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?

In 2025, Outside the Corral gave me the most out-of-the-box riding holiday I could ever have imagined! I had my heart set on another horseback safari, but unfortunately the price was a bit beyond my budget this year. That’s when Laure-Anne suggested several tailor-made alternatives that were just as extraordinary and ones I would never have thought of myself.

So, at the beginning of June, my best friend and I headed to Iceland for a seven-day horseback trek alongside a herd of free-roaming horses. It was unbelievably beautiful, fun, and completely unique. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, you might think? Absolutely not! I’ll definitely be back for more, because Outside the Corral takes you to the most breathtaking places, with the most wonderful horses and the best company.

From choosing the destination to booking everything exactly the way you want it, from preparing and packing for the trip to the debriefing afterwards, the entire process is smooth, enjoyable and completely stress-free. Thank you, Laure-Anne, for making Iceland such an unforgettable experience for us. I’m already looking forward to many more adventures with Outside the Corral!

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Inez Vereecken
Laure-Anne from Outside the Corral has made a dream come true for me. Not only did I go to a beautiful country to hike for days with these beautiful animals, she encouraged me to realize my very first (!) vacation alone. The fact that those 2 things were allowed to come together was really a gift. It was a last-minute decision of mine: within 2 weeks I was already traveling! All my ideas came together in a trip to beautiful Slovenia. I made wonderful memories there and made new friends from all over the world. If I wanted to do something for myself again and combine this with my passion for horses; then Laure-Anne is under my speed dial!
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I had been dreaming of going on a horseback safari for so many years. I had already been to Africa before, but experiencing it from the back of a horse was something I longed for deeply. My trip with Outside the Corral to Zambia didn’t just fulfill that dream, it surpassed it in every possible way. From my very first call with Laure-Anne, every doubt disappeared. She immediately understood what I was looking for, and her warmth, passion and professionalism gave me complete confidence. Everything was organized to perfection, down to the smallest detail. This was my first horseback riding holiday, so I was quite excited and a bit nervous, but the moment I arrived, all of that melted away. The combination of the stunning Chundukwa River Lodge and the incredibly kind and professional team of Zambian Horseback Safaris made me feel right at home. The horses were beautifully cared for – something that matters deeply to me – and the whole team radiated love and respect for their animals, the land, and their guests. And then… the riding. Galloping across the endless Simalaha Plains, surrounded by wildlife, golden light, and pure African magic – it was everything I had ever dreamed of. I felt so free, so alive, and honestly so overwhelmingly happy. Every moment was unforgettable. The food was delicious, the stays were beautiful, and every experience felt personal and thoughtfully curated. They truly listen to your wishes and go above and beyond to make your dreams come true. Laure-Anne knows exactly where she sends you, and thanks to her I had the journey of a lifetime.
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My riding holiday, Castles of Gredos, in Spain was an unforgettable experience. Beautiful surroundings and well-trained and cared-for horses. Everything was organised to perfection, both leading up to and during the trip. Laure-Anne was always ready to help with all my questions. For booking a riding holiday, you are in the best hands with OTC. I will definitely book with her again.
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