okavango delta horseback safari

Click here to see all awards we've won.

Cantering alongside the elegant motion of a giraffe is an experience you will never forget and the only sounds you will hear, as the wind sighs through the grass and rattles the palms, are the fisheagle's haunting cry, the splash of a disappearing crocodile and the faraway drumming of hooves.

Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of wildebeest and lechwe as they move across the golden floodplains. The breathtaking excitement when your silent progress along game paths only used by animals brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant.

As the blood red sun drops into the black of night, the hyena's whoop-de-whoop and the lion's roar accompany your fireside reverie and the hippo's watery grunt punctuates your dreams.

This is as close to nature as you will ever get..

Founded in the 80's by PJ & Barney Bestelink, Okavango Horse Safaris will give you a safari experience that you will never forget. Riding on horse back in groups of 8 or less, this is the most intimate way to experience Okavango's wildlife and beauty.

With okavango horse safaris, you'll experience breathtaking wildlife and scenery, extremely knowledgable guides and staff, the most comfortable bush accommodation, all backed up by an exceptional safety record. safari itineraries rates accommodation horses people contact     thank you to everyone for creating such a wonderful experience for us. the horses were first class – especially lima and dothraki kevin particularly enjoyed his encounter with the lion and lioness – a big thanks to percy for looking after him so well. caroline was thrilled to canter with giraffe and zebra. david appreciated seeing the leopard. very best wishes to all staff who made us feel so very special. susan, kevin, david and caroline howes east sussex, england.

Too many memorable moments to list from the few days I’ve been here, my abs are as sore from laughing as they are from riding and my face hurts from wearing the biggest grin the past three days. So grateful for the experience, to have met such wonderful people, to ride such beautiful horses and have some epic experiences with the local wildlife. Thanks to everyone for making this an incredible trip – I’ll be bragging about the experience for some time and telling so many people to visit and experience a safari or horseback with OHS. Cheers.

To PJ, Barney and every single staff member. Sadly have to leave this wonderful place and its lovely people. Thank you for having me and sharing this beautiful paradise. Loved the rides and learnt a lot from Rodgers. Felt at home from day one. Mokowane – beautiful – would’ve loved to stay there longer and make the journey on horseback – next time! Lovely to see the horses roam free in a herd as nature intended. Happy horses! So much to do so little time... A BIG BIG THANK YOU!!

Thank you for the fantastic five days of wonder. Our family had such a great time and truly enjoyed our time at Kujwana and Mokawane. The highlight was our experiences with Percy and Rodgers – we will ever forget the “Bush Brothers” – their antics and stories are etched in our memories. The staff were fantastic also although I will always look at curried chicken in a different light – thinking of baboons! Thank you again for everything.

Sam, Jone, Emma and Maggie Sampson-Weirichs

Riding on horse back has to be the best way to experience the okavango delta, but we're not all about riding. if you or one of your group is not a rider we can arrange fantastic non-riding itineraries that they will absolutely love. even our riding trips are interspersed with other activities..

With an exceptional stable of 60 horses, we have horses to suit riders of all abilities. From Thoroughbreds, to Arabians, to our home-bred 'Botswana Warm Bloods', we know you'll enjoy each horse you ride.

The Original

Established in 1986, okavango horse safaris is the original horse safari in southern africa. with three decades' experience, our team is highly experienced, which means they will show you a good time, and more importantly keep you safe..

• Account Sign in / Register

Horse riding safari in Botswana's Okavango Delta

This trip supports

• Esential info
• Packing list
• Essential info

Challenging

Discover Botswana's amazing wildlife in this Okavango Delta horse safari.

We can think of no better way to explore the stunning Okavango Delta than on a horse safari. Travelling responsibly and in a sustainable manner, you’ll have a truly unforgettable experience with your local tour guide. You’ll follow ancient elephant trails searching for a variety of wildlife, cantering through the recently flooded plains.

Recently declared the 1,000th World Heritage Site, the unique Okavango Delta is a horse rider’s Eden: as the floodwaters spread down into the Kalahari sands, the herds and birdlife follow, and horseback is the perfect place from which to observe them.

This Okavango Delta safari is unlike any other. Rather than a permanent riding camp, a lightweight mobile camp is transported by a flotilla of mekoros (traditional dugout canoes) poled by members of the local community, who live on the fringes of the Delta and know it intimately.

(Available as a small group tour or private adventure)

When the water levels are too low for the mekoros to navigate, a train of pack donkeys takes over. The emphasis is on the experience, the loveliness of the Okavango delta , and top-level guiding. The riding and the horses are unsurpassed, the wildlife is astonishing and the food (cooked over a log fire) is fabulous. 

Our camp is extremely comfortable in lightweight tents with standing room, fully made up stretcher beds, bucket showers and short drop loos.

More departure dates may be available - please contact us for further information.

Day 1: Arrival

Fly into Maun from Johannesburg or Cape Town on either Air Botswana or SA Airlink (SAA). There are daily flights by both airlines.

Guest will arrive at Maun and will be met by their guide or transfer driver where they will first be offered a light lunch and refreshments at the Jiko Airport Café where the guests can also change into their riding gear (so we suggest it is easily accessible out of their luggage). Once it has cooled down (approx. 3pm) the guests will be driven to the Xaraxao Buffalo Fence (approx. 35 min drive) on the edge of the Okavango Delta where the horses will tacked up and waiting. From here the guests will then take a short afternoon ride into camp. Your luggage will be loaded onto mokoros (local canoes) and transported there to meet you.

Day 2: Ride

There is no set itinerary, with the location of the camp dependent on water levels, wildlife movements and the length of the safari (the longer the safari the more likely the camp is to move). However every location is exquisite, there being a plentiful choice of shady tree-lined islands. A typical day starts with an early wake-up call and a light breakfast around the camp fire as dawn breaks. The morning is spent on horseback, following ancient elephant trails, searching for a variety of wildlife, enjoying the prolific birdlife, and cantering through the recently flooded plains.

Day 3: Ride

Herds of buffalo may be in the vicinity, giraffes often saunter by and red lechwe splash through the water alongside, whilst kudu peer out from the thickets.

Day 4: Ride

No vehicles are involved, and this, along with our working in partnership with the local community, guarantees a genuinely environmentally-friendly safari. Exploring this water wilderness on horseback is absolutely exhilarating, in particular a first encounter with elephants – an experience very different from viewing them from a vehicle. Before the sun sets we ride into a secluded camp on a beautiful, remote island.

Day 5: Ride

We return to camp for lunch and siesta in the dense shade of the giant jackalberry or leadwood trees. A meditative evening ride is spent listening to the sounds of the bush and the snorting and splashing of the horses, before returning to camp for dinner under the stars.

Day 6: Ride

Occasionally guests (and horses) may need to rest, which is the perfect opportunity for a tranquil ride in a mokoro, the traditional way of traversing the glittering, lily-lined lagoons and waterways. It is a chance too, to venture out on foot to appreciate the smaller creatures that inhabit the bush – or to learn some rudimentary tracking skills.

Day 7: Ride

No two days are the same, but every day is astonishing and joyous, and it is a privilege to share this unique and untouched wilderness with you.

Day 8: Departure

Departure day is a slightly later start with a cooked breakfast and a leisurely ride out of camp back to the Buffalo Fence where the transfer vehicle will meet the guests and drive them back to Maun for their onward journeys. Guests can once again change out of their riding gear at the Jiko Airport Café.

Adventure Optional Extras

Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure.

Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.

For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.

We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.

WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.

Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.

The Okavango Delta:The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland river systems and one of its most incredible wildlife sanctuaries.Perhaps most remarkable of all, is that this 15,000km2 wetland paradise is located deep within the Kalahari Desert. Each year, an influx of water from Angola, 1000km to the north, floods into the Delta to create this natural miracle, a patchwork of river channels, lagoons, islands and floodplains. The area is a magnet for birds and animals and sustains a vast variety of fauna and flora, making it the ideal safari destination at any time of the year.

Horses, tack & riding experince

A suitable well cared for horse will be chosen from a stable of some 42 horses made up of cross breeds which include Shire/TB, Boerperd/TB, Friesian/BP,Arab crosses, Quarter horse crosses.They range in size from 14.1h to 16.2h.

All Rides:We use South African trail saddles. These are incredibly comfortable saddles and each one has specially designed holders to carry 2 water bottles per rider. Saddles bags can also be fitted to carry larger camera equipment, however for our Okavango Delta Ride we recommend a dry bag to carry it in

Okavango Delta Ride Guests must be competent at ALL paces (Walk, Trot, Canter and Gallop) and confident of keeping up with the pace of the group. You will be required to be riding fit and in good health in order to fully enjoy the experience of these safari options as long days (up to 6hours) can be spent in the saddle.

Weight & age limits

There is a maximum weight limit of 95kgs (in full riding gear) for each rider.Heavier experienced riders over this limit may be accepted but at the discretion of the company and may be required to pay for a 2nd horse to alternate on for the duration of the safari.A

Okavango Delta Riders must be over 12 years unless younger riders are extremely confident and competent and willing to spend long days in the saddle. All children should be accompanied by their parents /guardian. The company holds the right to decide whether younger riders may have to travel with an accompanying vehicle should they be unable to keep up with the group during the course of any safari.

Safety, hard hats, insurance & visas

All rides will be led by a professional experienced guide armed with a rifle. He will be accompanied by an assistant back up guide

Light weight riding helmets are compulsory for all children and for adults must be worn within the requirements of your insurance cover. Adults choosing to ride without helmets do so at their own risk and the company cannot beheld responsible for any injuries sustained as a result.

All riders must have full medical insurance cover–details of which they should carry with them on safari. It should cover horse riding as an activity as well as medical evacuation. Please check whether your insurance requires you to wear a riding helmet whilst on horseback. Each rider will be required to complete an indemnity form on arrival in camp during the safety briefing.

When entering Botswana each visitor is given an entry permit valid for the length of your stay.Please check before leaving your home country whether your nationality requires a visa. These are able to be purchased on arrival. Although there are no specific requirements with regard to vaccinations, each visitor should check with their local doctor at home and follow the advice accordingly.This should include anti malaria cover even thoughBotswana is a low risk area.

Climate, terrain & distance

Dry Season: Winter 16th April–31st October

Green Season: Summer 1st November–15th April

The Okavango Delta is formed by the Okavango river that flows into the Kalahari Desert where it reaches a tectonic trough creating a great inland wetland that supports a wide variety of wildlife. Besides being an oasis in the desert the Okavango, visible from space, is also one of Africa's greatest wilderness areas. The Okavango may well be a wetland but there are hundreds of islands that host a wide variety of wildlife. The islands are generally comprised of floodplains and woodland.

Between 4-7hours will be spent in the saddle each day. The longest days will be on the “move” days, when the camp is moved to a new location.

Accommodation

Less is more! The camp on our Okavango Delta Ride is 100% mobile comprising of simple but comfortable lightweight walk-in octagonal tents. There are traditional hot bucket showers and bush loos (1 of each shared between 2 tents).

In the Flood season (July–September) the camp is transported in to and between our different campsites using amekoro flotilla of up to 15 mekoros and the Walk-in tents are used throughout the safari and comprise of standard raised stretcher beds and comfortable bedrolls with linen and towels.

During the dryer months when the main channels have dried up we operate using pack donkeys. During the DonkeySafaris the camp set up changes slightly as we need to lighten the load for the donkeys. The octagonal walk-in tents are set up at a site which is used as a “base camp” and it is from here that we will make use of a “fly camp” smaller lightweight dome tents with low stretcher beds and comfortable bedrolls with linen and towels.

The same bathroom set up applies with 1 shower and loo for 2 tents. The fly camp is usually for 3 nights or less and all other camp facilities are the same.

Meals & drinks

We have a highly qualified chef on our safaris who produces simple yet delicious meals of a very high standard. The dining style is buffet using fresh ingredients and cooked over an open fire. Dinners are 2 courses comprising of a main meal and dessert. As we are very limited for space on these trips, dietary requirements should be confirmed prior to travel so that we may properly plan a specific menu to accommodate those requirements.

Water is a scarce resource in Botswana so please try to conserve it where possible.Drinking water is provided at alltimeson all our safaris and it is very important to stay hydrated.

As space is so limited on these safaris it really helps us to properly plan and pack for these trips for our guests to provide us with their specific drinks requests for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and where possible to include daily quantities. Drinking water, teas and coffees are provided. EG: Sally–“ Per Day: 2 x cokes, 2 Beers, 1-2 Gin n Tonics, Wine for Dinner” 

Luggage & chargers

We kindly ask our guests to pack as light as possible and into soft bags not exceeding15kgs (including cameras and hand luggage)for this safari as space is limited. We also recommend waterproof bags if possible.Additional luggage can be left at the Ride Botswana offices in Maun of need be.

There are no charging facilities on this ride. We recommend guests bring with them a solar external battery bank to charge all camera equipment etc

Luggage is strictly limited to 15 kgs per person, including hand luggage. All luggage should be in soft bags and we highly recommend these are waterproof as they are carried on a Mekoro Flotilla in to the Okavango Delta or in the low flood season by Pack Donkey Additional bags can be stored, by arrangement, at the Ride Botswana Offices in Maun if need be.

You must bring:

• A lightweight riding hat

• A shade hat with strap

• Lightweight riding shoes (2 pairs)

• Sunglasses on string, riding gloves and bandana

• Bush colour riding clothes (not white):

• Jodhpurs or long trousers and chaps (2 pairs)

• Long sleeved cotton shirts

• Jersey, fleece or multi-pocketed waistcoat

• Light weight waterproof windbreaker jacket

• 4 x sets of socks and underwear (we recommend unpadded cycling shorts for men)

• Shorts, T shirts, sarong, swimwear and sandals

• Sun block, lip salve, insect repellent

• Head Torch (compulsory)

• Waterproof camera

• Solar Charging Bank (to charge camera equipment as there is no electricity on this safari)

• Binoculars

• A good book for lazy siestas

• Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea

• Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person

Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.

All clothing should be neutral coloured to blend in with the bush (shades of khaki, brown, beige or green) and light weight cottons are advisable. Please take into

consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions. Many guests choose to wear their riding clothes and boots and carry wash bags in their hand luggage, in case bags are delayed or go astray on international flights.

Towels and other basic amenities are provided.

A first aid kit is available in camp but please make sure to bring any prescription medication with you. Please consult your doctor regarding anti-malarial advice and inoculations.

Need a little help?

All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.

Please contact us for more information:

+44 207 846 0197

Related Adventures

Westerlands farm in the South Downs National Park, UK

Westerlands Farm, West Sussex - Horse Riding

YellowWood's spiritual headquarters can be found here in West Sussex, where the Westerlands working farm offers you sustainable escapes, horse riding and immersion in traditional country living.

Horse riding with Mongolian nomads

Mongolia - Horse Riding

Ride horses through sublime mountains, forests & steppe wilderness. Learn about local culture & tradition, staying with nomadic families in gers.

Tsaatan Tribe: The reindeer herders of Mongolia

Embark on an extraordinary expedition to the heart of Mongolia and experience the nomadic lifestyle of the Tsaatan Tribe. Immerse yourself in the ancient art of reindeer herding and discover the unique cultural tapestry.

Booking Process

Select dates : Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.

Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions .

Make Booking : Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.

Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.

Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)

Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.

You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!

To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.

All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.

Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.

Grade 1-3: Entry Level

You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences. 

Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m). 

You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.

Grades 4-6: Intermediate

You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times. 

You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.

Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.

Grades 7-9: Challenging

You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven. 

Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).

Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).

Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.

Get in touch

CLICK HERE to schedule a call online with YellowWood Founder Sam McManus.

Or call us directly 24/7 on:

• African  Horseback  Safaris - OKAVANGO DELTA -

What to expect

Led by talented guides, our guests have 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta to explore on calm, experienced horses, offering exhilarating rides alongside big game, such as giraffe, zebra and elephant.

CONNECT WITH US

Keep in touch.

Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates

• A safari on horseback
• The Okavango Delta
• Where we are
• Wildlife in the area
• Macatoo Camp
• All welcome
• Riding Policy
• Best time to visit
• How to get here
• What to bring
• How to book
• Sample Itineraries
• Meet the team
• Meet the horses
• Our rates 2023
• Our rates 2024
• Special offers
• Recommended agents
• Terms & conditions
• Tripadvisor
• Horse & Hound

4-Day All Inclusive Okavango Delta Horseback Safari

Related regions :

Macatoo Camp offers you an unforgettable experience with a true sense of freedom as you explore the Okavango Delta on horseback. Led by talented guides, guests have 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta to explore on calm, experienced horses, offering exhilarating rides alongside big game, such as giraffe, zebra and elephant. Combined with Macatoo, the luxurious tented bush camp accommodation in an exquisite African setting, we offer the riding adventure of a lifetime

Day 1:  Arriving at Macatoo Camp

Today you start your safari adventure with a 30 minute flight from Maun Airport to Macatoo Camp. A member of the Macatoo Team will assist you with getting situated on your flight. Your 30 minute air transfer offers a bird-eye view of the Okavango Delta where you are likely to see herds of Elephants as you look down from the sky.

A safari vehicle will be awaiting for you on arrival at the camp’s airstrip for a 45 minute game drive (or exciting boat ride - depending on the season) into Macatoo Camp.

Once you have settled in,  afternoon tea and cake is served as you are briefed by an experienced guide before heading out into the African bush to bask in the sunset and perhaps take advantage of the stunning photo opportunities offered by the evening light.

Day 2- 3: Exploring the Delta

Macatoo’s cheerful staff will provide a gentle wake-up call  along with your choice of tea, coffee and rusks which are served to you in bed. A  light breakfast is set up around the campfire ahead of your first long morning  activity.

Depending on the season, you may head out in the boat through the flood waters or jump into the safari vehicle again driving through seas of tall grass to watch Giraffe, Zebra, Antelope, Elephant and Buffalo. A hearty lunch is served every day. Afternoon activities are leisurely and often include Mokoro trips – canoes used by the local fishermen of the Delta – that enables you to travel over the flooded seas of  grass.  Crocodile sightings are not infrequent and the bird-life is some of the best in the world. 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 location.

Day 4: Departure

The delivery of tea or coffee in bed heralds the start of your last morning in camp and you will be anxious to make the most of your final day. 

Today you will stay close to the camp, gliding through the waterways in the boat and admiring the vast open plains, home to blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra. You will return to Macatoo along the myriad of waterways lined with large trees.

There will be time to freshen up and pack before the game drive to the airstrip, carrying a picnic lunch to tide you over until your return to the real world.

Location and getting there

Rates & pricing, let's start planning.

Every detail, we're available 24/7

Meet your travel advisor

What our guests say about Kim

April 24, 2024

Kim helped us for the details of trip…

Kim helped us for the details of trip planning.

March 6, 2024

Kim was very prompt and efficient

Kim was very prompt and efficient. I look forward to dealing with her in future. Thank you.

January 17, 2024

The quick and good service from Kim…

The quick and good service from Kim Abrahams

Jul 12, 2024

Wonderful experience!

Dolan has been amazing getting everything set up for our trip to South Africa next year. He has made the process so stress free and has been so responsive with every question I’ve had! Will absolutely be utilizing Dolan and safari.com again in the future!

Who could ask for a better agent than Mel

Our agent Mel listened to our proposed itinerary whilst in South Africa and came up with great suggestions to make it memorable She was very quick to answer any questions we had, efficient at providing quotes and very compassionate when a family crisis derailed the booking process for a while

Jul 11, 2024

Well structured with comprehensive…

Well structured with comprehensive details provided and easy guidance for choosing and booking. All trip operators were prompt and professional in their responses.

Jul 10, 2024

Great, efficient, going above and beyond service by Nicole!

Nicole has been extremely helpful with my queries, and going above and beyond to help me understand the Sabi sands experience better. When one of the lodge I enquired was sold out, she also recommended various options I could explore, and offers her valuable point of view. Examples - she ensured to pass on my room requests successfully and liaised with the lodge efficiently, ensuring to make our anniversary experience at the safari a great one. She also proactively offered to help me to continue looking for alternatives when I told her the transport options were beyond my budget. Thank you so much Nicole! Because of this we look forward to our experience with Safari.com and at Arathusa lodge.

Makinbooking a pleasure

Tanya has been great, efficient, friendly and went the extra mile in providing information not only to me but also to people (who joined late) in my group. A pleasure to work with.

Jul 9, 2024

I made a request for a safari…

I made a request for a safari reservation on short notice. The Safari Consultant Lisa Liprini jumped on my request and successfully found me a safari that suited my timelines. She was prompt and very communicative.

Repeat customer

I used Safari.com in 2022 when my husband and I went on our first safari to Kruger National Park. They were professional, quick and easy to work with. I was anxious to return again in 2024 and Mel didn't disappoint with her planning, quick response and attention to my requests. Unfortunately, I cannot complete my wish to return this year but when I do return...Mel is who I will reach out to.

Jul 8, 2024

Excellent very nice

Excellent safari company and agent

I have booked 2 safaris with Safari.com and Anja in particular. We have yet to take the second one but the first was a safari in Botswana. Everything far exceeded expectations and every detail handled with top notch drivers, hotels, safari lodges and guides. Anja was very responsive and helped us plan our safari. We were so happy with it that we are doing another this year.

• ENQUIRE HERE

Horse Safaris in Botswana

The crème-de-la-crème of horse riding safari holidays.

Botswana is one of the best places on earth to head out on safari and immerse yourself in true, unspoilt wilderness. With incredibly diverse ecosystems, Botswana boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife. Exploring this wilderness on horseback is exhilarating, and your first encounter with a herd of elephants will leave you awe-inspired! Not only will you find these gentle giants, but rarer species such as leopards, wild dogs, brown hyenas and lechwe are also commonly seen on horseback.

Horse riding in Botswana will stay with you forever. The guiding, accommodation and, most importantly, the horses available in Botswana are exceptional! The horse riding safaris offered are as varied as you could imagine – Taking you from harsh desert lands to delta wetlands and beyond! The riding here is fast-paced and incredibly exciting, with some horseback safaris even offering the chance to jump elephant-felled logs. On horseback, the game viewing is exceptional, and you can traverse areas seldom seen by any other human. With unforgettable game drives, photographic safaris and mokoro rides for non-riding partners or those who want a break from the saddle, Botswana has earned its place at the top of many riders’ bucket lists.

For More Info About Horse Riding in Botswana

EXPLORE HORSE SAFARIS IN BOTSWANA

7 Nights: From USD $6300 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Cha Cha Metsi Explorer – Okavango Horse Safari

• Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

3 Nights: From USD $2085 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Cha Cha Metsi – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

5 nights: From USD $ GBP £3500 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Kujwana Camp – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

3 nights: From USD $ GBP £1755 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Macatoo Camp – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

• Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

7 nights: From USD $ GBP £2625 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

The Tuli Horse Safari – Botswana

7 nights: From USD $ GBP £2117 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

South Africa & Botswana African Explorer

• South Africa & Botswana

10 nights: From USD $8025 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Botswana & Victoria Falls Combination Safari

• Botswana & Victoria Falls

8 nights: From USD $7465 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Desert & Delta Horse Safari – Ultimate Botswana

12 nights: From USD $ GBP £5360 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Wildlife & Waves – Tuli & Wild Coast Trail

• Scenery Focused Horse Safari

7 nights: From USD $ GBP £2226 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Tuli Horse Safari & Cycle Trail – Botswana

• Wildlife Focused Horse & Cycle Safari

7 nights: From USD $4955 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Mobile Fly Camping – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

3 Nights: From USD $3690 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ pp sharing

Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Ride

Overview of horse safaris in botswana.

Horse riding holidays in Botswana allow you to connect with nature and wildlife in a way few other experiences can match. You’ll have the opportunity to witness incredible wildlife up close, from elephants to antelope, as you embark on guided horse safaris. It’s a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and a deep connection with the natural world, making it an unforgettable equestrian travel destination for those who seek both exhilaration and serenity in the heart of Africa. The Okavango Delta and Tuli are ideal for experienced riders. You’ll be riding through incredible wilderness areas and encountering a variety of wildlife, which require a certain level of riding skill and confidence. Intermediate riders can also enjoy a horse safari in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The vast open plains make it an accessible adventure for those newer to horseback riding while still offering the opportunity to explore this unique and mesmerising landscape.

But Botswana is not only for horse riders, it offers an unforgettable adventure holiday for families, friends and groups. Just getting to the camps is an adventure, with a thrilling helicopter or light air charter flight! Offering a variety of unforgettable safari experiences such as game drives, guided walks, photographic safaris, animal interaction, quad biking, helicopter flight and more, there is something for everyone!

• RIDE LOCATIONS
• SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
• ACCOMMODATION
• BOTSWANA CULTURE

Ride locations

Okavango delta.

Imagine exploring the pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta on horseback, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of this untamed landscape. Known to many as Africa’s Eden, the Delta is famous for its annual flood and abundance of wildlife; the area provides a haven for a huge array of wildlife. In the Okavango Delta flood months (June – October) these horseback safaris offer the unique experience of cantering across flooded plains, grinning from ear-to-ear as you get drenched in splashing water. Known for huge herds of elephants, pods of hippos, prides of lions and packs of wild dogs, you’ll also find antelope species well adapted to this watery environment, and a safari here always promises incredible game viewing

The Tuli/Mashatu Game Reserve

On the border of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe lies the unfenced and vast Mashatu Game Reserve – Another haven for horse riders. Known as the ‘Land of Giants’, you’ll see huge herds of elephants, towering baobab trees and endless big skies! The area is famous for its wildlife and is home to lion, cheetah, leopard, large herds of elephants and a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. Imagine long canters kicking up dust and weaving your way through the endless bush wilderness with wildlife around every corner

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

For those horseback riders looking for something a little different, a speed fix and an adrenaline rush, or simply a complete change of scenery – the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans will deliver. Hear your horses’ hooves crunch across the wide-open salt pans that stretch as far as the eye can see, the best natural race surface in the world! Enjoy a good gallop, spectacular sunsets and perhaps even sleeping under the stars. Desert-adapted wildlife, Meerkat encounters and walks with Bushmen all create an unforgettable safari experience

Safari Highlights

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MOMENTS For anyone who has ever watched the National Geographic channel, Botswana is always at the top of their must-see safari destinations. And it never disappoints! You never know if you’ll have wild dog joining you for breakfast, a dazzle of zebra allowing you into their midst, or a herd of elephants offering some heart-stopping moments in the saddle! And you get the chance to watch Big Cat Dairies and Meerkat Mansions up close and personal.

WILDLIFE IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA Great breeding herds of elephants gather in the delta during the floods, making for spectacular sights as they gather around large lagoons filled with hippos. Explore past the herds of zebras, red lechwe, impalas and reedbuck that graze on the islands between the flood plains and pause to watch a giraffe browsing the tallest trees. It is called Africa’s Eden for a reason and is not to be missed!

SPLASHY CANTERS There is something incredibly special about cantering through water, grinning from ear to ear and hearing your fellow riders whoop and laugh beside you. In the high water season, it’s a childhood dream come true for many horse riders. Plus, you never know if the herds of lechwe, zebra or even giraffe will join in the fun.

ZEBRA MIGRATION The Makgadikgadi offers an entirely different scene; the pans make up a large area of North Eastern Botswana and are separated by sandy desert islands. During the green season, witness the pans fill with enormous herds of migratory zebra and wildebeest, often seen in their thousands – Africa’s second-biggest land migration.

GAME DRIVES Guided game drives in open 4×4 vehicles allow you to get closer to the more intimidating wildlife, such as elephants and big cats. The steady vehicles give you great opportunities for wildlife photography, often getting within a few meters of lions and leopards! Your guides will share their incredible knowledge of these creatures with you. After sunset, head back to camp in the dark, allowing you to spot nocturnal creatures like leopards, hyenas, and owls, which are typically more active after dark. And of course, remember to take a moment to take in the African stars.

MOKORO SAFARIS Glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta in traditional dugout canoes called mokoros, known as the Gondolas of Africa. This serene and eco-friendly experience allows for excellent birdwatching and up-close encounters with aquatic wildlife and gives you a different perspective of animals like elephants and buffalo grazing on the banks.

WALKING SAFARIS Slow down and join expert guides for walking safaris, which offer a unique opportunity to explore the bush on foot. Learn about tracking animals, the local flora, and the smaller, often overlooked, creatures of the wilderness.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS Botswana is a photographer’s paradise. Join specialised photographic safaris that provide expert guidance and access to prime locations for capturing incredible wildlife and landscape shots.

SCENIC FLIGHTS & HELICOPTER FLIPS Experience the breathtaking landscapes of Botswana from the air with scenic flights over the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, and other iconic destinations.

QUAD BIKES In the Salt Pans, you can swap out a horse for a quad bike and head off deep into the desert landscape, where it’s so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat.

BEYOND HORSE SAFARIS We can create tailor-made safaris including multiple destinations in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. One of our favourite combinations is adding on a few nights in Victoria Falls after your horse riding holiday in Botswana.

Accommodation

Botswana’s commitment to low-impact, eco-conscious tourism ensures that your safari experiences are not only thrilling but also environmentally responsible. With luxury lodges that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, this is the epitome of luxury adventure travel in Africa, where every moment brings you closer to the untamed beauty of the wild.

Unwind in one of our exclusive luxury camps, which perfectly intertwines all those creature comforts with the bush wilderness experience. Return from fast-paced mornings in the saddle, recline by the pool and watch elephants drinking from a nearby lagoon. You may prefer to embrace nature to the fullest on one of the mobile camping safaris. Here you’ll dine under the stars every night, siesta in the shade under trees and enjoy a hot bucket shower hung from a tree to wash off the dust from a day in the saddle. And for those that like a combination of it all, our expedition-style safari in the Tuli offers a tented camp, sleep out and a unique treehouse!

Botswana Culture

From the minute you step off the plane and into the saddle, you will be met with the smiling faces of the Botswanans. The energy and vibe in Botswana is infectious, you will quickly find yourself smiling too as you chat to your guides, grooms and camp staff. On the Makgadikgadi horse safari, you get the privilege of spending time with the San Bushmen, who will show introduce you to their traditional ways of living in the desert.

BOTSWANA SAFARI FAQs

When is the best time to visit the okavango delta.

The Okavango offers a spellbinding experience and great wildlife throughout the year. The hottest months are November to February and the coolest from June until August. If you are looking for flood plains to canter through, then you will need to head to the Okavango Delta between June and October but do remember flood water can never be guaranteed.

Am I good enough rider to go on horse safari in Botswana?

The majority of the riding in Botswana takes you through areas with bigger game, and as a result, requires an intermediate plus or advanced level of riding.  However, in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, even novice riders can discover the magic of horse riding in Botswana.  Here the wide-open landscapes means you are highly unlikely to come across any wildlife by surprise and thus can cater for a less confident rider. Enquire for more options.

Can I combine Botswana with Victoria Falls?

A wildlife safari in Botswana combines brilliantly with a trip to the world-famous Victoria Falls. You fly directly from your Delta lodge or Maun International Airport to Kasane (1.5 hours) and then take a transfer (organised by us) to Victoria Falls (Approx 1.5 hours).

Where do I fly into for a horse safari in Botswana?

The majority of our rides start and end at Maun International Airport – Most flights go via Johannesburg but you can arrive via Nairobi or Windhoek. The Tuli Ride in Mashatu Game Reserve starts and ends from Johannesburg.

What is the best horse safari in Botswana?

It really depends what you are looking for. If you are looking to canter across water-filled flood plains then you want the Okavango Delta. If you are looking for a healing and mindfullness retreat (with some epic gallops!) the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer just this. Or perhaps you are looking for an exciting trail ride in Southern Botswana where you can jump elephant-felled logs on the Tuli Trail.

RECENT BOTSWANA REVIEWS

“ Wonderful memories and great friends! I had a great time and made some wonderful memories and new friends. I rode Radar and McGuinness. I think that of the two locations, I was most impressed with Botswana. I like the open areas and the plethora of animals and new scenery. Plus, I LOVED the treehouse camp! All the camps were wonderful, and the food was really next level for each meal. I loved how the staff sang to us before dinner in Botswana. One of my favorite memories will have to be as we rode into a plains area and on our left, impala and wildebeest were running, in the distance, a small group of elephants were hurrying on their way, and then as we turned the corner, a bat eared fox was jumping through the tall grass as more animals frolicked around us – a herd of zebra and a family of giraffes. Definitely seemed to bring a lot of the amazing things of the Mashatu Game Reserve together in one moment. ” Nicole Schrock African Explorer - South Africa and Botswana

“ It is the best trip I have ever done! I recently came home from Botswana, having been on the Tuli safari and oh my god, it is the best safari trip I have ever done. Seeing the animals from the horseback is something completely different to seeing them from the car, and I absolutely loved my horse Wind. He was safe and steady and fast and simply amazing. Also, the reserve itself was so beautiful, so wild and so vast. I loved riding there! We had incredible food for every single meal (how's it even possible?), the camps were beautiful, the group was great, and the riding was excellent. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and I felt safe every day riding with them. We saw an amazing number of elephants every day, and got close to giraffes, hyenas, zebras and many more animals. Furthermore, booking the trip through African Horse Safaris was a great experience, and I will without a doubt book my next one through you as well. You took the time to answer all my 10000 questions, and quickly at that, and were so helpful. I'd recommend African Horse Safaris and the Tuli ride to any rider I know. Take the trip! ” Joanna Sanchez Tuli Horse Safari - Botswana

“ Fantastical holiday of my dreams! I had the most fantastical holiday of my dreams. Thank you so much! I absolutely loved it & rode some superb horses from the speedy appaloosa which apparently David rides & is the lead horse in Camp Kalahari, to the cheeky Holdall the Fresian cross in Okavango Horse Safari camp Kujwana, to my absolute favourite the gorgeous flea bitten grey small Arabian called Skimmer who gave me a fabulous days riding & reminded me of my old Arab horse we even went swimming bareback across the flooded channel in the delta. I did offer to give him a home! It was the stuff of dreams & had so many animal encounters. I don't often want to go back to places I have climbed or trekked but I would definitely love to go back to Kujwana, what an amazing place! ” Karen Ash Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Kujwana Horse Safari - Botswana

“ I had the most amazing time at Macatoo camp, Okavango Delta. Botswana. The horses were fantastic and living their best life. The rides and the animals we encountered was non invasive and also at a good pace. You truly felt part of the environment. The guides and team at Macatoo are wonderful. I went on my own and felt so comfortable. Kayleigh who organised my trip was brilliant. I feel I now have a Botswana family I need to return too! I will go back! ” Katie Hook Macatoo Horse Safari - Botswana

“ I can’t believe how incredible it was! This trip was the best week of my life. I can’t believe how incredible it was! Gosh, favourite memories include: Water canters on Guinness, Elephant friends, Seeing mating lions, Running with the lechwe/tsessebe/buffalo on Nxabega, Springing to the jeep post night ride, Thabo driving like hell to catch lions at dark- AND THEN seeing them take down a wildebeest AND THEN watching 30 hyenas come in to try and steal the kill, Galloping in the water on Cuenene and getting soaking wet! Seeing the old baobab tree… The list goes on! How am I supposed to live a normal life now?? The countdown is on for when I can one day return! ” Katelyn Gibbs Macatoo Horse Safari - Botswana

READ BLOGS ABOUT BOTSWANA

• Making A Difference
• The Equitours Story
• Our Consultants
• Central & South America
• North America
• South Pacific
• Views from the Saddle
• Booking Policies
• Customize Your Trip
• Make a Payment
• How to Choose the Best Horseback Riding Vacation
• Get Fit for your Ride
• Tour Planning
• Riding Safety Tips

Horseback Riding in Botswana

Discover the delta.

Photo Journey:

Recently declared the 1000th World Heritage Site, the unique Okavango Delta is a horse rider’s Eden: as the floodwaters spread down into the Kalahari sands, the herds and bird life follow, and horseback is the perfect place from which to observe them.

This Delta Ride is unlike any other. Rather than a permanent riding camp, a lightweight mobile camp is transported by a flotilla of mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) poled by members of the local community, who live on the fringes of the Delta and know it intimately. Only when the water levels are too low are vehicles employed.

The emphasis is on the experience, the loveliness of the Okavango, and top-level guiding. The riding and the horses are unsurpassed, the wildlife is astonishing and the food (cooked over a log fire) is fabulous.

Accommodations

Your camp is refreshingly simple, yet comfortable, with lightweight tents with standing room, fully made up stretcher beds, bucket showers and short drop loos.

Meals & Drink

This ride emphasizes fresh tastes and originality, with interesting and delicious dishes from all over Africa. Please inform your ride consultant of any dietary requirements prior to travel.

Ride & Horse Details

Horse breeds:, weight limit:, meeting point.

Maun airport

Itinerary Summary

There is no set itinerary, with the location of the camp dependent on water levels, wildlife movements and the length of the safari (the longer the safari the more likely the camp is to move). However every location is exquisite, there being a plentiful choice of shady, tree-lined islands.

A typical day starts with an early wake-up call and a light breakfast around the camp fire as dawn breaks. The morning is spent on horseback, following ancient elephant trails, searching for a variety of wildlife, enjoying the prolific birdlife, and cantering through the recently flooded plains. Herds of buffalo may be in the vicinity, giraffe often saunter by and red lechwe splash through the water alongside, whilst kudu peer out from the thickets.

Return to camp for lunch and siesta in the dense shade of the giant jackalberry or leadwood trees. A meditative evening ride is spent listening to the sounds of the bush and the snorting and splashing of the horses, before returning to camp for dinner under the stars.

Occasionally guests (and horses) may wish to rest, which is the perfect opportunity for a tranquil ride in a mokoro, the traditional way of traversing the glittering, lily-lined lagoons and waterways. It is a chance too, to venture out on foot to appreciate the smaller creatures that inhabit the bush - or to learn some rudimentary tracking skills.

No two days are the same, but every day is astonishing and joyous, and it is a privilege to share this unique and untouched wilderness with you.

Tour Dates & Pricing

Additional pricing information:, request booking.

Tell us more about your riding experience and trip preferences below so we may find the perfect options to meet your needs. We will research availability and get back to you with a booking confirmation detailing suggested departure, cost and extended ride itinerary.

Tell us more about yourself

* required field

Preferred Departure

Group information, riding level.

Do you have questions about this tour itinerary? Do you want to make sure that this it is the right tour for you? Or are you ready to book? Please call or email our experienced and friendly ride consultants for more detailed information. With first-hand knowledge of the exciting tours we offer, the tour consultants at Equitours look forward to answering any questions you might have

Speak with our reservation team directly.

1.800.545.0019

Customize this tour

Our reservation team would be happy to customize this tour to meet your groups needs. Customize your tour.

Email this tour consultant

Contact Megan Barrett

The Tuli Safari is an incredible adventure enabling equestrian enthusiasts to thoroughly appreciate spectacular landscape and a profusion of wildlife that is unique to the Tuli District of Botswana. Experiencing this majesty in a small group aboard willing horses under the guidance of personable and knowledgeable guides is unrivaled. The magic continues after dismount with evening game drives, spectacular sunsets savored from high vantage points, animated conversation over excellently prepared meals beside the fire, and culminating with the awe of gazing upon the majesty of the Southern Constellation before drifting off to sleep. This is a lifetime experience not to be missed.

Robert Savarese, 2013

Related Tours

Browse related "camping" tours in botswana.

Okavango Safari

Location: Botswana

Duration: 10 nights

A luxury safari in the Okavango delta, an oasis teeming with an astonishing variety of bird, animal and plant life. Enjoy excellent riding with amazing wildlife sighting,... Browse itinerary

Starting at $910 / per night

Tuli Safari

Duration: 7 nights

This is a classic point-to-point horse safari in Botswana covering approximately 120 miles in the vast Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block. Mashatu is a privately... Browse itinerary

Starting at $4,790 / per person

African Explorer

Horseback riding in South Africa and Botswana includes good riding on two private game reserves, fine accommodations and evening meals around the campfire, making for a genuinely... Browse itinerary

Starting at $2,270 / per person

Loading Trips...

• Browse My Favorites

Share your favorite tours

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. For more info, read our Privacy Policy Accept & Hide This site uses cookies. Click here to accept.

• The Okavango
• Find A Safari
• Accommodation

Three Night Riding Safari

A short but action packed riding safari from one of the leading Okavango specialists in a stunning corner of the delta. This itinerary is perfect for those constrained by time or budget but eager to experience the unique thrill of riding in the Okavango. A full range of activities are also offered from this wonderful little camp ensuring any non-riding companions can enjoy a classic Okavango safari at the same time.

African Horseback Safaris have been operated since 1995 and run one of the best riding safaris in the Okavango from their beautiful camp, Macatoo. Set on the scenic Abu concession in the south west of the Okavango, this area offers quintessential Okavango landscapes and good game viewing. As well as riding the camp also offer game drives, walks, boating and mokoro excursions, depending on the season, allowing guests to experience a full range of safari activities during their stay.

African Horseback Safaris offer the most flexible riding safaris in the Okavango, accepting visits of any duration from 3 nights onwards, there are no set arrival or departure dates. All rides begin from the camp, Macatoo, and the team have gathered a huge array of different routes which keep the rides fresh and exciting.

Macatoo is a delightful camp and offered the most luxurious accommodation of all the riding safaris. Spacious tented rooms offer lovely views of the Okavango and the welcoming main area features a nice swimming pool deck which makes a perfect spot to relax between rides and watch the animals pass along the floodplains.

The beautiful Abu concession is marked by wonderfully varied and pretty landscapes and Delta. The wildlife is as varied as the habitats here, whether open floodplains, palm islands, riverine forest and the wooded Kalahari sandveld. Life is abundant everywhere and every ride is different and interesting. Elephant roam in large numbers alongside big herds of buffalo. On the grass plains the usual suspects can be found on the sandveld region such as zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, impala and giraffe. Kudu browse in the denser areas and wharthogs travel widely. Hippos languish in the waters while the specially adapted antelope such as red lechwe and reedbuck are never far from the water. Predators are frequently seen too, most commonly lion and spotted hyena. Leopards are also spotted here and the rare African wild dog have regularly made their den near camp.

While riding is at the heart of African Horseback Safaris, they offer a full range of traditional safari activities as well to ensure guests, both riders and non-riders, can enjoy a comprehensive Okavango experience. This not only allows riders a break from the saddle but also means any non-riding partners who are travelling with them can easily be catered for. To fully appreciate the Okavango guests are encouraged to participate in a range of activities. Game drives for example, offer the opportunity to approach predators much closer than would be possible on horseback, allowing for great photo opportunities. And a sunset enjoyed from the boat, as the incredible fiery skies are reflected onto the Okavango waters is a truly special thing.

As all rides takes place in true wilderness and potentially dangerous situations only experienced riders are accepted, novices will not be able to ride although they will be well catered for with other safari activities. Please speak to us for more information.

Day 1 - Macatoo, African Horseback Safaris

On arrival at Maun International Airport you will be met by a representative guide who will assist you onto your connecting flight to the Okavango. This is a light aircraft flight of about 30 minutes, a beautiful scenic flight and a superb introduction to the Delta. You guide will be waiting to transfer you to camp. Depending on water levels this will be a 4x4 game drive of about 45 minutes or a boat ride through the channels. This will depend on the flood water levels at the time. Both offer the opportunity to spot wildlife so keep your eyes peeled!

A warm welcome awaits you at camp. Having met the team and explored the camp you will have some time to settle into your new Okavango home before meeting your guide for a briefing over some light refreshments.

You will the head to the stables. This is always great fun, this is really the heart of the camp! Having been matched to your horse you will sett off on your first ride. The evening rides are purposefully slower to offer the chance to appreciate the sunset and wildlife and capture the moment on camera if you wish. A gentle and wonderful introduction to the Okavango.

Returning to camp you will freshen up with a hot shower and meet around the camp fire for drinks before dinner. After a candle-lit dinner in the mess tent you will retire to your room for your first night in the Okavango.

Day 2- Macatoo, African Horseback Safaris

Early this morning you wake to the gentle wake-up call of Macatoo’s housekeeping team who will deliver your choice of tea, coffee and rusks. Meeting in the central area you will enjoy light breakfast around the camp fire before setting off on your first long ride.

The stables are home to a good selection of horses and the experienced team have the knack of making great horse and rider partnerships. Depending on the season, the morning ride may involve some galloping across dried flood plains, swimming through flood waters or pushing on through seas of tall grass to watch giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo - whatever is out there.

Returning to camp a hearty lunch awaits. You will need it after all those miles in the saddle – the chicken pie is a firm favourite and wine is always offered, it certainly helps to encourage a little nap before tea to rejuvenate before the evening ride. The sunsets are always special in the Okavango and often celebrated with sundowner drinks 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.......then bed and rest for another adventure the following day.

Day 3- Macatoo, African Horseback Safaris

The morning chorus may wake you before the housekeeping ladies do. You enjoy a hot drink in your tent before meeting the team for breakfast round the camp fire. Emboldened after your riding from the day before you will be keen to return to the saddle. You set off on a new route today to explore different landscapes, home to different wildlife and the promise of new animal sightings. The pace of ride will be varied as you move through different terrain.

Returning for a well-earned lunch you will then have a few hours to rest before the evening ride. The pool deck is a wonderful spot to relax between rides and stretch out your muscles after your morning ride. Or perhaps take a siesta in your tent or in your hammock. Or simply settle in for a sofa style safari and watch the animals on the plains come and go from your deck.

Meeting for tea and cake in the mean area you then return to the stables for your evening ride. For those interested there is the option to enjoy another activities – game drives, walking or boating is also an option, depending on the season.

Day 4- End of Safari

Your last morning begins early as before. No doubt you are keen to make the most of your last morning in the Okavango with one last ride. On this last ride you stay quite close to camp, splashing through water on the vast open plains, home to blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra. The riding pace will be deliberately quite fast to cram as much fun as possible into the final hours – be prepared to get wet as we approach deep reedy areas full of bird life.

You will return to Macatoo along the myriad of waterways lined with large trees, before arriving back at the barn where you say a sad farewell to your horse. There will be just enough time to shower, change and pack before the game drive to the airstrip, carrying a picnic lunch to tide you over until your return to the real world.

Your guide will return you to the airstrip for your flight to Maun.

African Horseback Safaris

Water Level

Book This Safari

At Okavango Delta Explorations we specialise in crafting safaris to this unique ecosystem.

Get in touch to begin your Okavango Delta Exploration

Extensions to this safari

Shinde footsteps.

Shinde Footsteps, previously known as Footsteps, is a charming little bush camp accommodating just six guests in four tents, ideal for those looking for an intimate Okavango safari. Set on one of the Okavango’s finest private concessions Shinde Footsteps offers a fantastic safari experience in an area rich in wildlife across a varied landscape. With both wetlands and vast tracts of dry land on offer guests can a wonderful range of land and water activities.

Camp Kalahari

On the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, beneath the rattling palms on Hyena Island, lies Camp Kalahari. This is a simple and relaxed camp with buckets of charm and an ideal base for guests exploring the Kalahari salt pans. The desert safari experience here is excellent, with a captivating list of activities including game drives, San bushman walks, quad biking and meerkat visits. Popular with all looking for something different, especially families.

• Duration 3 Nights
• Rates Jan 2024 USD 3,202 Feb 2024 USD 3,202 Mar 2024 USD 3,202 Apr 2024 USD 3,916 May 2024 USD 3,916 Jun 2024 USD 3,916 Jul 2024 USD 4,612 Aug 2024 USD 4,612 Sep 2024 USD 4,612 Oct 2024 USD 3,916 Nov 2024 USD 3,916 Dec 2024 USD 3,202

Featured Properties

Established in 1995, African Horseback Safaris are one of the Okavango’s most experienced riding operators. The backdrop to these once in a life time adventures is quite magnificent, their luxurious camp lies in a beautiful and lively corner of the western Okavango with 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness to explore. With a fantastic team of specialist guides and experienced horses, African Horseback Safaris create one of the most amazing horseback adventures in Africa.

Experience the Okavango Delta

Contact us for more information and to start planning your Okavango safari

• All Tailor Made Safaris
• Kruger National Park
• Okavango Delta
• Gorilla Trekking
• Safaris with Frank
• Republic of the Congo
• South Africa
• All Set Departures
• All Set Departures by Date
• Horse Safaris
• Photographic Safaris
• Unique Safaris
• Year-round Safaris
• Botswana Mobile Safaris
• Volunteering
• View all Destinations: Interactive Map
• Mobile Safaris
• Gorillas & Chimps
• Walking Safaris
• Horse Back Safaris
• All Training Courses
• All Training Courses by Date
• Professional Courses
• Short Courses
• Special Courses
• Training Camps
• Field Guide Training FAQ’s
• Accommodation
• When to Travel
• Frank’s Top 5

Who is Travelling

• First Time to Africa
• Specials & Promotions
• Cost of a Safari
• Travel Info
• Why Book with Us
• Sustainability
• Our Partners
• Give Power to Ride 4 Woman
• Guest Reviews
• Price Guarantee

Tailor Made Safaris

Popular safaris, east & central africa, southern africa, set departures, top destinations, indian ocean islands, sample trip, 5-night riding safari in the okavango delta, "experience 5 days of exhilarating horseback adventure and serene nature encounters and the untouched wilderness of the okavango delta.".

Safari Rating

Begin your adventure with a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, offering a stunning introduction to this unique ecosystem. Stay at the Macatoo Camp, where luxury tents await you after days filled with horseback riding and wildlife encounters. This itinerary is perfect for those seeking an immersive and active safari experience.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1: arrival and introduction to macatoo camp, day 2: full-day riding adventure, day 3: diverse activities and wildlife encounters.

Day 4: Exploration and Champagne Breakfast

Day 5: High-Paced Riding and Optional Activities

Day 6: departure.

Embark on a distinctive 5-night journey into the heart of the Okavango Delta , an adventure that is as exhilarating as it is serene. Your destination is Macatoo Camp , an exquisite getaway that masterfully combines the thrill of exploration with the comfort of luxury. This unique experience is designed to immerse you in the beauty of one of Africa’s most enchanting landscapes, the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural beauty.

As you arrive at Macatoo Camp, you are greeted by luxurious tented accommodations that blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. These tents are not just shelters; they are elegantly furnished havens equipped with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private decks offering panoramic views of the delta. Imagine waking up to the soothing sounds of nature, with the morning sun casting a golden hue over the expansive delta.

The highlight of your stay at Macatoo Camp is the extraordinary horseback rides . Regardless of your riding experience, the camp caters to all levels, offering a chance to traverse the diverse landscapes of the delta on horseback. These rides bring you face-to-face with the Delta’s diverse wildlife. Imagine galloping alongside giraffes, quietly observing elephants at a waterhole, or encountering a myriad of bird species. The sensation of being part of the natural world, unobtrusive and in harmony with your surroundings, is unmatched.

In addition to horseback riding, the camp offers breathtaking aerial views of the delta. Opt for a helicopter ride to witness the magnificent mosaic of waterways, grasslands, and forests from above – a perspective that reveals the intricate beauty of this unique ecosystem. The helicopter rides also provide opportunities for spectacular wildlife photography, capturing moments that are as rare as they are beautiful.

When not exploring, relax at the camp, where you can enjoy fine dining under the stars, with meals prepared using fresh, local ingredients. The evenings are a time for reflection and relaxation, perhaps by the campfire, sharing stories of the day’s adventures with fellow travelers or simply soaking in the tranquility of the African night.

Detailed Itinerary

Your journey starts at Maun airport, where you will be greeted and transferred to a small plane for a 30-minute scenic flight over the Delta. Upon arrival, a safari vehicle takes you to Macatoo Camp. Settle into your tent, meet your guide, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon ride, followed by a candle-lit dinner by the fire.

Awaken to tea and coffee served in bed. Enjoy a light breakfast before embarking on a long ride, exploring the Delta’s landscapes and spotting diverse wildlife. Return for a hearty lunch and a restful afternoon before an evening ride and dinner at the camp.

Start with tea and coffee in bed, then head out on horseback in a new direction, exploring different terrains. After lunch, relax by the pool or engage in optional activities like fishing, game drives, or boat rides. Evening brings another delightful dinner at camp.

Day 4: Deeper Exploration and Champagne Breakfast

Ride deep into the Delta, exploring areas unreachable by vehicles. Reunite with non-riding guests for a champagne breakfast under a baobab tree. Enjoy downtime at the camp, and opt for a unique sleepover in the tree canopy, experiencing the wilderness at night.

After waking in the treetops, embark on a new ride across diverse terrains, enjoying a faster pace. Spend your final afternoon in camp, choosing between additional rides, a helicopter tour, or a nighttime game drive. Enjoy your last dinner under the African sky.

Your last morning includes a final ride near the camp, enjoying the Delta’s beauty. After returning to Macatoo, prepare for your departure with a picnic lunch en route to the airstrip, marking the end of your unforgettable safari experience in the Okavango Delta.

The Accommodation

Macatoo Camp

Ready for an adventure lets talk.

Contact SAFARI FRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!

Related Safaris

Botswana & zambia explorer.

Best Of Zimbabwe & Botswana

10 Night Okavango Spirit & Vic Falls

10-Day Mobile Photo Safari Botswana

10-Day Northern Highlights Mobile Safari

Chobe & Okavango Delta Safari

Ultimate 21-Night Journey through Southern Africa

13-Night Southern Africa Safari Extravaganza

Ultimate Green Season Botswana Photo Safari

Okavango Delta & Zebra Migration Safari

Experience Botswana at its best

Breathtaking Botswana Luxury Safari

6 Night Botswana Desert and Delta Safari

The Okavango Explorer – 11 night mobile safari

The Kalahari Safari – 7 Days Mobile Participation Safari

The Buffalo Safari – 8 Days Mobile Participation Safari

The Sable Safari – 10 Days Accommodated Safari

Our partners in Africa will make your dream trip, a trip to never forget

[email protected] +1 (646) 5025364

Developed by Viewport / WordPress Guys

Quick Links

• COVID SAFE Safaris
• How much does a safari cost?
• Specials and Promotions
• GivePower to Ride 4 a Woman
• The Wildebeest Migration
• The Okavango Delta
• Safari Frank UK
• Safari Frank AU

Our Safaris

• All Safaris
• Set Departure Safaris
• Safari Trip Ideas
• Horseback Safaris
• Selfdrive Safaris
• Couples and Honeymooners
• Family Safari
• Group of Friends
• Solo Travellers

Destinations

Newsletter signup, enquire now.

" * " indicates required fields

Privacy Overview

• Botswana Guide
• Okavango on Horseback

Okavango Horseback Safari

Saddle-Up for the Ultimate Horseback Safari Experience

A horseback safari through the Okavango Delta offers you the unique opportunity of exploring the Delta landscape, across floodplains and grasslands, on horseback, while still experiencing the popular activities of mokoro boat rides, day and night game drives and walking safaris.

Galloping through the floodplains on horseback is both an intimate and exhilarating experience and a wonderful way to gain an even greater insight into the African bush and the wildlife that inhabits it. Horseback safaris are manageable by riders of all levels of experience and skilled guides will be with you to ensure that the right horse is matched to your ability.

The first day of the safari is usually slow and relaxed, giving you time to settle in to your accommodation and relax after your journey to the camp before setting off on an evening ride where you will have the chance to meet and get acquainted with your horse, which you will be with throughout your entire safari stay.

After a relaxed dinner, a good night's sleep and an early morning start it is time to climb onto your horse and let the adventure begin, as your guide and tracker lead you out into the bush, tracking the Elephant or Bush-buck that passed by the camp that evening.

Wandering across the savannah one morning you may catch sight of the breakfast table that has been set up for the group under the shade of a baobab tree. A lazy champagne breakfast follows before you return to the camp for a restful afternoon.

The following days are spent wandering through the changing landscape, watching a herd of Elephant down near a watering hole or a family of Giraffe slowly eating leaves off a nearby Mopane tree. The contrasts of the landscape from floodplains with their scattered islands to Mopane forests are so picturesque you will want to stay forever.

The floodplains are also home to a wide variety of bird species that greet you with their calls as you ride past. There is nothing more exhilarating than racing freely with a herd of game through the grass, galloping alongside the Lechwe as the Hippos watch from the deep waters.

Evenings are relaxed with a slow ride out to see what African game you can see before stopping for a sun downer drink and some snacks.

Occasionally you will be able to take a break from the horse riding as your guide herds everyone onto the game viewing vehicle and you encounter new and exciting nocturnal animals such as Bush Babies and Porcupines, sitting still and watching by the light of a spotlight.

Go on a 4 Day Okavango on Horseback Safari

• Customer Support
• Tel: +27 21 424 1037
• Fax: +27 21 424 1036
• Contact by Mail
• Business Hours
• Mon - Fri. 08:00 - 17:00
• Saturday. 08:00 - 12:00
• Reservations and Bookings
• Booking Conditions
• Visa and Passport
• About Siyabona Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Popular Safari Destinations
• Kenya Safari
• Tanzania Safari
• Botswana Safari
• Malawi Safari
• Namibia Safari
• South Africa Safari
• Zambia Safari
• Zimbabwe Safari
• Planning Your African Safari
• Siyabona Popular Websites
• Kruger Park
• Cape Town Hotels
• Kenya Safari Holidays
• Botswana Safari Tours
• Sun City Resort
• South Africa Nature Reserves
• Mozambique Holidays
• Lodges near Kruger Park
• Best South African Holiday Hotels
• Timbavati Private Game Reserve
• Gorilla Safari

Africa Chevron

Botswana Chevron

Okavango Delta Chevron

In the Okavango Delta, Horseback Safaris Offer a Whole New Perspective

“Be able to gallop out of trouble.”

This riding skill, required by Okavango Horse Safaris to join their horseback tours through Botswana's Okavango Delta , gave me pause. I'd spent thousands of hours in the saddle since childhood, but mostly inside fenced arenas, never encountering any trouble that might warrant a galloping escape. In this context, trouble meant a confrontation with big game.

As a teenager I jumped horses over four-foot fences, an activity that scared me sometimes and now seems unfathomable. I rode on my college team too, but the onset of adulthood essentially ruled out a hugely expensive, time-consuming hobby involving the keeping of a large animal. I missed having a serious commitment to a sport, and more, I missed the mysterious partnership between horse and rider, the nonverbal communication between two mismatched bodies that, at best, creates a spooky mind meld. But life went on.

Author Maggie Shipstead in her youth

I'd stumbled upon the concept of horseback safaris while researching a trek in Patagonia that introduced me to the joy of crossing rugged terrain on horseback. A handful of outfitters run trips in wildlife-dense areas of eastern and Southern Africa, but because of the necessary riding experience , the activity is relatively niche. Though the idea made me nervous, I couldn't get it out of my head. I wanted the chance to venture into a world ruled by animals while astride an animal—to be a part of the landscape, away from all the engine noise and clicking camera shutters. I'd seen photos of riders alongside giraffes loping through the shallow floodwaters of the Okavango, and, basically, I needed to do that.

Barney Bestelink, who has owned and run Okavango Horse Safaris with her husband, P.J., since 1986, met me at the airport in Maun, the small town that serves as a jumping-off point for much of the delta, and we climbed into a bubble-fronted helicopter for the 20-minute hop to camp. “We were the first operation in Southern Africa,” Barney said, “and it really came from a combination of P.J.'s love of adventure and my love of horses.” Barney has a stash of wild stories (she rode racehorses for the Emir of Bahrain as a child) and the vibe of a charismatic headmistress—mingled warmth and steel, leavened by a roguish sense of fun. She had warned me in advance that the region was stricken by drought, and sure enough the world below looked bone-dry: a flat expanse of sand, rust-colored brush, and parched trees.

Horseback riding through the delta

Over the headset she explained that the drought was concentrating wildlife around water sources, good both for predators and voyeurs like us, not great for most other species. The Bestelinks had paid to have five water holes bored and fitted with solar pumps, and guests had chipped in to fund 12 more in the area, sustaining countless animals. “It's hectic out there,” Barney said. “Everything's around. We're being very careful.” As we landed at OHS's main camp, I could barely see the spacious, sturdy safari tents among the trees. Dozens of hippos crowded the water of the nearest borehole, packed so densely their backs looked like cobblestones. An elephant family hurried in from the bush, eager to drink.

When I swung into the saddle at 6:30 the next morning, I felt a sense of homecoming. The creak of the tack and the warm vitality of the horse were profoundly familiar, even in this new place. There were three other riders: Isabel, a 20-something England-to-South Africa transplant; and a pair of Londoners, Paul and Ashley, who'd become friends on a previous riding safari. As we picked up the trot in a single file, with lead guide Rogers in front and another guide at the back with a rifle, my nerves gave way to exhilaration. There was no sound but the wind and our hoofbeats. The quiet of riding holds environmental as well as aesthetic appeal: No Land Rovers means no emissions, just the occasional contribution of a little grass-based fertilizer.

Riding with Okavango Horse Safaris

Within minutes we paused to observe a group of Cape buffalo. The hefty, sullen-looking animals stared back until we moved on. By now I felt secure enough to enjoy the rhythm of riding, the feel of the sun. Barney and her staff assign horses in a careful, intuitive process from a herd of 59 (think Harry Potter's sorting hat), and I'd been given Mabowa, a tall bay dreamboat Barney had bred herself, named, she told me, after a “delicious mushroom” that grows on termite mounds. Mabowa calmly snacked on grass as we made our way across the plains, and Rogers, who's worked for the Bestelinks since 1993, could spot animals long before anyone else. “I'm checking for holes in the ground. I'm checking behind us. I'm checking for where the lions are in the grass,” he said. “My eyes are everywhere.”

We rode for nearly five hours before returning to camp for lunch and a siesta. In just one morning we'd seen Cape buffalo, elephants, zebras, giraffes, a whole pantheon of antelope species, imperious warthogs trundling with upraised tails, and a shy rhinoceros that Rogers had deftly tracked by its footprints. Unlike most rivers, the Okavango, flowing south from the highlands of Angola, doesn't end in the ocean but bleeds out across a vast area of inland swamps and seasonal floodplains before eventually vanishing into the Kalahari Desert. The annual arrival of life-giving water and the resultant greening of the landscape and gathering of animals carries a poetic sense of renewal. This year, however, the aquatic world, usually submerged, was visible beneath our feet: fish nests, snail shells, fields of dried-out papyrus reeds crisscrossed by trampled underwater paths called hippo highways. Some seasons, riders can swim their horses across deep water. I felt disappointed but also a tiny bit relieved that we were keeping our hooves on the ground the whole time.

A bull elephant grazing on the edge of the camp.

The second day, I rode Lima, Mabowa's half sister and a decidedly spicier mushroom. When we found ourselves living my dream of cantering with giraffes, she dipped and bucked in gleeful imitation of their long, rolling bodies. I loved her. Over the rest of the week, we also saw wildebeest, ostriches, crocodiles, baboons, fish eagles, hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes, and one badass honey badger. We got charged by an elephant (Rogers had the situation under control) and accidentally flushed three surprised lionesses from the bushes (they bolted away). We did classic safari things too, like drink sundowners and take evening game drives and have a candlelit bush dinner and swim in the camp pool that elephants drank from. But the horses were the heart of it all. When I think back on the Okavango Delta, I picture it from about eight feet off the ground. When I remember cantering along a hippo highway, a mighty heart beating beneath me, I'm reminded again to be grateful for my childhood on horseback, which taught me to make peace with the kind of risk that can result in the most transformative journeys, to seek the rewards that come from just a little bit of boldness.

Recommended

Wilderness Mokete, Botswana: First In

Wilderness Vumbura Plains

Africa Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is a sanctuary for the senses.

A little bit about the Okavango Delta

Where to begin? As soon as your small aircraft lands in this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will see for yourself what makes this part of Africa truly unique.

The Okavango Delta is a 360° panoramic Garden of Eden, with fairytale lagoons, dense forest, extensive savannahs, superb wildlife and over 400 bird species. All accommodations are small scale and personal – you just have to kick back and go with the flow.

Going on a safari in the Okavango Delta

There are some things you need to know before setting off to Okavango Delta in Botswana.

What is the best time to travel to Botswana? Do I need any special equipment? What wildlife will I see? You probably have a lot of questions. Start making your bucket list as you read more about your safari trip in the sections below. Find a question unanswered? Make use of the contact form below and we will be happy to assist you!

About the Okavango Delta

There is no other place in Africa where so many ecosystems seamlessly congregate. Where else can you discover this while sitting in a canoe, poled along by an African gondolier?

Okavango Delta special offers

Waiting for that special offer, one that seems tailor-made for you? Our Okavango Delta deals are outstanding values for the money, so we hope to see you soon!

Getting to the Okavango Delta

Wherever you want to go in the Okavango Delta, it all starts at Maun: a small but bustling town and the capital of the Kalahari Desert. Fly in directly from Johannesburg or Cape Town!

The exquisite food, privacy, the elephant experiences, private game drives and top-notch accommodation, staff (especially manager Aaron) left nothing for us to wish for...

Don't miss the mokoro ride, it's a great opportunity to experience the area a different way.

It was much different than the other safari's we were on, with the safari trips being on water (canoe and boat) or on foot, so we could really examine the wildlife.

Okavango Delta lodges & camps

A personal viewing deck to watch a watering hole attracting thirsty wildlife? Of course. An outdoor shower to start the day in crisp morning dew? No problem. Five star meals served around a crackling fire? Only here.

A head full of amazing memories needs a soft bed for the night. All of our accommodations are luxurious, eco-friendly and provide a true Okavango Delta experience. We love to help you find your home away from home.

• Price $$$$$

Duke's Camp

lodge style A secluded Okavango oasis

Discover Duke's Camp, an exclusive luxury retreat nestled in the heart of the Okavango. Named in honor of its guardian, Sarefo 'Duke' Sarefo, this camp offers unparalleled wildlife experiences and world-class accommodations.

from US$ 934 per person per night

Selinda Camp

lodge style Nourishment for the soul

Where all the splendors of nature come together – water, lush land and African skies - is an exclusive camp. A warm place for families, couples and groups, and perfect for everlasting memories: welcome to Selinda Camp.

from US$ 1,884 per person per night

Camp Okavango

lodge style Relaxing, timeless, African

Enchanting, quiet, and relaxing: Camp Okavango is an unaffected paradise, located on a remote island in the delta. Discover this area by traditional mokoro, motorboat or foot – and be sure you take time to meet Alex, the local hippo.

from US$ 629 per person per night

Pom Pom Camp

lodge style Soulful safari

With an emphasis on a soulful nature experience, the vintage, well-appointed, tented camp Pom Pom Camp couldn’t be in better location: in the heart of the delta, surrounded by crystal clear channels where you will find a tranquil, intimate safari spot.

from US$ 599 per person per night

Zarafa Camp

lodge style Pure perfection

‘Have no fear of perfection, you will never reach it’, as Salvador Dali once stated. At Zarafa Camp, this statement is overthrown. From the views, till the best safari bed and a complimentary professional camera to use: they shouldn’t change a thing.

lodge style Elephant encounters

Trunks, tusks and trumpeting: Abu Camp is where you want to be for a true elephant experience. Located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, you can prepare yourself for some splashing with elephants, so take the plunge into their world.

from US$ 2,490 per person per night

&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

lodge style Spectacular design

Incredible jaw-dropping design, luxurious, modern decorated suites, healthy and nutritious food; this is where you come for around-the-clock pampering and de-stressing, plus the best wildlife viewing in Botswana's spectacular Okavango Delta.

from US$ 1,850 per person per night

&Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

lodge style Welcome home

Nxabega means ‘Place of the Giraffe’, but besides the giraffe, there is big variety of wildlife to be seen around this luxurious, yet warm and neighborly &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp. A bonus: all tents have recently been refurbished!

from US$ 1,270 per person per night

&Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp

lodge style Gentle as a water lily

Located on a Delta island is a wholehearted camp, with the serenity and calmness of a water lily floating in clear Botswana waters: this is Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Unwind and experience a constant flow of African hospitality.

from US$ 1,495 per person per night

Sanctuary lodges

lodge style Sanctuary retreats

Sanctuary Retreats boasts some extraordinary safari lodges in the Okavango Delta: Baines' Camp and Stanley's Camp. Sanctuary offers delightful luxury accommodations provide an elegant contrast to the rugged nature of the Okavango.

from US$ 1,024 per person per night

Moremi Crossing

lodge style Brand-new safari spot

Island camping, motorboat excursions, sunset cruises – become part of the bustling river life at this quaint, new gem in the Okavango Delta. This camp combines the timeless simplicity of nature’s splendour, with the latest eco-friendly techniques.

from US$ 450 per person per night

Duba Plains Camp

lodge style Lion-spotting paradise

Breathtaking, wonderful staff, best safari experience so far – these phrases are just a selection of the reviews written about Duba Plains Camp in the Okavango. Explore this accommodation yourself and discover why everybody wants to return.

Kadizora Camp

lodge style Lavish luxury safari

On a peninsula, beneath a majestic stand of trees, with uninterrupted panoramic vistas of the Okavango Delta, there is a beautiful, new and intimate camp: Kadizora Camp.

from US$ 499 per person per night

Kwando lodges

lodge style Kwando safaris

Kwando Safaris operates two wonderful safari camps in the heart of the Okavango. Kwando offers an unique safari experience - from decor to the amazing attention to detail.

from US$ 864 per person per night

lodge style Solar powered safari

With a personal guide (who grew up in the area) devoted to you throughout your stay, this camp offers a tailor-made safari experience and a homey and laid-back vibe.

from US$ 492 per person per night

Wilderness Safaris lodges

lodge style Wilderness collection

The Wilderness portfolion consists of thirteen wonderful individual properties, so there's always one that suits your taste! Choosing multiple lodges also allows you to see and experience different sections of the Okavango adding to your overall safari experience.

from US$ 679 per person per night

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge

lodge style Unspoilt splendor

This wonderful, far-flung, relaxing African safari retreat is located in one of the most scenic areas of the lush Okavango Delta. At Belmond Eagle Island Camp you will feel like you are walking on air, but realise quickly that floating on water is even better.

from US$ 834 per person per night

Xugana Island Lodge

lodge style Safari serenity

Let Fred, Julia and the dedicated staff embrace you with hospitality and become part of the warm Xugana family. Here, the air is filled with tranquility, hospitality and adventures – a paradise under a canopy of trees where forever cherished memories are made.

Ker & Downey Okavango lodges

Famous for its outstanding safari operations, Ker & Downey Botswana offers a portfolio of four magical Okavango Delta safari lodges. Whether you are staying at Shinde or Kanana, you can rest assured to experience only the best of the Okavango.

from US$ 634 per person per night

&Beyond Xudum Okavango Lodge

lodge style Glamorous gleam

From one of nine rooftop hideoutsa at &Beyond Xudum Okavango Lodge, you will find yourself overlooking a fairy-tale like lagoon with a patchwork of water lilies. In the distance grazing zebras, right behind you a beautiful, luxurious safari suite.

from US$ 989 per person per night

Oddballs Camp & Oddballs Enclave

The two wonderful Oddballs Okavango camps have something to offer for everyone. While Oddballs Camp is world renowned for its perfect setting, Oddballs Enclave -due to its small size- offers the perfect setting for a break with family or friends.

from US$ 318 per person per night

Sandibe is architecturally spectacular and a wonderful place to stay, with excellent food and very accommodating service.

For starters, the food was out-of-this-world good, and the chef (Herman) was unbelievably friendly!

Uncrowded game drives. boat and canoe rides to see elephant, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, wild dogs, lion, cheetah. crocodile, hippo, many birds.

Okavango Delta video

The best way of getting an idea what the Okavango Delta is about is by seeing some incredible footage from the area. View this video of Camp Okavango to experience one of the lodges and wildlfe in the delta.

Be careful, after watching this video you can be sure that you want to travel to Botswana. Today.

We so enjoyed the boat trips, big and small, the helicopter ride was the BEST and a must, and sundowners on the overlooking the delta were great.

As we were in our boat, just as the sun was going down, a male elephant came out of the reeds and crossed the lagoon right next to us - simply magical.

This area of the Okavango is stunning, with both deep water channels and open park-like grasslands with beautiful trees that go on forever. Watching the red lechwe fly over the water is grace itself.

Send your enquiry

We hope you have found all information needed to decide that Okavango Delta is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or maybe you would like some more specific information about the different lodges? Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon!

• Maun, Botswana
• [email protected]

• +44 (0) 1905 388977
• Private space
• EUR  €
• USD  $

From the horse’s mouth

• Kujwana July 2023 Harriet aged 30 Absolutely amazing trip, the horses were amazing and the staff were all so nice and helpful. The guides were incredibly knowledgable and kept us safe whilst out riding. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip! I rode 4 horses over the week which was great, all were excellent. My favourite was Lima who i got to ride... Read all
• Kujwana October 2017 Lucy aged 64 Our holiday at Kujwana/Moklowane Camps with Okavango Horse Safaris was fantastic. We rode some lovely horses, rangy thoroughbred homebreds who were well looked after and very fit so perfect for the climate. We were looked after very well by PJ, Barney and all their team. We saw lots of giraffe, elephant, different... Read all

Day 1 1 : OVERNIGHT FLIGHT TO JOHANNESBURG

Day 2 2 : johannesburg - maun - okavango - 1-2 hours riding, day 3 3 : qwaapu - 4 hours riding, day 4 4 : xudum - 4 hours riding, day 5 5: matsebe river - 5-6 hours riding, day 6 6 : kujwana - mokolwane - 4 hours riding, day 7 7 : mokolwane - kujwana - 2 hours riding, day 8 8 : hippo channels - 5-6 hours riding, day 9 9 : okavango - maun - johannesburg - 1.5 hours riding, day 10 10 : arrival home or beginning of your extention, dates & prices, price details, price includes, support team.

• Accommodation

Price doesn't include

Equestrian info, guide & local team, minimum riding ability, tacking ability and participation, trip conditions and requested experience, equestrian equipment, travel info, packing list, sustainable tourism.

• Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
• Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
• Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
• Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
• Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
• Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

Did you know?

Kujwana's horses are the heart and soul of their riding safari and a number are now home-breds. PJ's lead horse Lamu was originally bought as a gelding but it was soon discovered that he wasn't! A beautiful chestnut Saddle-bred he has been used on a number of their mares with great success. 

The herd is comprised of ex-racehorses from Zimbabwe, impeccably bred Arabians from South Africa and local Boerperds. PJ and Barney now have a string of over 60 horses chosen for their temperament and suitability. When they are not on safari, the horses are free to graze loose on the grassy molapos of the Delta. A truly fabulous sight! 

On the blog

Customer reviews.

• Local guide

Contact an advisor

The world's best destinations to explore on horseback

T here’s nothing quite like sauntering through the wilderness on horseback, at one with the animal below you and the world around you. You'll almost certainly cover more ground than if you were on foot, you'll probably see more wildlife and closer up, and you'll have a great vantage point. Dependent on your riding experience, you can tackle mountain passes, join a cattle round-up or canter along a deserted beach. The options are limitless.

Whether you’re getting in the saddle for the first time, or are ready to take your skills to the next level, do get some practice in first – your legs and posterior will thank you!

1. Western Riding, USA

Indulge your cowboy/girl fantasies. Western riding is perfect for everyone, not least because the huge saddles keep you very secure. Beginners find it much more comfortable too, and – lets face it – we all look cool in a Stetson. Stay on an authentic ranch, whether in Montana, Wyoming or the deserts of the south-west, and you can round up cattle, learn to lasso, or simply relax on a trail ride. 

Utah   is a particular favourite for any level of rider, its magnificent red-rock scenery just screaming to be explored.  Bryce Canyon's spectacular maze of red spires and hoodoos are arguably best discovered on horseback and it even has dedicated horse trails. You can ride into the heart of the Bryce Canyon amphitheatre or follow the tracks of Butch Cassidy through scenic Red Canyon. Alternatively, if in the Kanab area and you want an exclusive experience, take a  90-minute trail ride  through privately-owned and very beautiful Cave Lakes Canyon. 

2. South Africa

Can't choose between going on a ranching holiday or going on a riding safari? Well, how about combining both?  Horizon Horseback  is based on the Triple B Ranch in the malaria-free Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. This is an unspoilt part of the country but just two or three hours north of Johannesburg. All standards of rider, from complete beginners upwards, are catered for, and horsey activities on offer include horse-back safaris, polocrosse, western games, cattle mustering and swimming with your horse.

The best way to explore the Land of Fire and Ice is by doing it the way the locals have for centuries: by horseback. The purebred horses here were brought by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago and are small (but never call them a pony!), tough and a lot of fun. Uniquely they also have a fourth gait known as the  tolt , which is incredibly fast and comfortable. Trot through the rugged lunar landscapes, past volcanoes and glaciers, in search of trolls. Or visit in autumn to join the great sheep and horse round-ups.

4. Andalucia, Spain

Riding is ingrained in Spanish culture, and there are few finer sights than a noble Andalucian stallion prancing proudly along. These are the horses of many a child's dreams, beautiful and brave, with flowing manes and tails. You'll find yourself sitting straight-backed and haughty, like the Spanish  caballeros , as you explore the wild sierras, rugged coast or pine forests of southern Spain.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

Trekking the Inca Trail is  so  last year. For a  very different experience , ride a sure-footed steed in the Inca's footsteps, along narrow mountain paths, over the Salkantay Pass and along the route towards Machu Picchu (transfer the last section by train). At night you stay in luxurious lodges, soaking away your aches and pains in an outdoor jacuzzi or a sauna, before a fine meal. The horses are keen but well-trained Quarter horses. Note: although the horse is taking the strain, you will still need to be reasonably fit (and confident in the saddle), but this will be an experience to remember.

6. Macedonia

Small but perfectly formed, the Balkan country of North Macedonia is mountainous and untramelled, begging to be explored by horseback. Beautiful Mavrovo National Park is home to bears, wolves and lynx, as well as a great  horseriding company . Horseman Vasko Velisovski is brilliant at matching riders with the right horse for them, most of which are kind and tough, and equipped with comfy Western saddles. The terrain is a mix of forest paths and high meadows, and you're guaranteed a lot of fun. Combine your trip with some of the country's other highlights such as a lakeside stay at UNESCO-listed Ohrid and you'll be in paradise. 

7. Botswana

The ultimate riding experience is a safari with a difference. The Okavango Delta has carved out a reputation for exhilarating riding adventures. One of the joys of being on horseback is that you can get closer to wildlife, meaning that on a riding safari you can approach giraffes, canter alongside zebras and track elephants. But, given the critters you might meet (including lions) you really do need to be an experienced rider so that you're capable – if need be - of galloping out of danger! After a day splashing through the Delta’s waterways, and cantering across open plains you relax with a sundowner in luxury bush-camps.

The Land of the Pharoahs is on nearly every one's travel bucket list and for good reason. Egypt's ancient sites are magical and leave a lasting impression. But Egypt's beautiful and spirited horses are rather magical too. Channel your adventurous side by exploring the pyramids by horseback - much more comfortable and exhilarating than riding a camel. But a true explorer should look at the trips offered by  Ride Egypt .  Its portfolio of tours cover everything from the pyramids to the Red Sea, but we particularly like the look of its multiday  Tombs, Dunes and Kingdoms  expedition which takes in the Giza Plateau, Faynoum Oasis, the UNESCO-listed Wadi El Hitan and Luxor's incredible Valley of the Kings. You'll get to visit some of the country's most famous sites but also get immersed in spellbinding desert landscapes that most visitors don't get to see. 

Wanderlust's  Lyn Hughes   has ridden horses in over 50 countries around the world. Despite this (and owning her own horse) her riding hasn't improved. But she does believe that if she can do it, anyone can.