Okavango Horse Safaris
 Click here to go to an Okavango Horse Safaris Example Itinerary
Okavango Horse Safaris operates in the heart of Botswana – in its own private concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Western region of the Okavango Delta. The area includes three major river systems of the Okavango Delta, the Xudum, the Matsibie and the Kiri. Palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams. Many of the flood plains are often full and the horses wade through from island to island. Riding for four to six hours a day through some of the most scenic and best game viewing areas in the world is exhilarating in itself. This is an extremely professional establishment owned and run by PJ and Barney Bestelink for more than a decade - offering the best in riding safaris today. Groups are kept small meaning tailor made and personal touches are the essence of these luxury safaris.
Accommodation comes in the form of three separate camps depending on the trail one decides to take. Kujwana Camp is the base camp with luxury tented chalets combining double or twin beds with en suite bathrooms - each with private en suite facilities. The other two camps - Moklowane Camp and Kiri Fly Camp consist of dome tents or bed rolls under the stars. Meals are cooked by an expert chef and are prepared every day to suit the activities organised – saddlebag picnic breakfasts and lunches are a speciality before a three course candlelit gourmet dinner is served once back at camp.
Game viewing includes the big five as well as equivocal African game such as meerkats, honey badgers and red lechwe. Other activities can be pursued from camp such as nature walks - although the priority for the Okavango Horse Safaris is riding. Afternoons are spent at leisure with evening bird walks or mokoro rides (water levels permitting). Afternoon game drives and night spotting are also offered. Non-Riders have their own guide and enjoy game drives, walks and Mokoros. They move with the riding guests to the various fly camps and join non-riding activities and picnics. With over 50 horses all schooled and brought up in the African bush the team at Okavango Horse Safaris go to any length to match horse and rider.
Okavango Horse Safaris Sample Itinerary - Okavango Horse Safaris offer rides in the most beautiful areas of the Okavango Deltas, galloping amongst giraffe and buffalo, swimming across the delta and mokoro trips are just a few of the many highlights offered by this professional riding safari outfit.
| Area: |
Okavango Delta, Botswana |
| Length: |
5 / 7 / 10 nights |
| Level: |
Experienced |
| Price: |
From £380 per person per night (March - May and Nov), excluding flights from Maun |
| Highlights: |
Quality horses, excellent guiding |
5 night itinerary - A 5-night itinerary may take place on the first five nights or the second 5 nights of a 10-night safari. Clients would depart on day 6 after an early morning ride and breakfast (aircraft movements permitting).7 night itinerary - A 7-night itinerary usually starts on night 1 of a safari. It would typically be split between 2 camps giving guests the opportunity to explore these areas in more depth than with a 5-night itinerary. 10 night itinerary - On a 10-night itinerary works out of the base camp, 'Kujwana' and uses 3 camps. Kujwana is situated on the Xudum River in the Okavango Delta. The two other camps in different areas of the concession are also used. All these camps are well situated in big game areas. They are chosen for the variety of terrain and species that favour particular areas. This is a sample itinerary, which may vary according to water levels and game movements. Day 1 Kujwana Camp - You are met at Maun Airport by an OHS representative and transferred by light aircraft to Xudum airstrip, a 25-minute flight. You are then driven into the camp by vehicle, which takes approximately 1 hour. (Game viewing). Alternatively you would be transferred by light aircraft to Xaxaba Airstrip where you would be met by the helicopter, a 10-minute scenic flight bringing you directly into camp. Lunch and an introduction talk with demonstration on tack and 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, wading through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island, surprising a timid reedbuck 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 followed by a siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light to end, returning to camp for a three course candlelit meal. Day 3 Qwaapo Camp - (Fly Camp) A morning ride east towards Beacon and Lion Island. These are two very large islands in the area, which are cut off from Kujwana by the Qwaapu 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. Mopane forests and acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for elephant, 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 what has been and gone - or what you might still find.
Day 4 Qwaapo Camp - (Fly Camp) A full days ride, heading south into the edge of the floodwaters. Large open areas are ideal for plains game. Large herds of zebra, impala and wildebeest are seen in this area. With the plains game come the predators, wild dog and cheetah are often seen from this camp. The shallow waters also make it a birder's paradise with many waders seen here. Break for a vehicle supported picnic lunch under a shady fig tree, with a siesta. Mount up for an afternoon ride along the Qwaapo River to camp. Day 5 Kujwana Camp - A morning ride moving from Qwaapo to Kujwana camp. Shady rain pans and thick riverine forest make this ride an ideal time to track a breeding herd of elephants. Break for a chocolate bar on the edge of a hippo pool, before riding on into more open areas with the chance of picking up a herd of buffalo moving through. Afternoon mokoro allows for a relaxing trip being poled through the watery wilderness surrounding Kujwana. 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. Two-hour dawn game ride for guests on a five or seven night itinerary, returning 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. Day 7 Kujwana Camp - A full morning ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numerous 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 general game viewing (and the unexpected). Afternoon game/night drive. Day 8 Mokolwane Camp - Move from Kujwana to Mokolwane camp. This is approximately 30km ride heading northwest. 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 Mokolwane camp. Arrive at sunset. Guests on a 7-night itinerary would ride for 2 hours, returning to camp for a cooked breakfast, flight times permitting. Day 9 Mokolwane – Morning game ride. This camp is on the Matsebe river system and features wide open flood plains interspersed with Mokolwane palms, favorite food of elephant and baboon. Good area for plains' game. Afternoon: 1 - 2 hours mokoro experience. Day 10 Kujwana Camp - A full days ride from Mokolwane to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along away. A 35 Km 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. Picnic lunch arriving at Kujwana at sunset. Day 11
Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times permit. Guests leave after breakfast. One hour's game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun. Fixed departure dates are published with a 5,7 and 10 night safari offering the opportunity to explore the three main river systems in this area, the Xudum, Matsebi and the Kiri River. An area of over 2500 sq. km it is rich in wildlife and variety of fauna and flora. The areas between the three rivers contrast greatly and support different species of game and birds. NB. Okavango Horse Safaris reserves the right to alter the itinerary according to water levels and game movements. Mokoros and fishing are offered as an activity depending on water levels.
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Intermediate
