Timeless Africa meets an even more enduring time-frame - the Namib desert. Perhaps it’s why our safaris take on the measured pace of Africa - from the rising of the sun to its setting, we move in an unhurried rhythm in this seemingly immutable place of wonder.
Another reason perhaps is that your guide, Andrew Gillies, has decades of experience running through his veins and yet still speaks with awe of the natural processes that never cease to captivate even the most seasoned desert dweller.
On day one Andrew outlines how to pace yourself in this arid environment - how to trust your desert-adapted horse to make the best decisions and how to ‘live light’ on this fragile land. Each safari has its particular charm and appeal, yet many find what they were not expecting - a somewhat radicle change of perspective. Most return guests will probably agree that there is an enchantment at work here which cannot adequately be explained.
Second day on safari begins with a transfer to the start of your ride, usually with an excursion to some place of interest - Namib Desert Safari are the dunes at Sossusvlei; Skeleton Damara Safari the Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross; Damara Elephant Safari the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and the Wild Horses Safari - this one at the end of the safari - a visit to the ‘Ghost Town’ of Kolmanskop and of course the Namib’s, Namibia’s Wild Horses.
Upon arriving in camp you meet the ground crew and most importantly, your horse - this is always a profound moment, ever for those who’ve ridden with us multiple times - often riding the same horse - find this an emotional moment. Andrew does an orientation around camp - the showers and loos, how to efficiently arrange your comfortable bed to be able to withstand all weather conditions and last, but certainly not least, the buffet and ‘dining’ area where we spend much of our time in camp - wherever that camp might be. The layout remains the same so you’ll always know where everything is.
First riding day is the final demonstration - how to saddle your horse. The placement of blankets is vitally important for the horses’ comfort - so much so that, if there is the slightest wrinkle in the blanket, your horse might have to take a day or two off to recover - its THAT important! We always have spare horses however, so you won’t find yourself travelling in the backup - unless you come so unfit that your body gives up on you and you’re forced to sit out a few legs.
Best advise is come very riding fit!
Image right: Andrew doing the saddling demonstration.
And off we go! Slower at first - so you get accustomed to your horse, the saddle and terrain which varies according to the safari. Some safaris have rougher terrain to negotiate, others open up inviting what Andrew calls LSD - long, slow, distance - an easy canter which covers a surprising amount of ground. Our horses are all fitted up for safari and remain fit even when resting between safaris as they live in several thousand hectares of bush with long distances to travel between grazing and water.
After 3 - 4 hours of riding with a dismounted apple break in-between, the ground crew meet us for a 1 - 2 hour lunch break at mid-day followed by another 3 or more hours riding depending on the ride. Andrew always outlines the following days agenda around the campfire at night.
At the end of each riding leg the routine is always the same - attending to horses first. They are unsaddled, allowed to drink and roll off the sweat, tied to the picket-line and fed and later groomed and given fodder for the evening.
Then its ‘around the fire time’, showers, taking photos of the always spectacular sunsets - picketed horses silhouetted in the sunsets, and later the incredible Milky Way that quite takes your breath away. Andrew points out the major southern constellations - particularly the orienting Southern Cross with Alpha and Beta Centauri pointing the way for southern hemisphere explorers.
And the food! Somehow food cooked over and open fire on grids or in black pots always seems to taste marvellous. Black-pot cooking is an art-form requiring exactly the right amount of glowing coals under and on the lid to cook to perfection. Catering for vegetarians requires a bit of adjustment to the menu - but all have plenty to eat, that’s for sure. No one ever goes hungry on our safaris!
And then to bed - warm and comfortable with a magnificent view of the stars. Night creatures call in the distance, an owl hoots and the horses snort and you might hear them nicker when they are fed again at midnight.
Such is a day on safari - unhurried. There’s time to contemplate the impact so much space has on your perspective on life and we find there is much unexplored potential there.
Often that realisation leads to booking your next safari with us while still on safari - it’s that compelling!
Lovely text and pictures capturing it all