CHA CHA METSI EXPLORER – OKAVANGO DELTA HORSE SAFARI

A short helicopter ride or a slightly longer road trip from Maun and you will arrive at Cha Cha Metsi Camp. Cha Cha Metsi Camp sleeps only 12 guests in six en suite tents and has been personally decorated by Marijke with a collection of their family’s antique furniture. On arrival you will without doubt feel you are being welcomed warmly into their own home. The camp overlooks the permanent waters of the stunning Gama Tau Lagoon – the gathering place of the lions – and is part of the Santantadibe River. This is a permanently flowing waterway so the camp is surrounded by classic Okavango scenery – lagoons, floodplains and tree lined islands – making for wonderful riding through stunning scenery and an incredible diversity of wildlife. The feeling of exploring this water wilderness on horseback is indescribable. After settling into camp life, head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light for your first opportunity to experience the beauty of this magical area.

Overnight: Cha Cha Metsi Camp

The following day will start with an early wake-up call and a light breakfast around the camp fire as the dawn breaks. Mount up and spend the morning on horseback following ancient elephant trails, searching for the large variety of wildlife, enjoying the prolific birdlife and cantering through the open plains. Herds of buffalo may be in the vicinity, giraffe may saunter by and red lechwe will splash through the water alongside you, whilst kudu peer out from the thickets. Return to camp for lunch and siesta under the shade of the giant leadwood trees. In the afternoon enjoy a gentle evening ride, appreciating the peacefulness of the Okavango, listening to the sounds of the bush and the snorting and splashing of your horses.

Overnight: Cha Cha Metsi Camp

Today the adventure multiplies as you head deeper into the Okavango for three nights under canvas. There are some real wild areas to explore with plenty of floodplains to traverse (some offering splashing canters) and a plethora of wildlife. Hidden away amongst the palm tree strewn islands are some stunning lagoons filled with hippos and often visited by large herds of zebra and elephant.

The team will go ahead and set up a lightweight camp on a beautiful, remote island so that after a long day in the saddle all the necessary comforts will be awaiting – dome tents with stretcher beds and fully made up bedrolls, bucket showers and bush toilets but most importantly cold drinks with ice! And of course the camp chef will have prepared an absolutely delicious dinner over the fire – quite the art! Dinner will be served under the stars. With lots of riding and exploring under your belt and an incredible list of wildlife seen it may be time on the last afternoon under canvas to venture out on foot to look for the smaller creatures that inhabit the bush and to learn some tracking skills before enjoying another fabulous African sunset.

Overnight: Fly camp in the Delta

Riding back to Cha Cha Metsi in time for lunch in camp it will again be time for the horses and riders to have a rest and instead spend the afternoon experiencing the water wonderland from a mokoro (a dug-out canoe), the traditional mode of transport in the Okavango Delta. Gliding quietly through lily filled lagoons is as tranquil and relaxing as it gets.

On your last full day in the Okavango to ride as much as you like or to partake in some fishing (catch & release) and a game viewing vehicle will be on standby if needed for a change and perhaps an opportunity to get up close and personal to any predators – lion, leopard, cheetah or wild dog – that may have been spotted in the vicinity.

You are definitely not going to want to leave your new home in the Okavango today but after a last ride and a fond farewell to the horses and staff it will be time for a helicopter or road transfer back to Maun for your onward journey. Remember it’s easy to add on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or Victoria Falls if you want to explore more of Africa!