Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

BOTSWANA : OKAVANGO EXPLORE RIDE ...

Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of wildebeest and lechwe as they move across the golden floodplains. The breathtaking excitement when your silent progress along game paths only used by animals brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant. Cantering alongside the elegant motion of a giraffe is an experience you will never forget and the only sounds you will hear, as the wind soughs through the grass and rattles the palms, are the fisheagle's haunting cry, the splash of a disappearing crocodile and the faraway drumming of hooves. As the blood red sun drops into the black of night, the hyena's whoop-de-whoop and the lion's roar accompany your fireside reverie and the hippo's watery grunt punctuates your dreams. This is as close to nature as you will ever get.   Fixed departure dates are published with a 8 and 11 days safari offering the opportunity to explore the three main river systems in this area, the Xudum, Matsebi and the Kiri river. An area of over 2500 sq. km it is rich in wildlife and variety of fauna and flora. The areas between the three rivers contrast greatly and support different species of game and birds. 2 different accommodation for a 8 days safari, a good way to improve varied places and ecosystems at fast paces. Come and make your dream reality... If you prefer to join the 11 days itinerary, you'll access a thrid camp located in the wildest part of the Okavango delta. Exclusivity on those rides : 2 scenic helicopter flights !!

ITINERARY

Day 1
You are met at Maun Airport by our representative. You'll be transferred by light aircraft to Xaxaba Airstrip where you'll be met by the helicopter, a 10 minutes scenic flights briging you directly to camp. You’ll be served lunch and given an introduction talk on safety and game viewing from horseback. This will be followed by an orientation ride lasting 1-2 hours. Dinner and night at Kujwana camp.

Day 2
Morning game ride in the Xudum area. Wake up is one hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing, wading through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island, surprising a timid reedbuck out of his dense cover on a heavily wooded island; or enjoy the herds of lechwe or zebra moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch followed by a siesta. Afternoon game drive with sunset drinks and evening night drive with a spot light to end, returning to camp for a three course candlelight dinner. Overnight to Kujwana camp.

Day 3
A morning ride east towards Beacon and Lion Island. These are two very large islands in the area, which are cut off from Kujwana by the Qwaapu River. The area is criss-crossed with game paths leading you through a chain of rain pans. This is a great contrast to the open flood plains. Mopane forests and acacia woodlands offer a good variety of food for elephant, kudu and giraffe. Breeding herds of elephants enjoy the security of the dense forest, and should the pans be holding water, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo will also be found. Animal tracks abound, telling you about what has bbeen and gone – or what you might still find. Afternoon birf walk with the opportunity to learn more about the traditional uses of the plants and trees of the area. Overnight at Qwaapu Camp (Fly Camp).

Day 4
A full-day ride, heading south into the edge of the floodwaters. Large open areas are ideal for plains game. Large herds of zebra, impala and wildebeest are seen in this area. With the plains game come the predators, wild dog and cheetah are often seen from this camp. The shallow waters also make it a birder's paradise with many waderss seen here. Break for a vehicule supported picnic lunch under a shady fig tree, with a siesta. Mount up for an afternoon ride along the Qwaapo River to camp. Dinner and night at Qwaapu Camp (Fly Camp).

Day 5
A morning ride moving from Qwaapo to Kujwana Camp. Shady rain pans and thick riverine forest make this ride an ideal time to track a breeding herd of elephants. Break for a chocolate bar on the edge of a hippo pool, before riding into more open areas with the chance of picking up a herd of buffalo moving through. Afternoon mokoro allows for a relaxing trip being poled through the watery wilderness surrounding Kujwana.

Diner and night at Kujwana camp.

Day 6
A rest day for the guests who are riding for 11 days. There is the option to game drive, walk, float in a mokoro or view a water hole from the hide. Afternoon ride. For guests riding 8 days, there’s a two hours dawn game ride, returning to camp for breakfast. Dinner and night at Kujwana camp.

Day 7
A full-morning ride exploring the western Baobab area. Small islands linked by numerous hippo channels lead you onto Baobab Island. This is good habitat for cheetahs and a breeding ground for Carmine Bee-eaters, our summer visitor. Baobod island has thick riverine forest and is a good area for general game viewing (and the unexpected). Afternoon game/night drive.

Dinner and night at Kujwana camp.

Day 8
Short morning ride for riders who joined the 8 days program. Transfer by helicoptere to Xaxaba airstrip and flight to Maun.
For the others, ride from Kujwana to Mokolwane Camp. This is an approximatively 30km ride heading northwest. The route moves through the open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island two hours ride from Mokolwane Camp, where you’ll arrive at sunset. Dinner and night at Mokolwane camp.

Day 9
Morning game ride. This camp lies on the Matsebe River system and features wide floodplains interspersed with mokolwane palms - a favourite food of elephants and baboons. This is a good area for plains game. In the afternoon, enjoy a 1-2 hour mokoro experience. Dinner and night at Mokolwane camp.

Day 10
A 35-km full-day ride from Mokolwane to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along the way. You’ll ride for four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon through game areas, fording the Xudum River at numerous hippo channels. Picnic lunch, arriving at Kujwana at sunset. Dinner and night at Kujwana camp.

Day 11
Early morning game ride out on Kujwana Camp. Helicopeter flight to Xaxaba airstrip and flight to maun.

NOTE : This is a sample itinerary which may vary according to water levels and game movements. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary according to water levels and game movements.

Mokoros (dugout canoes) are offered as an activity depending on water levels.

10 night itinerary - on day 6 the horses are sometimes rested & other activities are offered, i.e.Mokoro with picnic lunch, game drive or bird walk.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Our safari can be completed with game drives, canoe, fishing, extra nights or continue your travel to visit more deeply Southern Africa like the Kruger National Game Reserve, Cape Town or Victoria Falls... You can also combine this safari with one of our other ride in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, etc...   Please contact us for further details or any other project.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses Full and part breed thoroughbreds, pure Arabs and Anglo Arabs, Saddle bred crosses, Boerperds. The horses are between 14hh and 17hh, well schooled, responsive and even-tempered. There is a wide range of horses suitable for the competition rider to the steady hack, every effort is made to match the rider and horse. There is plenty of selection with over 60 horses in camp. The horses are sure footed in their terrain and comfortable in their environment.

Tack Tack is English style leather saddles with seat savers. The tack is of a high quality, saddles are well known makes including Ideals, Barnsbys Fieldhouse and Symonds. All horses go in snaffle bridles. All saddles also have pommel pouches with a water bottle provided and space for sunscreen, small camera, ...

Recommended riding level
Minimum riding ability required is mastery of the basic aids; ability to post to the trot for stretches of 10 minutes at a time, to be comfortable at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble. It is a great advantage if you are fit and a proficient rider. We do not accept beginners.

Useful information
Weight limit : 90kg
Non riders are welcome on this safari. We will provide them game drives, walks, mokoro or boat trips. Price remains the same.

Children are welcome from 10 years old if they have the required riding level.

YOUR GUIDES

You will be supervised by local qualified instructors. For riders who already made our Big Five safari, it's important to note that Philip was taught by our guide in Botswana. This is the guarantee you'll see the animals from a very close place. 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

Accommodation Camp 1 : Kujwana Comprising of large Meru tents set along the Xudum River on a narrow island with a deep shady forest of ancient trees filled with the chorus of birdsong. The camp is situated south west of Chiefs Island in the Okavango Delta. It accommodates a maximum of 8 to 12 guests in six spacious safari tents each with bathrooms en-suite. The main area has a fully stocked bar, tree house overlooking the Xudum River and a separate dining area. This is the permanent year round home for the team and the horses. The camp is equipped with a solar system, lighting all tents and the main area. This also provides enough power for the charging of cameras during day light hours.

Camp 2 : Qwaapo (fly camp)

To the remote South East is Qwaapo camp, called a fly camp as the accommodation is in the style of traditional safari tents, each with its own bucket and pulley shower and bush loo. Every tent has a unique view of the Qwaapo River. This is an area of large islands with rich mopane forests and rain pans to which game is drawn for water. It offers the contrast between the floodplains and dry areas. This is an ideal location to see some of the more unusual residents of the delta, we have had wild dog denning close to this camp. Many species are seen early morning or late afternoon when they come to drink from the river. The camp has walk in meru tents and a dining room under the stars.

Qwaapo Fly Camp is south east of Kujwana camp. This camp is temporary and the site moves according to access with water levels. Deep lagoons make this is a good area for hippo and lechwe, as well as buffalo and other big game. The term 'fly camp' means temporary camp easily moved (from the days when you moved your fly sheet rather than your whole tent).

Camp 3 : Mokolwane (accessible only on the 11 days itinerary)

Situated north west of Kujwana on the Matsebi River, this camp is made up of tree houses 2 metres off the ground. A real haven for elephants that love the palm trees of this area. This camp is situated in the open flood plains that receive floodwater 3 weeks earlier than Kujwana camp. The vegetation consists of smaller palm islands and wide-open spaces. Mokolwane is a 10-bedded camp, with the accommodation boasting superb views, each with a private bathroom. The Matsebe River is your main feeder for Lake Ngami.

Catering
All meals are prepared with fresh food by a cooker. You'll taste typical and traditional meals during your ride. Our logistic vehicule will meet you during picnic lunches. Succulent dinners will be served at camp.

DATES AND RATES

Single room supplement : from 1750 € to 2200 € depending the departure date.
Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation.

Please note we will charge single riders, a supplement for transfers : 560 €.

Single room supplement : from 2500 € to 3100 € depending the departure date.
Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation.

Please note we will charge single riders, a supplement for transfers : 560 €.

Flights to Maun
Please contact us to check the best available rates from your country.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Please contact Laurie for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

8 days itinerary :
8 days / 7 nights / 7 days safaris

11 days itinerary :

11 days / 10 nights / 9 days safaris

Scheduled flights to Maun (Botswana), then connection by a 30 minutes game flight to the Okavango Delta where the local team will welcome you and transfer you to the camp by a 20min scenic helicopter flight. Return is exactly the same.
Your luggage must not weigh more than 15 kg because of the low capacity of the aircraft in the delta.

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
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.