The Okavango Horse Safari have a large herd of Full and Part Bred Thoroughbreds, pure Arabs and Anglo Arabs, Saddle Bred Crosses, Boerperds. The horses are between 14hh and 17hh, well-schooled, responsive and even-tempered. There is a wide range of horses suitable for experienced riders and riders who compete.

The tack is English style with very good quality English saddles (Ideals, Symonds and Barnsbys Fieldhouse) with seat savers and English snaffle bridles.

5 NIGHTS ITINERARY

Day 1
On arrival at Maun airport, you will be met and transferred to camp. If arriving by helicopter (which is highly recommended as the flight itself is a magical experience) then you will arrive in time for a late lunch and safety briefing before heading out onto an orientation ride. Please note that we recommend packing your riding clothes into your hand luggage if arriving by helicopter as your luggage may arrive by road later in the day! After your ride, relax with a gin and tonic whilst watching the sunset before dinner with your group.

Day 2
You will be awoken early with a cup of tea or coffee and a light breakfast meaning you are riding as dawn breaks and the game is most active. This morning’s ride takes you through the Xudum river area, where you will wade from island to island through lush green malopos. You may surprise a timid reedbuck out of it’s dense cover or watch herds of lechwe or zebra as they appear to effortlessly move through the water. There is exceptional birdlife in this seasonal marshland and your guides will help you to identify everything you see. Return to Kujwana camp for lunch in the shade and a relaxing siesta. In the afternoon, head out for a peaceful mokoro (dugout canoe) expedition on the river and enjoy the tranquillity of the Delta from the water as the sun starts to sink below the horizon.

Day 3
A full morning ride heading to the east, exploring the Qwaapu area – a different river system with exciting game viewing opportunities and a different landscape. Return to camp for lunch followed by a siesta. In the afternoon, jump in the game drive vehicle to head out in search of game you may not want to view from horseback and enjoy a drink as the sun sets. Have dinner in the bush and then an evening night drive back to camp with the spotlight looking for nocturnal game.

Day 4
A full day ride from Kujwana camp, covering c. 30kms as you head northwest through open floodplains and scattered islands to the Matsebe river system which should be thronging with game. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island followed by a siesta with camp beds and maybe a swim. A two-hour ride in the afternoon leads you back to camp in time for sunset drinks as you admire the stunning views over the floodplains.

Day 5
A morning ride exploring the southern Matsebi area. The ride moves through a variety of game areas, fording the Matsebi river through numerous hippo channels. In the afternoon take a game drive or boat trip out to hippo pans – a great area for bush walks and tracking. The vehicle drops you off and you walk to the platforms for sunset drinks. The platforms are 4m above the ground and camouflaged by a canopy of mangosteen trees. Enjoy the great view and wildlife moving freely beneath you.

Day 6
If transferring out by helicopter then there will be time for a final ride exploring the myriad of waterways around Kujwana camp before departing.

10 NIGHTS ITINERARY

Day 1
You will be met on arrival at Maun airport and transferred to camp. We recommend flying in by helicopter as it’s a magical experience and means you arrive in time for an afternoon ride. Make sure to pack some riding clothes in your hand luggage in case your main luggage becomes separated during travel. Your ride will be followed by sundowners and dinner in camp.

Day 2
You will be woken early with a cup of tea or coffee in your tent. After a light breakfast you will mount at dawn to be out riding as the game is most active. Today’s ride will explore the Xudum area, where you wade through lush green malopos as you head from island to island. Perhaps you’ll stumble across the shy reedbuck as it hides amongst dense bush on the islands or watch herds of lechwe and giraffe as they splash through the waters. The seasonal marshlands are a paradise for birdlife and your guides will help you tick off all the species you see. Return to camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon head out for a peaceful mokoro expedition on the river and enjoy the tranquility of the Delta from the dug-out canoes as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Day 3
A full day ride from Kujwana camp of approximately 30km, heading northwest. The route moves through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system where you will see a variety of game. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island followed by a siesta with camp beds, maybe a swim and then a further 2-hour ride back to camp in the afternoon. Enjoy a refreshing drink as the sun sets across the floodplain.

Day 4
After breakfast, ride in the Xudum area again, wading from island to island, surprising herds of lechwe or giraffe. Back in time for lunch and an afternoon powerboat trip up the river to look for the elusive Pels fishing owl, or throw in a line and catch a delicious bream for dinner.

Day 5
Today you’ll spend the morning on horseback exploring the open plains to the south of camp. After lunch and a siesta, you’ll game drive north-west to the sister camp of Moklowane to stay overnight in the beautiful, stilted accommodation raised above the water. Moklowane camp specialises in predator viewing – lion and leopard are frequently seen and an afternoon game drive looking for these predators is often rewarding.

Day 6
Rise early and jump back into the game vehicle before dawn to head out and look for lions and leopards in the area surrounding Moklowane. After the thrill of watching predators in the wild, head back to Moklowane for lunch overlooking the floodplains. After lunch, return to Kujwana on another game drive before a short siesta and then a late afternoon ride to explore the area around camp.

Day 7
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 cross-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans. This area is a great contrast to the open floodplains – 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 forests, and if the pans are holding water, then it’s also a great location for buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. In the afternoon enjoy a bird walk with the opportunity to learn more about the traditional uses of the plants and trees in the area.

Day 8
A morning ride around the east of Kujwana camp. Shady rain pans and thick riverine forest make this ride an ideal time to track breeding herds of elephant. Break for a chocolate bar on the edge of a hippo pool before riding onto more open areas, with the chance of picking up a herd of buffalo as they pass through. In the evening, enjoy an early dinner in camp before heading out on a night drive to some platforms where you’ll spend the night sleeping under the stars. Fall asleep to the sounds of the little Pearl Spotted owls who share the trees with you.

Day 9
Awake in the trees and enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Qwaapu area with the game strolling through the floodplain below. After a bush breakfast make your way back to Kujwana camp with a game drive and walk. After a hearty lunch there’s a two-hour evening ride followed by sunset drinks on one of the flood plains. A lovely way to end an active day.

Day 10
Another full day ride exploring the Xudum area with a picnic lunch along the way. The ride covers around 35km, with four hours ridden in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. The ride moves through a variety of game areas fording the Xudum river through numerous hippo channels.

Day 11
You will have time for a final ride this morning before transferring out of the Delta by helicopter or fix wing plane.

NOTE: 7 nights itinerary is largerly the same as 10 nights, only skipping days 8-10.