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DAY 1:
On arrival in Maun you are met and transferred by plane and a game drive to our 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 the camp staff packs 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 two nights. 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. After a picnic lunch we venture out again to the large lagoon to listen and watch as the night draws in and a lion starts to call.

DAY 7:
After breakfast we ride back to Macatoo along the myriad of waterways lined with large trees. We canter 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.

SAFARI ENDS

Your flight out from Botswana to your next destination - maybe to Victoria Falls or the Lower Zambezi National Park…

Cost:
Please contact us for a detailed quote.

Included:
Accommodation, meals,drinks supplied locally, guiding, riding, game drives, walks & mokorors and concession fees

Excluded:
Air Transfers, Staff gratuities.
Single supplement: 50% (only applicable if unwilling to share)

Transfers:
Charter Flight and game drive transfer : US $ 188 one way per person - 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. Please enquire for other flight details. An extra airstrip transfer fee of $ 35 per trip will be charged for self booked charter flights. Arrival and departure days are Tuesdays and Fridays.

Weather Conditions:
Summer months are September to April. October, November and February are the hottest months, with temperatures varying from 12 degrees C and peaking to 38 degrees C at midday. The rains can start in October, with the occasional thunder shower. December to February are the wettest months. Winter is May to the end of August. No rain. Evening and early mornings are cold. Temperature varies from 8 degrees C to 24 degrees C at midday.

General Information:
Riding Ability:  We cater for beginner to advanced riders, matching horses to your ability.  It is an advantage to know the basic aids and to be fit before joining our safaris.  Children are accepted but they must be strong competent riders.

Types of Horses:   A mix of Thoroughbreds, Boerperds, Arab, Anglo Arab and SaddlebredAll are between 14 - 16 hands, even tempered and well schooled.

Number of riders:
Riding groups will normally be no more than 6-8 guests. However the camp accommodates 12 guests in all .

Age limit:
12 years and over. Anyone over 60 needs to be riding fit and strong.

Weight:
Rider weight: max 210 Lbs (95 Kg's). Over this weight please enquire - for the sake of our horses we have to be strict.

Riding ability:
The safaris are for riders. We spend 4 to 6 hours a day in the saddle. You need to feel competent about keeping up with the group, capable of riding at all paces including rising to the trot and controlling your canter in a forward seat (off the horses back) for five minutes at a time. You are required to fill in a riding ability questionnaire and a responsible riding attitude and safe level of competence is paramount.

Tack:
Quality English saddles and Western styled trail saddles are used, each with their own water bottle.

Climate:
The flood waters normally arrive in May (this varies each year) and recedes in October. From May to September it rarely rains, days are clear and sunny but winter, early mornings and evenings can be cold. (Daily temperatures range from 46-75F (8-24C).) In summer months from October to March to April temperatures range from 54-100F (12-38C) with rain at times.

Important information:
Please supply us with information regarding any special occasions, dietary requirements or medical conditions before departure with your medical insurance details. Anyone with severe allergies, heart or respiratory conditions or any other physical limitations must consult their physician. Please fill in the questionnaire provided by your travel agent and return it as soon as possible. If you do not receive it please request one. You will be required to sign an indemnity form on arrival.

Safety:
On arrival in camp an introductory talk will be given on all aspects of the safari. Two guides will accompany each safari and will be equippedwith a first aid kit, rifle and radio.

List of essentials: (Clothes List)
we recommend a light weight riding hat - wearing one is your responsibility - and we do not have any to lend you a shade hat with strap
2 pairs of lightweight riding shoes or 1 pair and 1 pair of long rubber boots for the flood season ( May to end of August) .
sunglasses on string , riding gloves and bandana
bush colour riding clothes ( not white):
2 pairs of cotton riding trousers
2 long sleeved shirts
a jersey , fleece
a light weight waterproof windbreaker jacket
4 pairs sock and underwear( recommend un padded cycling shorts for men)
shorts T shirts, sarong, bathing costume and sandals.
sun block, lipsalve, insect repellent, talcum powder and malaria pills ( consult your doctor)
torch and binoculars
film and a camera on a strong shoulder strap - preferably in a waterproof pouch to be secured to belt. Otherwise a strong zip lock plastic bag.

We recommend that you wear your riding clothes and boots on the plane and bring your hat and wash bag as hand luggage in case your luggage gets delayed. We can lend you half chaps - long leather boots are impractical.

Luggage limit
26 lbs (12 kgs) per person in soft bags due to light aircraft. Excess luggage can be stored in our Maun office and there is a daily laundry service in the camp.

Transfers
Air Botswana fly from either Johannesburg, Gaborone or Victoria Falls and Air Namibia from Windhoek into Maun. We can book all Air Botswana flights. We arrange transfer by light aircraft from Maun to the nearest airstrip. Clients are collected from the airstrip and transferred by 4x4 vehicle to camp. Please remember that internal transfer light aircraft have a luggage weight restriction of 12 kg.

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

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

Other: Clients are given personal attention and attention is paid to detail. A limited assortment of half chaps and riding gloves are kept in the camp.

Please Contact Us for more details

Terms and conditions: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important issues.


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