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We are sure you will never forget the true sense of freedom that you will experience on your horse with us in the Okavango Delta in Africa. Please note this horseback safari is exciting but not strenuous. 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.
Join us on a horse adventure of a lifetime…a safari into the heart of the Okavango Delta.
There are two options available:
5 Night 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 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 concession. All these camps are well situated in big game areas. They are chosen for the variety of terrain & species that favour particular areas.
(Herewith a sample itinerary)
DAY 1: MAUN TO THE OKAVANGO DELTA
You are met at Maun Airport by our representative & transferred by light 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: KUJWANA CAMP
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 & Zebra moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch. Siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks & evening night drive with a spot light.
DAY 3: KUJWANA CAMP
Kujwana Camp. Ride east towards Beacon and Lion Island. These are two very large islands in the area which are cut off from Kujwana by the Xwaapa 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.
DAY 4: MOKLOWANE CAMP
Moklowane Camp. Move from Kujwana to Moklowane camp. This is approximately 30km ride heading North West. The route moves through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island 2 hours ride from Moklowane Camp. Arrive sunset.
DAY 5: MOKLOWANE CAMP
Moklowane Camp. Morning game ride with a picnic breakfast carried in saddle bags. This camp is on the Matsebe river system and features wide open flood plains interspersed with Moklowane palms - favourite food of Elephant & Baboon. Good area for plains game. Afternoon: 1 - 2 hours mokoro experience (traditional dug out canoe).
DAY 6: MOKLOWANE CAMP
Moklowane Camp. Dawn game ride 2 hours. Return to camp for breakfast. Optional game drive before lunch. Ride again in the cool of the afternoon as the wildlife stirs from the heat of the day. 2 hours ride.
DAY 7: FLY CAMP
Fly Camp. Move from Moklowane riding north east towards the Kiri river. The fly camp is situated on the Kiri river system approximately 30km from Moklowane, on the border with Moremi Game reserve. (The term "fly camp" comes from the days when you moved your flysheet off your permanent tent to make a temporary or simple camp. In our case we use dome two man tents.) Arrive before lunch. Afternoon game and bird walk.
DAY 8: FLY CAMP
A full days ride exploring this area which is on the edge of the permanent water with papyrus beds & deep lagoons. Good area for hippo & lechwe. A picnic lunch is set up on a shady island. Return to Fly Camp in the cool of the late afternoon.
DAY 9: FLY CAMP
Saddle bag breakfast. Ride north east towards Moremi game reserve. This area forms seasonal marsh land 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 & evening night drive with a spot light.
DAY 10: KUJWANA CAMP
A full days ride from fly camp to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along away. A 40 Km ride with 4 hours ridden in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. We now head south west towards the Khurunxaraga & the swing south into the Xudum. 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 breakfast. One hour's game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun.
SAFARI ENDS
Your flight out from Botswana to your next destination - maybe to Victoria Falls or Lake Kariba…
Cost:
Low Season (March - May, November 2004): £280.00 per person per night
High Season (June - 31st October 2004): £320.00 per person per night
High season weight Supplement
Over 200 lbs. (14 stone, or 90kg) a supplement of 50% will be charged for an extra horse. The weight limit remains 210lbs (15stone or 95kg)
Included:
Accommodation, meals,drinks supplied locally, guiding, riding, game drives, walks & mokorors, concession fees and VAT
Excluded:
Air Transfers, Staff gratuities.
Single supplement: 50% (only applicable if unwilling to share)
Transfers:
Air Transfer (inclusive of Botswana Government 10% VAT):
$ 180.00 (€ 184.00, £125.00) per person return (Maun to OHS return)
Single supplement where applicable 50%
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.
Tack: Tack is English style and each saddle has a seat saver for comfort. Well known makes such as Barnsby, Ideal, Kiefer and Wintecs are used.
Size of Rides: Rides are limited to a maximum of eight guests accompanied by a professional guide and second staff member.
Length of Ride: Between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day. This is broken by refreshment stops - picnic breakfast or lunch and a 10 minute walk for every two hours spent in the saddle. (This eases up the rider using different muscles, and helps the horse from constant pressure of the rider's weight).
Accommodation: Kujwana camp offers spacious safari tents with shower en suite (flush toilet). There are two double bedded tents and four twin bedded tents complete with attractive furnishings, bed side tables, hanging cupboard, luggage rack, floor rug, and chairs. Moklowane has similar tents with bucket and pulley showers and safari toilets. Fly camp has dome tents with camp beds, bedrolls with cotton sheets, duvet and towels. Long drop toilets for each tent and bucket and pulley showers with hot water. A tent personnel is on hand at all times.
Meals: Safari cooks prepare 3 meals a day plus saddlebag picnic breakfasts and vehicle support picnic lunches. Emphasis is made on fresh vegetables and salads. Fresh bread is baked every day. Vegetarians are catered for. Light lunches, cold meats, salads and 3 course dinners served by candle light at the dining table near the campfire.
Terrain: The Okavango Delta has been described as a water meadow. 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.
Other 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
Non riders: We can accommodate non-riders but they must be booked in as such. Non-riders have their own guide and enjoy game drives, walks and Mokoros. They move with the riding clients to the various fly camps and join non-riding activities and picnics.
Children: We do accept children but they must be strong competent riders. To ensure this they should have a pony club test pass. No adjustment in price of children.
Single supplement: This is only enforced when the client will not share a tent.
Drinks: Iced drinks are available. Beer, bottled water, an assortment of cool drinks and limited choice of spirits. Special requests can be catered for. Cordials, tea and coffee are freely available and house wine is served with dinner.
Safety: All rides are lead by qualified profession guides. A 375 rifle is carried on all the rides. All camps and vehicles have radio communication and guides ride with a hand held radios. A demonstration is given at the beginning of the safari with a talk on how to handle big game situations.
Insurance: We cover all guests for Emergency Medical Evacuation. However guests must gave adequate medical Insurance.
Game viewing: Game is plentiful, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, lechwe, reedbuck, bushbuck, steenbok, impala, roan antelope, duiker, waterbuck, tsesebe, bat-eared fox, sidestriped and blackbacked jackal, African wildcat, baboon, vervet monkey, honey badger, spotted hyena, mongoose, meerkat, warthog, 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. Safety precautions are taken when viewing any dangerous game.
Where the horse safaris operate: Okavango Horse Safaris operate in a private concession 2,500 sq. km situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta bordering on Moremi Game reserve. The area includes three major river systems of the delta, the Xudum, the Matsibie and the Kiri.
Information We Require On Booking: Age, weight, height, and riding experience of client. Drinks preferred. Any specialised diet or allergies.
What to Bring: (Clothes List)
Jodphurs
Half chaps
Warm jacket
Windcheater
Light Cotton Trousers
Long Sleeved Shirts ( protection from high altitude sun.)
Sweatshirt
Hat
Tracksuit for evenings
Riding Gloves
Swimsuit for the brave!
Riding/Walking shoes
Camera, & film
Binoculars
Sunblock / Lipice or Chapstick
Sunglasses
Flyfishing rod
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.
