DISCOVER THE ORIGINAL HORSE SAFARI IN BOTSWANA WITH EXHILARATING RIDING IN THE HEART OF THE OKAVANGO DELTA
Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass silently watching great herds of elephants as they amble across the golden floodplains, disappearing into the lush palm forests. Ride along the ancient elephant pathways, stopping to witness herds of red lechwe grazing calmly in the morning light. Pick up the pace for an exhilarating canter through the flooded channels before a picnic lunch under the trees. Time stands still and the only sounds you hear, as the wind sighs through the grass and rattles the palms fronds, is the fish eagle’s haunting cry, the splash and grunt of hippos and the soft fall of your horses’ hooves.
Established in 1986, this is the original horse safari in Southern Africa. A combination of the owners love of horses and wildlife inspired the beginning of this horseback adventure in the Delta. Taking advantage of being in a private concession bordering the famous Moremi Game Reserve, two unique riverside camps where built to enjoy the phenomenal game viewing. With over thirty years of horse riding through the bush in Botswana, the guides and owners have extensive knowledge of the area and love inspiring guests with bush facts, local legends and stories from the past.
Just getting to the camp is an adventure, with a thrilling helicopter or scenic flight over the Delta – offering an exciting game viewing experience with a bird’s eye view. Although the priority is horseback riding, the camps also offer alternative activities such as guided walks, mokoro expeditions (water levels permitting), power boats and fishing if season allows. Late afternoon game drives with sundowner stops get you back to camp in the dark. These give you the opportunity to see nocturnal creatures such as porcupines, serval and the more elusive predators such as leopard.
Offering non-riding itineraries, this is a great option for those who have partners or family members who do not ride. There are various accommodation options, making it ideal location for intimate honeymoons, family escapes, friends or solo trips.
QUICK FACTS
Okavango Delta, Botswana | |
Maun International Airport | |
Open All Year | |
5 / 7 / 10 nights | |
Group Size: Max. 8 | |
Minimum of 2 | |
Intermediate Plus and Advanced |
THE DESTINATION
At the heart of Southern Africa, you will find Africa’s Eden – the Okavango Delta. This unique oasis surrounded by desert is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Following the summer rains in Angola, the Okavango River meanders along thousands of kilometres, filling dry channels with water giving life. This wetland wilderness is constantly in a state of transformation, a maze of islands, channels, flood plains and lily covered lagoons waiting to be explored. One of Botswana’s only constant water sources, this utopia acts as a magnet for wildlife and migratory birds throughout the year.
DATES & RATES
Open all year round, there is no minimum stay, but we recommend at least 3 nights. Between March and November, there are 5, 7 and 10-night itineraries available that combine both camps. This ride is perfect for riders and non-riders alike.
2023 RATES
LOW SEASON: 01 January – 31 March & 01 – 31 December 2023
GBP £680 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £3400 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £4760 per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £6800 per person sharing + transfers
MID SEASON: 01 April – 31 May / 01 October – 30 November 2023
GBP £800 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £4000 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £5600 per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £8000 per person sharing + transfers
HIGH SEASON: 01 June – 30 September 2023
GBP £980 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £4900 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £6860per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £9800 per person sharing + transfers
At Kujwana, there are two spacious Riverside suites with spectacular views. The hippo Cradle or The Elephant Wallow can be booked on request, depending on availability.
Additional £100 per room per night
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Luxury ccommodation
- All meals
- All local drinks (soft drinks, spirits, beers and house wines)
- A personal and expert guide throughout your trip
- All the riding throughout your stay
- Horse riding on well-trained, responsive horses
- Selected activities such as game drives, guided walks and mokoro trips
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Visas and full travel and medical insurance – which is essential
- International flights to Maun
- Charter flight from Maun – £215 each way or Helicopter flight £310 each way. The helicopter transfer is a 25-minute scenic flight. This brings you directly from Maun to land on the camp island with plenty of time for afternoon activities. It offers a fantastic opportunity to view the Delta from tree top level and is the perfect way to start your safari.
- Charter flight from Kasane – £370 pp each way. Please note we are 1 hours drive from the airstrip and activities on day arrival and departure may not be possible depending on timings
- Gratuities for camp staff and guides
YOUR 8-DAY ITINERARY
** Please note that this is a sample itinerary.
We recommend the 5, 7 or 10 night packages in order to make the most of you stay. However, we can put together a special itinerary on request for those who cannot stay for longer. Although the priority is riding, they offer alternative activities during the afternoons that are not day rides. A 6-hour morning can be tiring so some afternoons are spent at leisure with evening bird/game walks, mokoro expeditions (water levels permitting), power boats and fishing if season allows. Afternoon game drives and night spotting are also offered. Non-riders can be accommodated for but they must be booked in as such.
Day 1
You are met at Maun Airport by a member of the team before a 25-minute transfer by helicopter straight into camp, or by light aircraft to Pompom airstrip, which is then roughly an hour’s drive to camp by vehicle or boat. Once you arrive in camp you will be given time to settle in before lunch. There will be an introductory talk with demonstration on tack and instructions on game viewing from horseback. This is followed by an orientation ride for approximately 1 – 2 hours. Overnight Kujwana Camp
Day 2
Wake up each day is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing. You’ll have a gentle knock on your tent door and a fresh cup of coffee or tea waiting for you. Then it’s time for a light breakfast before you head out on your day’s adventure! Enjoy full morning ride heading to the east exploring the Qwaapu area – a different river system with exciting game viewing opportunities and varied landscapes. You’ll have plenty of chances for long canters on the open savanna areas.
Return to camp for lunch followed by a siesta. In the afternoon head out for a peaceful mokoro expedition up the river and enjoy the tranquility of the Delta from our dug-out canoes. Enjoy the beautiful colours of the Delta as the sun starts to sink behind the horizon Return to camp for a three-course candlelit meal. Overnight Kujwana Camp
Day 3
After breakfast, enjoy a morning ride in the Qwaapu area, wading through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island. Surprise a timid reedbuck out his dense cover on a heavily wooded island, or enjoy the herds of lechwe and zebra moving through the open spaces. The riding pace is varied, from gentle walks among the antelope to splashy canters across the floodplains and open savannas. Overnight at Kujwana Camp
Day 4
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 wide variety of game.
A picnic lunch is served on a shady island followed by siesta with camp beds, maybe a swim, and then a further 2 hours ride in the afternoon. Arrive at back at Kujwana Camp at sunset and enjoy a refreshing drink as you admire the stunning views over the floodplain
Day 5
Today you’ll spend the morning on horseback, exploring the open plains to the south of the camp. After lunch and a siesta, you’ll game drive northwest to our sister camp, Mokolowane (Mok), and stay overnight in its beautiful stilted accommodation which is raised up to be above the highest water. The Mok experience specialises in predator viewing – lion and leopard are frequently seen and an afternoon game drive looking for these predators is often rewarded.
Day 6
Rising early, back in the game drive vehicle by dawn, ready to head out to look for lions and leopards in the area surrounding Mokolowane. After the thrill of watching predators in the wild, head back to Mok for lunch overlooking over the floodplains. After lunch return to Kujwana with a game
drive, with time for a short siesta before getting back in the saddle to explore the immediate area around camp on horseback.
Day 7
Today a full morning ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numerous hippo channels eventually lead you onto Boabab Island. A good habitat for Cheetah and breeding grounds for Carmine Bee eaters, our summer visitor. Boabab Island has thick riverine forest and is a good area for general game viewing. Overnight Kujwana Camp
Day 8
Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times permit. Guests leave after breakfast. One hour’s game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun or a 20-minute helicopter ride.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Kujwana Camp
This camp, ideally set on the banks of the Xudum river offers a variety of accommodation. The 4 Meru tents offer an authentic safari experience, with en-suite bathrooms and private deck. The Rocking Horse and Hippo Cradle are two suites which are perfect for honeymooners or those seeking more luxury. Meals are served in the heart of the camp, around a large fire pit under a canopy of trees. During the heat of the day, the pool area is the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing with a book or simply enjoying the wildlife passing you by. Looking over the Xudum river and the flood plain beyond, it is easy to lose track of time as you watch the zebra grazing and the giraffes slowly meander their way between the islands.
Mokolowane Camp
Situated north west of Kujwana on the Matsebi River, this camp is made up of tree houses 2 metres off the ground. Each of the 5 treehouses boasts superb views over the floodplains, complete with deck and private bathroom. Receiving floodwaters a few weeks before Kujwana, this is real haven for elephants that come to feed on the palm trees near the camp.
QUICK FACTS
Okavango Delta, Botswana | |
Maun International Airport | |
Open All Year | |
5 / 7 / 10 nights | |
Group Size: Max. 8 | |
Minimum of 2 | |
Intermediate Plus and Advanced |
5 Nights From: GBP £3400 pp sharing
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
Beginner | |
Novice | |
Intermediate | |
Intermediate Plus | |
Advanced |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Ride in a private concession offering unparalleled game viewing
- The exhilarating experience of riding alongside wildlife in one of Africa’s most impressive settings
- Getting to indulge in some faster paced riding across vast open spaces and wading from island to island during the flood season
- The chance to compliment your horse safari with other activities such as game drives, fishing and boat rides
- Experience two unique camps overlooking the Delta’s main rivers
DATES & RATES
Open all year round, there is no minimum stay, but we recommend at least 3 nights. Between March and November, there are 5, 7 and 10-night itineraries available that combine both camps. This ride is perfect for riders and non-riders alike.
2023 RATES
LOW SEASON: 01 January – 31 March & 01 – 31 December 2023
GBP £680 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £3400 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £4760 per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £6800 per person sharing + transfers
MID SEASON: 01 April – 31 May / 01 October – 30 November 2023
GBP £800 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £4000 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £5600 per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £8000 per person sharing + transfers
HIGH SEASON: 01 June – 30 September 2023
GBP £980 per person per night sharing
5 Nights: GBP £4900 per person sharing + transfers
7 Nights: GBP £6860per person sharing + transfers
10 Nights: GBP £9800 per person sharing + transfers
At Kujwana, there are two spacious Riverside suites with spectacular views. The hippo Cradle or The Elephant Wallow can be booked on request, depending on availability.
Additional £100 per room per night
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Luxury ccommodation
- All meals
- All local drinks (soft drinks, spirits, beers and house wines)
- A personal and expert guide throughout your trip
- All the riding throughout your stay
- Horse riding on well-trained, responsive horses
- Selected activities such as game drives, guided walks and mokoro trips
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Visas and full travel and medical insurance – which is essential
- International flights to Maun
- Charter flight from Maun – £215 each way or Helicopter flight £310 each way. The helicopter transfer is a 25-minute scenic flight. This brings you directly from Maun to land on the camp island with plenty of time for afternoon activities. It offers a fantastic opportunity to view the Delta from tree top level and is the perfect way to start your safari.
- Charter flight from Kasane – £370 pp each way. Please note we are 1 hours drive from the airstrip and activities on day arrival and departure may not be possible depending on timings
- Gratuities for camp staff and guides
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”Just spend 7 days at Okavengo Horse Safaris and Kujwana lodge in Botswana. The service from African Horse Safaris was outstanding. They put together a trip for me to South Africa last year so I knew they'd be good. It's so easy to know they'll make all the travel arrangements, and be available by text or phone during the whole trip. I traveled alone and was perfectly comfortable
Rebecca JankovichKujwana Camp, Botswana
TOUR GALLERY
How we care for our horses
Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. Our horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:
- There is a wide range of horses (over 60) suitable for everyone from the competitive rider to those preferring a steady hack and every effort is made to match horse and rider.
- Although the priority is riding, we offer alternative activities during the afternoons that are not day rides – this also gives the horses time to rest.
- When not on safari the horses freely graze the grassy molapos of the delta through the day, coming into large paddocks at night – and guests love to watch them gallop in the golden light.
- The owner has accumulated a wealth of equine veterinary knowledge and provides the majority of the veterinary care and farrier work required.
Please let us know if you have any more questions around this.
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