Zimbabwe & Botswana Riding Safari - Sample Itinerary

Sample Zimbabwe & Botswana Riding Safari Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 1 – Little Makalolo Camp/Hwange NP – Full Board – Today on arrival into Victoria Fall airport, you will be met and helped through customs and immigration and then shown to your scheduled flight to Hwange National Park. On arrival at the airstrip, you will be driven to the camp for your 3 night stay. Afternoon/evening game drive.

DAY 2 – Little Makalolo Camp/Hwange NP – Full Board – Morning walking safari, afternoon at the log-pile hide and waterhole. Evening game drive.

DAY 3 – Little Makalolo Camp/Hwange NP – Full Board – Morning game drive, afternoon by the log-pile hide and waterhole. Sleep out in star bed on a raised platform overlooking Madison Pan.

DAY 4 – Victoria Falls Hotel/Victoria Falls – Bed and Breakfast – This morning, you will be flown back to Victoria Falls and then driven about 15 minutes to the Victoria Falls hotel. Afternoon/evening free.

DAY 5 – Victoria Falls Hotel/Victoria Falls – Bed and Breakfast – Private tour of the falls in the am and Sunset Cruise down the Zambezi River in the pm.

DAY 6 – Okavango Riding Safaris/Okavango Delta – Fully Inclusive – This morning, you will be driven about 1 hour to Kasane airport in time to fly to Maun and the start of your riding safari. Itinerary includes 6 days/5 nights with 4-6 hours in the saddle, while afternoons can be spent enjoying alternative activities, including swimming, game drives, traditional dugout canoes or walking. A 5-night itinerary is the perfect introduction to the delta. Guests explore both Kujwana and Mokolowane camps.

Day 6 – KUJWANA CAMP

You are met at Maun Airport by Mary or KK (our Maun office team) before a 25 minute transfer by helicopter straight into camp, or by light aircraft to Pompom airstrip, which is then roughly an hour’s drive to camp by vehicle or boat. Once you arrive in camp you will be given time to settle in before lunch and an introduction talk with demonstration on tack and advice on game viewing from horseback. This is followed by an orientation ride for approximately 1 – 2 hours.

Day 7 – KUJWANA CAMP

Wake up each day is 1 hour before dawn to ensure best game viewing. After breakfast, a morning ride in the Xudum area, wading through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island, surprising a timid reedbuck out his dense cover on a heavily wooded island, or enjoy the herds of lechwe and 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 spotlight to end, returning to camp for a three-course candlelit meal.

Day 8 – MOKOLOWANE CAMP

Ride from Kujwana to Mokolowane camp. This is approximately 30km ride heading northwest. The route moves through open floodplains and scattered islands towards the Matsebe river system, where you will see a wide variety of game. A picnic lunch is served on a shady island followed by siesta with camp beds, maybe a swim, and then a further 2 hours ride to Mokolowane camp. Arrive at sunset and enjoy a refreshing drink as you admire the stunning views over the floodplain. The open skylines of Mokolowane camp make for great stargazing.

Day 9 – MOKOLOWANE CAMP

Morning game drive. This camp is on the Matsebe river system and features wide-open flood plains interspersed with Mokolowane palms, a favorite food of elephant and baboon. It is also a good area for plains’ game. Alternatively, take a peaceful mokoro trip up the river and enjoy the tranquility of the delta from our dugout canoes.

In the afternoon head out for a 2-3 hour ride and enjoy the beautiful colors of the Delta as the sun starts to sink behind the horizon.

Day 10 – KUJWANA CAMP

A full day’s ride from Mokolowane to Kujwana with a picnic lunch along the way. The ride covers around 35 km, with 4 hours ridden in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. This ride moves through a variety of game areas fording the Xudum River at numerous hippo channels. Picnic lunch en route, arriving at Kujwana at sunset.

DAY 11 – Depart

Early morning game ride out of Kujwana camp if flight times permit. Guests leave after breakfast. One hour’s game drive to the nearest airstrip for transfer by light aircraft into Maun or a 20-minute helicopter ride. In Maun you will connect with your onward international flight.

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Safari-Adventures-Worldwide-Little-Makalolo

Little Makalolo/Hwange National Park

A charming, intimate camp in the south-east of Hwange, “Little Mak” features prominently on the mental maps of local wildlife, all drawn to its reliable waterhole. A log-pile hide affords unique, thrilling close-up views of elephants, and habitat diversity ensures year-round wildlife.

Activities focus on game drives and morning nature walks. The many waterholes produce amazing sightings, or guests can relax in camp and wait for wildlife to come to them. The six spacious en-suite tents (including a family tent) are only surpassed in the experience stakes by the opportunity to sleep out at the Madison Pan star bed.

ACTIVITIES

Morning and evening game drives
Log-pile hide
Star bed
Village visits

ROOM CONFIGURATION

There are five standard tents which are made up of four twin-bedded tents and one double-bedded tent. The twins may be converted into doubles on request.

The family luxury canvas tented unit has two three-quarter beds in each bedroom. It consists of two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and entrance with an inter-leading door between the two rooms.

The stylish tents are spacious and include en-suite bathrooms with double vanities, and indoor and outdoor showers. Solar power is used for tent lights and to heat water, ensuring a lighter environmental footprint.

PROPERTY FACILITIES/SERVICES

Bar, Library, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Credit Cards Accepted

ROOM FACILITIES

Verandah, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Outside Shower, Safe, Tea/Coffee

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Victoria Falls Hotel/Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group. It is one of only three IS0-accredited hotels in Zimbabwe. The Edwardian-style five-star hotel combines the charm of the old with the convenience of the new. Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs, it provides the tranquillity and seclusion that many guests seek. The famous Victoria Falls are just a ten-minute walk away using the hotel’s private pathway, and “the smoke that thunders” or “Mosi-O-Tunya” in the local dialect, is clearly audible and visible from this luxurious landmark.

ACTIVITIES

As the Adventure Capital of Southern Africa numerous adrenalin-inducing activities are available on the Zambezi River, such as river rafting, bungee jumping, abselining and canoeing. We normally organize for our clients a private tour of the falls, a swim in Devils Pool and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

ROOM CONFIGURATION

There are 161 rooms in this elegant, English style hotel that offer a large variety of rooms types and sizes from the standard room, executive suites all way up to the presidential suite. Standard rooms are graced with traditional colors and fine-wood furnishings that provide an elegant and comfortable finish. Standard rooms are available with single, twin or double beds. All rooms have bathrooms with bath/shower combination and are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities. Some bedrooms are inter-leading and eminently suitable for families.

PROPERTY FACILITIES

24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Business Centre, Chapel, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa

ROOM FACILITIES

Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Available), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television

SERVICES

Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service (24 hours)

Okavango Riding Safaris/Okavango Delta

Started in 1986, Okavango Horse Safaris focuses on affording visitors a journey through the diverse landscape of the Okavango Delta, as well as an understanding of the ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the unique area. The company has a string of over 60 horses based in the Delta, mainly thoroughbreds. The safari takes place in a private concession area of over 2,500 square kilometers, using three different camps, all in diverse areas offering a unique experience of the Okavango Delta wildlife, birds, and habitat.

Visitors can expect a small riding group, with a maximum of 8, although larger groups and non-riders can also be accommodated. Between 4-6 hours are spent in the saddle each day, while afternoons can be spent enjoying alternative activities, including swimming, game drives, traditional dugout canoes or walking. On full riding days, picnic lunches are offered, supported by vehicle transport. It allows the opportunity for a siesta on camp beds through the heat of the day, before mounting up and riding into camp in time for sun-downers.

ACTIVITIES

Riding – 4-6 hours per day
Game drives
Nature walks
Canoeing

ROOM CONFIGURATION

Kujwana Camp – You will spend the most nights at Kujwana camp, which is where we are based and where you will arrive. Here we have wifi, a swimming pool, and luxury safari accommodation for all guests, each with their own ensuite bathroom and riverside views.

Mokolowane Camp – Mokolwane is a camp made up of 5 treehouses, with the accommodation boasting superb views, each with a private bathroom. Situated northwest of Kujwana on the Matsebi River, it is a haven for elephants that love the palm trees of this area. This camp is situated in the open flood plains and the vegetation consists of smaller palm islands and wide-open spaces

charles-williams-and-sarah-fernandes-safari-experts

Our family has been completely immersed in African wildlife conservation and safari planning since 1962. We offer unmatched expertise, knowledge and experience. Contact us today to plan your private, fully customized Botswana safari.

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