OKAVANGO HORSE SAFARIS

Okavango Horse Safaris: Our View

Regarded as one of the best safari experiences around, this reputable safari is a natural, safari-focused and authentic bush experience. Okavango Horse Safaris have been operating longer than anyone else in the Okavango Delta and carry with them a wealth of local knowledge, guiding skills and experience. There is no better way to go on safari than horseback and there is no one better to go with than Okavango Horse Safaris. Nothing beats the best guides, close game viewing, intimate wildlife moments, adventure and experience than the knowledge, expertise and professionalism of Okavango Horse Safaris. Our favourite riding experience in Africa.

We give Okavango Horse Safaris 5 paws without any question. The knowledge behind this team is so extensive it is hard to believe they know it all. PJ is one of the Deltas oldest hands and this camp makes you feel at home, with a very relaxed yet 5 star approach to its guests.

Okavango Horse Safaris: The Detail

The first and most important strength about Okavango Horse Safaris is the sheer knowledge and experience that lies within the staff and guides. Owned and run by Barney and PJ Bestelink, with Pj being a 4th generation Motswana, who built and started the first ever photographic camp in the Delta, spent his whole life in the Okavango and has more knowledge of this 40,000km² of the world than pretty much anyone else around in the industry
 
Not only is horseback the best way to see wildlife and generally do a safari, but here you are getting the best guiding and local knowledge than anywhere else around. All rides are lead by qualified profession guides. A keen interest is taken in birds and game as well as fauna & flora. Most wildlife don’t see horses as foreign to them, allowing for the best game viewing in the world!
 
The Accommodation is comprised of 3 lodges Kujwana (base camp), Mokolowane and mobile fly camp. Kujwana camp offers spacious safari tents with shower en suite (flush toilet). There are two double-bedded tents and four twin bedded tents complete with attractive furnishings, bedside tables, hanging cupboard, luggage rack, floor rug, and chairs. Mokolwane has tree chalets with bucket and pulley showers and flush toilets. Fly camp has dome tents with camp beds, bedrolls with cotton sheets, duvet and towels. Long drop toilets for each tent and bucket and pulley showers with hot water. A tent personnel is on hand at all times
 
Riding is between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day. This is broken by refreshment stops - picnic breakfast or lunch and a 10-minute walk for every two hours spent in the saddle.
 
The Okavango Delta has been described as a water meadow. Palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams. Highest water is normally between May to September. Many of the flood plains are full at this time and the horses wade through from island to island. The going is normally quite good and firm along the edges of the islands allowing the ride to move on at a trot and canter. Okavango Horse Safaris operate in a private concession 2,500 sq. km situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta bordering on Moremi Game reserve. The area includes three major river systems of the Okavango Delta, the Xudum, the Matsibie and the Kiri.
 
Okavango Horse Safaris can accommodate non-riders who have their own guide and enjoy game drives, walks and mokoros. They move with the riding guests to the various camps and join non-riding activities and picnics.

Okavango Horse Safaris: Client Reviews

I have just ridden a five day safari with Okavango Horse Safaris in northern Botswana. It was absolutely FANTASTIC.
Sarah Ward 2011

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