Riding Safaris

Botswana is undoubtedly one of Southern Africas finest destinations and therefore offers an extra special place to enjoy a riding safari.

You can choose to ride in the Okavango Delta, where Africa's third-largest river fans across desert sands in a myriad of shimmering waterways and lagoons, or in eastern Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve, known as the 'Land of Giants' for its large population of elephant, as well as giraffe, eland, lion, ostrich, the huge Kori Bustard and massive Baobab trees.

These very different areas offer operations that are professionally run, operate in truly wild country, have good horses, excellent guides and you will find it hard to get closer to nature's marvels in more wonderful places than these.

It is the experience of a lifetime.

Okavango Horse Safaris:
Okavango Horse Safaris are highly personalised safaris run by Barney and PJ Bestelink in OHSs own private concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Western region of the Okavango Delta. This is an extremely professional establishment with many years of experience and a personal touch, offering the best in riding safaris today.

The Okavango Delta is made up of palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams; the flood plains are often full and the horses wade through from island to island as you search for the big Game that enjoys this watery heaven.

Accommodation is in a combination of three camps depending on water levels and time of year and varies from luxury safari tents, exciting fly camping or tree houses on stilts with superb views.

Experienced riders only.
The riding is amongst all of the big five and covers many different forms of terrain. The quality and fitness of the horses has to be high so the riding is only open to competent riders with some experience. 5, 7 and 10 day safaris are on offer with groups of up to 8 guests at a time. Riders spend between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day, while afternoons can be spent at leisure, swimming, taking game drives or bird walks.

African Horseback Safari:
The Winner of the 2009 Good Safari Guide Best Riding Safari, African Horseback Safaris set up Macatoo camp in 1999, within a 500,000 acre private concession on the western side of the Okavango Delta.

The riding terrain is wonderfully varied and almost always dotted with game. Botswana boasts more than 400 species of resident and migrant birds, lions, elephant, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles congregate with a variety of antelope and smaller animals - warthog, mongoose, genets, monkeys and bush babies to name a few. Sometimes whilst riding one is quietly stalking big game or admiring the birdlife, sometimes galloping with giraffe and lechwe through water meadows marveling in the thrill of riding good horses in superb surroundings.

Typically safaris are 5, 7 and 10 nights, enabling one to experience the Okavango in depth, staying in a comfortable permanent tented camp or out at the mobile fly-camp (weather permitting.)

Experienced Riders only.
Riders spend 4 to 6-hours in the saddle each day in small groups of no more than 7 and riders must be able to keep up with the group, capable of riding at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter.

Limpopo Valley Horseback Safaris:
Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris operates in the vast Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block of south eastern Botswana, bordering South Africa. The Tuli block is known as The Land of the Giants for good reason with its magnificent Baobab trees, huge sandstone outcrops, and open plains, not forgetting the Mashatus trees prevalent along the great, grey, green, greasy Limpopo River. Abundant with a huge array of African flora and fauna, this Reserve is home to great herds of elephants, numerous cats, including leopards, lions, cheetahs, African wild cat and some cerval and many plains game. It just begs to be explored on horseback.
LVHS is hosted by Cor and Louise Carolsen, who share their wealth of knowledge of the African bush, horses and classical horsemanship with their guests.

Experienced Riders and Novice Riders.
LVHS offer several rider options, most for experienced riders but some for slightly less capable and even for accompanying non riders.

Call us and we can talk through the options and help you choose the best riding safari for you in Botswana.