EXPERIENCE AN ECO-FRIENDLY RIDING ADVENTURE IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA
A journey for those who wish to disconnect from the rush of normal life and set off on a horseback expedition through the pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta.
With no vehicles involved, and working in partnership with the local community, we can guarantee a genuinely environmentally-friendly safari. Enjoy spellbinding scenery, exciting riding and spectacular game viewing, without worrying about your carbon footprint. Stripping back to the bare beauty of fly-camp safaris, means that you will truly embrace Africa’s wilderness, and enjoy the exclusivity of a private, personalised camp set far out in the bush.
You will be collected at Maun Airport for road transfer to the southern end of the Okavango where the safari begins at the so-called “buffalo fence”. This takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the time of year and the location of the camp. Here, the patient horses are waiting for your horseback adventure to begin. Your luggage will be loaded onto mekoros (small tranditional canoes) or pack donkeys to be transported to camp. The Delta is amazing all year round, but the floods can be erratic. If seeing the Delta in flood is important to you, the best months to travel are between late-June and early October.
Exploring this water wilderness on horseback is absolutely exhilarating, and each wildlife encounter will fill you with awe. In the saddle and high above the tall grasses, game viewing is exceptional; you can see giraffe, elephant, buffalo, zebra, many species of antelope and sometimes even hyena, lion or wild dog. The Delta is also renowned for some of the best bird watching in the world so make sure you bring your binoculars. You will be ticking off bucket-list moments left, right and centre as you come across your first elephant, enjoy a water canter, or watch the sun go down over the horizon without another soul in sight.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly
DATES AND RATES
There are a number of 7-night set date departures throughout the year for a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum of 8 – please enquire about availability.
2024 RATES
LOW SEASON
24 – 31 December 2024
7 nights: USD $4955GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
MIDSEASON
10 – 17 November 2024
7 nights: USD $5865GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
HIGH SEASON
15 – 22 September 2024
24 September – 01 October 2024
09 – 16 October 2024
18 – 25 October 2024
7 nights: USD $6600GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
2025 RATES
LOW SEASON
05 – 12 January 2025
08 – 15 February 2025
09 – 16 March 2025
12 – 19 December 2025
21 – 28 December 2025
7 nights: USD $5510GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
MIDSEASON
06 – 13 April 2025
15 – 23 April 2025
10 – 17 May 2025
19 – 26 May 2025
07 – 14 June 2025
08 – 15 November 2025
17 – 24 November 2025
7 nights: USD $6090GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
HIGH SEASON
04 – 11 July 2025
08 – 15 August 2025
17 – 24 August 2025
04 –- 11 September 2025
02 – 09 October 2025
11 – 18 October 2025
7 nights: USD $6860GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person sharing
EXTRAS
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single supplement charged throughout the year if you are not willing to share a tent
2024: USD $875GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
2025: USD $910GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
Includes:
- All accommodation in lightweight tents
- All meals and drinks
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Full safari team to set up camp and transport gear
- Expert guiding
- All horse riding on well-trained and responsive horses
- Return road transfer from Maun Airport
Excludes:
- International flights
- Visas
- Comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance
- Premium Drinks
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
QUICK FACTS
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
- Beginner
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Intermediate Plus
- Advanced
CURRENCY CONVERTER
At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Escape the ordinary with this off-grid safari with exceptional guides.
- Riding through the untouched scenery of the Okavango Delta, without another soul insight
- Long free canters across the plains and splashing through flood waters
- Being able to really absorb Africa’s wilderness through the private and exclusive set-up of fly-camping
- Viewing the Okavango Delta’s abundant and varied wildlife
TOUR REVIEWS
READ MORE REVIEWS”I just got back from my first horse safari in the Okavango Delta and I absolutely LOVED it. It was everything I expected and more. We saw a lot of wildlife including lots of zebra, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, antelope and even a lion on the last day. The horses were fit and really well taken care of. The organization was great, and the food in particular was amazing. It was a really fun group and David is a fantastic guide, extremely knowledgeable. The Okavango Delta is spectacular and all of our camping spots were stunning. All of our bags and camping gear was transported by mokoro - and we didn't see a single vehicle during the entire safari. Overall I can't recommend this trip enough, and booking with Isabel was super easy. Already planning the next trip with African Horse Safaris
Alessia PignattiMobile Horse Safari, Okavango Delta, Botswana
SAMPLE ITINERARY
** Please note that this is a sample itinerary and may change depending on weather or wildlife movements
The emphasis is on the experience, the beauty of the Okavango and top level guiding. The riding and the horses are fabulous, the wildlife is incredible and the food (cooked over a log fire) is fantastic. There are no vehicles involved and this along with working in partnership with the local community offers a genuinely “Green” experience. This is one of the most environmentally friendly safaris around. Your luggage will be loaded onto mekoros or donkeys and transported to camp whilst you mount up and venture on horseback into the unknown!
The feeling of exploring this water wilderness on horseback is indescribable, in particular when you come face to face with your first elephants – an experience very different to viewing them from a vehicle! Before the sun sets you will ride into your secluded camp on a beautiful, remote island. There is no set itinerary during your safari with the location of the camp depending on water levels, wildlife movements and the length of your safari. Each location the camp moves to will be exquisite as there is a plentiful choice of beautiful tree lined islands.
A TYPICAL DAY
Wake up on a beautiful African morning, to the sound of the dawn chorus. Enjoy a light breakfast around the camp fire as dawn breaks.
The morning will be spent on horseback, following ancient elephant trails, searching for a variety of wildlife. Spotting for the prolific birdlife, and depending on the time of year, cantering through the recently flooded plains. Herds of buffalo might be found grazing, lone male elephants browsing, giraffes sauntering by and red lechwe splash through the water.
Return to camp for lunch and siesta in the dense shade of the giant jackalberry or leadwood trees.
In the afternoons, head out on a gentle evening ride, absorbing the Delta’s magic and listening to the sounds of the bush and the snorting and splashing of the horses. Enjoy Africa’s ‘golden hour’ where the wonderful afternoon light sets the landscape alight with beautiful colours.
Return to camp for a delicious alfresco dinner under the stars.
Occasionally guests (and horses) may need to rest, which is the perfect opportunity for a tranquil ride in a mekoro, the traditional way of traversing the glittering, lily-lined lagoons and waterways. It is a chance too, to venture out on foot to appreciate the smaller creatures that inhabit the bush – or to learn some rudimentary tracking skills.
No two days are the same and every day is a different adventure out across a new and intriguing landscape.
THE ACCOMMODATION
MOBILE CAMP
Rather than a permanent riding camp, a lightweight mobile camp is transported by a flotilla of mekoros (traditional dugout canoes) poled by members of the local community, into the Delta. In the dry season, the camp is moved by a group of enthusiastic pack donkeys. The emphasis is on the experience, the beauty of the Okavango and top level guiding.
Enjoy food cooked over an open fire. The camp is extremely comfortable, with guests in lightweight tents with standing room, stretcher beds and full linen made-up bed rolls. There will be one bucket shower and one short drop toilet per 4 guests.
THE DESTINATION
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s unique treasures and is one of the most important and beautiful wildlife sanctuaries on the continent; often referred to as Africa’s ‘Eden’. The Delta experiences seasonal flooding with an influx of water from Angola, this influx reaches this part of the Delta between June and July. The peak flooding coincides with Botswana’s dry season, creating a safe haven and acting as a magnet for a huge variety of birds and mammals that migrate from the dry outskirts. A constant and reliable source of water all year round makes the Okavango Delta an ideal safari destination at any time of the year.
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:
- Saddles are checked regularly and tack cleaned daily
- Horses have dedicated rest days each week and are on holiday 2 months per year
- Our horses live out in a herd environment, allowing them to live as naturally as possible once they have carried you home safely
Please let us know if you have any more questions about this.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A HORSE SAFARI
Fill in the form on our website/social media describing your dream African Horse Safari
A Horse Safari Specialists will get in touch to help you plan the perfect escape
Confirm your ride and dates by paying your deposit
We’ll send you a reminder for your balance payment + travel advice
Pack your bags for your adventure!
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