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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX - UK. Telephone: +44 (0)1837 82544 or Fax: +44 (0)1837 82179 |
| Africa | Botswana: Okavango Horse Safaris | ||
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Read clients' testimonials for Botswana Okavango Horse Safaris |
General Description
Okavango Horse Safaris, which is owned and run by PJ and Barney Bestelink, operates safaris from Kujwana Camp, in the west of the Delta. Safaris are for 5, 7 or 10 nights and exciting days are spent cantering across grassy plains and splashing through flooded watermeadow, stopping to watch breeding herds of elephant feed in the shade of a palm island, lechwe cavorting through the reed beds or buffalo gorging on fresh grass. A long day ride one day will take you to a new area and to a tented 'fly' camp from which to explore further afield and on other days, a shorter ride may be followed by a leisurely lunch in camp then perhaps an afternoon walk to watch the Delta's array of birds or an evening drive to spot leopard and hyena with PJ, an expert and inspiring guide.
Safaris are for 5, 7 or 10 nights and the camp is open from early March to late November each year.
Summary
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Riding: 4-6 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: Arab cross, TB cross, Boerpede and Saddlebred. | ||
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Pace: moderate, with good chances to canter. | ||
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Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders. | ||
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Weight limit: 90kg (14 stone) or 95 kg (15 stone) if paying a supplement. | ||
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Accommodation: 5* camping. | ||
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Group size: maximum 10. |
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2008 Dates: |
set dates for 5, 7 and 10 night safaris throughout the season - please call or e.mail for dates. | |
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Season: |
March to November | |
Horses and Riding
The horses include Arab crosses, part Thoroughbreds, Boerpede crosses and Saddlebreds. They are between about 14.2hh and 17hh, are well schooled, sensible, responsive and forward going to ride. Grooms look after the horses on safari and prepare them for rides. Tack is English style. Groups are a maximum of 10 guests.
Hours: There is usually about 4 to 6 hours riding a day, riding out from camp or to fly camp. Rides are broken with rests, for lunch and game viewing.
Pace and experience required: To join a safari you must be a fairly experienced rider who is comfortable riding at all paces from a walk to fast canter in open country. You will be riding in a varied, open area where there is big game including elephant and lion. The going on the safaris is good, there are places for long canters and you will enjoy it more if you are riding fit. If in doubt about ability please contact us.
Accommodation
Accommodation on these safaris is in a very comfortable semi-permanent tented base camp, which sleeps up to 10 guests and on some nights at simpler 'fly' camps (the name comes from the days when you moved your fly sheet off your permanent tent to make a temporary camp). The base camp is raised on teak decking and has spacious double / twin walk-in safari tents with beds, tables, chairs and linen provided. Each tent has its own bathroom with hot shower and flush loo. There are plenty of staff and service is excellent. Fly camps are simpler, sometimes using spacious two man dome tents and sometimes tree house platforms. Fly camps have shared showers and shared long drop loos.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
safari rates are seasonal and calculated on a per night basis |
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Example Inclusive Rates: |
Peak season 5 / 7 / 10 night safari - £2150 / £2942/ £4130 |
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Rates include - charter flights between Maun and the camp (based on two sharing), all riding and other activities such as bird walks and night drives, accommodation in twin safari tents (two sharing), meals and all drinks (except champagne). | |
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Rates exclude - international flights to Maun, personal medical insurance (compulsory), visa fees and personal items such as tips; a single supplement of £900 / £800 for a 5 night peak / 5 night low season safari; £1260/ £1120 for a 7 night peak / 7 night low season safari; £1800 / £1600 for a 10 night peak / 10 night low season safari is charged for single travellers who wish to guarantee a single tent and are not prepared to share a twin tent if necessary. |
Travel
The meeting point is Maun in Botswana. We will arrange private charter transfers from there to the horse safari camp. To fly to Maun from London it is usually easiest to go to Johannesburg and to take a connecting flight from there to Maun. British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin all have direct flights from London to Johannesburg, departing every evening. Air Botswana have daily flights between Johannesburg and Maun. For an economy return flight from London, budget around £700 to £900 (fares vary with seasons).
Itinerary in Brief
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Example Itinerary (5 night safari) | |
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Day 1 |
You will be met in Maun and shown to the charter flight that will fly you 20 minutes or so to the Xudum airstrip in the heart of the Delta. Collected at the airstrip and taken on a game drive to Kujwana base camp where lunch is waiting. Lunch in camp before meeting the horses and a late afternoon ride to try them, returning to camp as the sun sets. Dinner and overnight in camp. |
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Days 2-5 |
Four days to explore the floodplains, palm islands and lagoons of the Okavango Delta by horse with early morning, full day and / or evening rides, stopping for picnic breakfasts or long breaks for lunch and a siesta during the heat of the day. A long ride one day takes you to Kiri or Moklowane 'fly' camp and you will then spend 2 days exploring a new area. Bird walks, mokoro canoe trips or game drives are organised for afternoons when not riding. |
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Day 6 |
A final early morning ride then return to camp for brunch before transferring to the airstrip for your onward charter to Maun. Own arrangements to fly on from Maun. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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