11 days Okavango Horseback Safaris

Day 1:

You are met at Maun Airport by our representative and transferred by light aircraft to Xudum airstrip, a 25 minute flight. There is then a transfer/ game drive to camp, which takes about an hour. As an alternative, you cab be transferred by light aircraft to Xaxacaba Airstrip where you would are met by the helicopter - a 12 minute scenic flight which brings you directly into camp. Arrival at camp is in time for lunch, and then an introductory talk, complete with demonstration on tack, and advice on game viewing from horseback. In the afternoon, you enjoy an orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours.

Day 2:

An early start this morning, with wake up 1 hour before dawn – as the best game viewing is early in the day. You will wade through lush green malapos (grassy ‘valleys’) that lead you from Falcon to Falcon. Surprise a timid bushbuck out his dense cover on a heavily wooded Falcon, or enjoy the lechwe and zebra moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch, and an early afternoon siesta. In the later afternoon there is a game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light.

Day 3:

Today you will ride east towards Beacon and Lion Islands. These are two very large islands in the area which are cut off from Kujwana Camp by the Xwaapu River. The area is criss-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans. This is a great contrast to the open flood plains. Mopane forests and Acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for kudu and giraffe. Breeding herds of elephant enjoy the security of the dense forest. Animal tracks abound telling you of what has been and gone - or what you might still find. This afternoon you have the chance to out on a bird walk.

Day 4:

Ride north east today towards Moremi Game Reserve. This area forms seasonal marsh land and hosts a variety of exceptional bird life. Wildlife moves freely to and from the Reserve and surrounding areas. This is definitely good buffalo and elephant country. In the afternoon there is a game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light.

Day 5:

There is a full day’s ride moving from Kiri/ Xwaapu to Kujwana camp today. This area is on the edge of the permanent water with papyrus beds and deep lagoons. Good area for hippo and lechwe. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on a shady Falcon. Return to Kujwana camp in the cool of the late afternoon.

Day 6:

This is a rest day for the guests riding for 10 days. You have the option to game drive, walk, mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) or view a water hole from the hide. There is a short afternoon ride.

Day 7:

A full morning ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numerous hippo channels eventually lead you onto Baobab Falcon. This good cheetah country, and is also a breeding grounds for carmine bee eaters (a summer visitor). Baobab Falcon has thick riverine forest and is a good area for elephant and buffalo. This afternoon there is a game drive, which returns to camp after dark.

Day 8:

A long day in the saddle – with a move from Kujwana to Mokolwane Camp. The ride is approximately 30 kilometres, and the route moves through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe River system. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a shady Falcon. You will arrive at Camp at about sunset.

Day 9:

The day starts with a morning game ride. As the camp is on the Matsebe river system, it features wide open flood plains interspersed with mokolwane palms - favourite food of elephant and baboon. This is also a good area for plains game. In the afternoon, there is a short mokoro excursion.

Day 10:

Another full day of riding, as you travel from Mokolwane to Kujwana Camp, enjoying a picnic lunch along the away. In total this is a 40 kilometre ride, with about 4 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon. This ride moves through a variety of game areas fording the Xudum River at numerous hippo channels. You arrive at Kujwana at sunset.

Day 11:

If time permits, there is an early morning game ride out of Kujwana Camp, before your light aircraft flight. You will have breakfast in Camp, before the transfer back to the airstrip, for the onward flight.

Itinerary Options:

5 night/ 6 day itinerary

If you don’t have too much time, you can enjoy a shorter trip – and there is a choice of the first 5 nights of the 10 night itinerary, and the itinerary finishes on day 6 after a morning ride, and breakfast.

7 night/ 8 day itinerary

You might also wish to try the 7 night itinerary, which usually starts on day 1 of the 10 night trip, and which allows stays at 2 Camps, thus giving you the opportunity to explore more areas.