Botswana is the ultimate horse riding holiday safari destination. Vast herds of animals cross the plains of the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta, the Chobe River swamps and flood plains and the salt pans of Makgadikgadi – a unique range of ecosystems in which bird, plant and animal life abound.
Horse riding holidays in Botswana are situated primarily within the Okavango Delta, a 6,000-square-mile maze of lagoons, channels, and islands which has been called "The river that never finds the sea".
Roughly the size of France, but with a population of 1.3 million, Botswana is one of the last unspoiled corners of Africa. It is a stable country, committed to preserving its natural heritage. One-sixth of its territory is dedicated to permanent, well-managed game sanctuaries. It is not a place to drive yourself around. There are few roads and the shifting tracks are only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. The two principal game-viewing areas are the Okavango Delta and Chobe.
The Okavango River flows down from Angola into the Kalahari Desert, where it creates the world’s largest inland delta. Trapped between deep fault lines and dammed by rising land to the east, the Okavango Delta is an oasis in the desert, a paradise of islands and lagoons, papyrus swamps and reed beds.
The Okavango Delta was 'designed' for horse riding holidays. A riding holiday that will stay with you for a lifetime. The wildlife, the scenery, the guides, the horses all combine to make this horse riding holiday a once in a lifetime experience.
Botswana - A vast country in Southern Africa, known to be hot and dry, with the exception of the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta in the north of the country - reputedly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Largely off-the-beaten track, Botswana is a haven for wildlife and especially Elephants. Africa Trails offers a range of safari holidays for individuals, groups and families.
History & Background: Botswana was formerly known as Bechuanaland and was a British colony until 1966. It was first inhabited by the San (Bushmen) and then by the Khoi-Khoi (Hottentots) and Bantu groups. Botswana is a landlocked nation, bordered by South Africa in the South, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Botswana is one of Africa's most stable and peaceful democracies with its economy, closely tied to South Africa's, being dominated by cattle raising and mining, boasting huge diamond deposits.
Best Game Viewing Months: There are four main parks in Botswana you would be most interested in visiting. In Chobe National Park game viewing is fair from November to April, Good in May, June and October and excellent from July to September. Moremi game reserve is fair for game viewing from November to April, Good in May and June and excellent from July to October. In the Okavango Delta game viewing is fair from January to April, Good from October to December and excellent from May to September. In the last of the four parks Savuti, game viewing is fair from November to February, Good from March to June and excellent from July to September.
