles “One of each breed", i.e. Arab, Haflinger, Trakehner, ranch horses, even cross-breeds of the famous wild horses of the Namib Desert; they are small to medium-sized (14.3 to 16 hands) sure-footed horses raised on rough terrain, some of them with experience in endurance riding, and every one of them a kind, reliable companion that deserves the very best treatment and care. We use comfortable equitation and Western-style saddles to properly fit the horse as well as the rider. Terrain and Distance Rocky hills and riverbeds, gravel plains – at times the going is tough and difficult. On average we cover 20-40 km a day, spending six to eight hours in the saddle. Pace depends on terrain and temperatures as well as on fitness and weight of riders. Walk, trot, canter; gallop upon demand. 6 to 12 riders (up to 15 riders on Desert Trails) plus up to 2 - 3 riding guides. Camping Large dome-shaped tents (two participants sharing) with camp beds and swags (canvas bedrolls) consisting of lambskin, duvet or quilt and pillow; folding chairs, hot showers. Luggage is transported on trucks; the riders ride across bush or desert as the crow flies and meet the back-up vehicles at camp sites. Camp is pitched at sunset; meals are prepared on the open fire, usually a ‘braai’ or ‘potjie’ (casserole) - typically Namibian and often a surprise.Equipment Bring a warm sleeping bag (nights can be very cold), a set of warm clothes including a jacket or all-weather coat (for the occasional cold front, even snow), a wide-brimmed hat, a woolly hat, a windcheater, a warm sweater, 2 neckerchiefs, long-sleeved shirts, sun lotion, sunglasses, at least 3 changes of comfortable riding clothes (tried and trusted sportswear rather than brand-new fashionable jeans), riding boots/trainers/chaps/mini-chaps according to preference, leisure wear, towel, water bottle, torch, gloves, moon bag, lip balm, a small bag for everything you need for 2 days, sufficient batteries for cameras. We strongly recommend riding caps or cycle helmets (riding without protective headgear is at your own risk). Conditions Fitness, good health, experience in horse riding and handling horses are essential. You need not be an accomplished dressage rider or show jumper, but you must feel totally at ease on the back of a cantering horse; in addition you should be mentally strong and compatible, and have a sense of humour. We apply a bodyweight limit of 85 kg - anyone heavier pays a 30% surcharge for an extra horse due to regulations set by the World Horse Welfare (ILPH International League for Protection of Horses). We also offer to handle or help with other travel arrangements around our country. Non-riding company is welcome to join the trucks. Please let us know, if you need some more details. You could even phone us for a chat.