Comfort
During the ride, your camp will be made up of simple, yet comfortable freestanding tents for 2 people, raised camp beds and sheets are provided. You will move camp regularly during the week, depending on weather conditions and game movement.
A bathroom tent, a shower tent (bucket shower) and a mess tent are all shared (1 hot bucket shower and 1 bush loo shared between 2 tents). Breakfast and dinner will be had out around the campfire.
The mobile camp is transported by a flotilla of mekoros (traditional dugout canoes) poled by members of the local community, who live on the fringes of the Delta and know it intimately. When the water levels are too low for the mekoros to navigate, a train of pack donkeys takes over.
There are no charging facilities on this ride. We recommend guests bring with them a solar external battery bank to charge all camera equipment etc.
No wifi and little to none mobile coverage. No laundry service.
Meals
The dining style is buffet using fresh ingredients and cooked over an open fire. Dinners are 2 courses comprising of a main meal and dessert. As we are very limited for space on these trips, dietary requirements should be confirmed prior to travel so that we may properly plan a specific menu to accommodate those requirements.
Breakfast will be had out in the bush; savoury, sweet, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, eggs and bacon.
Lunch will buffet style with options such as salad, cold meats, fruit and cheese.
Dinner will be served around the mess table and be made up of meat, vegetables, grill and fresh fruit.
Mineral water will be provided. As space is so limited on these safaris it really helps us to properly plan and pack for these trips for our guests to provide us with their specific drinks requests for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and where possible to include daily quantities. Drinking water, teas and coffees are provided.
Climate
The months of October to March are the hottest of the year, with temperatures varying between 15 and 37°c.
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 reverse 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.
Guide and local team
All rides will be led by a professional experienced guide armed with a rifle. He will be accompanied by an assistant back up guide. Guides will be up to date on their first aid training and will carry a basic first aid kit on all rides. A GPS and a handheld radio or satellite phone are also carried in the event of an emergency.
Tips
Tips are usually between 20-25 USD per rider/ per day for the whole local team which will then be shared equally.
- Guide: US$ 10 per day per guest
- Camp Staff (including back up rider): US$ 10 per day per guest
- Community Staff (Delta only): US$ 2 per day per guest
Packing list
I'll just take this opportunity to remind you of the luggage requirements: Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided. The luggage limit is 15kgs, including hand luggage, not exceeding the following dimensions: 55cm (L) x 30 (W) x 30 (D). This must be in soft bags. We recommend the bags are waterproof. If travelling to the Delta in the dry season (usually outside of the months of July and August) then your luggage is carried by pack donkeys: please make sure to adhere to the weight limit of 15kgs and all bags MUST be soft with no wheels in order to fit comfortably into the donkey saddle panniers. In the wet season your belongings are transported by a flotilla of mekoros (traditional dugout canoes). You should try and pack your belongings in waterproof bags to make sure they stay dry during your safari.
Our Recommendations
- 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!
- You must bring a headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night.
- There is no electricity at Camp, a solar charging bank could be a useful item to charge camera batteries
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, particularly June - August
- 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 you may wish to take a second pair so that you aren't putting wet boots on
- 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
- Binoculars for viewing game
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- 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)
A first aid kit is available in camp but please make sure to bring any prescription medication with you.
