Horse riding safaris in Botswana

Horse-Riding safaris in the Okavango Delta

A Horseback safari is a superb way of enjoying wildlife in the Okavango Delta if you are an experienced rider. A horseback safari combines excellent game-viewing, adventurous riding and scenic beauty. This is as close to nature as you will ever get!

Imagine the breath-taking excitement when your silent progress along game paths brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant. The riding is varied. Sometimes you’ll be quietly walking, stalking big game and admiring the bird life. Other times, you’ll be cantering through the water-meadows alongside galloping giraffe and lechwe.

You stay in a private concession within the Okavango Delta where game is plentiful. You join a small group of riders for an unforgettable few days, following animal trails on horseback from palm island to island, through a sea of grass and shallow water. Canter across plains with herds of zebra and wildebeest and then ride back to camp in the glow of the African sunset, whilst listening to the calls of lion and hyena.

Practicalities

Activity and relaxation are carefully balanced. You stay in authentic safari camps throughout, with comfortable accommodation and en suite bathrooms. Horse safaris vary in length from 3 to 10 nights. We recommend at least 4 or 5 nights if possible.

There is a horse to suit everyone. You also have a choice of English or Trail saddles. The horses are much loved, well mannered thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanoverian and Kalahari-arab crossbreeds.

You can base yourself at one camp, Macatoo Camp. Or, opt for a horse safari trail staying at three different camps, all in diverse areas that offer a unique experience of the Okavango Delta wildlife, birds and habitat.

You need to be riding fit and confident of your ability at all paces. You spend four to six hours a day in the saddle, so a horse safari is really only for experienced riders. They cannot accommodate novice or beginner riders on a horse safari. Afternoons can be spent enjoying alternative activities, including swimming, game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions or walking.

The horse safari camps welcome non-riding or novice-riding spouses, friends or children who can enjoy the alternative safari activities on offer such as game drives, seasonal boating, mokoro safaris and fishing.

Riding Safaris on Mashatu Game Reserve

Another horse trail option is in the game-rich Tuli Block on the banks of the Limpopo River between South African and Botswana. The beauty of this area is its year round appeal.

Check out this itinerary! Limpopo Bush and Lodge Horse Safari