On horseback you can venture further into the delta and get closer to the wildlife than you can on foot.Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe as they move across golden floodplains and the breathtaking excitement when your silent progress along game trails used only by the animals brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant.
Cantering alongside the elegant motion of a giraffe is an experience you will never forget and the only sounds you will hear, as the wind soughs though the long grass and rattles the palms, are the fisheagle's haunting cry, the splash of a disappearing crocodile and the faraway drumming of hooves.
As the blood red sun drops into the black of night, the hyena'' whoop-de-whoop and the lion's roar accompany your fireside reverie and a hippo's watery grunt punctuates your dreams. This is as close to nature as you will ever get.
Accommodation:
You are collected from the nearest airfield and taken to base camp by vehicle. Accommodation at base camp consists of comfortable tents each with veranda and en-suite bathrooms.
11-Day 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.
Day 1:
You are met at Maun Airport by our representative & transferred by light aircraft to the nearest airstrip to Kujwana (Little Hippo), 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. 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. 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, wilderbeest 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 fly sheet 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. Guests leave after breakfast. One hour's drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
High season weight supplement:
Over 200lbs (14 stone, or 90 kgs) a supplement of 50% will be charged for an extra horse. The weight limit remains at 210 lbs (15 stone or 95 kgs)
Single supplement: 50% (only applicable if unwilling to share)
Air Transfer (inclusive of Botswana Government 10% VAT).
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Botswana
Horse Riding
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