The emphasis is on the experience, the beauty of the Okavango Delta and top level guiding. The riding and the horses are fabulous, the wildlife is incredible and the food delicious.
You will ride out daily from Cha Cha Metsi, a small, intimate, family run camp overlooking the permanent waters of Gama Tau lagoon – “the gathering place of the lions”.
The lagoon is fed by the ever flowing waters of the Santatandibe River so the camp is surrounded by classic Okavango scenery – lagoons, floodplains and tree lined islands – making for wonderful riding through stunning scenery and an incredible diversity of wildlife.
The feeling of exploring this water wilderness on horseback is indescribable.
With only 6 en suite tents sleeping 12 guests the camp is small and intimate and has been personally decorated by the owners with a collection of their family’s antique furniture. You will feel like you are being welcomed warmly into their own home and will become part of the family.
From Maun Airport it is only a 20 minute helicopter ride into camp or 2 hours by road.
A typical day will start with an early wake-up call and a light breakfast around the camp fire as the dawn breaks.
Mount up and spend the morning on horseback following ancient elephant trails, searching for the large variety of wildlife, enjoying the prolific birdlife and cantering through the open plains.
Herds of buffalo may be in the vicinity, giraffe may saunter by and red lechwe will splash through the water alongside you, whilst kudu peer out from the thickets.
Return to camp for lunch and siesta under the shade of the giant leadwood trees.
In the afternoon enjoy a gentle evening ride, appreciating the peacefulness of the Okavango, listening to the sounds of the bush and the snorting and splashing of your horses.
Occasionally you (and the horses) may want a rest in which case you can take a tranquil journey in a mokoro, the traditional way of traversing this wondrous water land. Or venture out on foot to look for the smaller creatures that inhabit the bush and to learn some tracking skills before enjoying another fabulous African sunset.
A last ride in the Okavango and then it is time to move onto the Kalahari either by air or by road. Air is quicker but by road you will start to comprehend the vastness of Botswana’s wilderness areas.
This beautiful camp is owned and managed by Uncharted Africa (the Kalahari specialists) and is your base for the next three days of riding.
Camp Kalahari is nestled amongst the acacias and mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. With 12 en suite tents there is a real family vibe around the camp.
A thatched central living and dining area featuring an eclectic mix of original African furniture and textiles paired with traditional campaign style pieces and colonial antiques provide the perfect area in which to relax and enjoy the serenity of this enchanting area.
Cool off in the swimming pool or enjoy a siesta in the thatched pavilion!
Head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light for your first opportunity to experience the beauty of this magical area. Return to the camp as the sun sets to ensure the horses are safely away in their barn before the lions of the Kalahari commence their nightly prowling.
Up with the dawn each day in order to get out on the horses as early as possible to explore this extraordinary area and to ensure you enjoy the full range of magical experiences the Makgadikgadi has to offer.
Ride through the “land of a thousand islands”. Stranded on the ancient lakebed, these sand dunes covered in palm trees are one of the most beautiful and fascinating areas of the Botswana wilderness. At the height of the migration season, the islands and adjoining grasslands are awash with zebra, wildebeest, springbok and ostrich - and of course the attendant predators!
The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent going for the horses.
If you are lucky you may come across some of the rare desert adapted species – brown hyenas, aardwolves and caracals.
Ride in search of a clan of habituated meerkats, some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants. With our horses tethered we will proceed on foot into the midst of the group.
Due to an ongoing habituation programme by Uncharted Africa Safari co. it’s possible for us to get up close and personal with these captivating creatures.
By spending quality time with these incredibly social, superbly adapted animals, you will be able to see how they interact with each other and their environment.
Ride to meet the Zu/’hoasi bushmen and enjoy a two hour walk with these wonderful people. They will provide a gentle introduction to the Kalahari and the Bushmen way of life. The group will point out the distinct ecological characteristics of this area and you will learn how they survive in this challenging environment.
And then one afternoon have a rest from your horses and jump on a quad bike and head deep into the salt pans. Eventually all that can be seen is the vast flatness stretching in every direction. Watch the sun set and the stars rise. This is one of the only places in the world where the silence is so complete you can hear the blood circulating through your ears.
There is not one visual landmark to be seen and one swiftly loses one’s sense of perspective - 16,000 square kilometres are inhabited only by you and a few gazillion invisible brine shrimp!
Enjoy a last ride in the glorious early morning light before your air or road transfer back to Maun and your onward journey.
Take with you an encyclopedia of memories and a feeling you must return! (which we are sure you will).