Desert & Delta Ride

This riding holiday is the ultimate horseback safari in Africa combining the two most spectacular areas of Botswana and providing an extraordinary contrast as you move between the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. A very rich and diverse experience in every way.

Best period

Year-round

Price

From € 6.580

Ideal length

9 days/8 nights

Interested?

Get in touch

Highlights

Discover the two most spectacular areas of Botswana – Okavango & Kalahari – in one ride.
Enjoy a serene trip in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canou.
Meet the meerkats of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans from up close.
Encounter abundant wildlife on horseback and become part of the herd.

Quick facts

  • Horseback Safaris
  • 9 days/8 nights
  • Intermediate to experienced
  • Groups up to 8
  • 4 - 5 hours/day in the saddle
  • Maun

At a glance

This ride is a diverse horseback safari, allowing you to explore both the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. The adventure starts with a 5-night stay at Cha Cha Metsi Camp, followed by 3 nights at Camp Kalahari. To ride through the two most unique and extraordinary landscapes of Botswana is an experience not to be missed. The Okavango Delta stands out as an idyllic haven for horse riders, encompassing one of the world's largest inland river systems and serving as a remarkable wildlife sanctuary. This diverse ecosystem is a haven for a variety of birds and wildlife, including elephants, kudu, buffalo, and giraffe, making it an optimal safari destination year-round. Exploring this aquatic wilderness on horseback offers an indescribable experience, complemented by the opportunity to take a serene journey in a mokoro—an essential experience in the Okavango.

A road or flight transfer brings you to a completely different landscape: the Makgadikgadi Pans in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Here you’ll enjoy superb riding with incredible scenery, abundant wildlife encounters (incl. ostrich, zebra, kudu, wildebeest, springbok and the elusive brown hyena) and one of the best natural riding ground for the horses. Additionally this ride offers some exciting other activities to supplement the riding, such as a quadbike ride. Thanks to a habituation programme by Uncharted Africa, you’ll have the chance to meet some of the Kahalari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats, from up close. Also in cooperation with Uncharted Africa, a cultural visit to the Kalahari Bushmen is organised for you.

More information

During your stay in the Okavango Delta, you'll be accommodated in the permanent Cha Cha Metsi camp. With a capacity for only 12 guests, this camp offers a picturesque view of the permanent waters of the Gama Tau Lagoon, a captivating spot known as the gathering place of lions, and a section of the Santantadibe River. The camp, personally adorned by the owner with their family's antique furniture, provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It feels like you are being welcomed warmly into their own home.

In the Kalahari Desert, your home base will be Camp Kalahari, a luxurious camp nestled amidst acacias and Mokolwane palms on Brown Hyaena Island, located on the fringes of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This camp stands out with its exceptional hospitality and comfort. The living and dining area boasts a delightful blend of original African furniture and textiles, complemented by traditional campaign-style pieces and colonial antiques, creating an ideal space to unwind and savor the tranquility of the surroundings. Guests can cool off in the swimming pool or take a siesta in the thatched pavilion. Depending on the season, you may also experience camping on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, spending the night in a tent at the Xau Xai Fly Camp.

What do others say?

Amazing trip! Exceptional experiences! No words needed. So grateful to get to know 'Outside the Corral '. Thank you for letting me know this way of traveling. Perfect organisation. Thank you so much!
Sofie Renier
The ride in Botswana was perfect. Laure-Anne's on-site expertise and professional guidance were truly outstanding. She not only met but exceeded the expectations, ensuring a truly unique and memorable trip. I highly recommend Outside the Corral as your partner for an equestrian adventure.
Edwin D'Hondt
I recently had the privilege of embarking on an authentic riding holiday in Botswana, organised by the fantastic team at Outside the Corral. I cannot express enough how extraordinary this experience was! I would like to express my sincere thanks to Outside the Corral for putting together such a unique and enriching experience. This trip went beyond a holiday, it was an immersion in the beauty and authenticity of Botswana. If you are looking for adventure, connection and memories that will last a lifetime, look no further. Thank you Laure-Anne for making my riding holiday in Botswana truly incredible!
Amber de Tollenaere

Ready to discover the horse riding holiday of your dreams?