African Horseback Safaris, Botswana

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for African Horseback Safaris in Botswana

Day 1: On arrival in Maun you will be met and transferred by plane and a game drive to camp, which overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon. After lunch under the trees, there is time for a rest before the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. We return, as every evening, to a candle-lit dinner.

Day 2: Awoken by a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast we then ride westwards following elephant trails from one palm island to another through seas of grass into the backcountry. After lunch and a siesta we ride out into the plains, later enjoying a drink while the sun goes down.

Day 3: We leave camp early to investigate fresh game tracks, joining semi-aquatic red lechwe as they thunder through the water meadows. A champagne breakfast is waiting for us under a large baobab tree. The evening ride is spent exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in we have drinks around the fire.

Day 4: We ride through different country, making our way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains with fig trees. We might encounter giraffe or shyer antelope while passing through mopane woodlands. Our pace increases as we break out onto the flood plains, often disturbing troops of baboons. Returning to the camp for an afternoon spent at leisure and later a night drive by spotlight.

Day 5: While staff pack up we leave for our fly camp riding deeper into the heart of the delta. On reaching another river system we find our fly camp looking out over a hippo pool. Here we stay for the night. The afternoon may be spent swimming or walking. Fires are lit at night to create a strong human presence to keep marauding animals away from the horses. Night watches are fun and guests usually join in.

Day 6: Having kept watch under the stars the next morning we splash through water on the vast open plains, home to wildebeest and zebra. The riding may be fast as we approach deep reedy areas full of bird life - heading back to main camp for a hearty lunch.

Day 7: For our last full day we ride through the shallow flood plains admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here the buffalo gather in numbers and we have to creep up to them using islands for cover. The evening offers a last quiet ride with memorable smells of sage as the sun goes down.

Day 8: For your final ride we will go along some of the high palm islands which offer great vistas. We'll maybe take a final exhilarating gallop and run with the game before returning to camp to prepare for your onward journey.

Notes:

This itinerary only serves as a guide; all scenarios are dependent on the season and levels of the Okavango flood. At times it may not be possible to go on fly camps and during cooler months one longer ride may replace the normal morning and evening rides. AHS reserves the right to alter the itinerary in any way and leaves this to the discretion of the guides. Local weather conditions may also affect game movements.

Please note this horse riding safari is exciting but not strenuous.

2010 prices and terms and conditions

Standard Rate: Jan - April, Nov & Dec: £340 per person per night.
Mid Rate: May - July & October: £380 per person per night.
High Season: August & September: £420 per person per night.

Rates are per person per night and are fully inclusive of all activities, accommodation, meals, beverages and concession fees and taxes. Rates exclude visas, travel and medical insurance - which is essential, transport from your home to Maun and return, charter flight from Maun to camp, gratuities for camp staff and guides, purchases from the "bush boutique" such as caps, shirts and toiletries

Charter flight and game drive transfer from Maun: £330 return inclusive of airport taxes and meet and greet in Maun. This is a 30 minute flight from Maun to Abu over the remote Western side of the Delta followed by a 1 - 2 hour game drive in an open vehicle to Macatoo camp, depending on water levels. An extra airstrip transfer fee of £35 per trip will be charged for self booked charter flights.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which will be enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for African Horseback Safaris in Botswana

Accommodation: "Macatoo" camp which is situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta, features large twin bedded tents, each with their own en-suite shower and toilet. These provide you with the creature comforts of life while allowing you to experience the wild beauty of the African bush. Centrally there is a large furnished mess tent and discreet private pool. On the longer safaris guests have the opportunity to experience riding out to a mobile fly camp with traditional bucket shower and toilet (seasonal variations).

Activities: Although our priority is riding, we offer alternative activities during the afternoons that are not day rides. A 6 hour morning can be tiring so afternoons are spent at leisure with evening bird walks or mokoro rides (water levels permitting). Afternoon game drives and night spotting are also offered. Seasonal boating, canoeing and fishing are also available.

Children: We do accept children of 12 years and over but they must be strong competent riders. No adjustment in price of children.

Clothing: A separate clothing list will be sent with all booking forms. Laundry can be done in camp (except at fly-camp). Light aircraft transfers have a weight restriction of 13kg. Any extra luggage can be left with our office in Maun. Luggage for light Aircraft should be soft holdall type. Riding clothes & clothes of bush colours are important (not white). You must bring your own hard hat as they are NOT supplied.

Drinks: Iced drinks are available. Beer, bottled water, an assortment of cool drinks and limited choice of spirits. Cordials, tea and coffee are freely available.

Game viewing: African Horseback Safaris operate in a private concession. Game is plentiful, including Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Kudu, Red Lechwe, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Steenbok, Impala, Roan Antelope, Duiker, Bat-eared fox, Sidestriped and Blackbacked Jackal, African Wildcat, Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Honey Badger, Spotted Hyena, Mongoose, Meerkat, Warthog, Pangolin, Python, Tortoise and Ostrich; special nocturnal creatures - Porcupine, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Civet, Genet, Serval, Spring Hare; Water species - Hippo, Crocodile, Cape Clawless and Spotted necked Otter; predators - Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Wild Dog. Guests are given a high level of personal attention. A demonstration is given at the beginning of the safari with a talk on how to handle big game situations.

How to get there: Wild and Exotic are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (license number 6445) to sell the international flights necessary for this itinerary. Please contact us for further details and our recommended airlines. We arrange transfer by light aircraft from Maun to the nearest airstrip. Guests are collected from the airstrip and transferred by 4x4 vehicle to base camp. Please remember that internal transfer light aircraft have a luggage weight restriction of 13 kgs.

Indemnity: Guests will be asked to sign an indemnity form in camp before they ride.

Insurance: Guests must take out medical travel insurance.

Length of the ride: Between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day. This is broken up by refreshment stops of picnic breakfasts or lunch.

Meals: Safari cook prepares 3 meals a day plus saddlebag picnic breakfasts and vehicle support picnic lunches. Champagne breakfasts sometimes await you after an early start. Emphasis is made on fresh vegetables and salads. Fresh bread is baked every day. Vegetarians can be catered for. Light lunches, cold meats, salads and 3 course dinners served by candle light at the dining table near the campfire.

Medical: A medical kit is kept in the camp. Clients should take Malaria tablets.

Riding ability: Minimum riding ability required is mastery of the basic aids and to be comfortable at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter. You may also be required to gallop out of trouble. It is a great advantage if you are a fit and a proficient rider.

Safety: All rides are lead by qualified profession guides. A rifle is carried on all the rides. All camps and vehicles have radio communication and guides ride with hand held radios. A demonstration is given at the beginning of the safari with a talk on how to handle big game situations.

Single supplement: This is only enforced when the guest will not share a tent. Otherwise an additional 50% of the rate will be added.

Size of the Rides: Maximum of 8 guests.

Tack: There are good quality English and Western Style trail saddles, each with their own water bottle.

Terrain: Has been described as a water meadow. The Okavango is a Delta not a swamp. Palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams. Highest water is normally between May to September. Many of the flood plains are full at this time and the horses wade through from island to island. The going is normally quite good and firm along the edges of the islands allowing the ride to move on at a trot and canter.

Type of horse: A variety of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanoverians, Arabs and Kalahari-Arab crossbreeds. They range from 14 to 16.2 hands high. Every effort is made to match horse and rider. The horses are much loved, well mannered and in excellent condition.

Visas: UK citizens do not require visas in Botswana.

Weather Conditions: The flood waters normally arrive in May-June (this varies each year) and recede in early October. From May to August it rarely rains, days are clear and sunny but it is winter and early mornings and evenings can be cold. Daily temperatures range from 8 - 24 degrees Celsius. In summer months from November to March temperatures will range from 12 - 38 degrees Celsius with rain at all times. Please see "The best time to go" below for more in depth information on the weather.

Weight Limit: Maximum weight is strictly 210 lbs for both novice and experienced riders (15 stone or 95 kg). Over this and you will need to enquire, but only if you are an advanced rider.