At Ride Botswana, Kalahari Camp, there is a good mix of twenty plus, relaxed, forward going horses including Boerperds and Boerperd Crosses, Thoroughbred and Shire Crosses, Arabs, Friesians and Appaloosas. Their heights range from 14.2hh to 16.2hh.

Level of riding and pace depending on chosen Safari:

• Beginner to Advanced – Thamalakane River Safari

• Intermediate to Advanced – Kalahari Camp Safari

Day 1
Arrive at Camp Kalahari nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park. You will be greeted by your host and guide David Foot. Time to settle in then, after tea, set off for an introductory ride – primarily to match horse and rider. Return to the camp for sundowners followed by dinner perhaps accompanied by roars of the Kalahari lions.

Day 2
Up with the dawn, a light breakfast followed by a long morning ride through the ‘land of a thousand islands’. Stranded on the ancient lakebed, these sand dunes covered in palm trees are one of the most beautiful and fascinating areas of the Botswana wilderness. At the height of the migration season, the islands and adjoining grasslands are awash with zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and ostrich – and of course the accompanying predators! The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent going for the horses. Night at Camp Kalahari.

Day 3
Today is a long ride eastward to Xau Xai Fly Camp, so an early start is imperative. The journey takes you away from the edge of the Pans and through mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands allowing for lovely long canters. Reach the famous Greens Baobab by lunchtime, positioned next to the road that David Livingstone traversed on his journey’s northwards. Continue on to Xau Xai Fly Camp for dinner and night.

Day 4
Wake up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast, before heading off in search of some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. Return to Xau Xai for lunch and a refreshing shower. Set off in the late afternoon for one of the greatest adventures imaginable – a ride straight out into the middle of the ancient Lakebed – 16,000 square kilometres of baking soda! Eventually all that can be seen is the vast flatness stretching in every direction. Camp is set up here, sleeping on bedrolls under the silence of a star-studded sky.

Day 5
As the dawn greets this extraordinary landscape the last of the stars disappear. Set off riding directly across the Pans back to Camp Kalahari. Sometimes ostriches are seen deep in the Pans and from a great distance the famous Chapman’s Baobab is visible. One of the largest trees in Africa, this great baobab was also the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area. Lunch here, then continue to Camp Kalahari in time for a refreshing shower and a final lamp lit dinner.

Day 6
Breakfast and say goodbye to the horses, then set off on an early morning walk with Zu’hoasi Bushmen trackers. Offering a window into the past, they teach you how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of survival skills. Lunch at Camp Kalahari before your onward journey.