Okavango Horse Safaris

Okavango Horse Safaris is based in the vast inland Okavango Delta, an area which teems with game and birdlife. Expect to ride through water meadows, palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams. You will get close to herds of wildebeest and zebra, gallop alongside giraffe and watch the intricate network of the bush unfold in front of you without the sound of an engine. Okavango Horse Safaris is owned and run by PJ and Barney Bestelink who, having kept horses in the Okavango for over a decade, are true experts in this part of the Delta. It is this extra dimension that they bring to the safari that makes this one of the best rides in Africa.

The Riding
Rides here are generally medium to fast paced; you should be able to trot for at least ten minutes and be happy at a canter or gallop. You can ride up to six hours a day with ‘saddlebag breakfasts’ and picnic lunches en route. There are over 50 horses which are either thoroughbred or Anglo Arabs, and all of their horses are over 14hh.

You can choose between three, five, seven or ten day set departure trips.

Accommodation & Facilities
On the ten day rides you will see most of the areas, starting at the base camp (Kujwana Camp) which has comfortable en-suite tents for up to six guests. You will then be able to explore the area to the northwest and spend time at Moklowane, situated in the open flood plains. The vegetation consists of smaller palm islands and wide open spaces. The accommodation here is in tree houses offering fantastic views. Then move to Kiri/Xwaapu Fly Camp to the east. This camp is in the permanent delta water and moves site according to water levels. You will generally ride in the early morning, followed by a longish lunch break, before heading back out again. Usually, you are given a day off in the middle of your safari in order to rest yourselves and the horses, and to enjoy other forms of game viewing. Non-riders are welcome here and are able to move with the riding guests to the various fly camps, and join the non-riding activities and picnics. Evening bird walks or mokoro rides (water levels permitting) and afternoon game drives are all on offer.