Omambonde Tal Riding Holiday
26.11.-04.12.2024
What can you expect from a riding holiday in the Omambonde Tal? Here you’ll find all the important information about the stables, the daily routine, photos, and my review.
Table of Contents
Information
The riding holiday can be booked via email through the "Omambonde-Tal" website. These holidays were only with friends and family, not with other guests.
Do you want to put your phone aside, be reachable only via Wi-Fi in the main house, and otherwise just enjoy Namibian nature? Or swim in the pool, maybe read a book? Then this is the right place for you! Enjoy your free time on the farm and experience wonderful rides.
For children, there are also two ponies.
I worked here for 2½ months (November 2022 to January 2023), so I knew the horses, trails, and host family. That’s why I experienced the riding holiday differently than regular guests!
Stable
The horses and ponies live together as a herd and can enjoy their free time on expansive fields. During the rainy season, they receive supplementary feed once a day. In the dry season, they receive two large supplementary meals daily, in addition to hay.
Before working, the horses’ temperature is checked. The owner is a veterinarian and takes great care to ensure the horses are healthy!
Itinerary
Arrival Day 26.11.2024:
My host family warmly welcomed me, and upon arriving at the farm, I was assigned my room. I had time to settle in and relax.
In the evening, we took advantage of the warm summer evening for a first ride together. We fetched the horses from the field and prepared them at the grooming area. Then we walked to the mounting block, tightened the saddles, and mounted.
Our path led along a field road, past a dam, and onto stunning red sand trails. After passing an open gate, we rode up a hill. Before reaching the rocky ascent, we could already enjoy trotting and cantering. At the top, we rode across sandy trails off-road. At a junction, we turned left to reach a viewing platform with an impressive view of the valley.
From the platform, we returned to the junction and continued straight along the trail. We trotted again on the beautiful sand paths. Once we reached the main road, we turned left and rode down at a leisurely walk. At the next junction, we turned left again. On the last section before returning home, we were lucky to see a warthog.
Back at the farm, we cared for the horses together.
The evening ended with a shared dinner, followed by a cozy movie night with a film I had brought along.
My Trail Ride Diary
Your personal companion for your ride trips– with plenty of space for photos and notes!
First Day 27.11.2024:
In the morning, my host and I went on another ride. I prepared the horses for both of us, including arranging their feed, before we set off.
After tightening the saddles at the mounting block, we mounted and rode to the main road. At the junction, we went straight onto a field section, following a white sand trail. Along the way, there were opportunities to trot before we turned off-road toward a waterhole. The horses could drink, then we continued slightly to the left.
From a distance, we spotted kudu antelopes. Upon reaching a fence, we turned left and trotted or cantered along the red sand path next to it. At the end of the fence, we followed the path left, again allowing for trotting and cantering. Continuing at a walk, we finally reached the end of the fence, turned left again, and returned to the gate we had passed initially. From there, we followed the main road straight home.
After caring for the horses, we had lunch together.
The afternoon was reserved for relaxation. In the evening, we enjoyed dinner on the terrace, observing warthogs from afar. After the children went to bed, my host family and I watched another film I had brought.
Second Day 28.11.2024:
The morning was free for me to relax.
At midday, I watched one of my films with the children on the TV.
In the afternoon, I was supposed to go on a solo ride, but unfortunately, my horse had a fever. Instead, I spent the time grooming and caring for him extensively.
In the evening, we all had dinner together. This time we didn’t watch a film and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Third Day 29.11.2024:
The evening before, my host and I decided which horses we would ride the next day. In the morning, I prepared the horses: grooming, measuring temperature, spraying with fly spray, and saddling our own horses. Together we walked to the mounting block.
The ride started on the main road to the first junction. We turned left and stayed on the wide road, trotting. After a while, we turned left onto a path, passed an open gate, and rode until a closed gate. My host opened it, let us through, and closed it again.
The trail continued over picturesque red sand paths, where we could trot. We crossed a dry riverbed and continued until the path became rockier, forcing us to walk. At the fence, we turned left and followed the path to another closed gate, which my host opened and closed.
Behind the gate, we rode along the sandy path next to the fence, trotting and cantering. At the Namibian power line, we turned left and trotted for a stretch. The rest of the way back was at a relaxed walk to the house.
Back at the stables, we cared for the horses. After feeding, I returned them to the paddocks.
Lunch was shared together, and the afternoon was free for me to relax. The evening ended with a communal dinner and a movie I brought along.
Fourth Day 30.11.2024:
The night before, I discussed which horses we would ride. In the morning, I fetched two horses from the paddock, groomed them, checked temperature, and applied fly spray. We saddled our horses ourselves and walked together to the mounting block.
The ride began on the wide main road to the first junction. We rode straight through an open gate, then turned left and immediately right along the fence to follow sandy trails. We used these for an extended trotting session.
We followed the fence to its end, where my host opened a gate on the left. We rode through and she closed it. Continuing straight along beautiful sand trails, we trotted and cantered. When the path became rocky, we walked along it until we reached the red sand paths again. We passed another closed gate, which my host opened and closed.
We continued along the fence, then turned left. Trotting along wide tracks through a field with camel thorn trees, we eventually reached the main road. We crossed it to a sandy path leading home.
On the way back, my host opened another gate so we could drive some cattle to the paddocks near the house.
Back at the tack room, we cared for the horses. I returned my horse to the paddock after it had finished eating.
Since it was Saturday, the horses had the afternoon off, and I used the time to relax.
Fifth Day 01.12.2024:
On Sunday morning, I had the special opportunity to go on a one-hour solo ride. The rest of the day was free.
In the morning, I prepared my horse: grooming, temperature check, everything ready for the ride. I chose to ride the same route as the first day.
I led my horse to the mounting block, tightened the saddle, and mounted. The ride started along a trail through the field, leading to a dam. I crossed a wide area and entered a gate on the other side.
From there, I enjoyed a beautiful red sand trail, trotting. Before a rocky ascent up the hill, I slowed to a walk. At the top, the red sand trail led between camel thorn trees, where I rode in all three gaits. After a relaxing canter, I continued at a walk to the main road.
On the main road, I turned left and rode down the hill, enjoying the view. Following the road, I passed through a gate and reached a junction, where I turned left again. This last stretch led back to the house.
After the ride, I cared for my horse and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.
The day was spent leisurely with lunch and dinner, but no film was watched. A quiet and restful Sunday.
Sixth Day 02.12.2024:
The night before, we discussed which horses to take for the morning ride. I fetched both horses, groomed them, checked temperature, and prepared them. My host arrived, and together we saddled and bridled the horses. During this, I spotted three red-billed oxpeckers – the birds that inspired Zazu from The Lion King.
Our ride started from the grooming area to the opposite path. We rode to a log used as a mounting block. On the way, we saw a warthog family. After mounting, we rode left along the fence, following its curves, then used a sandy uphill path to trot and canter.
After a short walking section, we reached a fence and turned right. We were lucky to see hartebeest and hear baboons in the distance. The path alternated between rocky and sandy sections. After an open gate, we could trot briefly before climbing a longer rocky path.
At the top, the path led through red sand trails and camel thorn trees. We used these trails for all three gaits. Along the way, we saw two klipspringers and later an eland. At the end of the path, we turned left, trotted, and cantered again.
A final canter brought us past a Jukani (mongoose species). Then we walked downhill, enjoying the valley view. At the bottom, we crossed a dam and a meadow to reach the house. I dismounted, let my horse drink, and returned it to the tack room to unsaddle.
After feeding, I returned the horse to the paddock. While waiting, I saw two ground squirrels.
After a communal lunch, we watched a movie with the children.
In the afternoon, I went on another one-hour ride along the same route as the previous day, again spotting warthogs near the dam. After returning home, I cared for my horse and returned it to the paddock.
The day ended with a delicious dinner in a cozy setting.
Seventh Day 03.12.2024:
The day began with a planned morning ride, but unexpected events on the farm changed the plan. A large calf was about to be born, and we helped with the birth. The farm has an impressive number of cattle, making it exciting to witness this special moment.
After this thrilling start, I enjoyed a relaxed morning. For lunch, we all gathered together.
In the evening, another ride was planned, but an approaching thunderstorm prevented it. Instead, we had dinner together and watched a film with the children – a nice and calm end to the day.
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While riding, I wore the Royal Horsemen riding leggings – they were extremely comfortable and pleasant to wear.
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Departure Day 04.12.2024:
The last day on the farm began with anticipation for a farewell ride, but the thunderstorm ruined the plan. Instead, we used a dry hour in the morning to drive to a neighboring property for a fence check.
After returning, I had some time to relax before we set the table for lunch. We watched the last film with the children as the next thunderstorm began – a special moment before visitors arrived.
Then came the difficult part: saying goodbye. I bid farewell to the horses and my wonderful host family. The visitors picked me up, and I drove to their farm.
Photos
During the rides, my host took photos at scenic spots. Upon request, she also filmed me riding ahead while she filmed from behind.
My Review
I really enjoyed the riding holiday. The horses were very well cared for. The area is stunning. With a bit of luck, we could see Africa’s wildlife from horseback. Each ride offered a surprise.
The endless red sand trails are a dream – perfect for trotting and cantering. We always took different routes across the 7,000-hectare farm, making each ride unique and varied. There are many more trails we didn’t get to explore during this stay.
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