Botswana - Kujwana
A riding safari exploring the remote western region of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. An area characterised by papyrus-lined waterways and woodland, rich in game and teeming with bird-life.
By day you might ride alongside herds of buffalo, watch wildebeest frolic out on the plains or gaze at a pod of hippo in the water. Each evening gather around the fire to recount the day’s adventures before supper is served by candlelight. Go to sleep at night as the sounds of Africa drift all around you.
The seasonality of the Delta is fascinating. Flood waters generally arrive in May or June and turn the area into a watery wonderland. Where the water is high the horses wade from island to island, but along the margins the going is firm allowing the pace to increase. When the water is lower there are wide open spaces perfect for extended trots and canters.
If staying 7 nights you may be able to spend a night at Moklowane camp where game sightings of lion and wild dog are amazing but please note that due to the number of predators in this area there is no riding to or from Moklowane.
You are riding in an area of potentially dangerous game and therefore need to be experienced in the saddle. Rides are brisk and usually between four to six hours per day. The minimum riding ability required is mastery of the basic aids, ability to rise to the trot for stretches of ten minutes at a time, to be comfortable and balanced at all paces and to be able to gallop out of trouble.
The horses are all well-schooled and responsive, with an even temperament. They are between 14hh and 17hh and are a range of pure Arab, Anglo Arab, Part and Full Thoroughbred.
Saddles can be either English style or trail saddles but not all horses can be ridden in the trail saddles. Most horses are ridden in snaffle bridles.
The followi
ng times are approximate but the daily pattern is normally a wake-up call to your tent at sun rise (c. 05:00 in summer and c. 06:00 in winter). In the hotter summer days you would ride from about 06:00 through to 10:30, and in winter from about 07:00 through to 11:30. Lunch is back at camp and the afternoons are for resting and relaxing in your tent or by the pool. Afternoon tea will usually be about 15:30 before the afternoon activity from 16:00 to 18:00.
Non riders are welcome and can join game drives, boat trips, fishing, mokoro rides or walking safaris, depending on the water levels.
The rider weight limit is strictly 90kg in riding kit. Guests may be required to step on the scales.
Kujwana Camp has six safari tents each with solar lighting, shower and flush loo en-suite. There are two very spacious Riverside Suites, two slightly smaller Mini Riverside Suites and two standard Meru-style tents. The suites are available at a supplement.
On a seven night safari you may wish to have one night at Moklowane Camp and/or sleep out under the stars on the platforms. You do not ride to either of these camps.
Moklowane Camp is north west of Kujwana Camp near the Matsebi River. There are five treehouses built two metres off the ground boasting great views of the open flood plains. Each tree-house has running water and a flush loo.
Adventurers who want a night out under the stars will love sleeping on the raised wooden platforms. You sleep on bedrolls, with mosquito nets, washstands and bush loos supplied (there is no running water). This option usually requires a minimum of 4 people and is not available between December and February.
The preferred arrival day for the seven night safaris (between March and November) is Saturday. It is also possible to do just the first five nights if you are short of time. Ten night safaris may be possible for groups of four or more.
Sample Itinerary for Kujwana
From December to February safaris are normally based at Kujwana Camp only. There is no minimum number of nights.
Select your preferred arrival date:
RIDE PRICE (7 nights)
(Shorter and longer stays are possible, please ask for a price)
| 7 nights | |
| 1 Jan - 31 Mar 2024 | £4,900.00 |
| 1 Apr - 31 May 2024 | £5,880.00 |
| 1 Jun - 30 Sep 2024 | £7,210.00 |
| 1 Oct - 1 Dec 2024 | £5,880.00 |
| 2 - 31 Dec 2024 | £4,900.00 |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; riding; other safari activities.
Upgrades are £100.00 per suite per night (Riverside Suites) and £50.00 per suite per night (Mini Riverside Suites).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (Subject to availability) single tents are at no single supplement.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Maun.
TRANSFERS There are two transfer options. By helicopter is £325.00 per person each way (min 2) and by light aircraft and vehicle is £240.00 per person each way. Transfer prices are based on a minimum of two persons transferring. Please note that the light aircraft option is dependant on water levels.
We will arrange return transfers from Maun to camp. There are two options - either a 25 minute flight by helicopter arriving directly in front of camp or a flight by light aircraft to a nearby airstrip. Please note that the light aircraft transfer is subject to water levels since camp is about one hour's drive from the airstrip and hence riding on arrival and departure days cannot be guaranteed.
Transfers to camp depart Maun in the early afternoon after the arrival of the flight from Johannesburg. The return transfer from camp arrives into Maun in time for you to check in for the afternoon flight to Johannesburg.
We recommend your international flight arrives into Johannesburg by c. 08:00 to allow time to check in for the flight to Maun. We do also recommend you consider arriving into Johannesburg the previous day to avoid the risk of flight delays affecting your safari. Flights from Maun arrive into Johannesburg in time for onward flights that evening.
We can also arrange transfers from or to other camps in Botswana.
In the Okavango Delta on the northern edges of the Kalahari desert in Botswana.
The Summer months in Botswana are September to April. The hottest months are October, November and February, when temperatures can get up to the mid-30's°C.
The rains can start in October with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm and the wettest months are December to February. Winter is May to the end of August, when there is virtually no rainfall but evenings and early mornings can feel cold. Temperatures at this time can vary from 7°C to 28°C.
The floods usually arrive in April or May and have receded by early November.
For more information on the weather patterns in the Delta, do have a read of this blog post, which talks about the different seasons and why the area floods.
Cantering with zebra and giraffe through the water has got to be the best experience ever.
Laurel, West Sussex
Overall rating: 5/5
