Botswana is one of the best places on earth to head out on safari and immerse yourself in true, unspoilt wilderness. With incredibly diverse ecosystems, Botswana boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife. Exploring this wilderness on horseback is exhilarating, and your first encounter with a herd of elephants will leave you awe-inspired! Not only will you find these gentle giants, but rarer species such as leopards, wild dogs, brown hyenas and lechwe are also commonly seen on horseback.
Horse riding in Botswana will stay with you forever. The guiding, accommodation and, most importantly, the horses available in Botswana are exceptional! The horse riding safaris offered are as varied as you could imagine – Taking you from harsh desert lands to delta wetlands and beyond! The riding here is fast-paced and incredibly exciting, with some horseback safaris even offering the chance to jump elephant-felled logs. On horseback, the game viewing is exceptional, and you can traverse areas seldom seen by any other human. With unforgettable game drives, photographic safaris and mokoro rides for non-riding partners or those who want a break from the saddle, Botswana has earned its place at the top of many riders’ bucket lists.
For More Info About Horse Riding in Botswana
Horse riding holidays in Botswana allow you to connect with nature and wildlife in a way few other experiences can match. You’ll have the opportunity to witness incredible wildlife up close, from elephants to antelope, as you embark on guided horse safaris. It’s a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and a deep connection with the natural world, making it an unforgettable equestrian travel destination for those who seek both exhilaration and serenity in the heart of Africa. The Okavango Delta and Tuli are ideal for experienced riders. You’ll be riding through incredible wilderness areas and encountering a variety of wildlife, which require a certain level of riding skill and confidence. Intermediate riders can also enjoy a horse safari in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The vast open plains make it an accessible adventure for those newer to horseback riding while still offering the opportunity to explore this unique and mesmerising landscape.
But Botswana is not only for horse riders, it offers an unforgettable adventure holiday for families, friends and groups. Just getting to the camps is an adventure, with a thrilling helicopter or light air charter flight! Offering a variety of unforgettable safari experiences such as game drives, guided walks, photographic safaris, animal interaction, quad biking, helicopter flight and more, there is something for everyone!
Imagine exploring the pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta on horseback, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of this untamed landscape. Known to many as Africa’s Eden, the Delta is famous for its annual flood and abundance of wildlife; the area provides a haven for a huge array of wildlife. In the Okavango Delta flood months (June – October) these horseback safaris offer the unique experience of cantering across flooded plains, grinning from ear-to-ear as you get drenched in splashing water. Known for huge herds of elephants, pods of hippos, prides of lions and packs of wild dogs, you’ll also find antelope species well adapted to this watery environment, and a safari here always promises incredible game viewing
On the border of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe lies the unfenced and vast Mashatu Game Reserve – Another haven for horse riders. Known as the ‘Land of Giants’, you’ll see huge herds of elephants, towering baobab trees and endless big skies! The area is famous for its wildlife and is home to lion, cheetah, leopard, large herds of elephants and a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. Imagine long canters kicking up dust and weaving your way through the endless bush wilderness with wildlife around every corner
For those horseback riders looking for something a little different, a speed fix and an adrenaline rush, or simply a complete change of scenery – the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans will deliver. Hear your horses’ hooves crunch across the wide-open salt pans that stretch as far as the eye can see, the best natural race surface in the world! Enjoy a good gallop, spectacular sunsets and perhaps even sleeping under the stars. Desert-adapted wildlife, Meerkat encounters and walks with Bushmen all create an unforgettable safari experience
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MOMENTS
For anyone who has ever watched the National Geographic channel, Botswana is always at the top of their must-see safari destinations. And it never disappoints! You never know if you’ll have wild dog joining you for breakfast, a dazzle of zebra allowing you into their midst, or a herd of elephants offering some heart-stopping moments in the saddle! And you get the chance to watch Big Cat Dairies and Meerkat Mansions up close and personal.
WILDLIFE IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA
Great breeding herds of elephants gather in the delta during the floods, making for spectacular sights as they gather around large lagoons filled with hippos. Explore past the herds of zebras, red lechwe, impalas and reedbuck that graze on the islands between the flood plains and pause to watch a giraffe browsing the tallest trees. It is called Africa’s Eden for a reason and is not to be missed!
SPLASHY CANTERS
There is something incredibly special about cantering through water, grinning from ear to ear and hearing your fellow riders whoop and laugh beside you. In the high water season, it’s a childhood dream come true for many horse riders. Plus, you never know if the herds of lechwe, zebra or even giraffe will join in the fun.
ZEBRA MIGRATION
The Makgadikgadi offers an entirely different scene; the pans make up a large area of North Eastern Botswana and are separated by sandy desert islands. During the green season, witness the pans fill with enormous herds of migratory zebra and wildebeest, often seen in their thousands – Africa’s second-biggest land migration.
MEERKAT INTERACTION
Jump down from a morning’s horse safari to visit the meerkat colonies and watch closely as they venture above ground to bask in the first morning rays, unfazed by your presence. These cute critters will leave you with long lasting memories.
GAME DRIVES
Guided game drives in open 4×4 vehicles allow you to get closer to the more intimidating wildlife, such as elephants and big cats. The steady vehicles give you great opportunities for wildlife photography, often getting within a few meters of lions and leopards! Your guides will share their incredible knowledge of these creatures with you. After sunset, head back to camp in the dark, allowing you to spot nocturnal creatures like leopards, hyenas, and owls, which are typically more active after dark. And of course, remember to take a moment to take in the African stars.
MOKORO SAFARIS
Glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta in traditional dugout canoes called mokoros, known as the Gondolas of Africa. This serene and eco-friendly experience allows for excellent birdwatching and up-close encounters with aquatic wildlife and gives you a different perspective of animals like elephants and buffalo grazing on the banks.
WALKING SAFARIS
Slow down and join expert guides for walking safaris, which offer a unique opportunity to explore the bush on foot. Learn about tracking animals, the local flora, and the smaller, often overlooked, creatures of the wilderness.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS
Botswana is a photographer’s paradise. Join specialised photographic safaris that provide expert guidance and access to prime locations for capturing incredible wildlife and landscape shots.
SCENIC FLIGHTS & HELICOPTER FLIPS
Experience the breathtaking landscapes of Botswana from the air with scenic flights over the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, and other iconic destinations.
QUAD BIKES
In the Salt Pans, you can swap out a horse for a quad bike and head off deep into the desert landscape, where it’s so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat.
BEYOND HORSE SAFARIS
We can create tailor-made safaris including multiple destinations in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. One of our favourite combinations is adding on a few nights in Victoria Falls after your horse riding holiday in Botswana.
Botswana’s commitment to low-impact, eco-conscious tourism ensures that your safari experiences are not only thrilling but also environmentally responsible. With luxury lodges that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, this is the epitome of luxury adventure travel in Africa, where every moment brings you closer to the untamed beauty of the wild.
Unwind in one of our exclusive luxury camps, which perfectly intertwines all those creature comforts with the bush wilderness experience. Return from fast-paced mornings in the saddle, recline by the pool and watch elephants drinking from a nearby lagoon. You may prefer to embrace nature to the fullest on one of the mobile camping safaris. Here you’ll dine under the stars every night, siesta in the shade under trees and enjoy a hot bucket shower hung from a tree to wash off the dust from a day in the saddle. And for those that like a combination of it all, our expedition-style safari in the Tuli offers a tented camp, sleep out and a unique treehouse!
From the minute you step off the plane and into the saddle, you will be met with the smiling faces of the Botswanans. The energy and vibe in Botswana is infectious, you will quickly find yourself smiling too as you chat to your guides, grooms and camp staff. On the Makgadikgadi horse safari, you get the privilege of spending time with the San Bushmen, who will show introduce you to their traditional ways of living in the desert.
The Okavango offers a spellbinding experience and great wildlife throughout the year. The hottest months are November to February and the coolest from June until August. If you are looking for flood plains to canter through, then you will need to head to the Okavango Delta between June and October but do remember flood water can never be guaranteed.
The majority of the riding in Botswana takes you through areas with bigger game, and as a result, requires an intermediate plus or advanced level of riding. However, in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, even novice riders can discover the magic of horse riding in Botswana. Here the wide-open landscapes means you are highly unlikely to come across any wildlife by surprise and thus can cater for a less confident rider. Enquire for more options.
A wildlife safari in Botswana combines brilliantly with a trip to the world-famous Victoria Falls. You fly directly from your Delta lodge or Maun International Airport to Kasane (1.5 hours) and then take a transfer (organised by us) to Victoria Falls (Approx 1.5 hours).
The majority of our rides start and end at Maun International Airport – Most flights go via Johannesburg but you can arrive via Nairobi or Windhoek. The Tuli Ride in Mashatu Game Reserve starts and ends from Johannesburg.
It really depends what you are looking for. If you are looking to canter across water-filled flood plains then you want the Okavango Delta. If you are looking for a healing and mindfullness retreat (with some epic gallops!) the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer just this. Or perhaps you are looking for an exciting trail ride in Southern Botswana where you can jump elephant-felled logs on the Tuli Trail.
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