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Canyon Klipspringer Trail
The alternative for those who do not have a lot of time on their hands. The experience of hiking in the canyon scenery is condensed into 2 hiking days.
Imagine exploring the Fish River Canyon from as close as can be, hiking with just a daypack in almost pristine nature, dreaming at the campfire and falling asleep under a dazzling night sky... Adventurous and physically fit hiking enthusiasts who join a Trekking Tour by Mule Trails Namibia can expect a unique and exciting experience in the wilderness area around the northern part of the Fish River Canyon. Since luggage and equipment are carried by mules, participants only need to pack water and snacks for the day’s hike - and their cameras. A qualified guide explains geology, flora and fauna, a mule driver takes care of the pack animals and a supply team is in charge of the camps. Meals are cooked on an open fire. Shower and toilet offer something out of the ordinary: a view into the great open wilds.
The Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth, runs through the transition zone of two desert systems, the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo (the most diverse desert on earth). The landscape is characterized by meandering gorges up to 500 m deep, which twist and turn through ancient layers of rock. The flora includes unique plants like the quiver tree, candelabra euphorbia or tamarisk; game such as mountain zebra, kudu, duiker, springbok, klipspringer (which provided the name for this trail), and ostrich abounds in the area. Even waterbirds can be spotted with a little luck, like the Hammerkop or the African fish eagle.
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| Highlights |
Diverse canyon scenery, high plateau with 360 degree panoramic views, gorges, springs, swimming and fishing in (natural) pools, the fascinating plant and animal world of the Nama Karoo Desert, three nights in the open under the starry sky or in a tent |
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| Participants |
Minimum 2 / maximum 14 people,
children from 12 years old |
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| Time |
15 April to 15 September; other dates on request |
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| Duration |
4 days / 3 nights |
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| Dates |
on request |
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| Total distance |
approx. 34 km |
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| Start |
Cañon Mule Station in Gondwana Cañon Park,
approx. 650 km from Windhoek by road
transfer from/to Windhoek on request) |
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| End |
Cañon Mule Station (without spending the night) |
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| Stages |
10 to 18 km / 6 to 8 hours walking per day (incl. breaks) |
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| Languages |
English; possibly German |
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Tour details
Day 1 - Arrival and Introduction
Participants arrive at Cañon House in Gondwana Cañon Park at the Fish River Canyon by their own arrangement. In the evening we discuss all there is to know about the tour and acquaint ourselves with the equipment. (Incl. dinner and accommodation at Cañon House).
Optional on request - Tour with transfer from and to Windhoek:
guests are picked up at their accommodation in Windhoek; light lunch on the way.
Day 2 - Mule Trekking (approx. 18 km)
After breakfast we load our gear onto the mules and set off at around 7h00. We leave the gorge of the seasonal Gaap River on zebra paths, clamber up to plateaus and cross them, and every now and then we stop to marvel at the vast canyon scenery. At midday we have a picnic in the shade while the mules move on ahead of us. In the afternoon we continue down an escarpment, through rugged valleys and across stony and sandy plains. Finally we arrive at the Fish River - which we follow upstream. Patches of river pebbles alternate with slabs of rock and sand dunes. Dramatic chapters of Earth’s history can be gleaned from the massive layers of rock. Occasionally we come across deep pools of water in which we take a refreshing dip or fish for Fish River carp. In the afternoon we arrive at Echo Pools Camp – named after the echo reverberating from the arched rockfaces. Sipping sundowners we watch in awe as the rock reflects the light of the setting sun in a blaze of colours. (Incl. breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 3 - Mule Trekking (approx. 10 km)
Today a short, but at the same time strenuous leg of the hike lies ahead of us. A zigzag path as steep as it is littered with stones is the way up, onto a high plateau. The exertion is amply rewarded: with a 360 degree panoramic view across the canyon scenery which extends to the far horizon, 40 km and beyond into every direction - a spectacular contrast to the limited field of vision in the canyon. At midday we find some shade for our picnic. Thus fortified we cross the plateau, past clusters of quiver trees, and come to a little spring. To our amazement there is a high waterfall. Depending on the time of year and the yield of the rainy season it either lies dry or has water cascading over it. In the afternoon the highlight of our tour awaits us: our camp, pitched right next to the rim of the Horse Shoe Canyon. (Incl. breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 4 – Transfer to Cañon House
After breakfast we pile into the open vehicle which takes us to the final destination of our roundtrip. We relish the two-hour drive through the canyon scenery. As we pull up at Cañon House our tour has come to its end. (Incl. breakfast).
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| Rates |
N$ 6435.00 per person (4 days, 3 nights)
prices valid from April to September 2010
N$ 6935.00 per person (4 days, 3 nights)
from April to September 2011
transfer from/to Windhoek on request |
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Services included:
- Schedule as described above
- Full board (breakfast, light lunch, dinner) as described above
- During the tour: an experienced guide, mule driver and supply team
- Mules to carry the luggage and equipment
- Equipment in the camps (tent, mattress, table, chairs, crockery, cutlery, shower,
- toilet, etc.)
Services not included:
- Beverages (other than water, coffee & tea), drinking bottle (about 2 litres)
- Light rucksack (day pack ± 25 litre)
- Sleeping bag (-5 °C)
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Souvenirs/presents
- It is not possible to ride the mules
Optional on request - Transfer from/to
Windhoek:
- Vehicle with English speaking driver
- Door-to-door transport within Windhoek
- All transfers (Windhoek – Fish River Canyon -
Windhoek)
Special requirements:
- Participants have to be physically fit and sure-footed, and cannot be afraid of heights
- We urgently recommend that comprehensive insurance cover
be taken out before
- embarking on the tour
to make provision for cancellation, curtailment, medical
- expenses, emergency evacuation,
repatriation as well as loss or damage of personal
- baggage and loss of foreign
currency.
Force majeure
It goes without saying that we do our utmost to conduct the tour as described in the programme; we cannot vouch for it, however. Unfavourable weather conditions, the Fish River in flood, organizational problems, unforeseen events or other factors may force us to change the course of the tour. We apologise for any inconvenience. |
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Canyon
Fish Eagle Trail
5 days, 4 nights
15 April to 15 September;
other dates on request
2 to 14 participants
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details |
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| Details
about the Canyon Fish Eagle Trail, with
rates and schedule, for printing: |
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