the skeleton coast
Mar, apr, nov 2027 | £7200pp | namibia
RIDE WILD along the skeleton coast
Overview
Welcome to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, where desert sands fade into the roar of the Atlantic. Ride across remote and otherworldly terrain, past ghostly shipwrecks and thriving seal colonies. This is a journey for the boldest, fittest and most adventurous riders.
On calm, forward going and incredibly fit horses, you’ll cover up to 50km a day, galloping across seemingly never ending desert landscapes that could be mistaken for Mars.
Guided by experts who know the desert like the back of their hand, you’ll spend your days exploring the vast landscapes the Skeleton Coast has to offer and your nights sleeping beneath the stars.
This is a wild ride for those who welcome challenge, embrace adventure and seek to explore untamed expanses that test skill, stamina and spirit.
What you need to know
£7200 pp
All meals, accommodation & activities during the ride included
11 days, 10 nights
03 - 12 March, 25 March - 03 April, 10 - 19 November 2027
6-8 hours riding everyday
Sleeping under the stars (tents available if wanted)
Mobile camp with hot showers
Fast riding
No wifi and cell reception
Visit to the cape cross seal colony (10,000 seals)
Dates: 03 - 12 March, 25 March - 03 April, 10 - 19 November 2027
Price: £7200 per person
Location: Namibia
Riding level: Advanced and experienced. Able to control horse in a group up to a gallop and ride in light seat for extended periods of time.
Time in the saddle: 6-8 hours a day
Horses: Mix of breeds: Quarter Horse crosses, Arabs, Paints (both usually mixed with Quarter Horse)
Weight limit: 85kg. Extra charge for a second horse if between 85-95kg.
Currency: Namibian dollar & South African rand is also widely accepted
Need to know
OVERVIEW
Accommodation during the trip
A visit to the Cape Fur seal colony
Meals and drinks while on the ride
All conservation fees
Transfer to and from Windhoek International Airport
What’s included:
International or domestic flights
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips
Travel & medical insurance (this is mandatory and must include repatriation due to the remote nature of the safari)
Visas. Please check visa and passport requirements before travelling
Vaccinations etc (please check with your doctor to see if you will require any)
What’s excluded:
Food: Meals consist of porridge, eggs, pancakes etc for Breakfast. Lunch is a smaller meal and dinner is very substantial. It tends to consist of a variety of meat dishes, accompanied by rice, vegetables, salads etc. Dessert is always offered after if you can manage it :) Dietary requirements / preferences can usually be accommodated on request. Unfortunately vegetarians cannot be accommodated.
Accommodation:
Day 1: River crossing lodge
Day 2: Mobile tented camp
Day 3: Mobile tented camp
Day 4: Mobile tented camp
Day 5: Mobile tented camp
Day 6: Mobile tented camp
Day 7: Mobile tented camp
Day 8: Mobile tented camp
Day 9: Mobile tented camp
Day 10: Private beach house
The mobile tented camp travels with you and has space for kitchen & dining/lounging areas. There are hot showers available every night and chemical or long drop loos at every camp. You’ll sleep in a warm and comfortable bedroll on a stretcher under the stars every night. Tents are available but you’ll miss out on spectacular views of the stars & milky way
Accommodation and food
Namibia horse safari’s horses are a mix of breeds, most being quarter horse crosses with some Arabs and Paints. They’re incredibly fit and forward going, and very well adapted to covering long distances in the desert.
The horses go on safaris every 6 weeks during in season, usually with their friend groups, so they receive ample breaks and live out in the bush during their time off.
They’re fed and groomed multiple times a day during a safari and are ridden with saddles fit for long distance safari purpose. They spread weight evenly over the horse’s back and are designed to encourage the rider to stand.
Each horse has a mini vetting after every day on a safari to confirm that they’re fit to be ridden the next day.
Horses
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding boots
Light and loose layers of clothing - neutral colours are best
A light rain jacket (for foggy mornings)
Sunglasses & snood (for the dust)
Sun hat
Woollen hat / beanie
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
Warm clothes for sleeping
A power pack for charging your phone
A book for entertainment
Toiletries (remember lip balm with SPF, wet wipes, hand cream and moisturiser), towel, jodphurs etc
Flip flops
Shoes for travel / wearing around camp
Camera gear (+ spare batteries) & head torch
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
Please pack in a soft sided back that doesn’t exceed 20kg.
What to pack:
Itinerary
Day 1:
A shuttle service will collect you from Windhoek international airport. You’ll meet your fellow rides and host / riding guide Andrew Gilies at River Crossing Lodge for sundowners, dinner and a briefing about your adventure.
Day 2:
You’ll have an early breakfast and then begin the journey to the Skeleton Coast. After a 4 hour drive, you’ll reach the town of Swakopmud for lunch and then continue on for 3 hours, stopping at the Cape Cross Seal Colony on the way - 10,000 seals in one spot! You’ll then settle in and explore your surroundings, meeting your crew and most importantly, your horse. You’ll sleep under the stars alongside the roar of the Atlantic ocean.
Day 3 and 4:
Your first riding day will begin with a saddling briefing and getting acquainted with your horse. The landscape is everchanging and you’ll ride as fast as the terrain allows.
As the soft evening light descends as your arrive at camp, you’ll enjoy sundowners as the Milky Way appears overhead. With no light pollution, the stars are like none you’ll have ever seen before. With your new companions, you’ll sit around a campfire and recount the joys of the day.
Day 5 & 6:
You’ll set off after breakfast and ride through a landscape that could be mistaken for Mars. The undulating terrain changes colour depending on the desert substrate, from brick red to startling white. Riding through dry river washes and interesting geological formations, it’s a wonder to behold. Damaraland has a violent geological history, leaving a legacy of unusual landscapes and topographical features which are outstanding.
Days 7 - 10:
You’ll ride around the massive Messum Caldera, a collapsed volcano, and camp on its now eroded western rim. On the following day, you’ll climb a less eroded ridge of the caldera for a striking view of the distant Brandberg.
Your final ride is along the beach to Henties bay and your last night is a stay in a private beach house with a wonderful sea view.
Day 11:
You’ll have an early breakfast and be transferred back to Windhoek international airport, arriving around 1pm.
your guides
The team at Namibia Horse Safaris will be your guides and hosts during your trip and have a stellar reputation for providing unrivalled safaris in the heart of Namibia.
They’ve been operating for about 35 years and have therefore learnt the Namibian desert like the back of their hand. Guiding you across hundreds of kilometres of desert with ever changing landscapes, you couldn’t be in better hands.
Your lead guide and host will be Andrew Gilies and your back up guide is Larissa Bonhold. Both have large amounts of experience and no doubt some interesting stories to tell.
The horses are just as much a part of the team as the guides & support staff are and are incredibly well looked after. Most of their horses are Quarter Horse x Arab and are very fit and forward going. They also have a few other breeds such as Paints and also horses from all walks of life such as ex racehorses and even some strays.
They’re all experienced, responsive and sure footed. You will no doubt bond with your horse and have a hard time saying goodbye.
