Damara Elephant Expedition

From Twyfelfontein to the Skeleton Coast, the sheer remoteness of this challenging horse riding safari makes it suitable for experienced riders only since encounters with elephant, rhino and even lion are possible. On the other hand, this could be the most thrilling riding adventure of your life!

Best period
July - September
Price
From € 7.620
Ideal length
11 days/10 nights
Level
Experienced

Highlights

Visit the World Heritage Site rock engravings of Twyfelfontein.

Ride through a remote and spectacular geological wonderland.

Encounter desert-adapted wildlife such as elephants, rhino and oryx.

Sleep out under the stars every night with memorable Milky Way views.

Quick facts

11 days/10 nights
Experienced
Max. 95KG (Supplement between 85 and 95KG)
Groups up to 12
5 - 7 hours/day in the saddle
Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport


At a glance

The setting of this expedition is the almost inaccessible Damaraland region, a truly breath-taking part of Namibia with ancient craters, endless open plains and delicate patterns of colour. Being able to travel this spectacular area from horseback is a unique experience.

After the transfer from Windhoek, your first exciting activity is a visit to the world heritage site rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. The next few days you’ll ride 20 – 50 kilometres per day on your westward journey to the Atlantic. From riding along river valleys with impressive Tableland mountains onto the huge coastal plains, that allow for long and fast canters.

The last ride takes you to the ocean at last – the spectacularly formidable Skeleton Coast, apparently so called for the wrecked hulks of stranded ships which dot this coastline. The cold upwelling Benguela current results in some diverse weather conditions from hot desert easterlies to cold south Atlantic westerly’s – a place of extremes! Throughout your expedition you’ll have the chance to spot some desert-adapted wildlife such as elephants, rhino and oryx.

 


More information

Eat, ride, sleep, repeat. That’s the rhythm of this epic expedition through spectacular Damaraland. You’ll camp wild for eight nights with all the essential camp life luxuries: ice in your sundowners, hot bucket showers, delicious food around companionable campfires and incredible Milky Way views. Living with your horse 24/7 in wild, remote areas is a life-changing sensation and is most likely why these Namibian expeditions have such a high return rate. Close bonds are built with your fellow travel companions and four-legged friends as you live this adventure together.

The first night of the trip you’ll stay in a lodge near Windhoek. The last night is spent in the small coastal town of Henties Bay in a private house with the most spectacular view over the Atlantic Ocean. Your luggage is transported in vehicles each day.

 

What do others say?

My friend and I went to Monte Velho, Portugal, through Outside the Corral. From the very first email, Laure-Anne was enthusiastic, which was a great sign for us. She patiently answered all our questions, and the fact that she had visited herself made us feel reassured. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking the first time, but Laure-Anne made everything very personal: regular emails with updates, a clear final email with the detailed program, and even a personal card in the mail! At that point, we knew we were in good hands.

On-site, everything was perfectly organized. Monte Velho is a stunning place to completely immerse yourself in your “horse bubble.” It was amazing: beautiful rooms with even more beautiful views, delicious meals three times a day, and after an intense day of riding, relaxing in the jacuzzi while overlooking the fields with the mares. The horses were incredible: well-mannered, responsive, gentle, and well cared for. During the lessons, they never put a foot wrong, even when we were trying things we had never done before; they did exactly what was asked, with or without help from the instructors. And the instructors themselves were fantastic: enthusiastic, which sometimes took a little getting used to, as their English occasionally had a Portuguese twist, haha. All in all, we had an amazing holiday and would go back in a heartbeat, maybe even as soon as next year!

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Laure-Anne helped me make my dream trip come true. The perfect trip to discover Africa with great people! Before and during the trip I was always informed and could ask questions at any time. The only thing I had to arrange was the flight ticket and after that everything was arranged top notch! As a solo traveler, I did sometimes have my doubts, but Laure-Anne was always there to reassure me. A fantastic experience with professional guidance that was always available throughout the trip. I can’t wait to book my next ride!
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Saskia Wajsbort

Booking a trip with Outside the Corral was a wonderful experience. Horse riding holidays were completely new to me, so I really appreciated how Laure-Anne took the time to understand my riding experience and help me choose the holiday that suited me best. Communication was very smooth, and I could reach out to her with any questions or concerns. Thanks to that support, I set off on my first solo trip feeling confident and well prepared.

The holiday in Portugal was phenomenal, I truly couldn’t have wished for a better experience. After the trip, Laure-Anne also checked in to see how everything had gone, which really highlighted the personal approach that makes Outside the Corral stand out. If I ever plan another horse riding holiday, I will definitely book with Laure-Anne again!

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The destination was perfect for my purpose of recharging, relaxing and improving my riding skills. The horses were just beautiful and easy to ride, the food was delicious and the property was absolutely gorgeous. I also had a good time with the other guests, horse lovers who came from all over the world to this place for the famous Portuguese Lusitano horses. I will definitely return to Monte Velho! Laure-Anne read my needs perfectly and advised me exactly which ride to book. Moreover, she was very flexible when I needed to change my schedule and was available for 24/7 for questions. If you are thinking of a riding holiday, this is the place to book!
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