Our horse riding safaris are based at Macatoo Camp, situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta. Covering 17,000 km sq, the Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world, a mix of labyrinth channels, palm fringed islands and fertile floodplains.

Trapped in the parched sands of the Kalahari desert, it is a magnet for the wildlife who depend on the delta's life giving waters. More than 400 species of resident and migrant birds, lions, elephant, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles congregate with a variety of antelope and smaller animals - warthog, mongoose, genets, monkeys and bushbabies to name a few - the ultimate landscape for a horse safari adventure!

The main attraction of a horse safari is the joy of riding good horses over superb country, with just about every landscape dotted with game. The riding is varied, sometimes quietly walking, stalking big game and admiring the bird life, sometimes cantering through the water-meadows alongside galloping giraffe and lechwe. There are over 40 horses at the camp with every one trained to meet your need on an african horse safari in the Okavango Delta.

Typically safaris are 7-nights or longer, enabling you to experience the Okavango in depth by staying out at our mobile fly-camp - weather permitting.

Safari Riding Information
We spend 4 to 6 hours a day in the saddle with groups of no more than 7 guests. You will need to feel confident about keeping up with the group, capable of riding at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter. 

You may be required to gallop out of trouble, so we can not take beginners. Riders should be aged12 years and over and anyone over 60 needs to be riding fit and strong. There is a maximum weight limit of 15 stone, 210lbs or 95kgs. Over this, you will need to enquire, but only if you are an advanced rider. It will be at the discretion of the company whether novice riders will be permitted to ride, taking into consideration their safety and enjoyment and that of the group as a whole. Everyone is required to complete our riding questionnaire. Horses include a variety of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanovarians, Arabs and Kalahari-Arabs crosses, ranging from 14 - 16.2 hands (140-165cm). There is a choice of English and Western style trail saddles, each with their own water bottle.

Many insurance companies will not insure your holiday unless you are wearing a hard hat or safety helmet whilst in the saddle. It is your responsibility to provide your own properly fitted hard hat or safety helmet.

Some experience of horseback riding is required. Please refer to the criteria below if you are unsure. Should you have any other questions regarding horseback safaris or any of of Mud Hut Travel's safaris, tours or packages, please contact us.

DAY 1: On arrival in Maun, you are met and transferred by plane and a game drive to our camp which overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon. After lunch under the trees, there is usually time for a rest before the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. We return to a candle-lit dinner.

DAY 2: Awoken by a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast we then ride westwards following elephant trails from one palm island to another, through seas of grass, into the backcountry. After lunch and a siesta, we ride out into the plains, later enjoying a refreshing drink while the sun goes down.

DAY 3: We leave camp early to investigate fresh game tracks, joining the rare semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe, as they thunder through the water meadows. A champagne breakfast is waiting for us under a large baobab tree. The evening ride is spent exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, we have drinks around the fire.

DAY 4: We ride through different country, making our way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains dotted with fig trees. We might encounter giraffe or shyer antelope while passing through mopane woodlands. Our pace increases as we break out onto the flood plains, often disturbing troops of baboons. Returning to the camp for an afternoon spent at leisure and later a night drive by spotlight.

DAY 5: While staff pack up, we leave for our fly-camp riding deeper into the heart of the delta. On reaching another river system we find our fly camp already set up, looking out over a favourite elephant watering hole. We stay here for a one night bush experience. The afternoon may be spent swimming or walking. Fires are lit at night, creating a strong human presence to keep marauding animals away from the horses. Night watches are fun and guests usually join in.

DAY 6: Having kept watch under the stars, the next morning we splash through water on the vast open plains, home to wildebeeste and zebra. The riding may be fast as we approach deep reedy areas full of bird life. After our break, we ride back to Macatoo along the myriad of waterways lined with large trees.

DAY 7: Your last full day's riding in this magical place takes you cantering through the shallow flood plains, admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here, the buffalo gather in numbers and we have to creep up to them using islands for cover. The evening offers a last quiet ride with memorable smells of sage as the sun goes down with final sundowners in a surprising location.

DAY 8: For your final ride, we will go along some of the high palm islands which offer great vistas. We'll maybe take a final exhilarating gallop and run with the game before returning to camp to prepare for your onward journey.

WHEN TO GO:
June/July/August:
Temperature: Day 20C – 25C, Night 3-5C
Weather: This is our winter and can be chilly/cold in the early morning and evenings – warm in the middle of the day.
Habitat: Bush getting drier except around the edges of the islands where the green shoots start to come through.
Water: The water is at its highest levels, so plenty around to ride through and go boating on either in the motor boat or mokoro (canoe).
Game: Large herds of lechwe forming in the wetlands and perhaps hippo and crocodile in the area. Good potential for buffalo sightings with impala, tsessebe, kudu etc moving inland on islands.
Clothing: Splashproof jacket, a warm fleece/sweater for evenings and 1pr long rubber riding boots plus one other pair of riding footwear.

September/October:
Temperature: Day 30-45C, Night 15-25C
Weather: Winter is over and it gets progressively hotter building up to the first rains, which clear the hazy days and the skies are big and beautiful. Trees come into flower and then leaves go green and fruits grow. Evenings are warm and the plunge pool gets a lot of use!
Habitat: Bush is dry and grass short.
Water: The floodwater normally stays around the camp area until October - but this, of course, depends on how big the flood was to start with. As the floodplain water recedes, drinking pools of water remain - hopefully until the next rains come!
Game: The game now tends to concentrate as the water sources lessen - often big herds of buffalo, elephant and with shorter grass more plains game can be seen. More likely to see wild dog as well as the cats who favour dry savannah such as cheetah. Young giraffe and lechwe; hyenas more evident cooling off in the pools.
Clothing: Lightweight riding gear, a fleece/sweater and swimmers.

What is included in this tour:
• Fully inclusive of all accommodation, activities, meals, beverages (within reason) and VAT

What is NOT included in this tour:
• Visas, travel and medical insurance - which is essential
• Transport from your home to Maun and return
• Charter flight from Maun to camp
• Gratuities for camp staff and guides
• Purchases from the “bush boutique” such as caps, shirts and toiletries

ALL OUR TOURS CAN BE ENTIRELY CUSTOM MADE TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR VISIT OUR HORSE BACK SAFARI PAGE.