General Info

Botswana is one of the best places in the world to ride horses and get up close to wildlife. If you are a fit, competent rider, there are a variety of awesome horse safaris in Botswana, and our team from Equitrekking has tried all of the ones you'll see featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com, so just ask us what would be the best fit for you, your family or group of riders and non-riders.

The vast, open Makgadigadi Pans, with it's amazing zebra migrations and awesome star gazing opportunities, make it a great area for an African horse safari. For the African safari of a lifetime, pair the Makgadikgadi with the lush Okavango Delta.

Explore the meandering shoreline of the remote and mysterious Makgadigadi Saltpans, one of the largest salt pans in the world, with David Foot, who has been leading horse safaris in Africa for over 17 years. The site of an ancient lake which has since dried up, the Makgadigadi Pans are the size of the European country of Switzerland. These moon-like landscapes are great for cantering and faster riding. There are many other attractions as well, including some of the best star gazing in Africa, meerkats and the San Bushmen, one of the oldest tribes in the world. 

There are two distinctly different seasons in the Makgadikgadi. The dry season, lasting from the 15th of April to the 31st of October and the wet season, lasting from the 1st of November to the 14th of April. When the rains arrive at the beginning of the wet season, the landscape is transformed. Water gathers on the saltpan. Algae bloom, crustaceans breed, and clouds of flamingo descend to feed on them.

Then herds of zebra and wildebeest materialise, drawn by the lush grass, and for several months, the desert is teeming with game and predators. Guests visiting Camp Kalahari during the wet season can witness the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in Southern Africa. Most people associate the migration with East Africa and don’t know about this, the second largest migration of African ungulates, with an estimated 30,000 animals, the majority being zebra, participating each year.

It is during the dry season, guests can experience the vast Makgadikgadi Pans on horseback or quad bikes. The guides at Camp Kalahari team up with a small group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen to guide travelers on a morning’s walk, offering a window into the past. The Bushmen teach how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behavior and survival skills.     

Experience extraordinary landscapes; desert-adapted Kalahari wildlife from meerkats to brown hyenas; the history of Livingstone, Selous and other explorers; and travel with Zu/’Hoasi Bushmen. In the dry season ride fast out into the heart of the Pans and still arrive nowhere. In the wet season, ride with the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in Southern Africa.

Stay in Camp Kalahari, a traditional tented safari camp or sleep on bedrolls under the stars. David will be leading two safaris every month between May and December.

Packing

Luggage Requirements

Luggage for local transfers is limited to 44 lbs. (20 kg) per person in soft bags, including hand luggage. This is strictly enforced by all charter companies for safety reasons.

Weather in the Makgadikgadi

Makgadikgadi Dry Season: Winter 16th Apr – 31st Oct
Makgadikgadi Wet Season: Summer 1st Nov – 15th Apr
 
Jan – Mar: Summer:
High rainfall and high temperatures. Highs range from 35°C to 45°C. Lows around 18°C.

April – May: Autumn:
Dry and warm, cool evenings and mornings.

Jun – Aug: Winter:
No rainfall. Cold nights and early mornings. Days are sunny and generally warm.
Temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. Nights can drop below freezing in some areas.

Sept – Oct: Spring:
Dry and warm. October can be extremely hot.
Nov – Jan: Summer. High rainfall and high temperatures. Highs range from 35°C to 45°C. Lows around 18°C. 

What to Pack for Your Horse Safari in Makgadikadi

There is no electricity in the tents. You can charge camera batteries in the Mess Tent. Bring an adaptor for a round 3 pin plug. If you are on a Mobile Safari Expedition, bring a 12 volt car charger.

Laundry can be done on site for an additional cost.

Please bring your own helmet.

Layers – the best way to dress on safari. This is due to fluctuating temperatures. We recommend cotton.

Long sleeves and trousers will protect them from both sun and insects. Colours should be neutral (beige, khaki, tan…).

Sunblock, insect repellent and lip salve.

Fleece / warm sweater – even in summer.

Warm pijamas.

Hat – broad brimmed for protection against the sun.

Shoes – good, sturdy closed shoes or boots and socks for walking.

Flip flops/thongs for use around camp and in outdoor showers.

Flashlight or head torch. 

A light scarf has a multitude of uses.

Summer (Wet Season):
Light, compact jacket (windbreaker) for the rainy season.

Winter (Dry Season):
It gets very cold in the evenings and early mornings, and quite hot during the day – so layers are essential.

Hat – woollen beanie for warmth.

Riding Gloves and you may want to bring gloves for nights and mornings – good for cool winter evenings and sun protection.

Scarf. 
 

About the Horses

Your guide, David Foot, has been leading horse safaris in Africa for over 17 years. He'll match you with a horse based on your skill level and personality and explain the history and culture of the region as you ride with him. 

Twenty horses - mainly Boerperd, Friesan crosses and Appaloosas. English or trail saddles, but the horses trained in English. The horses are trained for safari work so they are fit, schooled, sure footed and not afraid of the wildlife.

Activities/Events

Local History and Culture
Close by is the famous Chapman’s Baobab (Also known as the Seven Sisters) which is acknowledged to be the third largest tree in Africa, and was the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area.This gives you an opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the history of the early explorers.

Walk with the Bushmen and learn their ways of desert survival. The earliest modern inhabitants of southern Africa were the Bushman (San) and the Hottentots. They have lived an almost unchanged lifestyle in the country since the Middle Stone Age.

For those who want to ride fast, ask us about quad bike adventures, where you can ride fast across the Pans.

Wildlife Viewing and those Cute Meerkats!
A safari to Camp Kalahari is also a complete desert experience focusing on species unique to the area such as aardvark, gemsbuck and springbuck. Guests may spot the rare and elusive brown hyaena and are able to walk through the Kalahari with a gang of habituated but wild meerkats!

As the sun rises, these pixie-faced creatures emerge from their burrows and join you, sunning themselves with paws behind their backs, completely indifferent to your presence. A baby might sit on someone's toe or a sentinel hop onto your head! As they all scurry off to forage, you follow. The meerkats dig up scorpions and pounce on beetles while your Guide maintains a running commentary on their social habits and survival strategies.

Other Area Attractions
Extensions to the horse safari can be made by vehicle to Nxai Pan National Park, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta. These extensions can be to lodges or on a mobile safari by vehicle guided by David. David also runs four safaris per year combining the Makgadikgadi Ride with three nights on the Selinda Canoe Trail.
 

Accommodations/Food

Camp Kalahari is a return to the traditional safari style of the old explorers, and is the best way to experience the Makgadikgadi in a fresh and affordable way. It is the ideal camp for those who want fun, comfort, style and adventure. Camp Kalahari accepts children of all ages and makes for a fantastic family safari destination. 

The camp has a large and comfortable thatched library, lounge and dining area. There is a central dining and lounge area under thatch with a swimming pool. Lighting is by hurricane lamp. Guests can relax and enjoy the serenity and peace of this enchanting area. Camp Kalahari has ten Meru tents: Seven twin tents, two double tents and one family unit comprising two twin tents with an inter-leading bathroom.

All tents have en suite outdoor bathrooms, flush toilets and the hottest, wettest showers in the Kalahari. The tent interiors are classic old safari style, replete with comfy beds, crunchy cotton sheets, stripy African blankets and hot water bottles, locally called "bush babies", in winter. There is no electricity in the tents. You can charge camera batteries in the Mess Tent. Bring an adaptor for a round 3 pin plug. If you are on a Mobile Safari Expedition, bring a 12 volt car charger.

Xau Xai Fly Camp has six 3m X 3m dome tents with stretcher beds and bedrolls with fresh linen. There are two shared bucket showers (hot water) and two shared long drop toilets.

When sleeping on the Pans under some of the best star gazing in the world, a stretcher bed with bedroll and fresh linen is provided. No washing facilities. One long drop toilet.

Safari Cuisine

Camp Kalahari’s chef is a talented chap, noted for his tasty soups and particularly for his "Pilli-Pilli Ho-Ho," a lethal concoction of chillies marinated in sherry and gin. Smeared over one's breakfast eggs, it's just the thing to sharpen sleepdulled wits in preparation for whatever adventures await!  Vegetarian options available. All drinks are included with good quality South African wines served.

The Ideal Traveler

Intermediate to advanced riders and their non-riding partners with a sense of adventure. Botswana is an awesome place to go on safari and the Makgadikgadi and Camp Kalahari offer amazing opportunities to ride with game during the migration period, as well as wonderful natural history, star gazing and the unique chance to interact with meerkats.

Makgadikgadi Pans 5 nights - Wet Migration Season

Ride with the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in Southern Africa. Explore the meandering palm tree shoreline of the mysterious Makgadigadi Saltpans. Experience extraordinary landscapes and desert-adapted Kalahari wildlife from meerkats to brown hyenas.

Consider combining a Makgadikgadi safari with the Okavango Delta for the trip of a lifetime!

Dates & Rates
6 days / 5 nights for 4 to 8 people. Private groups welcome. Please inquire if you have more than 8 people.
2012 dates: March 5-10, March 10-15, April 3-8, April 8-13, Oct 31- Nov 4, Nov 25-30, Nov 30- Dec 4, Dec 23-28, Dec 28- Jan 2, 2013

2012 rate: $2915 USD* per person double occupancy 
Single Supplement $149 USD* per night per person for those who are not willing to share. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a room.

2012 charter flight cost from Maun to Makgadikgadi is $830*

*Prices are subject to fluctuations based on currency conversions. Rate does not include local gratuities, international flights, travel insurance, etc.

General RIding Safari Description:
Six days on horseback exploring the meandering shoreline of the remote and mysterious Makgadigadi Saltpans. Experience extraordinary landscapes; desert-adapted Kalahari wildlife from meerkats to brown hyenas; the history of Livingstone, Selous and other explorers; and travel with Zu/’Hoasi Bushmen. In the dry season ride fast out into the heart of the Pans and still arrive nowhere. In the wet season, ride with the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in Southern Africa. Stay in Camp Kalahari, a traditional tented safari camp or sleep on bedrolls under the stars. 

Day by Day Description
Day 1 Arrive and Introduction to your Horse Safari
On arrival by air or road, you will be greeted by your host and guide David Foot and settled into Camp Kalahari, nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park, Botswana.

The Makgadikgadi is one of the largest salt flats in the world -- the size of the European County of Switzerland. Riding here, you have lots of room for faster canters, as much of the ground is similiar to the surface of the moon. Being in the middle of this wilderness, also makes for amazing night star gazing.

Camp Kalahari is an upscale safari camp comprised of a traditionally built thatch library, living/dining area and a swimming pool for those hot Kalahari days. There are 10 spacious Meru tents: 7 Twin tents, 2 Double tents and 1 Family tent consisting of 2 adjacent tents, accommodating 2 guests in each with an inter-leading bathroom.

All tents have en-suite outdoor bathrooms, flush toilets, hot and cold running water, along with comfy beds, crunchy cotton sheets and stripy African blankets. In the winter, cozy down with "bush babbies", hot water bottles which are good for keeping toes warm or soothing muscles after a day on the trails.

Head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light, for an introductory ride – primarily to match horse and rider and to provide the opportunity for travelers to experience the beauty of this magical area.

Return to the camp for sundowners followed by dinner, before the lions of the Kalahari commence their nightly prowling.

Day 2- Tracking the Migratory Zebra, Wildebeest and other Safari Species
Up with the dawn, a light breakfast is followed by a long morning 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, hartebeest and ostrich and of course the attendant predators! The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent terrain for the horses, but if there has been a lot of rain then many of these areas will be full of water attracting several species of migratory water birds.

Return to the camp for lunch and rest through the heat of the day in the welcome shade of the camel thorn trees or cool off in the camp swimming pool. After tea, head off by vehicle to see some unique desert species such as springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the elusive brown hyena. These consummate desert specialists survive in arid areas where both food and water are scarce. The brown hyena is a timid nocturnal, solitary forager, rarely seen by humans, but in spite of this are very social animals, living in clans of up to 10-12 hyenas.

Enjoy a night game drive back to camp, and with the help of a spot light, look for nocturnal desert inhabitants such as aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, porcupine, honey badgers and perhaps even a black maned Kalahari Lion. Arrive at Camp Kalahari in time for dinner.

Day 3: Xau Xai
Today is a long ride eastwards to Xau Xai Fly Camp, so an early start is imperative. Be sure to pack a few essentials for the next two days of adventure. The journey takes us away from the edge of the Pans and through the mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands allowing for lovely long, relaxed canters. Whilst the area is rich in birds of prey, bustards, korhaans and numerous other unusual dry woodland bird species; there is also a chance that we will sight kudu and the odd elephant bull.

By lunchtime we reach the famous Greens Baobab proudly positioned alongside the well-travelled Missionary Road, traversed by David Livingstone on his journeys northwards. The magnificent trunk of this an- cient tree is scarred with the initials of early travellers dating back some 150 years thus providing a living testimony to the rich history of this area. Break for lunch at the adjacent Gutsa Pan under a stand of palm trees where we may find Stone Age artefacts and the hunting blinds used over millennium by the Bushmen.

Siesta through the midday heat and after tea, continue the journey on to Xau Xai Fly Camp.

Camp will be made up of comfortable dome tents, a central mess tent, loos and bucket showers. Enjoy a long cool drink as you watch the sunset followed by dinner out under the magnificent Kalahari sky.

Day 4 - Meerkat Interaction
Wake up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast, before heading off on your horses in search of some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats.

With our horses tethered we will proceed on foot in to the midst of the group. Due to an ongoing habituation program, it’s possible for us to get up close and personal with these captivating creatures. Remember, they are not tame just used to our non-threatening presence.

On chilly mornings, you might well find a meerkat snuggling up to you for warmth. Or, in the absence of a termite mound or tree, using your head as a sentry lookout post.

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. You also get the chance to see the desert through the eyes of a meerkat, which, despite the fact that it’s only a foot off the ground, is a pretty spectacular vantage point, and definitely one of the most special and memorable game experiences you will encounter in Botswana

As the day warms up, leave the meerkats to continue foraging. Mount up and follow the well-worn trails that lead to the resident herds of zebra and large congregations of ostriches attracted to the area by permanent freshwater in hidden waterholes.

Return to Xau Xai for lunch, a refreshing shower and a siesta in the shade of the mess tent. In the late afternoon take a walk to a nearby permanent waterhole to look for many of the Kalahari’s special bird species and, as the sun sets, watch the hundreds of sand grouse fly in for a drink.

Return to camp for another beautiful evening under a Kalahari sky with a delicious dinner around the campfire.

Day 5 - Chapman's Baobab
As the dawn greets this extraordinary landscape and the last of the stars disappear, wake for a light breakfast before mounting up and heading homewards at a fast pace sometimes riding along the edge of the Pans and at other times heading into the woodlands and open grasslands where the zebra and wildebeest graze.

From a great distance the famous Chapman’s Baobab appears on the horizon. Also known as the Seven Sisters, it is acknowledged to be one of the largest trees in Africa, measuring around 82 feet (25 meters) around its girth, and was the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area.

It is near here that we break for lunch before our final ride back across the grasslands and into camp. As the sun dips below the horizon and the last light fades, we will be sure to dwell on these amazing past few days. Incredible scenery, memorable wildlife encounters and above all superb riding!

Arrive at Camp Kalahari in time for a refreshing shower and a final Camp Kalahari lamp lit dinner.

Day 6 - Bushmen Walk
The horses are loaded early and trucked to their home base in Maun. A non-riding day commences with an early morning walk with Zu/’hoasi Bushmen trackers. Uncharted Africa has pioneered and passionately supported cultural tourism in Botswana since the company’s inception.

They have been working closely with the Zu/’hoasi people of the Western Kalahari for many years and are privileged to have a small group of these extraordinary men to guide Guests on a morning’s walking safari.

Offering a window into the past, they teach us how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behaviour and survival skills.

Time for one more lunch, before you bid farewell to Camp Kalahari in preparation for your onward journey.

* The above is a sample itinerary. It is subject to changes based on the weather and the trip guide’s discretion.

Makgadikgadi Pans 5 nights - Dry Season

Shooting stars, meerkats, beautifully long canters, cultural interaction with local Bushman, game drives and more in the land of a thousands islands on one of the largest salt pans in the world. This is a true safari adventure in the heart of Botswana! 

Consider combining a Makgadikgadi Safari with the Okavango Delta for the trip of a lifetime!

Dates & Rates
2012 dates: May 3-8 SOLD OUT, May 8-13, June 6-11, June 30-July 5, July 30- Aug 4, Aug 28- Sept 2, Sept 2-7, Oct 2-7, Oct 26-31

6 days / 5 nights for 4 to 8 people
$2915 USD* per person double occupancy 
Single Supplement $149 USD* per night per person for those who are not willing to share. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a room.

2011 charter flight cost from Maun to Makgadikgadi is $649 USD* 
2012 charter flight cost from Maun to Makgadikgadi is $830 USD*

*Prices are subject to fluctuations based on currency conversions. Rate does not include local gratuities, international flights, travel insurance, etc. 

General RIding Safari Description:
Six days on horseback exploring the meandering shoreline of the remote and mysterious Makgadigadi Saltpans. Experience extraordinary landscapes; desert-adapted Kalahari wildlife from meerkats to brown hyenas; the history of Livingstone, Selous and other explorers; and travel with Zu/’Hoasi Bushmen. In the dry season ride fast out into the heart of the Pans and still arrive nowhere. In the wet season, ride with the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in Southern Africa. Stay in Camp Kalahari, a well-appointed traditional tented safari camp or sleep on bedrolls under the stars. 

Day by Day Description
Day 1 Arrive and Introduction to your Horse Safari
After arriving from your charter flight, you will be greeted by your host and guide David Foot and settled into Camp Kalahari, nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park, Botswana.

The Makgadikgadi is one of the largest salt flats in the world -- the size of the European County of Switzerland. Riding here, you have lots of room for faster canters, as much of the ground is similiar to the surface of the moon. Being in the middle of this wilderness, also makes for amazing night star gazing.

Camp Kalahari is an upscale safari camp comprised of a traditionally built thatch library, living/dining area and a swimming pool for those hot Kalahari days. There are 10 spacious Meru tents: 7 Twin tents, 2 Double tents and 1 Family tent consisting of 2 adjacent tents, accommodating 2 guests in each with an inter-leading bathroom.

All tents have en-suite outdoor bathrooms, flush toilets, hot and cold running water, along with comfy beds, crunchy cotton sheets and stripy African blankets. In the winter, cozy down with "bush babbies", hot water bottles which are good for keeping toes warm or soothing muscles after a day on the trails.

Head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light for an introductory ride – primarily to match horse and rider and to provide the opportunity for travelers to experience the beauty of this magical area.

Return to the camp for sundowners followed by dinner, before the lions of the Kalahari commence their nightly prowling.

Day 2 - Riding the Land of a Thousand Islands
Up with the dawn, a light breakfast is followed by a long morning 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, hartebeest and ostrich - and of course the attendant predators!  The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent going for the horses. 

Return to the camp for lunch and rest through the heat of the day in the welcome shade of the camel thorn trees or cool off in the camp swimming pool. After tea, head off to see some unique desert species such as springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the elusive brown hyena; these consummate desert specialists survive in arid areas where both food and water are scarce.

The brown hyena is a timid nocturnal, solitary forager, rarely seen by humans, but in spite of this, are very social animals, living in clans of up to 10-12.

Enjoy a night game drive back to camp, and with the help of a light, look for nocturnal desert inhabitants such as aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, porcupine, honey badgers and perhaps even a black maned Kalahari Lion. Arrive at Camp Kalahari in time for dinner.

Day 3: Xau Xai Fly Camp
Today is a long ride eastwards to Xau Xai Fly Camp, so an early start is imperative. Be sure to pack a few essentials for the next two days of adventure. The journey takes us away from the edge of the Pans and through the mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands allowing for lovely long canters. Whilst the area is rich in birds of prey, buzzards, korhaans and numerous other unusual dry woodland bird species, there is also a chance that we will see kudu and the odd elephant bull.

By lunchtime we reach the famous Greens Baobab proudly positioned alongside the well-travelled Missionary Road, traversed by explorer and missionary David Livingstone on his journeys northwards. The magnificent trunk of this ancient tree is scarred with the initials of early travellers dating back some 150 years, thus providing a living testimony to the rich history of this area. Break for lunch at the adjacent Gutsa Pan under a stand of palm trees where we may find Stone Age artifacts and the hunting blinds used over millennium by the Bushmen.

Siesta through the midday heat and after tea, continue the journey on to Xau Xai Fly Camp.

Camp will be made up of comfortable dome tents, a central mess tent, toilets and bucket showers. Enjoy a long cool drink as you watch the sunset followed by dinner out under the magnificent Kalahari sky.

Day 4 - Meerkats and a Sky Full of Stars
Wake up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast, before heading off in search of some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats.

With our horses tethered, we will proceed on foot into the midst of the group. Due to an ongoing habituation program, it’s possible for us to get up close and personal with these captivating creatures. Remember, they are not tame – just used to our non-threatening presence.

On chilly mornings, you might well find a meerkat snuggling up to you for warmth. Or, in the absence of a termite mound or tree, using your head as a sentry lookout post. They tend to move to the highest point in the area.

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. You also get the chance to see the desert through the eyes of a meerkat, which, despite the fact that it’s only a foot off the ground, is a pretty spectacular vantage point, and definitely one of the most special and memorable game experiences you will encounter in Botswana.

As the day warms up, leave the meerkats to continue foraging. Mount up and follow the well-worn trails that lead to the resident herds of zebra and large congregations of ostriches attracted to the area by permanent freshwater in hidden waterholes.

Return to Xau Xai for lunch and a refreshing shower.

Set off in the late afternoon for one of the greatest adventures imaginable, a ride straight out into the middle of the ancient lakebed! 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 of baking soda void, are inhabited only by you and a few gazillion invisible brine shrimp! And it is here that we’ll make camp. Sleeping on bedrolls under the silence of a star studded sky! Be prepared to spot the longest tailed shooting stars you've ever seen.

Day 5 - Chapman's Baobab
Wake up on the moon!  It's likely that you've never seen it as clearly as you will see it here in the Makgadikadi, where there's no light pollution or anything in the skyline to obstruct your view.

As the dawn greets this extraordinary landscape and the last of the stars disappear, head homewards directly across the Pans to Camp Kalahari. We may be lucky enough to see the unusual sight of ostrich deep in the Pans and then from a great distance the famous Chapman’s Baobab. Also known as the Seven Sisters, and acknowledged to be one of the largest trees in Africa, measuring 82 feet (25 meters) around its girth, this great baobab was also the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area.

It is near here that we break for lunch before our final ride back across the grasslands and into camp. As the sun dips below the horizon and the last light fades, we will be sure to dwell on these amazing past few days. Incredible scenery, memorable wildlife encounters and above all superb riding!

Arrive at Camp Kalahari in time for a refreshing shower and a final lamp lit dinner.

Day 6- Walking with the Bushmen
The horses are loaded early and trucked to their home base in Maun. A non-riding day commences with an early morning walk with Zu/’hoasi Bushmen trackers. Your safari company has pioneered and passionately supported cultural tourism in Botswana since the company’s inception. They have been working closely with the Zu/’hoasi people of the Western Kalahari for many years and are privileged to have a small group of these extraordinary men to guide Guests on a morning’s walking safari.

Offering a window into the past, they'll teach you how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behaviour and survival skills. Time for one more Camp Kalahari lunch before you bid farewell to Camp Kalahari.

* The above is a sample itinerary. It is subject to changes based on the weather and the trip guide’s discretion.

Botswana Saddle & Paddle

Only offered a few times each year, enjoy a Botswana safari combining the Makgadikgadi Pans Safari, Thamalakane River Lodge Ride and the Selinda Canoe Trail (itinerary below). This is an incredible, active, adventurous safari. After riding in the Pans, canoe for four days down the Selinda Spillway passing elephant, buffalo and hippo before setting up camp on the riverbank. The whole camp comes with you by canoe! And if something grabs your attention, you get out and track it on foot!

Dates & Rates 2012
May 28- June 6      $5136 USD* for 9 days 
July 5-15                 $5551 USD* for 10 days
Aug 4-14                 $5551 USD* for 10 days
Sept 21- Oct 2        $5966 USD* for 11 days

Flight rates: $1997

* Prices are subject to changes based on currency conversions. Flight rates include all internal charters starting from Maun on the first day of the safari and ending up back at Maun on the last day of the safari. Rates do not include local gratuities throughout, International Flights. 

An adventurous safari for groups of 4 to 8 people combining:
- 5 nights on the Makgadikgadi Pans Ride with 3 nights on the Selinda Canoe Trail with 1 to 3 nights on the Thamalakane River Ride at Botswana Private Game Reserve (depending on departure dates).

In 2009 and 2010 the high waters flowing through northern Botswana’s Okavango Delta caused the Selinda Spillway to flow in a way that it has not done for nearly 3 decades! This remarkable event provided the unique opportunity for us to canoe this incredible water system thus replicating the safari experiences of old, camping along the banks of the river at the end of the day, wherever we find ourselves. The Selinda Canoe Trail combines 4 thrilling days of adventure, adrenalin and action.

The distance from one end of the Canoe Trail to the other is roughly 45 km. It is a wildlife experience like no other as we witness elephant herds splashing and mudbathing along the banks; buffalo, giraffe and sable antelope amongst some of the many species that come down to drink; wild dog have been known to swim the Spillway in front of the canoes and lion and leopard have also been sighted. The Selinda also hosts some 300 bird species making it a twitcher’s paradise.

In addition to canoeing, there will also be an opportunity to walk. Should we happen upon an unusual wildlife activity at any time, the canoes can be beached along the banks allowing us a chance to investigate and follow the clues through the nearby bush!

Water and light snacks will be provided throughout the day to keep your energy levels up!

Selinda Canoe Trail Itinerary
Day 1:
Your arrival by light aircraft into the Selinda Reserve offers a bird’s eye view of what lies ahead for the next few days. The flight takes you over the Linyanti Marsh where off to the west the Spillway itself can be seen meandering its way through the flood plains and mopane woodlands. Elephant and hippo feeding deep into the marsh are a common sight.

A driver and a 4 x 4 safari vehicle will be at the Selinda airstrip to greet you and take you on a 3 hour drive to the starting point of where the actual canoe trail begins. The drive follows the old tsetse fly control cut line passing through miles of mopane woodland interspersed with pans which attract the elephant and buffalo as they quench their thirst. The vastness and wildness of this country soon becomes apparent!

Without warning the waters of the Spillway suddenly open up before you – indeed a refreshing sight after the hot, dry drive. You are now truly deep in the wilds of the Botswana bush!
A full safety briefing and demonstration on the handling of the canoes follows before setting off with your guide for a gentle late afternoon paddle taking you to your first camp. A dedicated support team who move ahead daily by canoe to set up camp will be on hand to greet us. The comfortable camp consists of small dome tents with made up bed rolls and a bucket shower and long drop toilet.

Day 2:
An early wake up call followed by a hearty breakfast sees us heading out in the canoes for a full day of paddling. As the day warms up, each bend in the river offers a host of surprises including the likelihood of elephants coming down to drink. A game walk on foot is a distinct possibility should we encounter buffalo or sable or hear the alarm calls of animals in the surrounding bush. A delicious lunch will be taken in the heat of the day with a cooling swim for those who wish before paddling on in the late afternoon to our next campsite further along the Spillway. After a delicious home cooked dinner out under a starlit sky we drift into a tired but contented sleep with the nocturnal calls of peeping frogs, roaring lions and the hyena’s whooping punctuating the deep silence. A truly magical African safari experience.

Day3:
Another early start is necessary with another full day of paddling ahead. It is on this day that we truly notice the diversity of this magnificent water course. Gliding ever closer to the Selinda itself, the Spillway takes on a new identity with the water levels slowly dropping before suddenly rising again as we reach the confluence of the Kwando River backing up westwards. A rich abundance of wildlife and birdlife becomes apparent with pods of hippos wallowing in the deep pools and flocks of jacanas, herons and plovers littering the river banks. After another sumptuous lunch we arrive at the last campsite which has been exquisitely sited on a small palm tree island. Yet another delicious dinner prepared in front of us on the coals of the fire.

Day 4:
A slightly more leisurely start with either a long morning walk or a shorter paddle before returning to camp for a final brunch and transfer by vehicle to the Selinda airstrip. A treasure trove of souvenirs to take away with us - exquisite unsurpassed memories of Africa!

See Makgadikgadi Pans Ride & Thamalakane River Ride for additional day itineraries that are combined with this trip. 

* This itinerary is subject to changes based on the weather or your trip guide's discretion. For fly camping, smaller overnight bags are recommended.

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

This is a brand new horse riding safari, based from comfortable Camp Kalahari. Our Equitrekking team has personally tried this trip and filmed it for a new episode of Equitrekking. This trip had some of the most amazing star gazing we've ever seen and we were able to gallop with a herd of zebra!

Stay tuned, as you'll be able to watch this on PBS and read more about the adventures in Darley's Blog and Darley's column in Practical Horseman magazine.

Thanks for yet another fantastic trip. It was great to be back with you doing the guiding on your horses - it made us realise how much we have missed it. Your new safari in the Pans is a real winner - the combination of the wildlife, guiding, horses and sheer beauty of the landscape we rode through was mesmeric. It is a wonderful unique place and I really enjoyed seeing the contrast to the dry season after our trip to Jack's Camp in 2004.

-- Steve, United Kingdom

It is wonderful for us to hear our guests confirm what we believe! As you already know I am absolutely loving riding out in the Pans and did not think it could get any better but on the last safari (mid February) it could not have been more perfect. Rain had been scarce for the previous two weeks so many of the flooded pans had dried up allowing for superb riding. But some of the Pans still held water and around these it was like riding through Eden (I imagine!).

The centre of the pans were pink with flamingoes and these were surrounded by the endless herds of zebra and wildebeest with some walking in single file one way through the Pan and others walking through single file in the other direction. And for the birding enthusiasts huge flocks of ruffs and sandpipers and more black winged stilts than I have ever seen in one place. Magical!

The only downside was that none of us had a camera good enough to capture that image! But there are some wildlife images that stay with you for ever and that will be one of them. As will be the moment a mummy meerkat carried one of her young from one burrow to another climbing over all our legs in the process!

-- David Foot, longtime safari guide

Reading List

Botswana: The Bradt Safari Guide, 3rd: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari  (Paperback) by Chris McIntyre

A personal, detailed guide to Botswana, its history, culture, attractions and natural history. With color photographs, maps and excellent travel information. This British series of guidebooks is noteworthy for its focus on culture, nature and responsible travel. It covers the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari and other popular destinations in detail.

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia (Paperback)

An informative practical guide to Botswana and its attractions, including nearby Victoria Falls.

Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide (Paperback) by Peter Allison (Author)

Whatever You Do, Don’t Run is a hilarious collection of true tales from top ­safari guide Peter Allison. In a place where the wrong behavior could get you eaten, Allison has survived face-to-face encounters with big cats, angry ­elephants, and the world’s most unpredictable animals—herds of untamed tourists and foolhardy guides whose outrageous antics sometimes make them even more dangerous than a pride of hungry lions!
 

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

A delightful introduction to Botswana's formidable female detective, evoking the cultures, customs and texture of Africa. 

The Safari Companion by Richard Estes

An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa's mammals by a noted scientist. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each group and in-depth information.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.