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Namib Desert Riding Safari

Duration
11 Days
Price from
$7,674 pp.
Location
Namibia, Africa
Namib Desert Ride

Trip Highlights

  • Scenic desert horseback rides
  • Stunning Namib Desert landscapes
  • Unique wildlife sightings

What's Included

  • Guided horseback rides
  • Desert activities
  • 10 nights accommodation

A challenging ride through one of the world’s oldest landscapes

An incredible riding experience, challenging yourself across 300km of the Namib Desert

This is not your average riding holiday. Traversing the dramatic expanse of the Namib - the oldest desert on Earth - this semi-participatory horseback safari is designed for confident, experienced riders ready for a true adventure. Vast ochre dunes, sweeping gravel plains, and ancient canyons set the stage for a journey that is both physically demanding and deeply rewarding.

Alistair our Namibia expert, says: “This is one of the most exhilarating and rewarding riding safaris out there. You’re covering serious ground across an ancient, ever-changing landscape – and doing it all from the saddle. It’s tough, no question, but the sense of freedom, the scenery, and the bond you build with your horse make it absolutely unforgettable. If you’re an experienced rider looking for something truly epic, this is it.”

The safari begins in Windhoek with a night to meet your guide, Andrew Gillies, and your fellow riders over dinner and sundowners. From there, you’ll transfer to your desert base and saddle up for an introductory ride, including a visit to Sossusvlei to take in the epic view from Dune 45.

Riding begins in earnest on day three, starting gently before picking up pace. You’ll cover 20–50 km a day at all paces, crossing the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons, navigating dry riverbeds lined with camelthorn trees, and traversing the wild gravel plains of the central Namib. Expect sightings of desert-adapted wildlife along the way - oryx, jackals, ostrich, and perhaps even hyena. One of the route’s highlights is a 27 km crossing of the Namib Dune Sea, before the final push toward the Atlantic Ocean and the surreal, lunar-like terrain that surrounds it.

Camp life is simple, sociable and in rhythm with the desert. You’ll sleep in bedrolls on stretchers under vast, star-filled skies (tents are available if preferred), with hot bucket showers and shared toilets at each site. Mornings start early with coffee and a hearty breakfast before riding out for the day. Lunch breaks are relaxed, with afternoons offering more time in the saddle before dinner around the fire.

Riders are expected to groom and tack their own horses, supported by an expert guiding team. It’s a hands-on journey in every sense - physically intense, visually unforgettable, and a true once-in-a-lifetime experience for those up to the challenge.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Namibia

Andrew Grooming, Namibia, Horses

A shuttle service will collect you from Windhoek International Airport (Hosea Kutako) to your first overnight in Windhoek (your name will be on a welcome board). Meet your fellow riders and host/riding guide Andrew Gillies for sundowners and dinner. Andrew will give you a briefing about your adventure.

Day 2 To the desert

Visiting Dune 45

Early breakfast and then the exciting journey into the desert (approximately 4,5 hours) with a dramatic drop off the escarpment. You will meet the horses and crew for lunch and will then head on an excursion to Sossusvlei to climb Dune 45 for a spectacular view of this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, enjoy dinner around the campfire under the magnificent southern constellation of stars

Day 3 - 4 The foothills

Day 5 - 6 The Canyons

Day 7 - 10 Plains to the Swakop River

Day 11 End of the adventure

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When to go to Namibia

Find out the best time to visit Namibia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

Bring your umbrella, it's rainy season. January is mid-summer in Namibia with the possibility of torrential downpours mid afternoon, but with temperatures of 30-35 degrees it tends to be hot and humid.

February

Similar to January, it is hot and humid with the chance of a downpour in the afternoon.

March

In March, rainfall starts to decrease and temperatures lower with nights becoming increasingly cool. Although daytime temperatures remain hot reaching up to 30 degrees.

April

April is predominantly dry and hot, although there can be a couple of sporadic rainy days across the month.

May

Winter is coming. May has little or no rainfall and the humidity is low, in northern regions around Etosha you'll find fresher, greener landscapes with wildlife gathering around depleting watering holes.

  • If you're looking to tackle the Fish River Canyon Hike this is the best time to visit Namibia.

June

In June the nights are cold and temperatures can drop below 10 degrees, whilst in the Namib desert it can reach below freezing. There is no chance of rain as the dry season is in full flow.

July

Visitors in July will experience one of Namibia's coldest months, be sure to pack warm clothing as game drives can be chilly.

August

Like July, visitors in August will experience one of Namibia's coldest months, be sure to pack warm clothing as game drives can be chilly and night time temperatures can drop below freezing both at the coast and inland.

September

Considered the best month to travel to Namibia, September is temperate with clear dry skies and low humidity levels.

October

In October game viewing is at its best, the vegetation is fading with temperatures rising up to 29 degrees.

November

Heat continues to rise, with humidity levels remaining low, however there is a chance of rain in the afternoons.

December

December brings the first rains of the season, bringing everything to life as animals start to disperse as more water becomes available.

George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far & Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025
Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far & Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2026
Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far & Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025
Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025
Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025
Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025
Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025
Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far & Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far & Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025
Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far & Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far & Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps was ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024

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