Imagine yourself sitting on a horse back, overlooking tall grass and river banks. Imagine yourself passing big herds of wildebeest and waterbuck while they wander over the golden plains. Embrace the amazing feeling when you quietly and slowly move along endless paths which are home to hundred of animals. Watch the sun disappear in the horizon and slowly turn day into night to the sound of hyena’s whoop-de-whoop in the background. Imagine yourself hearing lions growl when you’re seated around a campfire in pitch black darkness. Imagine yourself be woken up by hippo’s cruelty from the river. This is as close to nature you will get!
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Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
Okavango Delta recently declared the thousandth world heritage, is a rider’s dream. The river water that spreads over the Kalahari sands is accompanied by animals and bird life and it is a perfect way to observe this from the back of a horse. This experience is totally something beyond the normal.
Instead of staying at one lodge you will istead be staying in a mobile tented camp. The tents are transported daily from site to site by a flotilla of mekoros (traditional canoes) using local community members who live within the Delta and know the area inside out.
The tents are very comfortable with a standing height, comfortable beds, bucket showers and toilets.
This tour is only suitable for experienced riders. The focus is on the experience, the amazing Okavango and its first class, guided tours. Your horse will become a best friend, the wildlife will surprise you and the food (cooked over open fire) is amazing.
No vehicles are involved, and this, together with the camp’s cooperation with the local community, guarantees a truly green-friendly safari. It is only a 30-minute drive from Maun’s airport to the south end of Okavango where your safari begin.
Exploring the wilderness from the back of a horse is exalting, especially when you pass the first encounter with elephants – an experience that is very different than from the window of a vehicle.
Before the sunsets we ride into a secluded camp site on a beautiful remote island.
There is no fixed roadmap, today’s layout depends on water levels, how the animals in the wilderness move and the length of safari (the longer the safari the more likely the camp is moved). But every place is outstanding and there are a good selection of shady tree-lined islands.
A typical day begin with an early ascension, a light breakfast around the campfire when dawn break through. The morning is spent on the horse back where in search of a variety of wildlife as well as enjoying the beautiful bird life.
We return to the camp for lunch and siesta in the dense shadow of giant jackalberry or leadwood tree. A meditative evening safari is spent by listening to the sound of the bush and splashing horses before returning to the camp for dinner under the stars.
Sometimes guests (and horses) may need rest, which is the perfect time for a peaceful ride in a mokoro, the traditional way of crossing the sparkling, empty lagoons. There is also the opportunity to venture out on foot to appreciate the smaller creatures living in the bush – or to learn some of the rudimentary tracking skills.
No day will be the same, but every day is surprising and it’s a privilege to share this unique and unspoilt wilderness together.
You will get the chance to meet all kinds of wildlife such as elephant, hippo, lion and much more.
Trip details
Ecorating: 3.5
Season: Year Round
Airport: Maun, International Airport, Botswana.
Length: 7 nights
Included: Accommodation full board, riding, game drives, hikes & mekoro safaris.
Not included: Insurance, activities, meals, drinks not mentioned in the program local taxes, tips and extras.
Good to know about Botswana: Okavango Delta is one of the most incredible wilderness in Africa with 15,000 square kilometers of water channels, lagoons and islands. River water flows from a distance of more than 1000 km, from the Central African Highlands to create this wonderful wetland. Okavango Delta is home to a large number of wildlife ranging from common mammals and birds to those not commonly seen elsewhere, such as quintessential, wild and wattled cranes.
Travel ethics: Botswana is a stable democracy. We recommend you to ask your camp/lodge/hotel staff about where to go and what areas to be avoided.
Mobile network and email: Email and Internet access is a bit out of date and so far out in the participant. Do not expect it to work to avoid disappointments.
Visa: Passport is required and must be valid 6 months after departure. The traveler is responsible for the visa application. From 1 October 2016, all children (under 18 years) must have a birth certificate when traveling in /out of Botswana.
Time zone: GMT + 2
Vaccinations: Read more about what vaccinations you need
Packing: Sun hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes, riding clothes if you are going to ride. Bring a smaller backpack to carry water, binoculars, camera in. Soft bags are easier to pack in the cars you travel with.
Mosquito nets are available, but please take a mosquito spray.
Local currency: Pula. Note that banks in Botswana, as well as lodges and camps, only US dollars, GBP Sterling, Euro and South African rand in cash. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are usually accepted throughout Botswana, but Diners Club and American Express are not accepted.
Weather: Weather Botswana
Water: Clean water is available at the camp.
Security: Botswana is generally a safe country.
More information on: Travel Advice
Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
The camp you will be staying at works together with OKMCT (Okavango Kopano Mekoro Community Trust) for their Okavango Delta Ride. This tour provides direct benefits to the locals from the 6 villages bordering this part of the Okavango Delta. Preserving and protecting Africa’s wild spaces is a long-term attempt and you can also bea part and make a difference just by visiting and sharing your experiences of Africa and its beauty, you preserve the future of a land rich in diversity.
