The Okavango Delta Is the Perfect Backdrop to a Mounted Safari
Observing wildlife from horseback is like having your own big screen in the bush, this is high definition game viewing at its best. Add the thrill of cantering through sparkling waters alongside giraffes and zebras and you’re talking adventure to the max!
The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas situated in the middle of the largest stretch of continuous sand in the world – the Kalahari basin. During the dry season, riding is at a fast pace through the salt pans. Each year floods rain down from the North in Angola to create a myriad of islands, lagoons, water channels and floodplains. As the territory becomes almost inaccessible to vehicles, horseback is the best form of transport and the absolute best game viewing vehicle to enjoy the abundance of wildlife. More than 400 species of resident and migrant birds, elephant, lion, hyena, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, antelope, warthog, mongoose, monkey, genet and more call this home.
The remote and mysterious Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are also known as the “Serengeti of the South” and riding with wild animals through sparkling floodplains makes this the ultimate African adventure. Qualified guides share their knowledge of this wilderness, using the horses to bring you closer to nature. These mounted Safaris are great for experienced riders whilst children and non-riders can enjoy the many activities on offer including boating, daytime/night game drives, mokoro (traditional canoe) excursions and fishing.
Horses vary in breed from Arabian to Kalahari-Arab cross breed and Namibian warmbloods, these creatures are loved, sure-footed and nimble. There is a horse for everyone, these beautiful horses range in size from 14 to 17 hands., with a choice of English or Trail saddles. Camp Kalahari is a traditional thatched camp under the acacia and mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena island. The camp is not fenced off, so animals pass through at all times of the day and night. Don’t be surprised to see an elephant stroll past in the moonlight grazing between the tents or a troop of baboons playing in the morning sun.
For riders, the excitement begins at dawn after early morning coffee and a light breakfast. The type of riding and conditions depend entirely on the season, it could vary from galloping or even swimming through flood waters or wading through grasslands following giraffes, antelopes, zebras or buffalos. At the height of the migration season, the islands and adjoining grasslands are awash with zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and ostrich – and, of course, the attendant predators. Riders and non-riders catch up for a scrumptious lunch around the shaded pool area, sharing tales of an exciting day in the bush. Whilst some may disappear for an afternoon siesta, before afternoon tea, other take guided walks or splash in the pool.
As the days draws to a close, the game viewing vehicles prepare to head out to admire the African sunset. Evening game drives in the Okavango Delta are perfect for photography. This is the chance to see some unique desert species such as springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the elusive brown hyaena; a timid nocturnal, solitary forager, rarely seen by humans. Leopard sightings are not infrequent and the birdlife here in is some of the best in the world. Sunset is the best time to watch birds scramble up to the trees for their resting perch and there is always the elephant or the hippo interaction to enjoy whilst listening to the calls of the lion and hyena.
