Horseback Riding in Botswana
OKAVANGO SAFARI |
Grazing giraffe allow close contact
The horses love cantering through the water
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Often referred to as the "Jewel of Africa," the fact that the Okavango Delta exists at all is a miracle.
This enormous river delta in the heart of the Kalahari, the world's most extreme desert is an oasis teeming with an astonishing variety of bird, animal and plant life.
On the short charter flight from Maun to the camp, you get a bird's eye view of the delta's river channels, scintillating shallow pans, palm-covered islands, open plains and dense thickets.
The safari makes use of two main camps, and one or two "fly camps." The main camps are semi-permanent, with all the amenities and ambience of a classic safari experience. Tents are spacious and comfortable, each with an attached shower tent, proper beds, mosquito netting, and kerosene lanterns.
The "fly camps" are temporary sites strategically positioned to provide the best possible wildlife viewing in areas well separated from the main camps.
The day begins before dawn with a quiet wake-up call to be in the saddle before the sun breaks over the horizon. Each day's route is different, marked by the delta's ever-changing panorama of sights and sounds. There may be an hour spent trailing a rare pack of wild dogs, or a carefree gallop through the ankle-deep waters of a pan, or a cautious approach to a herd of buffalo.
The wildlife and birdlife of the Okavango Delta is unmatched. Be prepared to be completely captivated by this untrammeled corner of Africa that only the most discerning and discreet adventure travellers know about.
Picture a perfect day galloping through a foot of water on a wonderful Arab mare after a thundering herd of antelope.
- Bob Moore
At the end of our trip, we spent 2 nights at a luxurious lodge in Kruger National Park, and despite the luxurious accommodations and 5 star facilities, it didn't come close to comparing to our experience in Botswana. In fact, after being on horseback for 10 days, the jeep safaris seemed too passive (almost boring), and even though we could view the animals at incredibly close distances because they are so acclimated to people, we found this a bit odd, almost like they weren't wild animals any more. Bottom line is that if I return to southern Africa, I will definitely return to the Okavango and I think I'd have to go by horse again.
- Kathleen Deutsch
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You are met at Maun Airport by our representative and transferred by light aircraft to Xudum airstrip, a 25 minute flight. You are then transferred into the camp by vehicle which takes approximately 1 hour. (Game viewing). Kujwana Camp: Lunch and an introduction talk with demo on tack advice on game viewing from horseback. This is followed by an orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours. |
| Day 2: | Kujwana Camp: Morning game ride in the Xudum area. Wake up is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing. Wade through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island. Surprise a timid bushbuck out his dense cover on a heavily wooded island, or enjoy the herds of Lechwe and zebra moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch. Siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light.
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| Day 3: | Qwaapo Camp: Ride east towards Beacon and Lion Islands. These are two very large islands in the area which are cut off from Kujwana by the Qwaapo river. The area is criss-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans. This is a great contrast to the open flood plains. Mapane forests and Acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for kudu and giraffe. Breeding herds of elephant enjoy the security of the dense forest and should the pans be holding water zebra, wildebeest and buffalo will also be found. Animal tracks abound telling you of what has been and gone, or what you might still find. Afternoon bird walk.
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| Day 4: | Qwaapo Camp: Ride north east towards Moremi game reserve. This area forms seasonal marshland and hosts a variety of exceptional bird life. Wildlife moves freely to and from the national park. Good buffalo and elephant country. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light.
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| Day 5: | Kujwana Camp: A full days ride moving from Qwaapo to Kujwana camp.This area is on the edge of the permanent water with papyrus beds and deep lagoons. Good area for hippo and lechwe. A picnic lunch is set up on a shady island. Return to Kujwana camp in the cool of the late afternoon. |
| Day 6: | Kujwana Camp: A rest day for the guests riding for 10 days. There is the option to game drive, walk, mokoro or view a water hole from the hide. Afternoon ride. Dawn game ride 2 hours for the guests riding for 5 days. Return to camp for breakfast.
Guests joining the safari do an orientation ride in the cool of the afternoon as the wildlife stirs from the heat of the day. 2 hours ride.
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| Day 7: | Kujwana Camp: A full morning ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numorous hippo channels eventually lead you onto Boabab Island. A good habitat for cheetah and breeding grounds for carmine bee eaters, our summer visitor. Boabab Island has thick riverine forest and is a good area for elephant and buffalo (and the unexpected). Afternoon game/night drive. |
| Day 8: | Mokolwane Camp: Move from Kujwana to Mokolwane camp. This is approximately 30km ride heading northwWest. The route moves through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system. Arrive into camp at sunset. |
| Day 9: | Mokolwane Camp: Morning game ride. This camp is on the Matsebe river system and features wide open flood plains interspersed with Mokolwane palms, a favourite food of elephant and baboon. Good area for plains game. Afternoon: 1 - 2 hours mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) experience. |
| Day 10: | Kujwana Camp: A full day's ride from Mokolwane to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along away. A 40km ride with 4 hours ridden in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. This ride moves through a variety of game areas fording the Xudum river at numerous hippo channels. Arrive Kujwana on sunset. |
| Day 11: | Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times permit. Clients leave after brunch. One hour’s game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun. |
This itinerary is subject to change. The water level and game movements fluctuate constantly. These two variables will affect the exact day to day itinerary, as well as the location of the temporary camps.
Sometimes other safari camps are used depending on availability. All camps are situated in the big game area, and are selected for variety of terrain and the game species that favor particular areas. |
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Playing with giraffe and zebra
The miracle of water
Gazelle and wildebeest on the plains
Inside a camp tent for two
Elephants moving across the plain
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Maun |
| Length of Ride | 11 days, 10 nights and 9 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-6 hours |
| Pace | Moderate to fast |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Arabs, Thoroughbreds, and TB cross |
| Weight Limit | 200lbs |
| 2010 Dates | Full 10-night safari dates: March 1-11, March 14-24, March 27 - April 6, April 9-19, April 22 - May 2, May 4-14, May 21-31, June 3-13, June 16-26, June 29 - July 9, July 12-22, July 25 - Aug 4, Aug 7-17, Aug 20-30, Sept 2-12, Sept 15-25, Sept 28 - Oct 8, Oct 11-21, Nov 3-13, Nov 16-26
7 night safari dates: Mar 1-8, Mar 14-22, Mar 27- Apr 3, Apr 9-16, Apr 22-29, May 4-11, May 21-28, June 3-10, June 16-23, June 29 – July 6, July 12-19, July 25 – Aug 1, Aug 7-14, Aug 20-27, Sept 2-9, Sept 15-22, Sept 28 – Oct 5, Oct 24-31, Nov 3-10, Nov 16-23
Half safari dates: the first or last 5 nights of any full safari |
| 2010 Price | High Season (June – Oct): $755
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $725 per night
Low Season (March, April, May and Nov): $680
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $655 per night |
| Single Supplement | 50% of total (not required if willing to share) |
| Transfers | Maun to camp airstrip and return: $820 / person (additional cost if travelling solo) |
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