Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Horse Back Safari

There aren’t many experiences than can beat riding a horse through Botswana’s Makgadikgadi salt pans, especially when there’s wildlife involved too. You’ll ride alongside herds of zebra, wildebeest and hartebeest, and will probably encounter an ostrich or two along the way. Game drives will yield sightings of springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and, if you’re lucky, the brown hyena, one of the rarest species on the continent. There may also be a chance to see the black-maned Kalahari lion, and some magnificent birds of prey. And then of course, the habituated meerkat of the Kalahari. Meeting the cheeky creatures is a special experience, and on cooler days they’ll sometimes snuggle into you for warmth. In fact, some will even clamber onto your head to use you as a lookout post!

This journey begins at Camp Kalahari on Brown Hyena Island at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The camp is laidback, quirky and fun. As well as six twin tents and four doubles, there’s also a family unit with two tents and an inter-leading bathroom, perfect if you’re travelling with younger kids. The swimming pool is the ideal spot for some siesta-splashing.

During your time at Xau Xai Fly Camp, you’ll be staying in rustic but comfortable dome tents. Each has a private bathroom with a loo and bucket shower, and there’s plenty of hot water too. Meals will be cooked over the fire, and you will experience the magic of camping in the heart of the bush.

ITINERARY

Day 1

• Meet your host, David Foot, at Camp Kalahari

• Matched with your four-legged companion, before getting stuck straight into the action with an afternoon horse ride across the plains

• Overnight: Camp Kalahari Full Board

Day 2

• The day begins with a lengthy ride through the ancient lakebed, grasslands and sand dunes

• In the afternoon, the horses will have a break as you head out on a game drive to search for the desert-adapted species

• Overnight: Camp Kalahari Full Board

Day 3

• Travel to Xau Xai Fly Camp by horseback - this will take most of the day

• Canter through mopane and acacia woodlands, stopping at the famous Green’s Baobab for lunch

• Arrive at the fly camp as the sun sets

• Overnight: Xau Xai Fly Camp Full Board

Day 4

• Today you’ll meet the Kalahari’s fascinating habituated meerkats and enjoy a bush walk to a nearby water hole to look for some of the Kalahari’s bird species

• Overnight: Xau Xai Fly Camp Full Board

Day 5

• Ride back to Camp Kalahari exploring another area of the pans

• Overnight: Camp Kalahari Full Board

• Day 6

• Spend the morning in a traditional Zu/’hoasi Bushmen village. You’ll meet the community elders, before walking with the Bushmen and learning how they survive in the harsh environment

• In the afternoon, it’s time to bid farewell to your horse, and begin the journey home

Weight Allowance: The maximum weight limit per rider in full gear is 95 kg. Heavier, experienced riders may be accepted but at the discretion of the company

Distances: We spend between 4-7 hours each day on the saddle. The longest day will be when we travel to Xau Xai fly camp, which will be up to 35 km.

Age requirement: 12 years or older