There are 35 horses which have been carefully chosen from the various South African breeds which are well known for being of a tough nature and able to cope under extreme conditions, such as Boerperd, Shire x Thoroughbreds and Appaloosas. The horses are all beautifully schooled, well-mannered, responsive and a pleasure to ride.

MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY

You need to be a competent rider, capable and in control in all paces. You must be able to rise to the trot and gallop in a forward seat. Due to the presence of dangerous game it is important that you can stay on your horse if you need to react quickly and gallop out of danger. You may also be required to jump small obstacles such as branches dislodged by elephants (although it is often possible to go around these). There are some steep ascents and descents of the Limpopo river banks. Teenagers accompanied by adults are welcome from 16 years old, as long as they are competent riders.

Important: On the very first day, all riders will be asked to participate in a short riding assessment. Riders who do not make it through will be offered shorter rides daily from the main stables.

PACE

There are long periods of walking whilst viewing game, interspersed with long steady canters and occasional gallops where the terrain allows.

TACKING ABILITY AND PARTICIPATION

A team of grooms will feed, care for and saddle your horses. You can help with untacking if you wish, but this is not expected.

TRIP CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED EXPERIENCE

You need to be physically fit for long hours in the saddle (c. 6 hours between dawn and lunch) in the African sun. The terrain is varied to include steep ascents/descents of the river bank and there may be holes or branches which you need to avoid.
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.

EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT

Water bottles are provided on all of the saddles. A small front saddle bag is also provided which is appropriate for small items such as suncream.
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.

COMFORT

Three nights at Two Mashatus camp : this camp is situated close to the Limpopo river. Four large walk-in tents are pitched on teak platforms with ensuite enviro-loo and hot shower. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree with a small deck area on which to relax during the afternoons. Traditionally built Lala palm rondavels serve as dining area and lounge.
Two nights in Kgotla camp : the Kgotla is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The boma is an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of leadwood logs. Guest sleeps on beds around a large log fire which blazes at the centre.
Two nights at Tree Camp: A unique camp built 4 meters above the ground, around the boughs of an ancient Mashatu tree and two lead wood trees. Overlooking the banks of the Majale River, this spot offers a spectacular panoramic view of the adjacent cliffs and flood plain opposite where Mashatu's legendary elephant herds roam. Five beautiful, spacious canvas roofed areas house four poster beds and classic antique furniture. There is a separate area for showers and toilets. There is a spacious dining and lounge area on the elevated platform for relaxing.

CLIMATE

The seasons are the reverse of the UK, with winter (June - Sept) being dry with no rain and clear skies. Daytime temperatures are pleasant and the nights are cool.
Summer (Nov - March) is hot and there is the chance of dramatic thunderstorms.

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.

Travel to or from South Africa
If you are planning to enter South Africa before or after you visit Botswana, you should refer to the travel advice for South Africa.

Travelling with children
The Botswana government has introduced new immigration rules from 1 October 2016. Children (under 18 years of age) who are travelling into or through Botswana must provide a certified copy of their full unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport (an abridged (short) birth certificate won't be accepted).

If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. For more information please contact the Botswana Embassy.

Travelling with children via South Africa
If you're transiting through South Africa with children, see our South Africa travel advice page for information and advice about the documents you'll need to carry.


More information: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana/entry-requirements

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
  

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.

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.

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

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.

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.