BOTSWANA-Motswiri
10 days / 7 riding from 2335£
Activity :
Level :
Comfort :
Family starting from 12 ans
Beautifully situated on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, Motswiri is a luxurious camp that offers superb horseback safaris for competent riders along with a mix of non-riding activities - perfect for mixed groups of riders and non-riders. There is also the exciting option of a fly camp for a night or two during the dry season, from May to September.
Strengths
- Luxurious tents with en-suite bathrooms and individual viewing decks
- Extremely well schooled and well mannered horses
- Good game viewing including elephant, buffalo and wild dog, as well as rare species of antelope such as Sable and Roan
- Ideal for mixed groups of riders and non-riders as there are specialised walking guides as well as boats, mokoros and 4WD vehicles
- Ideal for families - children of all ages are accepted in camp - riders need to be a minimum of 12 years old and competent
- Option to visit fly camp (weather dependent)
Itinerary
Day 1: LONDON - JOHANNESBURG -
International flight overnight to Johannesburg. If booking your own flight then you need to depart London at c. 19:00 so that you arrive in Johannesburg at c. 07:00 in time for your flight to Maun which will depart Johannesburg at c. 11am.
Flights are not included but we can assist with this on request
Day 2: JOHANNESBURG - MAUN - MOTSWIRI CAMP - 2 hours riding
On arrival in Maun you will be met at the airport by a representative of Motswiri camp holding a sign saying RAW Botswana. You will be escorted to your light aircraft for the transfer into camp - a journey of c. 40 minutes and offering a birds eye view of the Okavango Delta. Please note that there is a luggage limit of 20kg on the light aircraft, which includes your hand luggage and must be in soft sided bags.
On landing at Motswiri's airstrip it is a short drive into camp.
Depending on your time of arrival, you will have a light lunch or tea with time to settle in before getting ready for the evening ride where you can get to know your horse.
After the ride, return to camp for a three course, candlelit dinner.
IMPORTANT This is a sample itinerary. The actual itinerary will depend on game movements, water levels and weather conditions but always with your best interests at heart.
Day 3: MOTSWIRI - 3-6 hours riding
After being woken by a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast, set out on a longer ride along the spillway. Hopefully you should see elephant, giraffe and if you are lucky, the rare and beautiful roan and sable antelope. Return to camp for lunch and a well earned siesta before setting off again for a gentle evening ride.
Day 4: MOTSWIRI - 3-6 hours riding
Leave camp early to head out again on a ride to explore more of this untouched and pristine bush, covering some 120,000 acres of uninhabited wilderness. En-route, there is a brunch waiting in a shady spot. The evening ride is spent exploring the Delta region to the East of camp. Later on, drinks and dinner are served again at camp.
Day 5: MOTSWIRI - 3-6 hours riding
Today you ride through different country, making your way through the majestic riverine forest along the Selinda Spillway where you may encounter giraffe or zebra while riding through the mopane woodlands. Return to camp for an afternoon relaxing, either on the viewing platform at camp or around the pool. Later on you will be given the choice to try out the canoes in camp or to go for a bush walk. You are more than welcome to ride again if you wish!
Day 6: LITTLE MOTSWIRI - 3-4 hours riding
While staff pack up you leave for your fly camp, riding West along the Selinda Spillway. On reaching ‘Little Motswiri' you find the fly camp overlooking a breathtaking pool with superb birdlife. Here you stay for the night. The afternoon may be spent swimming or walking. Fires are lit at night to create a strong human presence to keep watch.
(NB. Fly camp is weather dependent. You can choose not to visit the fly camp and remain at main camp if you prefer - please note that this is option will incur a supplement, see our "dates and prices" for more information).
Day 7: MOTSWIRI - 3-6 hours riding
Having kept watch under the stars, the next morning you splash through water along the false spillway to the North of the Selinda Spilway, which is home to the elusive roan and sable antelope. En route, you are likely to see elephant, giraffe, zebra and impala. You head back to Motswiri camp in time for lunch.
In the afternoon you again have the option of another ride or perhaps sundowners on the boat, fishing for bream and watching the fish eagles soar.
Day 8: MOTSWIRI - 3-6 hours riding
For your last full day, depending on what you have seen over the past few days, ride out to the East of Motswiri camp and towards the huge flood plains along the boundary of the concession area. The evening offers a last quiet ride with a surprise sundowner on your ride back to Motswiri.
Day 9: MOTSWIRI - MAUN - JOHANNESBURG - 1-2 hours riding
There should be time for a final short ride this morning - your route depends on what you have come across over the past few days.
After a quick shower you board the light aircraft for your flight back to Maun in time for your flight to Johannesburg and home. You will need the afternoon flight from Maun to Johannesburg which departs at c. 2pm. We can book this flight for you if you prefer (at extra cost). You will then require a flight back to the UK which departs in the evening, at c. 8pm.
Day 10: LONDON -
Arrive back in London during the early morning.
Price details
- Arrival/departure dates are completely flexible and you can stay for as long as you like. The above dates are given for information purposes but you can stay over any dates you wish (subject to availability).
- There is a minimum stay of 3 nights. Please enquire for prices of shorter/longer stays.
- International flights are not included but we can book them for you on request.
- Light air transfers from Maun to camp are £450 per person return.
- If you wish to extend your holiday at Victoria Falls then an air transfer can be arranged to Kasane instead of Maun for an additional £50 per person each way (based on two people sharing).
- There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a tent. To request your own tent, the supplement is 50% of the ride price, however, it may be possible for us to waive the single supplement depending on numbers in camp - please enquire.
- Camp can accommodate up to ten people, but riding groups are usually up to 8 riders plus guides
- Non-riders and families are welcome in camp. There are lots of non-riding activities on offer - walking safaris, 4x4 safaris, boat safaris, mokoro trips, fishing etc.
- Children 12 years and under -50% discount
- Children need to be 12 years or older in order to ride and must be competent riders. There are no small ponies and so they should be used to riding ponies 14hh and taller.
- Chidren aged ten years and younger are accepted as non-riders.
When to go?
The Okavango Delta is a seasonal flood plain and so different times of the year offer different experiences - each magical in its own way. The seasons in southern Africa are the reserve of the UK and so December/January is mid-summer with high temperatures and the chance of dramatic thunderstorms, whereas July/August is mid-winter when temperatures are lower and there is little chance of rain. The water level in the Delta depend on the rainfall in Angola and the floods usually arrive around April/May and recede around September/October, but this varies every year and is difficult to predict. The following guide may prove useful when planning the best time for your holiday.
March/April : Daytime temperatures are warm/hot (25-35c) and will drop to 10-20c at night. There is a small chance of rain and the bush is green and lush. There will be waterholes left over from the rainy season but the flood may not have arrived yet. Because of the rain, lush grazing and plentiful waterholes the game is dispersed and not gathered in big herd but will look fat and healthy.
May : Daytime temperatures are falling (20-30c) and it is starting to feel cooler at night (5-10c). The floods normally arrive in May which brings high levels of bird life. The large herds of lechwe antelope and buffalo will start to move into the area, but game is still dispersed as there is plenty to eat and drink.
June-August : Daytime temperatures are still pleasant (20-25c) but night are cold (3-5c) and so the early morning and late evenings are chilly. The floods are at their highest and so there is plenty of wading from island to island and boat activities. Hippo and crocodile may move into the area as well as large buffalo and antelope herds.
September/October : Spring arrives and temperatures start to climb with daytime temperatures of 30-45c, dropping to 15-25c at night. The floods are starting to recede, the islands are dry as there has not been rain for months and so the game starts to concentrate around the water holes.
November - February : The rain can arrive anytime in November. Daytime temperatures are high before the rains (30-40c) but drop after each shower. It is unlikely to rain persistently, but usually for a few hours. Nights are still warm (15-20c). The bush turns green after the rains and the grass starts to grow again. Once the waterholes start to fill again the game will disperse. The antelope will give birth during this time of plenty.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.
PRICE INCLUDES
Support Team
1 English-speaking horseback safari guide
1 back-up guide
Logistic
1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle
1 teams of cooks
1 team of grooms
1 English-speaking camp manager
Accommodation
Double/twin luxury safari tent
Meals
Full board from brunch on D2 to breakfast on D9
All drinks
Extra
Park fees
OPTION
Accommodation
Single tent supplement
"Raw Night Out", fly camp that is a supplement of £230 per person.
PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE
Transports
Light aircraft transfers from Maun to camp
Visa fees
Extra
Tips to local team
Insurance
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation
TIPS
We recommend tipping c. 10-15 USD per day which will be split between all of the camp staff. If you wish to tip your guide seperately then you may do so.
HORSES
The horses are a mixture of pure and part bred Thoroughbreds, Boerperds and Fresian crosses. They range in size from 14hh - 17hh and are well schooled and cared for. Most are ridden in English Wintec GP saddles but there are one or two trail saddles available if you prefer.
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY
You need to be a competent rider, capable of riding at all paces across rough terrain. You should feel confident about keeping up with the group and riding in an area of dangerous game - you may be required to gallop out of danger.
Riders are accompanied by a lead guide and back-up guide at all times, one of whom will carry a rifle.
There is a rider weight limit of 95kg / 209 lbs /14,9 st
PACE
The riding is mainly at a walk when viewing game but there are opportunities for long trots and canters each day where the terrain allows. There may be occasional opportunities to jump branches dislodged by elephants but these are optional. Dependent on the season and water levels it may also be possible to swim your horse in the spillway.
Morning rides are c. 3-4 hours duration and will be pacey, whereas the shorter afternoon rides (c. 2 hours duration) are slower.
TACKING ABILITY AND PARTICIPATION
The horses are tacked and un-tacked for you.
TRIP CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED EXPERIENCE
You need to be fit enough to cope with long canters in the African sun. You also need to be prepared to get wet during splashy canters and sometimes deep wades.
Guests who do not ride regularly are requested to get fit prior to the ride. It is of particular importance to ensure you are comfortable and balanced when riding at speed across rough terrain and open spaces. If the guides feel that you are unsafe on horseback, then you will be offered non-riding activities instead.
If you are feeling tired then you can opt to join a non-riding activity instead of riding at any point during the week.
EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
English tack, a few trail saddles.
Water bottles are provided on all of the saddles. Saddle bags are available on some horses or small items can be carried by the guides if you do not have a bumbag.
Helmets are not provided and you should bring your own.
COMFORT
The main camp consists of spacious safari tents built on raised wooden platforms with en-suite shower and toilet. There is a specially designed family unit with two adjoining tents and a honeymoon tent with additional outside shower. There is a large mess area and a pool. Each room can offer twin or double beds.
The fly camp consists of smaller safari tents with adjoining bucket shower and long-drop toilet.There are stretcher beds with proper linen and duvets.
CLIMATE
The Okavango Delta is a seasonal flood plain and so different times of the year offer different experiences - each magical in its own way. The seasons in southern Africa are the reserve of the UK and so December/January is mid-summer with high temperatures and the chance of dramatic thunderstorms, whereas July/August is mid-winter when temperatures are lower and there is little chance of rain. The water level in the Delta depend on the rainfall in Angola and the floods usually arrive around April/May and recede around September/October, but this varies every year and is difficult to predict. The following guide may prove useful when planning the best time for your holiday.
March/April : Daytime temperatures are warm/hot (25-35c) and will drop to 10-20c at night. There is a small chance of rain and the bush is green and lush. There will be waterholes left over from the rainy season but the flood may not have arrived yet. Because of the rain, lush grazing and plentiful waterholes the game is dispersed and not gathered in big herd but will look fat and healthy.
May : Daytime temperatures are falling (20-30c) and it is starting to feel cooler at night (5-10c). The floods normally arrive in May which brings high levels of bird life. The large herds of lechwe antelope and buffalo will start to move into the area, but game is still dispersed as there is plenty to eat and drink.
June-August : Daytime temperatures are still pleasant (20-25c) but night are cold (3-5c) and so the early morning and late evenings are chilly. The floods are at their highest and so there is plenty of wading from island to island and boat activities. Hippo and crocodile may move into the area as well as large buffalo and antelope herds.
September/October : Spring arrives and temperatures start to climb with daytime temperatures of 30-45c, dropping to 15-25c at night. The floods are starting to recede, the islands are dry as there has not been rain for months and so the game starts to concentrate around the water holes.
November - February : The rain can arrive anytime in November. Daytime temperatures are high before the rains (30-40c) but drop after each shower. It is unlikely to rain persistently, but usually for a few hours. Nights are still warm (15-20c). The bush turns green after the rains and the grass starts to grow again. Once the waterholes start to fill again the game will disperse. The antelope will give birth during this time of plenty.
Meals
Breakfast is usually taken very early (before dawn) and is therefore light, consisting of cereals, fruit and rusks with tea or coffee.
Lunch is also light and may be quiche and salad or a variety of salads with cold meats.
Dinner is three courses. Wine is served with the meals and a selection of drinks are available.
Vegetarians and special diets can be catered for with advance notice.
Support Team
Guide and local team
You will be guided by a specific horse riding guide along with a back-up guide - at least one of these will carry a rifle.
There are also specialised walking guides available in camp for non-riders.
HORSE GUIDE
-
Grant TRUTHE
Grant has over 20 years experience of operations and management of both lodge and mobile companies. One of Botswana's leading professional guides with extensive field knowledge, Grant is a real asset to RAW Botswana and is devoting his time to developing the walking safaris for the company. Grant has been in Botswana all his life and up until recently, was running his own, very successful, mobile safari company. Grant also leads riding safaris as well as being partial to the odd spot of fishing!'
LOCAL TEAM
-
Carmen COWLEY
Carmen est passionnée par les chevaux et le bush. Elle a rejoint l'équipe de Motswiri en avril 2013.
D'origine sud-africaine, elle a commencé avec les chevaux à l'âge de 19 ans. A l'âge de 23 ans, elle s'est tourné Vers le dressage et a participé à de nombreuses compétitions. Elle a ensuite passé son diplôme de guide équestre de safari.
Aujourd'hui, elle allie ses 2 passions : cheval et bush et s'occupe avec amour et professionnalisme de la cavalerie de Motswiri.
Packing list
Specific Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided, particularly for light air transfers. There is usually a luggage limit of 20kgs including hand luggage.
- Wherever possible you should wear neutral colours, such as beige, brown or natural bush colours for riding as bright colours, such as red, yellow or white can startle the wildlife and they will see you long before you've seen them
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and thorns
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- Waterproof jacket - the rains can be difficult to foresee and it's better to be prepared. Rain is more likely Oct-April, but in the Delta you may appreciate a waterproof jacket for splashy canters May-September
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps to protect against thorns. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged. During the flood season (May-Sept) you may wish to take a second pair of boots in case your first pair get wet.
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for moving around the lodge and camp
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Nightwear
Other useful items
- Swimsuit - for plunge pools
- Binoculars for viewing game
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night
- Waterproof pouches if you want to bring your camera or phone with you whilst riding
In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag. Some toiletries are provided by the camp so you can pack lighter.
In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - must be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Anti malarial tablets and Yellow Fever Certificate if required (check with your doctor)
ENTRY FORMALITIES
To enter Botswana, a passport valid for at least six months is required by British, Australian, Canadian, USA and all other EU nationals. Outgoing travel documents and sufficient funds are also required. We recommend having two blank facing visa pages in your passport for the official stamps.
Visas are not required by British, Australian, Canadian, USA or other EU nationals for stays in Botswana of up to 90 days.
Visas are also not required by transit passengers, provided they are continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, and do not leave the airport.
Nationals of countries not listed above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa note:
Those nationals who do require a visa for Botswana must include a copy of their travel itinerary with their application, along with a letter of support from their intended host and return visa or residence permit from his/her country of residence.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
From 1st June 2015, South Africa have introduced tough rulings for anyone travelling with children, including passengers transitting South Africa to another destination.
- Two parents travelling with children will need to show the childs Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- One parent travelling with a child will need to show the UBC plus either: a Parental Consent Affidavit (PAC) from the parent not travelling OR a letter of special circumstance.
- Widowed parents will need to show the UBC and a death certificate for the deceased parent
- Children travelling with family friends will need a UBC, PCA, copies of the parents passports and contact details for the parents.
For more information click this link: http://www.africa-adventure.net/downloads/SummaryImmigrationMinors.pdf
Contact South African Immigration for what is required for other circumstances.
Addresses of consulates
- Botswana High Commission
6 Stratford Place
London W1C 1AY
Tél. : (020) 7499 0031
Fax : (020) 7647 1000
- Ambassade du Botswana
88 Avenue de Iéna
75116 Paris
Tél. : 01.47.20.08.23
Fax :
bostwana@brutele.be
HEALTH
There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Botswana from the UK, however, you need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Botswana) where that disease is widely prevalent, such as Zambia/Victoria Falls.
You should check with your doctor who has access to the most up-to-date information but the following vaccinations are usually recommended - Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) together with Hepatitis A and typhoid.
If you are staying longer than 3 months or have a particular risk you might consider a rabies vaccination. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as Hepatitis B are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.
Malaria is prevalent in the country, but mainly during the warm and wet season and particularly in the northern half of the country. The south is generally considered lower risk. Don't underestimate this tropical disease and take precautions. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET) and sleep under a net and speak to your doctor about anti-malarial medication.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides will require your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.
TELEPHONE AND JET LAG
There are very few public phone boxes. The country calling code to Botswana is 267. To make an international call from Botswana, the code is 00.
Mobile phone roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average in the major towns but you are unlikely to get any signal at all when in remote camps.
Time zone: GMT + 2hr
BUDGET AND MONEY
Pula (BWP; symbol P) = 100 thebe.
Notes in denominations of P100, 50, 20 and 10.
Coins in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe.
It is not necessary to change money into local currency for any of our Botswana rides - they accept GB Pounds, Euro, US Dollars and South African Rand.
VOLTAGE
220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. 15- and 13-amp plug sockets are in use. Plugs used are British-style with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade, or South African style with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin.