Central Namibia Game Ride

Introduction
Namibia Namibia
Stay in a former cattle farm of around 8,000 hectares, just a short drive north of Windhoek and discover the local wildlife. During our rides, we will look for giraffe, zebra, kudu, oryx, springbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, sable antelope, duiker, steenbok, waterbok, jackal and with some luck, we might spot a cheetah, leopard or hyena.

The area features varied terrain with some open areas and some bushy areas, making for some very interesting riding! On average, you will spend 4 hours per day in the saddle. Some of the rides will be until lunchtime with time to relax in the afternoon or we will organize an activity, whereas other days we will ride a few hours in the morning and again in the afternoon.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights will be spent at the farm.

Description
You will be accommodated in a small, but cozy guesthouse. There are 2 bedrooms; one with an en-suite bathroom (shower, washbasin and toilet) and one with a big bathroom (shower, washbasin and toilet) just opposite the bedroom. There’s a kitchen, a living room and a terrace overlooking the bushveld.

Once the main building has been renovated there will be 5 additional guest rooms.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

Breakfast consists of coffee, tea, fruit juice, bread, cereals, yoghurt, eggs, ham, cheese and a variety of jams and fruit. Coffee and tea is at the guest’s disposal throughout the day.

Lunch varies from a lovely picnic in the bush to a hot meal at the farm.

Dinners will be served around 7:30 pm.

We keep an honesty bar where guests write down the drinks they take from the fridge. These drinks will have to be paid for in cash (ZAR or NAD) at the end of the stay.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater for vegetarians / pescatarians, but no other dietary requirements. Please, let us know at the time of booking if you require a special diet.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Endurance Ride Options
The opportunity exists for you to compete in an endurance ride. You will receive instructions during your stay and will be accompanied by Ingeborg, giving you the do's and don’ts and the why and why-nots during your training. She will also set the pace and give you further instructions during the actual competition itself. Your stay will be a combination of game viewing from horseback, the training for and the actual endurance competition. This means you will have the luxury of having 2 horses; one you will train for the endurance and the actual competition itself and the other horse is for your safari rides.
Please, inquire about the endurance ride dates.

Riding Level
You should be riding fit and strong. We have to take the safety and enjoyment of our horse(s) as well as yourself and other riders into consideration. Therefore, we require the following level of competence:
•you are confident at all paces and can control a (very) forward going horse across vary varied terrain
•you can rise/post to the trot
•you can stand in your stirrups when in canter/gallop
•you have a balanced and independent seat
•you have horse sense
We reserve the right to prevent any guest from riding if we feel they do not fulfill the competence level detailed above. If you are not riding regularly we strongly recommend that you get in practice before joining us on safari.

Pace
During your week’s stay (6 riding days), you will ride an average of 4 hours per day. The riding can be fairly intensive and you are welcome to take either a morning, afternoon or day off “out of the saddle” to enjoy the other activities or just relax by the pool.

Riding Terrain
The area features varied terrain with some open areas and some bushy areas, making for some very interesting riding!



Horses
Our horses are our greatest and most important assets. We have 16 pure-bred Arabian horses and 1 Arab cross. Some of the horses are youngsters, some are retired after having given years of faithful service and other are riding horses.
We have chosen our horses for their even temperament and to ensure a safe yet exciting ride. Some of our lovely creatures were bought in Namibia or born at our own stud, whereas others were imported from South Africa, Europe and the United States. Not only do they compete successfully in national and international endurance rides, but also achieve excellent results in the show ring.
It goes without saying that we've trained our horses in all aspects of trail riding. It is with great pride that we can say that we have happy, fun loving and forward going horses!
All effort is made to ensure the right combination between horse and rider.
We expect you to groom and tack up your own horse. This creates a bond between horse and rider that both parties will rely on during the day’s adventures. When you return from your ride, you will be asked to assist in showering your horse.

Weight Limit
For the welfare of our horses and their size, we limit the weight of our riders to 85kg for our safari rides and 80kg for our endurances and mountain trails.

Tack
We use light-weight endurance saddles covered with sheep skin bumnahs. These saddles –made by Leon Liversage– are comfortable for both horse and rider and designed for long hours in the saddle. All saddles carry a saddle bag that have enough space for cold water (provided) and your personal equipment (camera, suntan lotion, binoculars, etc.).
The stirrups are wide and give you plenty of support. Some of our horses are ridden either on an eggbutt snaffle bit or a French loose ring training snaffle bit.

Staff
Ingeborg’s love for Arabian horses started when she was still a youngster. During one of her dressage competitions as a child, she fell in love with a gorgeous white Arabian horse performing some magnificent dressage steps and promised herself “Later, when I’m all grown up I want to have an Arabian horse”. Now, years later she is the proud owner of a herd of 28 Arabian horses. Dreams can come true!

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: Safari Week - subject to changes

Please, note that the operator recently moved to a new location and is still exploring new surroundings. Because of this we ask the riders to be flexible and able to understand that sometime ‘routes’ are very flexible as we may encounter dead-ends or simply terrain where we cannot get through on horseback.

Also, note that this is not a game reserve so wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
If you are able to arrive at the farm for noon, you might be able to go on a short afternoon ride after a quick introduction to our adorable Arabian horses. This short ride will take you into the riverbed of the Otjihavera river, enjoying some beautiful scenery. Very often we spot impressive kudu and elegant oryx in this area.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 2 (Sunday):  Game Ride & Sundowner
This morning, we ride until lunch time. The first 20 minutes or so will be on rocky terrain and at a walk only. Once we have passed this area, soft sandy terrain awaits us. Encounters with steenbok, duiker, oryx and springbok are likely. The afternoon will be at your disposal to take a siesta or enjoy a walk on one of the local hiking trails.
A sundowner drive is planned for the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 3 (Monday): Breakfast & River Rides
At first light, we will saddle the horses and ride to our beautiful camping area. Here, breakfast will be served. After breakfast, the horses will be saddled again to take us back to the stables.
This evening, our ride brings us to Osona, on the far side of the farm. The pace will be varied as meandering through this part of the river bed is not always smooth sailing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 4 (Tuesday): Picnic Ride
We will leave the stables slightly later this morning. After a good few hours of riding, taking us through a riverbed and surrounding bush veld, we will meet the groom(s), who will look after our horses while we enjoy chilled drinks and a light picnic lunch at a beautiful camping site. We should be back at the farm around 3 pm, just in time for a drink, a shower and some relaxing until dinner is served.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 5 (Wednesday): Mountains Ride & Woodcarvers’ Market
Today, we will ride until lunch time through and over some mountains, on the lookout for zebra, kudu and oryx. The going will be slow as the terrain is tough on the horses.
A visit to the woodcarvers’ market in Okahandja is planned for the afternoon. Here, you can purchase your souvenirs (cash only). Please be aware that you will either have to bargain or trade. And if you’re a lover of biltong and/or droë wors (dry sausage) we will take you to one of the best butcheries in the country.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 6 (Thursday): Zandveld & Game Drive
Our morning ride will bring us to the far end of the farm, exploring some mountain trails and passing a dam teaming with birdlife such as geese, ducks, plovers and waders (in and just after our rain season). On our way back to the stables, we will come across an area which is called zandveld (sand field) where soft sandy terrain invites us for long trots and canters zigzagging through the bush. Hopefully we will find zebra, wildebeest and sable antelope in this area.
A game drive is planned for the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 7 (Friday): Morning Game Ride & Sundowner Ride
The morning will take us into the Otjihavera river bed, going south and crossing beautiful Ana and gum trees, providing plenty of shade for a short break. Hartebeest, kudu and giraffe are found in this area.
In the afternoon we will saddle again for a short ride through the river bed. On our route, our groom(s) will be waiting for us and our horses. The horses will be tethered so that we can enjoy some cooled drinks and snacks whilst watching the sun set. We continue our ride back to the stables in awe of a sky filled with stars and hearing the call of jackal in the background.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
If your departure from the farm is after noon (12 pm), there is the possibility for a short morning ride. Time will tell what we will encounter on our last ride.
Unfortunately, this week has gone by so quick that it’s time to say goodbye to our horses and the rest of the crew.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: Endurance Week - subject to changes

This program is held from Monday to Monday.
We recommend that you arrive the latest the Monday before the ride as this will give you plenty of time to get to know your endurance horse and for the horse to get to know you!

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival 
We will collect you from Windhoek Airport and bring you to the farm. At the farm we will introduce you to your horses and give you a briefing.
Tonight you will stay at the Lodge. Sundowners and a delicious dinner of local fare await you in the lapa, while we watch the resident kudu, black-faced impala at the waterhole. It is the beginning of your Namibian Endurance Riding Adventure!
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 2 (Tuesday): Introductory Ride
During the morning we will take the time for you to get to know the horses. A session in the veld will give both you and your horse a chance to understand each other. The rest of the day is spent either being very energetic doing something around the farm, or you can be totally lazy, enjoying the horses in the paddocks while you recline at the pool with a tall glass of icy something. Late afternoon will be spent on a training ride. During the evening we will explain some of the endurance do’s and don’ts and go through the theory of vet checks.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 3 (Wednesday): Game Ride & Endurance Training 
We will explore a little today, go into the bush to watch the game from horseback. We will return to the lodge for lunch and go for another short training session in the afternoon and practice a vet check.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 4 (Thursday): Game Ride & Endurance Training 
We will do some more exploring and enjoy the scenery and game from horseback. The lodge awaits us for lunch. In the late afternoon, the last chance to get more familiar with your endurance horse and maybe practice another vet check.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 5 (Friday): Preparation of Endurance Race (no riding)
It is time to pack up and begin our journey to the endurance ride. Depending on which ride you have chosen, the trip will take us anything between 1 and 4 hours. The journey might be slow trailing the horses, but you get to see (a small) part of the countryside. We will decide on where to put our grooming/holding areas and take the time to exercise the horses. The vet check, entries and weigh-in normally starts during the (late) afternoon. On Friday early evening the pre-ride briefing will be held, where the route and basic rules will be explained. The evening is sociable and we will join fellow riders for a drink, generally get to know everyone, catch up on news, have a good meal and early to bed.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight depends on where the endurance place takes place

Day 6 (Saturday): Endurance Race
Competition days! Early rise! Depending on the expected weather and your distance the ride starts around 5am. We will ride together. Even though one of our grooms will be helping us, you will be expected to assist with crewing and getting your horse through the vet check. The horses always come first, and their comfort and well being is our first priority. Depending on the terrain, distance, horse, and rider the speed will be anything between 13 and 19 km per hour. The prize giving is during the late afternoon or early evening; we’ll tuck the horses in and make sure that all is well. A drink, a good meal and soft bed is normally the order of the day after a good ride.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight depends on where the endurance place takes place

Day 7 (Sunday): Relaxed Ride After the Race
Feeling your muscles, hot coffee, check and feed the horses, breakfast, chatting, and packing up is how the day after the ride seems to go. We should be on the road by 10am. In the late afternoon we saddle our endurance horses and take them for a relaxed ride to loosen up their and our muscles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 8 (Monday): Departure
By now we have all gotten to know each other quite well, we have had a busy week and done some serious riding, but alas, it is time to say good-bye. We will take you back to Windhoek Airport or set you on your way to the next part of your Namibian holiday or even better extend your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Central Namibia Game Ride

Dates Note:
Arrival and departure can be any day of the week as per vacancy at the lodge!

Other Info
Meeting: Windhoek
Airport: Windhoek Eros Airport (ERS)
Transfer: Windhoek Eros Airport (ERS) or Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)

Climate:
                                                Windhoek area