Overview

The Fish River Canyon is the largest natural gorge in Africa and a most impressive geological feature displaying the Earth’s history laid out like the pages of a book. Despite its seeming aridity, this is one of the most diverse biomes on earth – a delight for nature lovers. Expansive plains invite endless canters in a landscape characterised by meandering gorges and dramatically eroded escarpments.

The terrain dictates a slower start to this riding safari than our others, so this ride is suitable for intermediate and advanced riders. From the northern reaches of the Fish River Canyon to the Orange River, this is a spectacularly diverse wonderland

Booking Details

From Cape town back to Cape Town: 11 days, 10 nights, 7½ riding days; 3 lodge-based nights, 7 nights camping.

Leave from Cape Town International Airport on first day of your horse-riding safari at 09:30, returning to Cape Town International Airport between 17:00 and 18:00 on the last day.

Conditions 

Days begin at sunrise; departure is generally by 8am with 4 – 5 hours riding before lunch. Lunch breaks vary from an hour to 2 ½ hours followed by another 2 – 3 hours riding in the afternoon. Consult the ‘General information’ page on our website for more details on camp life, meals, camping, tack and other information and well as add-on extras before or after your ride.

We average anything from 20 – 50 km riding per day, all paces, and sometimes over rough terrain. Please note that this is a true desert so routes can change due to unpredictable weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Please use only soft luggage of no more than 20 kg, ideally split your luggage between two soft bags

Because of the remoteness of our rides it is essential that riders ensure they are covered for emergency evacuation. See our website for details on short-term local cover available.

Itinerary

Day 1 and 2 Cape Town to Holoog You will be met at Cape Town International Airport for your transfer north, overnighting at Springbok on the edge of the Richterveld Transfrontier Park. Next day, after the border crossing we reach Holoog Ranger Station in time for lunch with the crew. We meet the horses and saddle up in the afternoon and ride in and around the Gaap River with is fascinating rock formations and rich plant diversity. Overnight at Holoog (means ‘hollow eye”).

Day 3 – 5 The Canyons Following the Gaap River and crossing several small canyons which crisscross this very plant-diverse area which is also home to a number of game species including giraffe. We have some wide plains too so the pace quickens with some lovely long canters. We camp at Canõn Roadhouse, with its curious ‘living museum’ of old cars and movie memorabilia, and overnight at the intimate Mountain Camp lodge with its spectacular view.

Day 6 – 10 The Plains to the Orange Starting with a transfer to view the main viewpoint of the Canyon, we continue riding after lunch. Being both a winter and summer rainfall biome, this area is known for its rich diversity and large herds of seasonal plains game species can be seen. We ride to our overnight at the hot-springs at Ai Ais where the deliciously warm water of the spring can be enjoyed in the afternoon – bring your swimming trunks! Finally dropping down into the valley of the Orange River we enjoy the last overnight on the banks of the river amongst the vines of one of the largest table-grape vineyards in the world – a curious sight in an otherwise arid landscape.

Day 11 After an early breakfast we depart on a 9 ½ hour commute to Cape Town International Airport arriving between 17:00 and 18:00.