Africa

Horse Riding Safaris

African Horseback Safaris

Macatoo Camp in the remote south-western corner of the world-renowned Okavango Delta is the base for the expertly run African Horseback Safaris. This classic Hemingway-style camp provides you with all the necessary creature comforts whilst allowing you to experience the wild beauty of the African bush. The camp features large twin-bedded tents, each with en suite shower and toilet, which are secluded and furnished with a spacious verandah and armchairs overlooking the floodplain dotted with palm trees. There is also a centrally located mess tent and, tucked away in the trees, a small swimming pool.

The principal activity is horse riding and the sense of freedom which you feel when on horseback in the wonderful Okavango Delta region is an unforgettable experience. A horseback safari is exciting but not strenuous: all scenarios are dependent on the season and levels of the Okavango flood, although the standard is to ride for 4-5 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon. Whilst on horseback much of the time is spent game viewing and riding is done at a walk, interspersed with trots and exhilarating canters across the floodplains.

This whole region is criss-crossed with game paths and the mopane forests and acacia woodlands offer great habitats for giraffe and kudu, whilst herds of elephant enjoy the security of the forests. It is amazing to see how close the animals let one approach when on horseback, especially buffalo, giraffe, zebra and lechwe. In some instances you may find that you have literally hundreds of animals on three sides of you with herds of lechwe numbering approximately 200 giving spectacular displays as they bound through the shallow water.

Riding groups number about six riders at any one time and there is a choice of some thirty horses ranging from full thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanoverian thoroughbreds, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and various other crossbred Kalahari bush horses. They vary from 14 to 16.2 hands high, take either English or Western style saddles (bridles vary from mainly snaffles and rubber pelhams) and are well varied in type and temperament.

If you stay for a week or more then you will enjoy sleeping at a fly camp deeper in the heart of the Delta for one or two nights. This is usually located by a hippo pool and the afternoons are spent walking or swimming. Fires are lit around the camp at night to deter wild animals from approaching the horses and night game viewing is especially rewarding here. Other activities whilst based at Macatoo Camp include game walks, day & night game drives, mokoro rides, boat rides and fishing.

Please note that arrival in Macatoo Camp is on a Friday with itineraries of 5, 7 or 10. Shorter safaris are sometimes possible - please contact us for details. The camp is open throughout the year.

Okavango Horse Safaris

Kujwana Camp is the base camp for Okavango Horse Safaris and is situated on the Xudum River in the south-west of the Okavango Delta, with the Moremi Game Reserve lying on the western border of the concession. The camp has large walk-in tents with verandah, comfortable beds covered by warm duvets, a wooden table with wash basin and en suite outside shower and toilet.

Either 5 or 10 night set departure itineraries are possible between the months of March and November (please contact us for the full list of current dates). A 5 night itinerary may take place on the first five nights or second five nights of a 10 night itinerary. The 10 night itinerary uses Kujwana as the base camp before riding to two different fly camps in other areas of the concession, both of which are well situated in big game areas and chosen for the variety of terrain and species that favour particular areas.

A standard day would normally begin at 6 a.m. as the wash basin is filled with hot water and a friendly greeting given by one of the camp staff. Guests meet at the campfire and mess tent for tea, coffee, rusks, bread, jams, marmalade and an assortment of cereals, home made museli and fresh fruit.

You then mount up at 7 a.m. before leaving for a five-hour ride. Game viewing is at a walk, trot and canter alongside herds of zebra, giraffe and lechwe. After a couple of hours you normally dismount and lead the horses for about fifteen minutes to rest their backs and stretch your legs.

At around 11 a.m. you generally stop, loosen girths and tie up the horses to graze while you have a snack of fruit, chocolate tea and coffee. At around 12.30 p.m. you head back to camp for a shower followed by a well-earned lunch. You can then enjoy an afternoon siesta until tea at 4 p.m. before heading off on one of a variety of safari activities ranging from being poled along in a makoro, a game walk, another horse ride or night drive.

Please note that Okavango Horse Safaris does not operate between December - February.

Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris

In the remote eastern corner of Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, lies an area known historically as the Tuli enclave - a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops. It is here that the largest of the Rattray Reserves is situated - Mashatu Game Reserve. The name is derived from the magnificent Mashatu trees, which occur throughout this immense tract of privately owned land. Mashatu is also the home of no less than seven of Africa's giants: the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich, and the kori bustard. It is fitting therefore, that some 75,000 acres / 30,000 hectares of pristine game land, be set aside for these unique, prodigious features of this exhilarating continent.

There are two rides from which one can choose : -

Tuli Safari - a 7 night wilderness safari. Based entirely on Mashatu Game Reserve, the 7 night wilderness safar combines nights spent at the Two Mashatu's Camp, Wilderness Camps and 2 nights under the stars at the Kgotla (old tribal court – log enclosed boma). The Tuli Safari begins and ends on Sundays. 

Big 5 Safari - a combination 8 night safari. Including 4 nights at the Horizons Dinaka or Jembisa lodges in South Africa and 4 nights at Mashatu Game Reserve provide opportunities for viewing the Big 5 on horse back. Accommodation at Mashatu is in various wilderness camps or a semi permanent luxurious tented camp. The Big 5 Safari begins on Saturdays and ends on Sundays. 

Please note that only experienced riders may participate .

Children under 16 years are not permitted on any horse safaris or day ride, unless they are experienced and competent riders, and the party they are travelling with have reserved the safari exclusively. The children must be accompanied by a parent. 

Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris offer the experience of a lifetime.  Surrounded by a multitude of Africa’s flora and fauna, come and explore this breathtaking terrain from horseback, in the company of your experienced African equine host who has extensive knowledge and experience of the bush.