African Horseback Safaris
Horseback riding in Botswana’s Okavango Delta has to be one of the most unique and satisfying Safari experiences in Africa.
African Horseback Safaris offers itineraries from a short as 3 nights to the more extensive 10 nights. You spend 4 to 6 hours in the saddle every day, and need to be confident about keeping up with the group, and riding at all paces.
Horses include a variety of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanovarians, Arabs and Kalahari-Arabs crosses, ranging from 14 - 17 hands. There is a choice of English and Western style trail saddles, each equipped with their own water bottle.
We have detailed the 3 night, 5 night and 10 night Horseback itineraries below. All of these itineraries are run from the delightful Macatoo Camp, which you return to each night (unless you choose to enjoy the tree house for a night).
Macatoo is also an excellent Camp for non-riders, as it offers game drives, walks and boat trips. Therefore, families, or couples who have both riders and non-riders, can still get to enjoy a Safari together.
African Horseback Safaris offers itineraries from a short as 3 nights to the more extensive 10 nights. You spend 4 to 6 hours in the saddle every day, and need to be confident about keeping up with the group, and riding at all paces.
Horses include a variety of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanovarians, Arabs and Kalahari-Arabs crosses, ranging from 14 - 17 hands. There is a choice of English and Western style trail saddles, each equipped with their own water bottle.
We have detailed the 3 night, 5 night and 10 night Horseback itineraries below. All of these itineraries are run from the delightful Macatoo Camp, which you return to each night (unless you choose to enjoy the tree house for a night).
Macatoo is also an excellent Camp for non-riders, as it offers game drives, walks and boat trips. Therefore, families, or couples who have both riders and non-riders, can still get to enjoy a Safari together.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Maun you will be met at the airport by our representative and then transferred from Maun to Macatoo Camp by light aircraft, giving you a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta. Macatoo Camp, that overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon, is a short game drive or (depending on the time of year) an exciting boat ride from the airstrip.
After a quick look around camp and lunch under the trees, there is usually time for a siesta before tea, and the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. You return to camp for a hot shower and candle-lit safari dinner.
Day 2:
Depending on the season your day may involve some galloping, swimming through the flood waters or pushing-on through seas of tall grass following giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo, whatever's out there. The evening ride is deliberately slower-paced and it's a good opportunity to ask questions and take photographs. Leopard sightings are not infrequent, the bird-life is some of the best in the world and towards sunset there is often elephant or hippo interaction to enjoy.
Day 3:
Either ride out again (perhaps to find the fascinating semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe), or join one of the guided walks, game drives or perhaps a spot of fishing for bream from the boat? Enjoy the sunset ride, exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, it is fascinating to watch them interact in the wild, and being on horseback brings you that much closer.
Day 4:
For your last ride you are taken through different country, making your way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains dotted with fig trees. While passing through mopane woodlands, there's a high possibility of finding elephants again. Back at Macatoo there's time to shower and to finish packing before a final open-air safari picnic. Something to set you up for a long journey towards your next adventure.
You will then be transferred to the airstrip for your onward light aircraft flight (either to Maun, Kasane or your next lodge).
Upon arrival in Maun you will be met at the airport by our representative and then transferred from Maun to Macatoo Camp by light aircraft, giving you a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta. Macatoo Camp, that overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon, is a short game drive or (depending on the time of year) an exciting boat ride from the airstrip.
After a quick look around camp and lunch under the trees, there is usually time for a siesta before tea, and the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. You return to camp for a hot shower and candle-lit safari dinner.
Day 2:
Depending on the season your day may involve some galloping, swimming through the flood waters or pushing-on through seas of tall grass following giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo, whatever's out there. The evening ride is deliberately slower-paced and it's a good opportunity to ask questions and take photographs. Leopard sightings are not infrequent, the bird-life is some of the best in the world and towards sunset there is often elephant or hippo interaction to enjoy.
Day 3:
Either ride out again (perhaps to find the fascinating semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe), or join one of the guided walks, game drives or perhaps a spot of fishing for bream from the boat? Enjoy the sunset ride, exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, it is fascinating to watch them interact in the wild, and being on horseback brings you that much closer.
Day 4:
For your last ride you are taken through different country, making your way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains dotted with fig trees. While passing through mopane woodlands, there's a high possibility of finding elephants again. Back at Macatoo there's time to shower and to finish packing before a final open-air safari picnic. Something to set you up for a long journey towards your next adventure.
You will then be transferred to the airstrip for your onward light aircraft flight (either to Maun, Kasane or your next lodge).
Days 1 to 4 as per the 3 night itinerary.
Instead of leaving Macatoo on day four, you finish off the day with a night drive by spotlight, where the resident clan of hyena are often spotted. Bushbabies leap from branch to branch through the terminalia and acacia trees – only seen by the brights of their eyes. If lucky, the spotlight will pick up the glint of a leopard’s sultry stare…
Day 5:
This morning ride deeper into the heart of the Okavango Delta, along some of the high palm islands which offer great sweeping views of the Delta plains. After tea there is a slower ride to the magical tree house where you will have the option to spend the night out, sleeping high up in the tree tops under the stars.
Day 6:
The riding may be fast as you approach deep reedy areas full of bird life including open-billed storks, squacco herons, slaty egrets, Egyptian geese and many more. Return to Macatoo along the myriad waterways lined with large trees for a hearty lunch with the option of a night drive, mokoro or boating trip for all.
Day 7:
Today's riding in this magical place takes you cantering through the shallow flood plains, admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here, the Cape buffalo can gather in large numbers.
Day 8:
If you haven't been fishing yet, maybe now is a good time to rest your legs a little and get out into the Delta waters without a horse. There's a good chance of seeing some hippos up-close from the boat, perhaps elephants crossing one of the deeper channels and maybe one or two small crocodiles. Take your camera and binoculars for the excellent birding opportunities
Day 9:
Take an exhilarating gallop and run with the game again or track them from island to island. The afternoon set off for a quiet ride taking time to stop and watch the sunset with a drink in hand before returning to.
Day 10:
By now you are familiar enough with guides to request your favourite horse from the safari so far, and you can really enjoy yourself riding out into the bush and exploring.
Day 11:
Sadly, it's time for your last wake-up call, last morning ride and farewell bush lunch, before leaving Macatoo for Maun, or another lodge on your Botswana Safari.
Note: The itineraries are a guide-line, as all scenarios are dependent on the season and levels of the Okavango’s waters. During cooler months one longer ride may replace the normal morning and evening rides.
Instead of leaving Macatoo on day four, you finish off the day with a night drive by spotlight, where the resident clan of hyena are often spotted. Bushbabies leap from branch to branch through the terminalia and acacia trees – only seen by the brights of their eyes. If lucky, the spotlight will pick up the glint of a leopard’s sultry stare…
Day 5:
This morning ride deeper into the heart of the Okavango Delta, along some of the high palm islands which offer great sweeping views of the Delta plains. After tea there is a slower ride to the magical tree house where you will have the option to spend the night out, sleeping high up in the tree tops under the stars.
Day 6:
The riding may be fast as you approach deep reedy areas full of bird life including open-billed storks, squacco herons, slaty egrets, Egyptian geese and many more. Return to Macatoo along the myriad waterways lined with large trees for a hearty lunch with the option of a night drive, mokoro or boating trip for all.
Day 7:
Today's riding in this magical place takes you cantering through the shallow flood plains, admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here, the Cape buffalo can gather in large numbers.
Day 8:
If you haven't been fishing yet, maybe now is a good time to rest your legs a little and get out into the Delta waters without a horse. There's a good chance of seeing some hippos up-close from the boat, perhaps elephants crossing one of the deeper channels and maybe one or two small crocodiles. Take your camera and binoculars for the excellent birding opportunities
Day 9:
Take an exhilarating gallop and run with the game again or track them from island to island. The afternoon set off for a quiet ride taking time to stop and watch the sunset with a drink in hand before returning to.
Day 10:
By now you are familiar enough with guides to request your favourite horse from the safari so far, and you can really enjoy yourself riding out into the bush and exploring.
Day 11:
Sadly, it's time for your last wake-up call, last morning ride and farewell bush lunch, before leaving Macatoo for Maun, or another lodge on your Botswana Safari.
Note: The itineraries are a guide-line, as all scenarios are dependent on the season and levels of the Okavango’s waters. During cooler months one longer ride may replace the normal morning and evening rides.
An excellent Safari for those for whom 3 nights might not be enough, but 10 nights is too long...
Day 1:
You will be met at Maun airport by our representative who will assist you with transferring onto the light aircraft (usually a Cessna 206 or 208) for your flight into camp. Your flight takes about 30 minutes and allows for excellent views over the Okavango Delta. A safari vehicle will be waiting for you at the Macatoo's airstrip for the 45 minute game drive – or an exciting boat ride (depending on the time of year) - into Camp where staff will greet you with a welcome drink.
You arrive in Camp with time to refresh, before being offered a delightful afternoon tea (including homemade cake). Here you get your briefing from your guide, before heading to the barn for a ride. The pace of the evening ride is deliberately slow, as it gives you the time to enjoy the sunset and make the most of the photo opportunities offered by the bird life and game (and to get to know your horse).
Return to Macatoo Camp for a hot shower and change, before enjoying drinks and snacks in the comfortable mess tent ahead of a candle-lit dinner by the fire.
Day 2:
Macatoo’s cheerful staff will provide a gentle wake-up call along with your choice of tea, coffee and rusks this morning. A light breakfast is set up around the camp fire ahead of your first long ride. Depending on the season, the morning ride generally involves some galloping across dried flood plains, swimming through flood waters or pushing-on through stands of tall grass to watch giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo.... A hearty lunch is served (and is a well-deserved break), back at Camp.
Sundowners are often enjoyed out in the bush before heading back to camp to freshen up. Dinner is always a great occasion at Macatoo, but there is no guarantee that it is always eaten in the same place.......
Day 3:
You head off in a new direction after breakfast this morning, with the landscape quite different to what you have already experienced. This offers new game viewing possibilities and a varied pace of ride – and the guides are always hoping to see the rare semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe.
After lunch, swimming pool is an ideal place to cool down and relax. The deck is a great place to soak up some sun - but it is advisable to keep your binoculars and cameras handy as zebra, antelope buck and elephant frequently pass in front of camp. The swimming pool is also a popular watering hole for families of chacma baboons. After some lovely homemade cakes or scones, you may wish to swap an evening ride for some sunset fishing from boats, or from the banks of pools where hippos wallow.
Guests can also enjoy game drives, walks or boat rides (seasonally dependent) - either as an alternative to an afternoon ride, or as the main game viewing activity for non-riders.
Day 4:
This morning you get to ride deeper into the heart of the Delta, particularly to areas where vehicles simply cannot reach. Here you horse is at a distinct advantage. Ride across high palm islands which offer great sweeping views of the Delta plains. Although riders may have joined non-riding friends and family for a walk, drive or boat ride, all guests will reunite for an unexpected champagne breakfast set out under a large baobab tree. After tea and a gentle sunset ride, there is a chance that you will find yourself at Macatoo's unique tree house where you will have the option to spend the night out, sleeping high up in the tree canopy. Your guides will stay too, providing great company and peace of mind - for many guests, this is a real highlight of a riding holiday at Macatoo.
Day 5:
After waking up in the treetops, you are returned to camp by vehicle to change before riding off into some new terrain. You will get to canter through clouds of bushman hair grass, onto vast plains dotted with wild fig trees. You may pass giraffe along the way or shy antelope who tend to disappear into the mopane woodlands. When you reach the expansive flood plains, you will be riding quite fast - something enjoyed by both horse and rider.
For this last afternoon in camp, you can choose to take a helicopter ride to reach even further into the Delta and take some great pictures (there is an additional cost for this). You have the chance to enjoy an evening game drive, with a spotlight - a wonderful way to get to see some of the nocturnally active species.
Day 6:
You stay quite close to camp this morning, splashing through water on the vast open plains, home to blue wildebeest and plains zebra. The riding pace tends to be quite fast, and prepared to get wet as you approach deep reedy areas full of bird life including open-billed storks, squacco herons, slaty egrets and egyptian geese. Return to Macatoo along the myriad waterways lined with large trees, before arriving back at the barn, and a fond your horse.
You have enough time for a quick shower, change and pack before the game drive to the airstrip, carrying a picnic lunch to tide you over. Your flight will take you onto the next part of your Safari adventure....
Day 1:
You will be met at Maun airport by our representative who will assist you with transferring onto the light aircraft (usually a Cessna 206 or 208) for your flight into camp. Your flight takes about 30 minutes and allows for excellent views over the Okavango Delta. A safari vehicle will be waiting for you at the Macatoo's airstrip for the 45 minute game drive – or an exciting boat ride (depending on the time of year) - into Camp where staff will greet you with a welcome drink.
You arrive in Camp with time to refresh, before being offered a delightful afternoon tea (including homemade cake). Here you get your briefing from your guide, before heading to the barn for a ride. The pace of the evening ride is deliberately slow, as it gives you the time to enjoy the sunset and make the most of the photo opportunities offered by the bird life and game (and to get to know your horse).
Return to Macatoo Camp for a hot shower and change, before enjoying drinks and snacks in the comfortable mess tent ahead of a candle-lit dinner by the fire.
Day 2:
Macatoo’s cheerful staff will provide a gentle wake-up call along with your choice of tea, coffee and rusks this morning. A light breakfast is set up around the camp fire ahead of your first long ride. Depending on the season, the morning ride generally involves some galloping across dried flood plains, swimming through flood waters or pushing-on through stands of tall grass to watch giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo.... A hearty lunch is served (and is a well-deserved break), back at Camp.
Sundowners are often enjoyed out in the bush before heading back to camp to freshen up. Dinner is always a great occasion at Macatoo, but there is no guarantee that it is always eaten in the same place.......
Day 3:
You head off in a new direction after breakfast this morning, with the landscape quite different to what you have already experienced. This offers new game viewing possibilities and a varied pace of ride – and the guides are always hoping to see the rare semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe.
After lunch, swimming pool is an ideal place to cool down and relax. The deck is a great place to soak up some sun - but it is advisable to keep your binoculars and cameras handy as zebra, antelope buck and elephant frequently pass in front of camp. The swimming pool is also a popular watering hole for families of chacma baboons. After some lovely homemade cakes or scones, you may wish to swap an evening ride for some sunset fishing from boats, or from the banks of pools where hippos wallow.
Guests can also enjoy game drives, walks or boat rides (seasonally dependent) - either as an alternative to an afternoon ride, or as the main game viewing activity for non-riders.
Day 4:
This morning you get to ride deeper into the heart of the Delta, particularly to areas where vehicles simply cannot reach. Here you horse is at a distinct advantage. Ride across high palm islands which offer great sweeping views of the Delta plains. Although riders may have joined non-riding friends and family for a walk, drive or boat ride, all guests will reunite for an unexpected champagne breakfast set out under a large baobab tree. After tea and a gentle sunset ride, there is a chance that you will find yourself at Macatoo's unique tree house where you will have the option to spend the night out, sleeping high up in the tree canopy. Your guides will stay too, providing great company and peace of mind - for many guests, this is a real highlight of a riding holiday at Macatoo.
Day 5:
After waking up in the treetops, you are returned to camp by vehicle to change before riding off into some new terrain. You will get to canter through clouds of bushman hair grass, onto vast plains dotted with wild fig trees. You may pass giraffe along the way or shy antelope who tend to disappear into the mopane woodlands. When you reach the expansive flood plains, you will be riding quite fast - something enjoyed by both horse and rider.
For this last afternoon in camp, you can choose to take a helicopter ride to reach even further into the Delta and take some great pictures (there is an additional cost for this). You have the chance to enjoy an evening game drive, with a spotlight - a wonderful way to get to see some of the nocturnally active species.
Day 6:
You stay quite close to camp this morning, splashing through water on the vast open plains, home to blue wildebeest and plains zebra. The riding pace tends to be quite fast, and prepared to get wet as you approach deep reedy areas full of bird life including open-billed storks, squacco herons, slaty egrets and egyptian geese. Return to Macatoo along the myriad waterways lined with large trees, before arriving back at the barn, and a fond your horse.
You have enough time for a quick shower, change and pack before the game drive to the airstrip, carrying a picnic lunch to tide you over. Your flight will take you onto the next part of your Safari adventure....
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African Horseback Safaris - what it's all about......
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