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Where:
Macatoo
Camp - the base for the Horseback Safari is located in the south western most
region of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, below the bit of Namibia
that looks like a skinny leg and foot that pokes out towards Zambia. The safari
is run in the 500,000 acre southern portion of the Abu concession. This area
is dominated by flood plains and the palm islands that are typical of areas
reliant on the annual flooding of the Delta. The camp has to be accessed by
light aircraft from Maun or Kasane. The flight to the bush airstrip takes
about 45 min from Maun - add 40 min from Kasane. The 1.5 hour journey from
the airstrip to camp is the start of your Botswana horseback safari. Dependent
on the floods the modes of transport differ from vehicle to boat or a combination
of the two.
What:
This safari is on horseback with one main daily outride of about four to five hours and a shorter ride of one to two hours on some of the evenings of the safari. This is a safari experience perfect for those who like to ride. The safari is also suitable for non riders (other daily safaris can be laid on) but to get the most from this experience you need to ride.
Game
viewing is dependent on the annual flood levels in this area of Botswana. During the summer months
- November to May (raining but no annual floodwaters) the plains species of
zebra, wildebeest and impala are prominent. In the winter months - June to
October (no rain, but annual floodwaters) the floodplain species like lechwe
are more prominent. Big game like elephant, giraffe and some predators are
present year round.
The Botswana horseback safari as an experience is far more intense and slower paced than a vehicle safari and even some walking safaris. The riding party gets plenty of time to enjoy an environment free of vehicle noise while still covering longer distances than you could on foot. The different paces of the outride - from a walk to a gallop (Tally Ho-ing!!!!! on the flood plains) tend to get the pulse racing.
With most riders having great respect for their mounts and usually being very in tune with the horse, the slower pace of a horseback safari gives an opportunity to experience the bush as an "animal". A unique experience when you consider that every other safari experience is based around the participant being a 'voyeur' rather than part of the herd.
If you or your partner is not very keen on horses and is not a competent "English style" horse person - then this is not the safari for you. There are plenty of other safari camps that don't involve horses that cost only half the price of this experience.
How long:
The
Horseback Safari experience is best suited to seven nights and eight days.
It is possible to arrange shorter trips depending on the number of riders
in your party. Three nights and four days is better suited if only half of
your party are riders. The seven nights is ideal if the whole party are equestrians.
The safari is not really for big groups as the camp only sleeps 12 people.
Generally most of our bookings are for couples who share the camp with others.
The daily schedule of the Botswana horseback safari is fairly inflexible in each of the seasons - principally for security reasons - no riding after dark or before dawn. The routine tends to work out as follows - predawn wake up call with coffee/tea, meet at the mess tent for light breakfast and then head off for a long outride when the sun is up, return to camp for brunch and siesta during the heat of the day. Meet at the mess tent for high tea mid afternoon and then head out on an afternoon/evening safari - this could be a ride, a walk, a game drive or a boat trip. Dinner is served in the safari camp mess tent at about 8pm most evenings.
Who:
This
present day Botswana horseback safari concept was conceived by Sarah-Jane
Gullick in 1997 after she had set up similar equestrian operations in other
parts of southern Africa. The responsibilities of the horseback safari are
split into two distinct areas.
The camp is managed by Debbie and Graham, who host in great style with plenty of help from the team. Sarah-Jane also lends a hand when she is in camp - not so often these days - but the day to day running of camp is left to the team. The safari camp team is backed up by Dany, Vivian and Khutsi in the Maun office - tough job having to ensure supply lines for horses and people stay open.
The bush and horse aspect of the horseback safari fall into the domain of the guides - Bongwe and Gerri and the grooms/back-up guides/scouts who are headed up by Mod. This whole team is Motswana and are some of the most brilliant horse folk you could ever hope to meet.
Camp:
The
seven large accommodation tents of Macatoo Camp are located on the edge of
a floodplain under some large shady wild fig and Jackalberry trees. The tents
are laid out on either side of the main mess tent where meals are taken and
the bar is located. The camp does also have a small pool that helps when the
weather gets hot.
The insect proofed tents are built on the ground and are large enough to stand upright in and are equipped with proper beds, linen, duvets and pillows. The bathrooms are en suite with hot and cold running water. The camp relies on battery powered lights at night and the hot water is gas heated.
| Facilities | Description |
| Safaris | Main daily riding safari for 4 or 5 hours |
| Afternoon safari 2 to 3 hours - horse, boat, vehicle, walk options | |
| Evening and night game drives are offered |
| Tents | 7 Semi permanent tents |
| Tents are insect proofed with mosquito netting | |
| Tents contain 2 x 3/4 beds and mattresses with linen and duvet | |
| Insect repellent is supplied | |
| Torch is supplied |
| Bathrooms | En suite bathrooms |
| Hot and cold running water in camp | |
| Toilet is flush style toilet | |
| Showers are conventional but open air | |
| Hot water is gas heated |
| Meals and drink | 2 main meals a day - brunch and dinner |
| 2 light meals a day - early breakfast and afternoon tea | |
| Meals are prepared from fresh and cooked in kitchen | |
| Bottled water is supplied | |
| Most local branded drinks are included in the price |
| Power | Rechargeable batteries used for radios and camp logistics |
| Solar panels and diesel generator used to charge batteries | |
| Gas to cook and heat water | |
| Battery powered lights in camp and the tents |
| General | Malarial area - we recommend prophylactics be taken |
| Closest doctor is in Maun 45min flight away | |
| Closest big hospital - in Johannesburg 3 hours flying |
Meals and drinks:
The kitchen of this horseback safari camp is "manned - so to speak" by Tracy and Lydia. These two Motswana ladies have trained at the catering school in Maun. Lydia, who has also worked at the local Indian in Maun is very talented - so keep a lookout for the curries, they are delicious. I do like my high tea and these two ladies do know how to lay on a high tea in style.
The
light breakfast early in the morning normally consists of fruit, cereal/porridge,
tea and coffee and homemade rusks. If you feel that you won't be able to last
until brunch time, pack a few pieces of fruit into your riding gear. Brunch
has the normal breakfast foods with some salads and dinner is three tasty
courses.
Meals are normally served in the mess tent by Shadrack and Sandra, both of whom are also quick to help with an empty glass. Some days there are surprise bush brunches and bush dinners served away from the camp kitchen - with most of the food cooked over an open fire.
Safaris:
As mentioned earlier, this horseback safari is very much more enjoyable for a competent equestrian and all riders will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about their riding skill and experience before their booking is accepted. The minimum skill and fitness levels required are :- to ride at all paces including a controlled gallop and to be able to ride in a group of six riders for up to six hours a day. Please note, no 'western style only' riders will be accepted.
36
horses grace the camp and are housed in a lion proofed barn beyond tent one.
The horses are a mixture of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanoverian, Arabs and
Kalahari-Arab crossbreeds - all are between 14 and 16 hands tall. The horses
come from a number of different backgrounds - polo cross, eventing, show jumping
and a few are fresh off the farm. All the horses have been re-trained to suit
the conditions and the style of riding. The horses are changed for every ride
- so no horse does more than 6 hours a day - and they get 1 day off a week.
When not out on a ride, the horses are grazed within a lion proof moveable
electric fence - this allows the "paddock" and horses to be moved
to fresh grazing every few days. The horses are tended by six grooms four
of whom also double as back up guides and scouts on the rides.
The
safari base camp operates on a routine of an early morning horseback riding safari that is about
five hours in duration. The camp usually sends out two morning rides a day
with up to six riders on each ride - generally levels of skill are grouped
together. The direction and emphasis of the safari will be decided at a light
breakfast just after sunrise where Bongwe and Gerri will outline the terrain
that each of the rides will cover for the morning and the style/pace of riding
that will be required. This can vary from a relaxed walk - on the palm islands
and near wildlife - to an adrenaline filled canter across a floodplain covered
with three inches of water, to wading through water stirrup-deep. These morning
horseback safari rides normally end back at camp with a hearty brunch.
The
afternoon safaris can vary from a slow relaxed ride to a leg stretching walk
to meet up with a vehicle at sunset or an afternoon game drive. Generally
the safari will set off at about 4.30 pm and last for about two hours. It
is not possible or safe to ride after dark. Generally this is the time that
the predators are active and looking for prey - so a good time to be back
in camp or on a vehicle. A game drive after sunset is fantastic, the vehicle
is equipped with a powerful spotlight that enables you to view wildlife -
particularly nocturnal animals - as they interact with their surroundings.
There is also the option of a boat trip and fishing during the floods, however
this is dependent on the conditions.
Riding
a horse in an environment where the chances of interacting with dangerous
wildlife are high does require that you acknowledge the risks involved and
listen to the experts - your guides. Each ride will have three staff in accompaniment
- a lead guide, a back-up guide and a scout. All of the guides/scouts will
be armed when you are out on safari. The lead guide will be carrying a rifle, the back up guide will be carrying a shotgun and the scout will have bear
bangers (small pencil flare like stun grenades). The guides have extensive
bush and horse experience and know how to deal with potentially dangerous
situations. It is very important that they can trust the rider's skill and
nerve to obey an instruction in a pressure situation - keep this in mind when
you consider booking a trip.
If on a seven night horseback safari holiday between March and October (not raining), there is a very good chance that riders will have the opportunity to fly camp for 1 night in the bush. This involves riding out in the morning and arriving in the mobile camp for brunch cooked on the open fire. The horses are watered, tended and picketed, and the afternoon is spent in a deck chair or hammock reading or sleeping. The afternoon safari is a game drive or boat trip depending on the flood levels, returning to the mobile camp at sunset for dinner. Beds are laid out under the trees and covered with a hanging mosquito net, however most riders choose to get involved with standing guard during the night and keeping an eye open for the horses who are tethered in picket lines. After a light breakfast the morning ride returns to the main camp for brunch.
Equipment:
The important thing with equipment is - ride in what you are comfortable - do not try to change from what you are used to doing when riding at home, so if you ride in jodhpurs at home, ride in jodhpurs on this horseback safari.
Footwear - Riders will need 2 sets of light riding shoes in case one set gets wet and needs to dry. Do not bring your leather boots as they just will get messed up, rubber riding boots are quite good if you are comfortable in them.
Clothing
- You will need to have clothing that is bush coloured and fast drying - greens,
browns and khakis. Try to avoid white, red, yellow and orange as these will
not help you blend in. We suggest that you wear long trousers for the riding
as these offer extra protection for your legs from bites and scratches. Guys
if you wear jodhpurs at home - with leg hair protecting stockings underneath
- please find unpadded cycling shorts for the same purpose - stockings will
be too hot in the bush. Half chaps can be borrowed from the camp, but please
bring your own if you would like to. Long sleeved shirts with collars are
also useful to keep the sun off during the day and insects in the evening.
We also recommend a fishing jacket with lots of pockets or a bum bag - this
just gives you places to store stuff when on horseback. A good hat is very
important, especially if you are challenged - in the hair follicle department
- like Iain is. Riding helmets are not supplied nor are they obligatory, however
we do recommend you use one, so if you wish to wear a helmet please bring
your own - this is the rider's responsibility. If you choose not to wear the
helmet, we suggest a broad brimmed 'cricket style' hat (again a muted colour
is important) with a string to keep it from flying off at a gallop - a baseball
cap is also useful when you are on the vehicle as it does not get in the way.
Riding gloves are useful. If you use them at home, bring these with you. A
good pair of sunglasses is also good for both glare and dust - we suggest
that you use polarised lenses if you can.
We always take our "Leatherman tools" - a sort of tough Swiss Officer's knife - on safaris and walks with us. These tools are fantastic and really handy - from popping a blister or repairing a boot to opening a cold beer - we try not to leave home without one.
Camera and binoculars - One of the most important pieces of equipment you can have when you are on this horseback safari is a top quality pair of binoculars. The best makes are Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss - these makes have top quality lens and the products are tough enough to be knocked around a bit without falling to pieces. The magnification you are looking for on a good pair of binos is about 10x40. This allows enough light into the lens for the amount of magnification - giving the user a clear image.
Without getting into the digital vs film debate for SLR's, I would suggest one of the top brands of camera body - Canon, Leica, Nikon or Pentax. I use an Nikon or Canon body. More important than the camera bodies are the lenses - these are what light has to pass to get to the film or memory chip in the camera body - if you have poor lenses it is far more difficult to take top pictures. I suggest that you look to take 3 basic lenses on safari. A short lens - 35mm, a medium zoom lens -70 to 210mm zoom and a longer fixed lens, say about 300mm. The F-stop of these lens is quite important if you are planning to be serious about your photography - the lower the F-stop, the greater use the lens will have. I usually take a small digital for people and location photographs and the SLR's for the juicy stuff.
Please bring splash proof bags for your cameras and binoculars ('Ziplocs' work well), you will need them - particularly if your horseback safari is during the Botswana floods.
Chat to Iain if you have any further questions about what equipment you should carry on the Botswana horseback safari.
Prices and season:
Botswana is an expensive destination and the Horseback safari is no exception to this. The high season tends to be the dry months when the flood waters get to the Okavango Delta - July, August, September and October. It does seem strange that this period is the northern hemisphere summer holidays - maybe I am just a cynic! The Botswana horseback safari is operated year round.
Details |
Prices
in USD |
| Flights to Macatoo Camp |
| Flight Maun/Macatoo | $ 220 per seat |
| Flight Kasane/Macatoo | $ 345 per seat |
| Flight Okavango camp/Macatoo | $ 220 per seat |
| Flight Linyanti camp/Macatoo | $ 265 per seat |
| Luggage Limit in light aircraft | 12.5kg per passenger |
| Excess luggage can be stored securely in Maun | At own risk |
| Suggest riders wear their boots for the flight |
| Macatoo Camp daily rate |
| Macatoo Camp 01 January to 30 April 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 450 per person sharing |
| Macatoo Camp 01 May to 30 June 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 545 per person sharing |
| Macatoo Camp 01 July to 31 October 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 640 per person sharing |
| Macatoo Camp 01 Nov to 30 December 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 450 per person sharing |
| Macatoo Camp 7 day packages: including flights to and from Maun / Okavango camps |
| Footsteps Camp 01 January to 30 April 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 3360 per person sharing |
| Footsteps Camp 01 May to 30 June 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 3990 per person sharing |
| Footsteps Camp 01 July to 31 October 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 4620 per person sharing |
| Footsteps Camp 01 to 30 November 2008 - all inclusive* | $ 3360 per person sharing |
| Single supplement year round 2008 | Daily rate + 50% |
| Macatoo Camp Riders policy |
| No Children under the age of 16 years | over 16's charged full price |
| Over 60's need to be riding fit and strong | |
| No riders over 15 stone/210 lbs/95 kg's accepted | Riders will be weighed |
| Competent "English style " riders | Riders to fill in questionnaire |
| Riding helmets are not supplied but are recommended | Helmet is rider's responsibility |
| Half chaps can be borrowed in camp |
Booking:
| Booking information |
| horsebacksafari@walkingwithwildlife.com | |
| Telephone UK | +44 (0)781 889 1847 |
| Payment | Full payment required in advance |
| Credit cards, cheque and bank transfers accepted | |
| Any camp extras are settled in cash on departure | |
| US$, GB£, Euros and Botswana Pula are accepted | |
| Travellers cheques are accepted |