This is a luxury horseback safari in Botswana,Africa. The Okavanga Delta is one of the premier wild life conservation areas in the world. The mighty Okavango River empties into the Kalahari desert and sinks into the ground there. It creates a watery paradise in the desert and is home to a huge diversity of game and bird species. There is permanent water and seasonal floods create large flood plains made for galloping on! Fishing, mokoro (dugout canoe) rides, walking and game drives are all possible here. To protect this unique environment the Botswanan government has adopted a policy of minimal infrastructure and limited numbers of visitors. With no roads and lots of water, horses are the ideal way of getting around. PJ and Barney have built up a large stable of excellent horses and the quality of riding is superb on this ride. Luxurious bush camping and excellent food means the ride of a lifetime is assured in this premier destination.
Trip length
6 days/5 nights, 8 days/7 nights or 11 days/10 nights.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2012 5 night low season: £1,075/€1,305/$1,659
SAMPLE ITINERARY - OKAVANGO DELTA WITH PJ & BARNEY
5 NIGHT ITINERARY
A 5 night itinerary may take place on the first five nights or the second 5 nights of a 10 night itinerary. Guests would depart on day 6 after an early morning ride & breakfast (aircraft movements permitting).
10 NIGHT ITINERARY
The 10 night itinerary is based at Kujwana camp situated on the Xudum river in the Okavango Delta. Two further camps in different areas of the concession are then utilized. All these camps are well situated in big game areas. They are chosen for the variety of terrain & species that favour particular areas.
Day 1
You are met at Maun Airport by our representative & transferred by light aircraft to the nearest airstrip to Kujwana, a 25 minute flight (depending on which transfer option you have chosen). You are then transferred into the camp by vehicle which takes approximately 1 hour. (Game viewing). An introduction talk & demo on tack & general advice on game viewing from horseback is followed by an orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours, depending on the transfer option.
Day 2
Kujwana Camp. Morning game ride in the Xudum area. Wake up is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing. Wade through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island. Surprise a timid bushbuck out of his dense cover on a heavily wooded island, or enjoy the herds of Lechwe & Zebra moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch. Siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks & evening night drive with a spot light.
Day 3
Kujwana Camp. Ride east towards Beacon and Lion island. These are two very large islands in the area which are cut off from Kujwana by the Xwaapa river. The area is criss-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans. This is a great contrast to the open flood plains. Mapane forests and Acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for Kudu and Giraffe. Breeding herds of Elephant enjoy the security of the dense forest and should the pans be holding water Zebra, Wildebeest and Buffalo will also be found. Animal tracks around telling you of what has been and gone - or what you might still find. Afternoon bird walk.
Day 4
Moklowane Camp. Move from Kujwana to Moklowane camp. This is approximately 30 km. ride heading North West. The route moves through open flood plains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island 2 hours ride from Moklowane camp. Arrive sunset.
Day 5
Moklowane Camp. Morning game ride with a picnic breakfast carried in saddle bags. This camp is on the Matsebe river system and features wide open flood plains interspersed with Moklowane palms - favourite food of Elephant & Baboon. Good area for plains game. Afternoon: 1 - 2 hours Mokoro experience (traditional dug out canoe).
Day 6
Moklowane Camp. Dawn game ride 2 hours. Return to camp for breakfast. Optional game drive before lunch. Ride again in the cool of the afternoon as the wildlife stirs from the heat of the day. 2 hours ride.
Day 7 Fly Camp. Move from Moklowane riding north east towards the Kiri river. The fly camp is situated on the Kiri river system approximately 30 km. from Moklowane, on the border with Moremi Game reserve. (The term “fly camp” comes from the days when you moved your fly sheet off your permanent tent to make a temporary or simple camp. In our case we use dome two man tents.) Arrive before lunch. Afternoon game and bird walk.
Day 8 Fly Camp. A full days ride exploring this area which is on the edge of the permanent water with papyrus beds & deep lagoons. Good area for Hippo & Lechwe. A picnic lunch is set up on a shady island. Return to Fly camp in the cool of the late afternoon.
Day 9
Fly Camp. Saddle bag breakfast. Ride north east towards Moremi game reserve. This area forms seasonal marsh land and hosts a variety of exceptional bird life. Wildlife moves freely to and from the national park. Good Buffalo and Elephant country. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks & evening night drive with a spot light.
Day 10 Kujwana Camp. A full days ride from fly camp to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along away. A 40 Km ride with 4 hours ridden in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. We now head south west towards the Khurunxaraga & the swing south into the Xudum. This ride moves through a variety of game areas fording the Xudum river at numerous Hippo channels. Arrive Kujwana on sunset.
Day 11
Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times/transfer option permits. Clients leave after breakfast. One hour’s game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun. The itineraries on this horse riding holiday may change due to game movements and water levels or other unforeseeable events. Mokoros (dugout Canoes) are offered as an activity depending on water levels. 10 night itinerary - on day 6 the horses are sometimes rested & other activities are offered, i.e. Mokoro with picnic lunch, game drive or bird walk.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
KUJWANA CAMP
Kujwana camp is situated on the Xudum river south west of chiefs Island in the Okavango Delta. The camp accommodates a maximum of 8 to 10 guests in spacious safari tent each with bathrooms ensuite (bush style). Fixed departure dates are published with a 5 and 10 night safari offering the opportunity to explore the three main river systems in this area, the Xudum, Matsebi and the Kiri river. An area of over 2500 sq. km. it is rich in wildlife and variety of fauna and flora. The areas between the three rivers contrast greatly and support different species of game and birds.
MOKLOWANE CAMP Moklowane camp is north west of Kujwana on the Matsebi river. This camp is situated in the open flood plains which receive flood water 3 weeks earlier than Kujwana camp. The vegetation consists of smaller palm island and wide open spaces. Moklowane is also an 8 bedded tented camp.
QWAAPO FLY CAMP Quaapo Camp is south east of Kujwana camp in the permanent water line of the Qwaapo River. This camp is temporary and the site moves according to access with water levels. This is an area of large islands with rich mopane forests and rain pans to which game is drawn for water. It offers the contrast between the floodplains and dry areas. This is an ideal location to see some of the more unusual residents of the delta, they have had wild dog denning close to this camp. The accommodation is in the style of traditional safari tents, each with its own bucket and pulley shower and bush loo. Every tent has a unique view of the Qwaapo River.
The term Fly camp means temporary camp easily moved (from the days when you moved your fly sheet rather than you whole tent).
NOTES - OKAVANGO DELTA WITH PJ & BARNEY
2012 dates
5 night safaris
7 night safaris
10 night safaris
1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31 March
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 April
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 May
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29 June
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29 July
3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 August
2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 September
2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 October
1, 6, 11, 16, 21 November
1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26 December
1, 11, 21, 31 March
10, 20, 30 April
10, 20, 30 May
9, 19, 29 June
9, 19, 29 July
8, 18, 28 August
7, 17, 27 September
7, 17, 27 October
6, 16, 26 November
6, 16, 23 December
1, 11, 21, 31 March
10, 20, 30 April
10, 20, 30 May
9, 19, 29 June
9, 19, 29 July
8, 18, 28 August
7, 17, 27 September
7, 17, 27 October
6, 16, 26 November
6, 16, 26 December
2012: January, February and December has free dates and can be booked for a minimum of 2 riders for a minimum of 1 night.
Single Supplement 50% only charged if not willing to share. 50% may also be charged for riders taking the light aircraft transfer alone; please enquire.
Weight Limit Although the weight limit for this ride is 15 stone/95kg/210lbs, any riders weighing over 14 stone/90kg/200lbs will be charged a supplement of 50% for a second horse.
Transfers 2012 There are several transfer options available in 2012:
1) One way air charter and helicopter transfer is £195 per person one-way - takes around 30 minutes (riding possible on transfer day)
2) One way air charter and vehicle/boat is £139 per person one-way - takes around 2 1/2 hours (no riding on the day you take the transfer)
3) One way road and boat transfer is £80 one-way - takes around 3 1/2 hours (no riding on the day you take the transfer).
The standard transfer (in the pricing table above) will be an air charter and helicopter one-way and air charter and vehicle/boat transfer the other. This means that you will either ride on your arrival or departure day.
Transfers are for a minimum of 2 people, a supplement may apply for 1 person.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All riding with qualified guide and armed backup, game drives, walk and mokoro rides, all accommodation, meals, drinks including alcoholic supplied locally, concessions fees, VAT, luggage transfer between camps.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transport between your home and Maun in Botswana, air transfers from Maun into the Delta, gratuities. A single supplement of 50% is charged only if not willing to share.
Why not spoil yourself with a few days on a tropical beach after your safari? We recommend one of our Mozambiquan Beach Extensions as an ideal way to round off a safari.
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Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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