Okakambe Trails has received its name from the native languages Herero and
Shivambo where it means "HORSE". Okakambe Trails, is situated on the banks
of the dry Swakopriverbed, 12 km outside Swakopmund, and was founded by Kathrin
Schaefer Stiege ten years ago.
Kathrin, who comes from Germany, fulfilled her dream of having her own horse
riding school in Africa and started off with only two horses for horse riding
lessons. today this little horse farm in the middle of the Namib Desert hosts
a varity of animals, with the special attraction still being the horses, but
with the difference that today there are over 30 well trained and well fed
horses on the farm (which include hanoverians, Throughbreds, Friesians,
Arabs and others).
We at Okakambe Trails wish to bring Namibia and the living desert with all its beauty
and space a bit closer to you, as on horse back one can experience some of the deserts
wildlife, which will never be seen from a driving car. The desert offers a diversity
of terrains, which can vary from dunes to sand and rocky plains to mountains and dry
riverbeds.
Horse Trail
We do offer two different types of trails being either on horse back or on foot to
choose from. All trails will start relatively early in the mornings, when it is still
cool and most of the deserts wildlife is still active, after a healthy breakfast with
some coffee or tee.
At noon the desert could develop a scorching heat and where possible we will rest in
the shade of trees and rock formations for the hottest part of the day, where we will
have small lunch. In the evenings we will be able to enjoy a good meal, which will be
prepared on an open fireplace under the starlit sky.
The daily distance covered is approximately 30 to 40 km, depending on the experience
of the riders and the weather conditions. The well being of the horses and our guests
will always be at our first interest.
Camps will be set up with canvas dome tents and paraffin storm lanterns. Dinner will
be prepared on an open fireplace and served at tables set with tablecloths and glassware.
We do not ride with full gear, as many do underestimate the desert sun. Camp materials
as well as your bag with your overnight clothing will be transported from camp to camp
by the mobile unit of Okakambe Trails.
Hiking Trails
We do offer three different three-day hiking trails as well as a five-day hiking trails for very fit hikers to choose from.
Walks will start relatively early in the mornings, when it is still cool and most of the deserts wildlife is still active, after a healthy breakfast with some coffee or tee.
At noon the desert could develop a scorching heat and where possible we will rest in the shade of trees and rock formations for the hottest part of the day, where we will have small lunch. In the evenings we will be able to enjoy a good meal, which will be prepared on an open fireplace under the starlit sky.
Itineraries are an indication only and trails can be booked according to your time available. Trails may be changed without prior notice, should the weather or the fitness of the guests demand it.
Short out rides
At Okakambe Trails we also do offer outrides from as short as one hour to three hours, or even day tours in addition to our overnight trails.
Outrides:
The outrides will be small excursions through the dry Swakopriverbed, over through some of the small canyons into the little moon landscape. The rides will take you past the burned mountain "Nuberoffkop", back into the Swakoprivervalley. The outrides that are on offer are: 1 hour, 1,5 hours, 2 hours and three hours outrides.
Day tours on horse-back:
The day tours start at 9h00 in the morning at Okakambe Trails and are horse rides of approximatley five to six hours and will take the riders dwon into the Swakoprivervalley, through five to six hours and will take the riders down into the Swakoprivervalley, through the little moon landscape, over to the sand dunes. Here the horses will take our guests along the old history railway track to the colonial horse cemetery, from where the ride will go on towards the beack. Lunch will be served at a set table at the beach.
After lunch the ride will take us along the Swakopriverbed past the greens of the golf course, where we can see a few Springbuck grazing on the greens. Approximeatley at 16h00 hourse the riders will all be back at Okakambe Trails. With a bit of luck, the horse riders on a day trail will be able to see Springbuck and Jackal and plenty of bird life and certainly splendid scenery.
