When you jump in the saddle for horseback riding safari in Botswana, you will connect with its diverse landscapes and wildlife on an exhilarating journey.
Botswana’s remote wilderness areas make for an unforgettable safari experience no matter how you choose to explore them. From cruising through the lagoons of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) to driving across the salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, Botswana is as diverse in landscapes as it is in the modes of transport from which you can see them.
There is one particularly exciting way of going on safari in Botswana that takes you off the beaten track in the very truest sense of the phrase. Saddling up, taking the reins and heading off into the wild on horseback offers you a different and incredibly immersive perspective of Botswana.
Here are our top three reasons why we love horse-riding safaris in Botswana:
Set the pace
Horseback safaris can be tailored to your expectations and preferred riding style. That means you can choose a more leisurely ride if that’s how you want to experience Botswana’s wilderness. Horseback safaris evoke a real spirit of adventure in even the most experienced riders and eager thrill-seekers.
Become immersed in the daily rhythm of the Okavango Delta © African Horseback Safaris
All riding abilities are generally catered to so whether you are burgeoning horse-rider or a highly experienced professional, you can join a horse-riding safari that canters or gallops. It is best to choose a pace in line with your riding ability or else you will be more worried about falling your steed than taking in the scenery around you.
Meet the locals up-close
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then this really is the safari for you. Without the crunch of wheels or engine of a motorized boat, there is greater opportunity to get nearer – while still within a respectful and safe distance – to game and bird life than you might on more traditional safari transport.
Get a closer look at Africa’s iconic giants © African Horseback Safaris
You stand to enjoy the best seats in the wild while on the back of a horse as game generally view a horse as just another animal. From the saddle, you can see the dust gathered in the wrinkles of an elephant’s hide and be entranced in the intricate patterns in the coat of a painted wolf (African wild dog) at close quarters.
Explore remote corners
There are wide variety of horseback adventures in Botswana’s desert regions such as the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Kalahari Desert as well as wet riding in the Okavango Delta. The best horse-riding safaris in Botswana are led by guides that are experts in the topography of the area and know where the good game-viewing spots are.
Discover otherwise unreachable parts of the Okavango Delta © African Horseback Safaris
You will get to uncover for yourself parts of Botswana that are unreachable by vehicles, boats and even mokoros, giving you a better chance to come face-to-face with wildlife. In this way, horse-riding safaris in Botswana offer you a special opportunity to connect with its natural beauty at a different level than other modes of safari transport.
All images courtesy of African Horseback Safaris.
