Africa
Botswana and Victoria Falls Horseback Safari, 10 Days - From: $7,695
Trip Summary
This safari offers intermediate and advanced horseback riders the diverse and game-rich landscapes of Southern Africa, while the selection of Botswana's premier wildlife destinations, and breathtaking Victoria Falls, offer safaris and a range of other activities to non-riders.
Explore three different areas of Botswana over the course of this 10 day safari adventure: the Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana, the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana and magnificent Victoria Falls. Each day on safari, experience up-close game viewing and a variety of safari activities in small groups led by experienced naturalist guides. Delight as you see elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, exotic birdlife, bushbucks and monkeys. Choose from jeep, horseback and walking safaris and a variety of activities available at Victoria Falls. Conclude your daily adventures in beautifully appointed safari camps where the comforts of cold drinks, hot showers, fine dining and comfortable beds await you.
Highlights
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced horseback riders
- 6 days of riding opportunities in varied terrain ranging from bush to open grass plains to flooded plain
- Gallop on horseback through the Okavango Delta
- Visit the incredible Victoria Falls and enjoy cultural visits and optional adventures
- Explore the African bush by jeep, on foot, on horseback or by boat
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| March - May | $8,050 |
| June - October | $8,315 |
| November - February | $7,695 |
Based on two guests traveling. Note that prices may be higher during peak Holiday travel time from mid-December through mid-January.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3
Mashatu Private Game Reserve, Botswana
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa off your international flights where you will connect with a commercial flight to Polokwane, South Africa. From Polokwane it is approximately a two hour drive to the Mashatu Private Game Reserve in Botswana. Take safaris in Mashatu's 75,000 acres of African wildlife and history over these three days. On your safari you may see elephants, lions, eland, giraffe, ostrich, baobab trees and the unique kori bustard. Take a walk through Motlhabaneng village for a view of contemporary life. Mashatu offers jeep safaris and walking safaris as well as opportunities for horseback safaris in the African bush.
Lodging: Mashatu Main Camp
Day 4
Johannesburg, South Africa
Today return to Polokwane by road transfer, take a commercial flight back to Johannesburg and check into your hotel.
Lodging: Safari Club
Day 5
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Take a commercial flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana where you connect with a scheduled charter flight to Macatoo. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Macatoo Camp.
Macatoo Camp, overlooking a seasonal flood plain lagoon, is a short game drive or an exciting boat ride from the airstrip. After a look around camp and lunch under the trees there is time to meet the guides and horses. Following your safety briefing you can either go for an afternoon ride or enjoy an evening game drive before returning to camp for a hot shower and candle-lit safari supper.
Lodging: Macatoo Camp
Day 6
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Wake up with a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast then set off to explore your surroundings. Depending on the season the riding may involve some galloping and swimming through the flood waters or pushing-on through seas of tall grass following giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo; whatever's out there. Non-riding guests set off either by boat or safari vehicle towards a deep, lily-studded lagoon to cast their lines for bream and catfish.
Back to camp for another brilliant lunch outside with the guides - if you're lucky it might be the famous chicken pie – and there is usually time for a siesta before tea. The afternoon rides are deliberately slower-paced and offer a good opportunity to ask questions and take photographs. The afternoon activities are also leisurely and include mokoro trips (the dug out canoes used by the local fishermen of the Delta) that enable you to travel over the flooded seas of grass. The bird-life is some of the best in the world and towards sunset there is often game movement. A sundowner is enjoyed out in the bush before returning to camp to freshen up.
Lodging: Macatoo Camp
Day 7
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The famous call of the African Fish Eagle and the smell of freshly-brewed coffee invite you to explore what today has to offer. Ride out early through the watery wilderness that is home to the rare semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe. Alternatively a guided walk also brings you up close and personal with one of the least spoiled and most beautiful ecosystems in the world.
Meet up for a delicious champagne breakfast under one of the ancient baobab trees. After lunch there is the opportunity to relax beside the swimming pool. Homemade tea and cake is followed by a sunset ride or drive, exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, it is fascinating to watch the game interact in the wild, and being on horseback brings you that much closer.
Lodging: Macatoo Camp
Day 8
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
For your last morning at Macatoo you may go out by boat travelling through narrow channels which meander around palm and fig tree islands. Quietly moor the boat, with the hope of finding a breeding herd of elephants to admire or troops of baboons to entertain you with their antics as they gather seeds and play in the trees.
Meanwhile the riders enjoy their final ride making their way through clouds of bushman hair grass and mophane woodlands, where there's a high possibility of finding elephants. The pace usually increases as you break out onto the flood plains; perhaps disturbing troops of baboons or maybe providing a last opportunity to gallop alongside giraffes.
Later take a scheduled flight to Kasane where you will be met and transferred by road to the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabawe.
Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel
Day 9
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Walk to the famed Victoria Falls which are twice the height of Niagara Falls. Choose from optional extra activites such as helicopter or microlight flights over the falls and canoe and whitewater rafting trips on the Zambezi River.
Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel
Day 10
International Flight Home
Transfer to Victoria Falls airport for a commercial flight to Johannesburg, South Africa where you connect with your international flight home.