BOTSWANA HORSE BACK SAFARIS

 

A Horse Safari in the remote central region of Botswana's Okavango Delta. This vast inland delta, one of Southern Africa's most enigmatic river systems, lies like an emerald jewel on the edge of the great Kalahari desert, an astonishing maze of papyrus lined waterways, meadows and woodland rich in birdlife and game. On horseback you can venture further into the delta and get closer to the wildlife than you can on foot.

 

Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe as they move across golden floodplains and the breathtaking excitement when your silent progress along game trails used only by the animals brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant. Cantering alongside the elegant motion of a giraffe is an experience you will never forget and the only sounds you will hear, as the wind soughs through the long grass and rattles the palms, are the fisheagle's haunting cry, the splash of a disappearing crocodile, and the faraway drumming of hooves. As the blood red sun drops into the black of night, the hyena's whoop-de-whoop and the lion's roar accompany your fireside reverie and a hippo's watery grunt punctuates your dreams. This is as close to nature as you will ever get.

With experienced and inspired guides who will share with you an intimate knowledge of the Okavango and its wildlife which comes from living and working there for over twenty years. Small groups of riders are taken, up to 10 guests at one time and 5 or 10 day itineraries are offered. Between 4 - 6 hours are spent in the saddle a day, while afternoons can be spent at leisure, swimming, taking game drives or bird walks. Saddlebag breakfasts are a feature. On a full day's ride a picnic lunch is provided. This is usually brought by vehicle and staff who set up the picnic on a shady island. Riders siesta through the heat of the day and ride on late afternoon.

 

On a 10 day ride three different camps are used depending on water levels and game movements major camp changes are supported by vehicle or mokoro (dugout canoe)to transport luggage and equipment. A rifle is carried on all rides.

 

The horses are a mix of Thoroughbreds, Boerperds, Arab, Anglo Arab and Saddlebred. They are cared for by Barney and her team of grooms. Spare horses are taken on every trip. Tack is English style and each saddle has a seat saver for comfort. Maximum weight is 210lbs. Minimum riding ability required is mastery of basic aids. Riders must be able to post to the trot for stretches of 10 minutes, be comfortable at all paces, and be able to gallop out of trouble. It is a great advantage if you are fit and a proficient rider.

You are collected from the nearest airfield and taken to the base camp by vehicle. Accommodation at base camp consists of comfortable tents each with verandah, en-suite bucket and pulley shower and private toilet. At fly camp, dome tents or bedrolls under mosquito nets are provided, all prepared by camp staff.

 

5 NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY

A 5 night itinerary may take place on the first five nights or the second 5 nights of a 10 night itinerary. Clients would depart on day 6 after an early morning ride & breakfast (aircraft movements permitting).

10 NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY

On a 10 night itinerary we work out of our base camp Kujwana. This is situated on the Xudum river. in the Okavango Delta. We then use two other camps in different areas of the concessions covering 3 river systems - Xudum, Kiri and Matsibi. All these camps are well situated in big game areas. They are chosen for the variety of terrain & species that favour particular areas.

 

Day 1: You are met at Maun Airport by our representative & transferred by fight aircraft to the nearest airstrip to Kujwana, a 25 minute flight. You are then transferred into the camp by vehicle which takes approximately 1 hour. (Game viewing). An introduction talk & demo on tack & general advice on game viewing from horseback is followed by an orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours.

Day 2: At Kujwana Camp. Morning game viewing ride 4 - 6 hours. Wake up is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing. Return to camp for lunch. Siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks & evening night drive with a spot light.

Day 3: Move to Fly Camp on the Kiri River system. This is a 35km ride usually done before lunch. This ride moves north through a variety of game areas roughly following the course of the Xudum river system. Lunch at fly camp. Afternoon bird walk. Luggage, supplies & staff are transported to the fly camp by vehicle on a different route. The term "fly camp" comes from the days when you moved your fly sheet off your permanent tent to make a temporary or simple camp. In our case we use dome two man tents.

Day 4: At fly camp. Morning game ride with a picnic breakfast carried in saddle bags. This area is on the edge of the permanent water with papyrus beds & deep lagoons. Good area for hippo & lechwe. Six hour ride. Late lunch at fly camp. Siesta. Afternoon: 1 - 2 hours mokoro experience (traditional dug out canoe).

Day 5: Move to Kujwana Camp. This is approximately 40 km game ride following a different route through the Khurunxaraga area. Five hours riding in the morning & 2 hours in the afternoon. A picnic lunch is served on route prepared by the Okavango Horse Safari staff with vehicle back up. Overnight Kujwana Camp.

Day 6: At Kujwana Camp. Dawn Game ride 2 hours. Return to camp for breakfast. Afternoon game ride 2 hours.

Day 7: Move to Matsibi Camp. This camp is situated on a small permanent river on the eastern side of the concession, close to Moremi Game Reserve. Six - seven hours' riding from the Xudum river system to the Matsibi River system through large wooded islands. Good areas for giraffe & kudu, elephant & plains game. A fun day's ride with a picnic lunch set up by an advanced crew & vehicle support. Arrive at Matsibi Camp at sunset.

Day 8: At Matsibi Camp. Early morning Game ride 4 - 5 hours. Picnic breakfast carried in saddlebags. Explore the lower flood plains of the Matsibi River. Retum to Matsibi Camp for lunch. Siesta. Afternoon bird walk.

Day 9: Move to Kujwana Camp. Full day game ride with a picnic lunch carried by support vehicle & siesta in the middle of the day. This ride follows a different route. 6 hours riding. Arrive At Kujwana Camp at sunset

Day 10: At Kujwana Camp. Dawn game ride approx. 2 hours. Return to camp for breakfast. Optional 2 hour game drive. Lunch in camp. Siesta. Two hour game ride in the late afternoon.

Day 11: Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times permit. Clients leave after breakfast. One hour's game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun.

NB. Mokoros (dugout Canoes) are also offered as an activity depending on water levels.

On day 6 horses are sometimes rested & other activities are offered, i.e. Mokoro with picnic lunch, game drive or bird walk.

 

2001 Price Guide

5 night / 6 day safari costs from £1,325.00 price per person sharing.

10 night / 11 day safari costs from £2,525.00 price per person sharing.

High Season Supplement of £20.00 per person per night.

 

Costs include accommodation, meals, guiding, riding, game drives, walks,

mokoros and flight from Maun to camp and return to Maun.

 

Not included: drinks & staff gratuities and flights to and from Africa.

(please note that there are no credit card facilities in camp)

50% Deposit is required to secure a booking.

 

Single Supplement : 50% applies only if unwilling to share a tent.

 

2001 - Set Departure Botswana Horse Safaris

Weekly Departures Available for 5 day safaris,

Fortnightly 10 day safaris available.

Actual dates available upon request.

 

 

 To make a booking contact us on botswana-horseback@safari-africa.co.uk

or call us on 01995 679 776