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12 day Okavango Horse back Safaris: Botswana - Victoria Falls Extension
12 Day Okavango Horse back Safari Itinerary
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SAFARI RATE: 2008 * These Rates do not include international airfares*
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LOW SEASON
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$10420/per person double occupancy
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Single Supp: $4875
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HIGH SEASON
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$11485/per person double occupancy
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Single Supp: $5495
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CLIENT LIMITATION
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Low Season: Minimum 8 - Maximum 10 Clients
High Season: Minimum 8 - Maximum 10 Clients
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*This itinerary depends on local environments and seasons and is subject to Change...*
SAFARI ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
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Day:
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Location:
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Camps/lodges Accommodation:
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Board:
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Safari Highlights:
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1
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Kujwana Camp
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DB
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Orientation Ride 1-2 hours
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2
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Kujwana Camp
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LDB
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Game ride, sunset drive and night spotting
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3
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Kiri/Xwaapu Camp
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LDB
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Morning Ride towards Lion Island
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4
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Kiri/Xwaapu Camp
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LDB
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Full day ride with catered lunch
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5
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Kujwana Camp
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LDB
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Morning ride, mokoro paddle trip
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6
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Mokolwane Fly Camp
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LDB
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Full day ride, picnic lunch, sunset
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7
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Mokolwane Fly Camp
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LDB
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2 hours ride on floodplains
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8
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Nxamaseri Camp
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LDB
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Full day ride encountering elephants etc
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9
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Nxamaseri Camp
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LDB
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Game drives, sunset cruise on dugout
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10
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Nxamaseri Camp
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LBD
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Full day horse ride with picnic lunch
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11
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Matetsi Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
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Matetsi Game Lodge, Victoria Falls
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LDB
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Walking safaris, game drives, canoeing
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12
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Matetsi Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
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Matetsi Game Lodge, Victoria Falls
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LDB
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Full day Victoria falls tour, village & school tours, craft shopping
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13
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Charter flight to South Africa
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Victoria Falls - Johannesburg
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One Way
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Onward home flight connection
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BB-Bed and breakfast, LDB-Lunch, dinner, breakfast, local wine, drinks, park fees, all horse-back safari activities, game drives, hotel transfers, local charter flights & safari activities all inclusive, except at Matetsi game lodge where drinks/bar are not included.
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Safari Itinerary Details:
Day 1 Johannesburg - Maun - Okavango Delta Botswana
Arrive at Johannesburg Airport, you will be met by a tour leader from Afrika Zambezi Safaris. Connecting flight to Maun Airport (Botswana) and transfer by light aircraft and helicopter to Kujwana Camp. Lunch and an introductory talk with demo on tack and equipment and advice on game viewing and bird-watching from horseback. An orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours.
Overnight at Kujwana Camp - Okavango Botswana (DB)
Day 2 Kujwana Camp - Okavango Botswana
Morning game ride in the Xudum area. Wake up is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game and bird viewing. Wade through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island where we may surprise a timid bushbuck out of his dense cover on a heavily wooded island. Enjoy the herds of elephants, prides of lions, sable antelopes, lechwe & zebra moving through the open spaces while you are on your horse. Return to camp for lunch and siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks on Okavango river & evening night drive with a spot light.
Dinner meals and overnight at Kujwana Camp - Okavango Botswana (LDB)
Day 3 Xwaapu Camp - Okavango Botswana
Ride east towards beacon and Lion Island where these two very large islands in the area lie cut off from Kujwanaby the Xwaapu River. The area is criss-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans giving a great contrast to the open flood plains. Elands, Kudus and Giraffes enjoy the mopane forest and acacia woodlands which offer a rich variety of food and also to the breeding herds of elephant who enjoy the security of the dense forest. If the pans are holding water, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo sightings are very likely. Animal tracks abound telling you of what has been and gone - or what you might still find. Afternoon bird walk.
Dinner meals and overnight at Xwaapu Camp Okavango Botswana (LDB)
Day 4 Xwaapu Camp - Okavango Botswana
Full day ride exploring various pans which at this time of year hold exceptional bird life. Lunch with vehicle support.
Overnight at Xwaapu Camp (LDB)
Day 5 Kujwana Camp - Botswana
A full morning's ride returning to Kujwana camp, birding and game viewing. Afternoon birding by Mokoro (dugout canoe).
Dinner meals and overnight at Kujwana Camp (LDB)
Day 6 Mokolwane Camp - Botswana
Depart Kujwana to Mokolwane camp. This takes approximately 30km ride heading North West. This scenic route takes you through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river ecosystem. Picnic lunch is served on a shady island after which a 2-hour ride brings us to Mokolwane camp in time for sunset.
Overnight at Mokolwane Camp (DB)
Day 7 Mokolwane Camp - Botswana
A full day ride from Mokolwane to Kujwana camp with a picnic lunch in your saddlebags. A 40-Km ride takes normally 4-hours riding in the morning and 2-hours in the afternoon. This dramatic ride takes you through a variety of game areas and scenery, fording the Xudum River at numerous hippo channels. Arrive in camp at sunset..
Overnight at Mokolwane Camp (LDB)
Day 8 Nxamaseri Camp - Botswana
After breakfast, depart on one hour drive to Xudum airstrip - en-route game drive and birding watching. 50-minute light aircraft transfer to Nxamaseri offering scenic views of the Okavango Delta swamp from the air. Arrive at Nxamaseri Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon bird watching trip on a motor propelled boat.
Overnight at Nxamaseri Camp (DB)
Day 9 Nxamaseri Camp - Botswana
Morning and afternoon game-viewing horse ride is spent in the wet thorn-bush ecosystem on the mainland.
Overnight at Nxamaseri Camp (LDB)
Day 10 Nxamaseri Camp - Botswana
Morning and afternoon game-viewing horse ride with an option to enjoy some fishing on makolo boats. Night cruise by boat with a spot light offers a change from being on horseback and gives you an opportunity to view crocodile, Pels fishing owl, White Backed night heron and other nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight at Nxamaseri Camp (LDB)
Day 11 Matetsi Game Reserve, Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe
After early morning breakfast, short game-drive transfer and depart on charter flight from Nxamaseri airstrip to Kasane airport: On arrival at Kasane airport, transfer by road to the famous Victoria Falls where you will spend two nights in the untouched pristine Matetsi Game Reserve at Matetsi Water Lodge. Sundowner cruise this evening on a pontoon boat.
Dinner meals & Overnight at Matetsi Water Lodge (DB)
Day 12 Matetsi Game Reserve Victoria falls - Zimbabwe
After morning game drives and breakfast, you taken on a dramatic panoramic tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, best viewed on Zimbabwean side. Mid-morning tour of the Traditional village and school visit, best craft markets, or you can choose between a variety of optional extra activities such as the 'Flight of Angels' - viewing the Victoria Falls by small aircraft and a choice of afternoon safari activities. When back at the camp, farewell dinner this evening, gift exchanging from your Afrika Zambezi Safaris tour Guide.
Overnight at Matetsi Water Lodge (DB)
Day 13 Victoria Falls - Johannesburg flights departures
Regional flight connection from Victoria Falls airport to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International airport for your homeward bound flight connection this evening.
Inclusive: 5-star safari accommodation, all horse back safari activities in Okavango delta and game drives, makolo canoe ride, walking safaris, all charter flights into all camps/lodges, all meals, house-wines & soft drinks, laundry, Guided tour of the Victoria falls, Traditional village, school & evening tribal dancing shows, sunset cruise on Zambezi river and Okavango river, crocodile farm tour, park entry fees and transfers.
Excluded: Optional tours e.g. scenic Flight of the Angels over the Victoria falls, white-water rafting on the Zambezi gorge rapids, canoeing safaris on Zambezi River, 110-metre bridge bunji jump, elephant back bush ride, gift/curio shopping at local markets, personal bar bills/imported liquor, staff & guides' gratuity/tips in the camps/lodges.
Safari Accommodation Overview:
Horse Back Safari Overview: Okavango Botswana Experience
Best months for horseback safaris: High season - July, August, September, October to November best game-viewing safaris with temperatures between 12 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius at midday.
Winters are the low seasons during April, May and June when the temperatures vary from 8 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius at midday
Qualified experienced armed safari guides are only allowed to lead horse back safaris at these times of year.
The rains start in October/November, and December to February are the wettest months with 12-degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.
Safari Overview: Excellent game-viewing in Okavango Botswana which ranges from herds of elephants, buffalo, wildebeests, zebra, impala, kudu and lechwe. Predators include Cheetah, leopard, and prides of lion.
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Fact Sheet
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY: require mastery of basic horsemanship - aids, post to trot for stretches of 10 minutes at a time, be comfortable at all paces and gallop out of trouble. Fit and proficient riders are at an advantage.
TYPE OF HORSE: A mount to suit almost everyone: full and part thoroughbred, pure Arab, Anglo Arab and American Saddlers, between 14 and 17 hands. Well-schooled, responsive and even temperament. Wide range of horses is available, suitable for riders from competition level to a steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider.
WEIGHT LIMIT: A novice rider should be 200 lbs. (14 stone or 90kg) maximum weight and advanced rider should be 210 lbs (15 stone or 95 kg) maximum. Guests are required to step on the scales before the ride. Game drives, walks and short rides are offered to guests over the maximum weight limit.
GUIDING & SAFETY: All horse back safaris are led by armed qualified professional guides. Camps and vehicles are equipped with radio communication and hand radios are carried on all rides by the guides. Safety talk with demonstration is given before the beginning on how to handle big game situations.
INDEMNITY: On arrival, guests will be required to sign an indemnity form.
TACK: Tack is English style and each saddle has a seat-saver for comfort. Tack is of high quality and kept in good condition. Saddles are well known makes such as Ideals, Barnsby, and Symonds. Most horses are in snaffle bits.
RIDING GROUP SIZE: Maximum of 8 guests per group.
MEALS: Safari chefs prepare 3 course meals plus picnic saddlebag breakfasts. Emphasis is to ensure fresh vegetables and salads made to suit the day's activities. Home made fresh bread is also prepared every day for the trip. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request. Light lunches include: salads, bread rolls, cold meats and 3 course dinner meals are served by candle light on dining tables nearby bush-campfires.
DURATION OF RIDES: Between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day, broken with 15-30 minutes refreshment stops - picnic lunches or breakfasts and 10-minutes leg stretch walk for every 2- hours spent in the saddle as a way to ease the rider using different muscles and to rest the horse.
TERRAIN: Water Meadows as the Okavango Delta is described, the beauty of the landscapes include grassy swamps and sandy flood plains, mopane woodlands, palm islands and clear streams. May to September have normal high water levels with most of the flood plains being full and during the rides, horses wade through the shallows to cross from island to island. Experience an adventure such as the early explorers might have had, when roads did not exist. Crossing grassy swamps to the islands on horseback is fun and exciting as we move on at a trot and canter.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Riding is the safari priority, but other safari alternative activities during the afternoons when not riding can be offered such as game drives and afternoons spent on leisure bird watching with evening walks or mokoro rides depending on water levels.
NON-RIDERS: Non-riders can be accommodated but must be booked in as non-riders as own guides are provided to accompany non-riders on this trip.
CHILDREN: Young people of 15 and over are accepted but they must demonstrate strong competent riding ability with a certificate from a pony club or qualified teacher to attest this. Unfortunately price is not adjusted for non-adults on horse riding safaris.
CLOTHING: Most camps provide laundry service. Baggage allowance on light aircraft transfers is 12 - 15kg, any extra luggage will be left with the Maun office. Only soft duffel-bag type luggage is allowed on light Aircraft. It is recommended that riding clothes should be in neutral colours such as khaki, brown, and dark green. Red, blue, yellow or white are discouraged.
INSURANCE: We recommend comprehensive full cover insurance for all guests taking Horse Back Safaris in case of any medical emergency, illness, injuries or evacuation and guests must have adequate insurance policy to cover themselves.
WHERE DOES HORSE BACK SAFARIS OPERATE: In a Big Five conservation area in a private concession of 2,500 sq. klometres located on the western side of the Okavango Delta's three major river eco-systems of Xudum, Matsibie and Kiri, bordering the untouched Moremi Wildlife reserve.
HOW TO GET THERE: Air Botswana, South African Airways fly from Johannesburg, into Gaborone the capital of Botswana or from Victoria Falls or Air Namibia from Windhoek into Maun. All flight booking for Air Botswana flights can be arranged including all light charter flight transfers in camps or near airstrip from Maun airport. Clients are collected from the private airstrips and transferred by 4x4 vehicles to camps. You are also advised that all internal transfer light aircraft have a strict luggage weight restriction of 12-15kg.
SAFARI INFORMATION REQUIRED: Nationality, Age, weight, height, and guests' riding experience. Preferred drink, dietary requirement or allergies. Completing our booking request form when making a reservation can really assist us with your requirements enabling us to put together best Horse Back Safaris for you.
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