Description
African Horse Back Safaris
Based at Macatoo Camp African Horseback Safaris is situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta.
Trapped in the parched sands of the Kalahari desert, the Delta is a magnet for the wildlife who depend on its 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 main attraction of an African Horseback safaris 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 8 recent arrivals from Namibia including a spirited Palomino and a statuesque Friesian Cross.
Whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or as part of a larger group, your time spent around the camp fire, drinking sun downers on the deck, or dining al fresco will mean you are sure to acquire new friends during your stay at Macatoo.
Prior to your early morning ride you will be woken just before dawn by a tent lady bearing gifts of tea or coffee, and there will be time for a slice of home made toast or a bowl of fruit before you set off. On your return, late in the morning, you may wish to have a quick shower before indulging in Lydia's mouth-watering array of lunchtime fare.
A siesta now beckons, whilst the sun is at its strongest, but sunbathing by the plunge pool, a good book, sorting through your photos or watching the wildlife on the plains in front of the camp are popular alternatives.
Tea is served prior to your evening ride or drive, and on your return there is time for a sun downer and shower before dinner is announced.
The menu is varied and excellent, accompanied by attentive staff and a good selection of South African wines. Much time is spent re-living the events of the day, with the occasional myth creeping in too!
You will spend 4 to 6-hours a day in the saddle with groups of no more than 7 guests and 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 aged 12 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.
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. We cannot accept any liability whatsoever for head injuries sustained as a result of ignoring this advice.
http://www.golden-okavango.com/horsea.html
African Animal Adventure Safaris
Come horseback riding on one of the largest saltpans on earth, hidden within Botswana’s vast Kalahari Desert.
Your trip begins at Gweta, 200km to the East of Maun, the gateway to the Pans, where you will be transferred by 4x4 vehicle to the horses, which are based at the edge of the giant Ntwetwe Pans. This drive through the vast mopane forests and open grass plains brings you to the kraal where your guide and horses will be waiting for you to go out and get your first taste of one of the most spectacular places on earth. A bleached white expanse of salt pans, stretching as far as the eye can see, surrounded by endless grass plains and riverine tree lines, the Makgadikgadi Pans can only be described as magical.
The first evening ride takes you from the cattle post across the grass plains to the Pans as the sun sets upon your back. Head out further onto the pans under the moonlight where you will find Star’s Camp – a truly luxurious setting deep on the Pans with a bathroom offering hot showers and ‘the throne’, open-air bedrooms with everything from carpets, sumptuously cosy beds and bedside lanterns. You will enjoy a five-course dinner under the classic candle chandelier, with fine South African wines, and drinks around a roaring fire. The horses are there as well, spending the night grazing peacefully on the nearby grass island.
The next morning after breakfast continue exploring the Pans riding to the west of Star’s Camp and visit a sweet water seep where there are often herds of zebra and dozens of ostrich slacking their thirst amongst the resident herds of semi wild horses and cattle - Quite a sight to see!
You will return to Star’s Camp for lunch and a well-earned afternoon rest under the Bedouin awnings. There are also quad bikes, land yachts and power kites for those who wish to try out some other activities or perhaps a little polo-X for the riders. Much later in the afternoon you will head out on horseback to enjoy another wonderful meal under a clear sparkling African night sky.
Bright and early, after a wholesome breakfast you will get to spend the morning exploring the Pans and the ancient riverine tree lines to the east of camp, another area never visited by tourists and still totally untouched by any form of first world human influence. Have one final lookout for stone-age tools and flints on the Pans crusty surface, or try your hand at some cattle herding before bidding farewell and transferring back to Gweta and beyond.
The horses are of mixed local breeds, and are very easy going and simple to ride. Having been raised in the desert, they are hardy and fit.
There is a lot of Arab and Warm Blood influence in the bloodlines and this makes them wonderful riding horses. As you will not riding in Big Game country, non-experienced riders are welcomed, as well as children (minimum age 8). For more experienced riders: the going is good and the wide-open pans allow guests to have some superb canters!! Whilst there is not the dubious pleasure of meeting lion on the rides, we often see zebra, ostrich, small plains game, elephant and interesting bird life, some of which is not found elsewhere.
There is a mixture of English and Western saddles so the choice is yours! The ride distances and pace are governed by your riding ability and fitness, but generally you will be in the saddle for approx 3 hours at a time. We attempt at all times to ensure that experienced and non-experienced riding groups are not mixed, unless of course you are all part of the same party. Our maximum number of riders is 6, excluding your guide. We also have no problem with accommodating non-riders as part of your group – they are most welcome to travel on our vehicles to get to camp/dinner spots, and we can arrange other activities such as quad bikes, power kites and land yachts for them.
As the Makgadikgadi Pans are only accessible in our winter months when there is no rain, you can do your trip anytime between April and October. The winters are comfortably warm and sunny in the day (averaging 24 deg C), but at night the temperatures drop dramatically in the desert (as low as -5 deg C). As this is a mobile camp, please keep your luggage to a minimum. We suggest you bring some seriously warm jackets, gloves etc for the evenings and early morning riding, sunscreen, and small cameras that are easy to ride with or slip into our saddlebags.
There is full radio back up to Gweta and all rides are conducted by a qualified guide with a hand held radio and GPS. Hard hats are also supplied.
Please make sure you all have valid medical insurance that covers you all for horse riding and any other extra activities you may be interested in. Please note we have a maximum weight limit of 95kg.
http://www.golden-okavango.com/horseb.html
Safaris follow ethical guiding practices, and we can reaveal to the visitor aspects of Botswana's flora and fauna, as well as the wide-ranging and unique geology of this peaceful, economically stable and friendly country.
We are certain that your memories of a safari here in Botswana will inspire you to return to explore further… just read the guest comments!
Golden Okavango is operated out of Maun, Botswana; Maun has an international airport with established links to surrounding African airports, and allows convenient and efficient access to all internal smaller airports and airstrips within Botswana, as well as land access to other areas more off the beaten track.
The company is run by Robert Barber, Director and Fully Licensed Professional Guide, and caters to the safari traveller, experienced or newcomer, seeking to explore, discover and learn about the immensely beautiful flora, fauna, landscape and people of Botswana.
Botswana has it all, and Golden Okavango is your key to access it all.
Private Guides
Rob was born in the southern highlands of Tanzania and was introduced to the bush at a young age. His first stomping grounds were in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, where the family would regularly go camping. After finishing school, Rob went on to work in Ruaha guiding for a season at a lodge with family friends. This is where he knew that a life of guiding and working in the bush was unquestionably the one for him. Rob studied in Bristol, UK and graduated with a BA(Hons) but the bush was always calling. Before leaving the UK for good and returning to his roots, Rob was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS).
He came to Botswana and was immediately taken by the incredible wilderness and diversity of the country and soon realised that this was to be his new home. He went on to start up Golden Okavango, and today, as Director of the company and a fully licensed professional guide of Botswana, he continues to work throughout the country, in the Okavango, Chobe and Kalahari, leading safaris for many repeat clients who keep coming back for more. He also has some pretty bad jokes that’ll make you groan, so don’t encourage him too much!
Tel: +267 7269 1551
Private Bag 114
Suite 67
Maun
Botswana
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