BOTSWANA
August 22—September 1, 2006
A HORSEBACK SAFARI IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA
August 22-September 1, 2006
(10 nights, 10 days of riding)
Limited to 12 Riders
Imagine yourself mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe as they move across golden floodplains. Rider, horse and game become one with the surrounding wilderness.
This is as close to nature as you will ever get!
You will return home with unforgettable memories, having perceived that true sense of freedom, that only a rider and his horse can experience together in the African Bush!
The Okavango Delta
Africa’s largest and most beautiful oasis is set like a
jewel in the middle 0f the Kalahari Desert. The renowned wildlife photographer
Frans Lanting described it as “Africa’s Last Eden”.
Home to a kaleidoscope of almost every African creature, the Delta is
one of Botswana’s prime wildlife location with palm-fringed, thickly
wooded islands, lush vegetation and crystal clear waters. During the winter
months (June/July/August) the Delta is flooded allowing for some exhilarating
canters with the game through water that are unforgettable moments of
great excitement!
Macatoo is our base Camp for the week. The accommodation is in luxury twin bedded elegantly appointed tents with their own traditional en-suite bathrooms with hot/cold running water and flush loos. Between 4 to 6 hours are spent in the saddle each day.
Depending on the water levels and the movements of the game, a couple of nights will be spent at a mobile fly-camp in another part of the Delta. Accommodation on fly-camp is more basic with shared long-drop toilets and traditional bucket-showers.
The activities are left to the discretion of our professional naturalist/guides who always carry a rifle. Some afternoons can be spent at leisure, swimming, walking, bird watching or gliding on the water in a dugout canoe locally called mokoro.
For a greater enjoyment of this safari the guests are divided into two groups of 6 riders, each with their own guide and backup.
Riding ability: This safari is for experienced riders who feel comfortable and secure in the saddle at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble if necessary. No beginners.
Horses: Various breeds of Thoroughbreds, Namibian Hanovarians,
Kalahari-Arab crossbreeds, South African Boerperd ranging from 14-16.2
h.h.They have been carefully selected and chosen for their temperament
and ride-ability from the various South African breeds which are well
known for being of a tougher nature and able to cope under extreme conditions.
Choice of English and Western McClellan saddles each with their own water bottle.
Rider’s weight limit: 210lbs or 95kg.
Age limit: Children under 16 years are not permitted, unless they are experienced and competent riders, they must be accompanied by a parent.
Cost: $6,500 per person (twin accommodation) based on
12 clients
Single supplement 50% unless prepared to share.
Air charter Maun/Delta/Maun $380 per person
Includes
Accommodation, all meals, snacks, tea and coffee, all drinks
(except champagne), daily laundry and ironing service, park fees, all
safari activities based from Horseback Safari Camp.
Activities: horseback safari, bird watching, night game
drives (water levels permitting), walking trails and seasonal
canoe (mokoro) and boat excursions.
Excludes
Visas, travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
Transport from your home to Maun and return.
Gratuities for camp staff and guides and items of a personal nature.
NEW: Non-riding partners are now welcome to Macatoo!
Non-riding activities are offered on a formalized basis and are proving
really popular. Activities include: Walking, Boating, Fishing, Game/Night
Drives & Mokoros… Walking in the Okavango with your own specialized
guide is also an incredible experience and you do feel a greater interaction
with the bush than you do on a vehicle/boat etc…
For further information please email or call Christine Chauvin.
Suggested extension
A perfect way to end your safari is to top it off with 3 nights (2 full
days) at Tongabezi, a luxurious lodge set in a secluded, tranquil grove
of African ebony trees on the banks of the Zambezi River, upstream from
Victoria Falls, Zambia, with an emphasis on romance and highly personalized
service.
For further details about this trip and possible extensions, please call Christine at Tel. 212-421 0671, or e-mail cchauvin@rcn.com or christine@adventuresonhorseback.com
Christine Chauvin (Ltd.)
430 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: 212 421-0671
Fax: 212 935-0559