HOLMES
African Wildlife Safaris Specialists

Botswana Game Reserves and Safaris

AFRICAN HORSEBACK SAFARIS The safaris are based at Macatoo Camp, situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, the largest inland delta in the world. The area is a labyrinth of channels, palm fringed islands and fertile floodplains, trapped in the parched sands of the Kalahari desert where many animals congregate including lions, elephant, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, monkeys, hippo and crocodiles.

The horseback safari camp, Macatoo, is situated on the western side of the Okavango Delta. Safaris are usually 7 nights or longer (weather permitting - otherwise a stay of 3 to 4 nights is recommended).

MACATOO CAMP Accommodation is in large, secluded, walk-in, twin bedded tents with their own ensuite shower and toilet and a private verandah overlooking a seasonal floodplain. There is a large furnished mess-tent, a private plunge pool and over 40 horses.

FLY CAMP On longer safaris guests have the opportunity to ride out to a mobile fly-camp. Not available during November to February due to weather and logistics.

SAFARIS As the Okavango Delta is a huge area of unspoilt wilderness with a wide variety of species and ever-changing landscapes due to seasonal flood waters, no two safaris may be the same.

4-6 hours are spent in the saddle each day in groups of no more than 7 guests. As guests may be required to canter out of trouble, these safaris are not suitable for inexperienced riders. Riding is varied, sometimes quietly walking, stalking big game and admiring the bird life or sometimes cantering through the water-meadows alongside galloping giraffe and lechwe.

4x4's may be used for night drives, spotting nocturnal species and for close-up photography of kills and predators. There are also boat safaris when water levels permit.

Travel insurance is essential on this trip. Please make sure policy includes horse riding, medical evacuation and medical aid. It is clients responsibility to provide their own hard hat or safety helmet - many insurance companies will not insure this holiday unless a hard hat or safety helmet is worn whilst in the saddle.

Riders should be aged 12 years and over, riding fit and strong. There is a maximum weight limit of 15 stone, 210 lbs or 95 kgs. These safaris are not suitable for those who only ride western style as the horses are not trained in this discipline.

WHEN TO GO
March-April

Temperature 25-35°C day, 10-20°C night.
Weather is warm/hot during day, warm at night. Small possibility of rain.
Bush is green and lush, grass tall and green.
Plenty of rain pools left over from the rainy season - but the floodwater is unlikely to be within riding distance of the camp.
Because of rain and waterholes, the game is dispersed all over the country, so not in concentrated herds yet. May be possible to see the plains game - zebra, wildebeest, impala, elephant, buffalo and cats.

May

Temperature 20-30°C day, 5-10°C night.
Cooler at night, but still pleasantly warm during the day. Unlikely to rain.
Bush still green but grass getting shorter.
Annual floodwaters normally arrive May/June bringing shallow water canters on the floodplains and deeper channels to cross. As water levels rise, motorboat replaces vehicle game drives.
Initially birdlife is great as they feed off shallow water areas. Game comes to drink from the water, with buffalo and lechwe moving in as levels increase. Much of the game is still dispersed due to a lot of water.

June-August

Temperature 20-25°C day, 3-5°C night.
Chilly/cold in early morning and evenings, warm midday.
Bush getting drier. Green shoots starting to come through around the island edges.
Water at highest levels so plenty to ride through or go on motorboat or canoes.
Large herds of lechwe forming in the wetlands, possibly hippo and crocodile in area. May be sightings of buffalo, impala, tsessebe, kudu on islands.

September-October

Temperature 30-45°C day, 15-25°C night.
Getting hotter building up to first rains. Evenings are warm.
Bush is dry and grass short.
Game concentrates as water sources lessen. Herds of buffalo, elephant and plains game, wild dog and cats such as cheetah who favour dry savannah, young giraffe, lechwe and hyenas cooling off in pools may be seen.

November-February

Temperature 30-40°C day, 15-20°C night.
Rainy season any time from November. Warm to sticky hot before rain and cooler after each rain.
Bush turns green, many trees and flowers bloom.
Depending on the flood level, there will be some water around with rain topping up the pools.
Game very good until first rain when it disperses again. Young antelope are born at this time.

KWANDO SAFARIS, KWARA CAMP Located in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, fronting onto a huge floodplain and backed by extensive bush, Kwara Camp has 1,700 square kms of private unfenced wilderness area for a maximum of 16 guests in 8 luxury tents. There are mekora dug out canoe safaris, boat cruises and guided walks where guests can enjoy bird watching, spinner fishing and game viewing.

Fully inclusive Kwara Camp is located on the northern edge of the the Okavango Delta, adjacent to Moremi Game Reserve, with over 1700 square kms of private unfenced wilderness area. The camp fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the Delta and is backed by extensive bush. There are a wide diversity of habitats including clear Delta waters with reed-lined lagoons and channels, open grasslands and palm-fringed islands.

ACCOMMODATION comprises 8 elevated safari tents set under a shady tree island overlooking a lagoon. Each tent has a viewing deck, ensuite facilities with washbasins and flush toilets, inside/outside shower with hot and cold running water, bedroom. The honeymoon tent has an antique bath.

KWARA CAMP FACILITIES

Plunge pool
Lounge
Bar
Dining room
Gift shop

SAFARIS There are morning and night game drives in open vehicles with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle, mekoro dug out canoe safaris, double deck powerboat cruises, guided walks on palm-fringed islands and spinner fishing. Bring your own equipment if you wish to fly fish.

Visit the famous Godikwe lagoon where you can stand on a boat eye to eye with herons, storks and other nesting birds. Other species that may be found in the channels and rivers are kingfishers, pygmy geese, fish eagles, jacanas, darters and the elusive Pels Fishing Owl. Kwara is also home to a variety of wild animals including lechwe, sitatunga, reedbuck, hippo, crocodiles, elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, tsessebe, lion, hyena, wild dog, leopard and cheetah.

KWANDO SAFARIS, LITTLE KWARA CAMP The camp is situated in a tree'd island on the edge of the Okavango Delta for up to 10 guests in 5 luxury tents ideal for small groups and families. There are mekoro dug out canoe safaris, boat cruises, morning and night game drives and guided walks where a wide variety of game may be viewed including leopard, lion, wild dog, hyena and smaller predators.

Fully inclusive Little Kwara Camp is situated on an island, hidden amongst trees, on the edge of the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta, adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve.

ACCOMMODATION comprises 5 spacious luxury tents elevated into the tree canopy on wooden decks each with its own verandah, ensuite bathroom with bath, washbasins and flush toilets, inside/outside showers, bedroom.

LITTLE KWARA CAMP FACILITIES

Plunge pool
Lounge

SAFARIS There are morning and night game drives in open vehicles, mekoro dug out canoe safaris, double deck boat cruises and island walks. Fishing is available on request (fly fishing enthusiasts need to bring their own equipment).

The year round availability of water at Little Kwara makes this one of the most consistent game viewing experiences available with large game species as well as all the interesting smaller species. Operating off road at night it is possible to view up to 30% of mammals that are mainly active at this time including leopard, lion, wild dog and hyena. Little Kwara is also an ideal birding destination.

KWANDO SAFARIS, LAGOON CAMP Lying on a shady bank of the Kwando River, Lagoon Camp accommodates up to 16 guests in 8 luxury tents where hippo and elephants are regular visitors. The camp is located in 2,320 square kms of private unfenced wilderness area. Morning and night game drives in open vehicles, double deck boat cruising and guided walks are provided for viewing a wide variety of game.

Fully inclusive Lagoon Camp lies on a shady bank of the Kwando River, located in the extensive Kwando wilderness of 550,000 acres.

ACCOMMODATION comprises 8 twin bedded luxury safari tents looking out over the water with viewing deck, ensuite facilites with washbasins and flush toilets, reeded open-air showers, hot and cold running water, bedroom. Two of the tents are connected via an elevated walkway making them ideal for a family travelling together.

LEBALA CAMP FACILITIES

Plunge pool
Lounge
Bar
Dining room
Gift shop

SAFARIS There are morning and night game drives in open vehicles with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle, double deck boat cruises, guided walks and spinner fishing.

Birds, squirrels, hippo and elephants are regularly sighted at the camp and spotted neck otters are often seen performing in the lagoon in front of the tents. A wide variety of wildlife may be viewed on the game drives including lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala, wildebeest, waterbuck, sable, roan and buffalo, Boat cruises along the Kwando River provide excellent opportunities for birding. Lagoon is considered the best venue for viewing wild dogs as they have denned near the camp every year of the camps existence.

KWANDO SAFARIS, LEBALA CAMP Fronting onto the Linyanti Wetlands, Lebala Camp is located in 2,320 square kms of private unfenced wilderness area for a maximum of 16 guests in 8 luxury tents. There are morning and night game drives in open vehicles where the wetlands and flood plains may offer a wide variety of game viewing including elephant, hippo, lechwe, giraffe, wildebeest, wild dog, lion and cheetah.

Fully inclusive Lebala Camp fronts onto the Linyanti Wetlands fed by the Kwando River. The area is dominated by vast plains with scattered palms and tree clumps backed by wooded savannahs.

ACCOMMODATION comprises 8 spacious luxury tents with views to surrounding plains from their teak deck, entrance foyer with reading and writing area, ensuite bathroom with Victorian bath, washbasins and flush toilets, reed enclosed open-air shower with hot and cold running water, bedroom, dressing room and fans.

LEBALA CAMP FACILITIES

Plunge pool
Lounge
Bar
Dining room
Game viewing hide
Gift shop

SAFARIS There are morning and night game drives in open vehicles with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle where a wide variety of species may be viewed including elephant, hippo, lechwe, zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, roan, sable, buffalo, wild dog, lion, cheetah and hyena. After dark, there may be nocturnal sightings of leopard, Selous mongoose, small spotted genet and aardwolf. Nocturnal birds such as Natal Nightjar, Pennantwinged Nightjar and a large variety of owls may be seen.

Seasonal guided walks are at guides discretion due to high elephant concentrations.

There are no water activities due to the large numbers of hippo and elephants in the channels.

All information provided is subject to change.

Please call Holmes for more information and prices.

TRAVEL ENQUIRIES 01473 610666
PROPERTY SALES 01473 617357
FAX 01473 610599
information@holmestravel.co.uk