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Why travelling with Randocheval ?

BOTSWANA : EQUESTRIAN SAFARI IN THE HEART OF OKAVANGO DELTA...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

SPECIAL OFFER : -300 € to -400 € on all departures !!! Limited spaces.

ITINERARY

The itinerary below is indicative and may change depending the weather and the season. It's sometimes impossible to join our Satellite camp, and during hot season, a long ride can be parted in two.

You can stay as long as you want there, but for indication, we give you a 8 days itinerary.

Day 1 : Friday - Maun - Okavango
On arrival in Maun, you are met and transferred by plane and a game drive to our camp which overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon. After lunch under the trees, there is usually time for a rest before the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. We return to a candle-lit dinner.

Day 2 : Saturday
Awoken by a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast we then ride westwards following elephant trails from one palm island to another, through seas of grass, into the backcountry. After lunch and a siesta, we ride out into the plains, later enjoying a refreshing drink while the sun goes down.

Day 3 : Sunday
We leave camp early to investigate fresh game tracks, joining the rare semi-aquatic antelope, the red lechwe, as they thunder through the water meadows. A champagne breakfast is waiting for us under a large baobab tree. The evening ride is spent exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, we have drinks around the fire.

Day 4 : Monday
We ride through different country, making our way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains dotted with fig trees. We might encounter giraffe or shyer antelope while passing through mopane woodlands. Our pace increases as we break out onto the flood plains, often disturbing troops of baboons. Returning to the camp for an afternoon spent at leisure and later a night drive by spotlight.

Day 5 : Tuesday
While staff pack up, we leave for our fly-camp riding deeper into the heart of the delta. On reaching another river system we find our fly camp already set up, looking out over a favourite elephant watering hole. We stay here for a one night bush experience. The afternoon may be spent swimming or walking. Fires are lit at night, creating a strong human presence to keep marauding animals away from the horses. Night watches are fun and guests usually join in.

Day 6 : Wednesday
Having kept watch under the stars, the next morning we splash through water on the vast open plains, home to wildebeeste and zebra. The riding may be fast as we approach deep reedy areas full of bird life. After our break, we ride back to Macatoo along the myriad of waterways lined with large trees.

Day 7 : Thursday
Your last full day's riding in this magical place takes you cantering through the shallow flood plains, admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here, the buffalo gather in numbers and we have to creep up to them using islands for cover. The evening offers a last quiet ride with memorable smells of sage as the sun goes down with final sundowners in a surprising location.

Day 8 : Friday
For your final ride, we will go along some of the high palm islands which offer great vistas. We'll maybe take a final exhilarating gallop and run with the game before returning to camp to prepare for your onward journey.

Our safari can be completed with game drives, canoe, fishing and spend some nights more in a thrid camp, or continue your travel in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia...

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extend your trip and visit the Kruger National Game Reserve, Cape Town or Victoria Falls.
You can also combine this safari with one of our other ride : Big Five Safari, Wild Coast Trail, Cape Town area ride, Okapuka safari, Okavango delta, etc...
Contact us for further details...

Victoria Falls 3 days / 2 nights

90m high and 1800m long, Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful and impressive falls of the world. It's the border between ZAmbia and Zimbabwe. A famous you absolutly have to visit during your stay in South Africa.

The package includes :
- Flights Kasane - Livingstone and Livingstone - Johannesburg,
- Airport taxes (105 €),
- Transfers from and to Livingstone Airport,
- 2 nights in full board basis including local drinks and house wines,
- Activities : 1 trip to the Zambian side of the falls, laundry, dundown cruise, mokoro trip, nature trails and village/school tour.

To add :
- Optional activities,
- Curio shop and office facilities,
- Insurances.

Consult rates.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
Our 30 horses are pure-breds, Namibian Hanovarian thoroughbreds, Arabs, Anglo Arabs and various other crossbred Kalahari bush horses.
They have very different natures, and are very experienced concerning the silent approach of wild animals.
Some of them are retired competition horses from various places and backgrounds and need a good control.
The horses work in turn from 4 to 5h in the morning and from 1 to 2h in the afternoon. They are used to different sorts of horsemanship: western, English…

Tack
We use different kinds of tack (western or english). Let us know your choice if it's important for you.

Required riding level
This safari is for riders. We spend 4 to 6 hours a day in the saddle. You will need to feel competent about keeping up with the group, capable of riding at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter. You may be required to gallop out of trouble, so we can not take beginners. It will be at the guide discretion whether you will be permitted to ride, taking into consideration your safety and enjoyment and that of the group as a whole. You will be asked to complete our questionnaire prior to the stay.

Age Limit: 16 years and over. Anyone over 60 needs to be riding fit and strong.

It is important that you can have control of your horse in a wild environment, and that you can follow the guide's instructions for your safety and the safety of the group.

Your clothes will preferably be bush-colored (khaki, green, browns), avoid white.
Don't forget: riding cap, sunglasses with a small chain to hold them, 2 riding pants, gloves, warm coat in May/August, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, raincoat in season, insect repellen, camera with straps, binoculars, 2 pairs of light boots (avoid leather).

Be careful, your luggage must not weigh more than 13 kg because of the low capacity of the light aircraft. Excess luggage can be stored in our Maun office.

The riding hat is now compulsory on that ride !

YOUR GUIDES

You will be supervised by local qualified instructors. At your arrival in the camp, a general introduction of the safari is organized. Two of the guides accompanying the group are equipped with first aid kit, rifle and radio.
You will give us any particular information (medical, dietary…) before your departure, as well as your own insurance. Any person victim of severe allergies, heart or breathing problems, limited physical condition, must consult his medical specialist to have an authorization to participate in the safari.
In case of necessity, only the people in charge of the supervision will be accredited to authorize the outings, for the safety of the group.

ACCOMMODATION

The camp is set up in the occidental part of the Okavango delta, a very remote area, with a limited number of visitors. You are accommodated in secluded and very luxurious large double tents, each one with en-suite shower and toilets. Your private verandah overlooks a seasonal floodplain, home to baboon, hyena and elephant. Drinks are on tap, cake and biscuits are there for the taking and we trust you will already feel relaxed and at home.
Centrally there is a large furnished mess tent and tucked away a private pool to be enjoyed.

For the longer trail rides, you will enjoy the "satellite camp" equipped with all the facilities (accessible according to the water level). A boat is also available for the outings on the delta.

DATES AND RATES

SPECIAL OFFER : -300 € to -400 € on all departures !!! Limited spaces.

Options

Single supplement during the Victoria Falls trip :
+ 110 € from Novembre 01 2007 to may 31, 2008
+ 140 € from June 01 to october 31, 2008

The rate for this travel extension is valid if international plane ticket booked via Randocheval. Otherwise, contact us for a detailled quotation.

RATE INCLUDING

RATE NOT INCLUDING

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Dorothée, the specialist for this destination

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

The floodwaters normally begin in May (this varies each year) and end in October. From May to September it rarely rains.
Be aware that in the Southern Hemisphere, August is in the heart of winter, and early mornings and evenings can be cold. (daily temperatures range from 8-24°C).
In summer months (from October to March-April) temperatures range from 12-38°C.

Formalities
Passport, valid for more than 6 months for people from european community.

Vaccines-Health
Anti-paludism treatment is recommended.
We also recommend to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.

REFERENCE :CH34-botswana-okavango