Ride World Wide

Riding holidays and horse safaris

Botswana ~ Ride Botswana - David Foot Safaris

These safaris are run by David Foot, one of Africa's most experienced riding guides. Born in Malawi and then educated in the UK, he and his wife Robyn operated riding safaris on Malawi's Nyika Plateau for some 15 years before moving with their horses to Botswana. Their safaris are very versatile and can be tailored to suit with riding in two quite different areas of Botswana as well as canoe and walking safaris.
The Camp Kalahari Ride is an exhilarating mobile safari in the Makgadigadi Saltpans, part of the infamous Kalahari Desert. This five night safari uses Camp Kalahari as a base with two nights fly camping. The ride takes in all the extraordinary attractions of the Makgadikgadi with great riding as a bonus. During the dry season you may ride right out into the middle of the pans, whilst in the wet season there is a chance to ride amongst Botswana's largest zebra and wildebeest migration.
The Thamalakane River Ride is based out of the Royal Tree Lodge, not far from the town of Maun, and is suitable for riders of all abilities. Families with children or less confident riders who are unable to join rides in "big game" areas will find this ride particularly appealing and it is available throughout the year, dates on request - a 3 night stay is recommended.
Both safaris can be combined with a Selinda Canoe Safari or Spirit of the Delta Safari (walking and boating in the Okavango Delta)

Safaris are run both from set dates or on request for private groups




Riding: 4-7 hours a day.

Horses: boerperd crosses, TB and Arab crosses.

Pace: moderate and varied with good chances to canter.

Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders.

Weight limit: about 95kg (15 stone) but please contact us to discuss if your weight is close to this.

Accommodation: 5Δ camps & lodge, some nights more basic 'fly' camping depending on itinerary.

Group size: maximum 8 (private groups up to 12).


The horses include a mixture of breeds with several Boerperd crosses, Shire/TB cross, and others with Arab, Friesian and Appaloosa blood. There are about 20 horses in all ranging between 14.3hh and 16.2hh. They are keen and forward going but sensible to handle, used to game and at home in the bush. Tack is either English style, usually Wintec, with Maclellan saddles also available. Riding groups are limited to 8 riders (though private groups of up to 12 can sometimes be catered for).

Hours: On the Camp Kalahari Ride there is usually between 4 and 7 hours riding a day, the longest days being those when you move camp and may cover up to 35km. Riding hours on the Thamalakane Ride are completely flexible.

Pace and experience required: To join the Camp Kalahari safari you must be a fairly experienced rider who is comfortable on a horse at all paces from a walk to fast canter in open country. You will be riding in an area where there is big game, the terrain is varied and there is some good open going, particularly on the salt pans, where the pace can be fast, with long canters and riders encouraged to spread out. You are expected to cope, to keep up and stop when necessary, so need to be confident and fit. If in doubt about ability please contact us. The Thamalakane Ride can cater for less experienced / fit riders.

Accommodation on the Camp Kalahari Rides is in different tented camps. The base, Camp Kalahari, is situated on the edge of the Magadikgadi Pans and has big walk-in safari tents with proper beds and attached bathroom tents. At Xau Xai fly camp smaller 'dome' tents are used and there are long drop loos and bucket showers. One night is spent in the middle of the salt pans, sleeping on bedrolls under the stars.
On the Thamalakane Ride accommodation is in the very comfortable Royal Tree Lodge. There are eight luxury tents set on teak decking, all with en-suite bathrooms and with wonderful views of the African bush. There is a swimming pool and the main lodge, beautifully positioned amidst the trees, has a bar and dining area.

Rates 2012

Camp Kalahari Ride 5 night safaris
USD 2810
Single Supplement - USD 715

Thamalakane Ride
USD 390 per night
Single supplement - USD 85

Combined Safaris
(5 nights Camp Kalahari Ride, 3 nights Selinda Canoe Trail, 1 to 3 nights Thamalakane Ride)
26th May to 6th June (9 nights) - USD 6090 per person
5th to 15th July (10 nights) - USD 6490 per person
4th to 14th August (10 nights) - USD 6490 per person
21st September to 2nd October (11 nights) - USD 6890 per person
(Single tents cannot usually be guaranteed on the Selinda Canoe Trail)

Rates include - all riding and other activities, twin accommodation, all meals and drinks (transfers from / to Maun are included on all Combined Safaris and Thamalakane Ride).

Rates exclude - flights to Maun, transfers to / from Camp Kalahari (except on Combined Safaris), personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees, personal extras and tips.

The single supplement is only charged for single travellers who wish to guarantee a single tent and are not prepared to share.

Prices are quoted in US dollars. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.

Dates 2012

Camp Kalahari Ride
6th to 11th January
11th to 16th January
4th to 9th February
9th to 14th February
5th to 10th March
10th to 15th March
3rd to 8th April
3rd to 8th May
8th to 13th May
1st to 6th June
6th to 11th June
30th June to 5th July
5th to 10th July
30th July to 4th August
4th to 9th August
28th August to 2nd September
2nd to 7th September
27th September to 2nd October
2nd to 7th October
26th to 31st October
31st October to 4th November
25th to 30th November
30th November to 4th December
23rd to 28th December
28th December to 2nd January 2013

Thamalakane Ride
On request - 2 to 3 nights recommended

Combined Safaris
9, 10 & 11 nights - 3 nights Selinda Canoe Trail; 1 to 3 nights Thamalakane Ride; 5 nights Camp Kalahari Ride (not necessarily in that order)
28th May to 6th June
5th to 15th July
4th to 14th August
21st September to 2nd October

Other dates on request

Season year round

 

The meeting point is Maun in Botswana. We will arrange either a private charter transfer from Maun to Camp Kalahari, or a short overland transfer to the Royal Tree Lodge. To fly to Maun from London it is usually easiest to go to Johannesburg and to take a connecting flight from there to Maun. British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin all have direct flights from London to Johannesburg, departing every evening. Air Botswana have daily flights between Johannesburg and Maun. For an economy return flight from London, budget around £750 to £900 (fares vary with seasons).

Itinerary in Brief - Camp Kalahari Safari (please contact us for other itineraries)

Day 1 Arrive at Camp Kalahari nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park. You will be greeted by your host and guide David Foot. Time to settle in then, after tea, set off for an introductory ride - primarily to match horse and rider. Return to the camp for sundowners followed by dinner perhaps accompanied by roars of the Kalahari lions.
Day 2
 Up with the dawn, a light breakfast followed by a long morning ride through the “land of a thousand islands”. Stranded on the ancient lakebed, these sand dunes covered in palm trees are one of the most beautiful and fascinating areas of the Botswana wilderness. At the height of the migration season, the islands and adjoining grasslands are awash with zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and ostrich - and of course the accompanying predators! The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent going for the horses. Night at Camp Kalahari.
Day 3
 Today is a long ride eastwards to Xau Xai Fly Camp, so an early start is imperative. The journey takes you away from the edge of the Pans and through mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands allowing for lovely long canters. Reach the famous Greens Baobab by lunchtime, positioned next to the road that David Livingstone traversed on his journeys northwards. Continue on to Xau Xai Fly Camp for dinner and night.
Day 4
 Wake up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast, before heading off in search of some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. Return to Xau Xai for lunch and a refreshing shower. Set off in the late afternoon for one of the greatest adventures imaginable - a ride straight out into the middle of the ancient Lakebed - 16,000 square kilometres of baking soda! Eventually all that can be seen is the vast flatness stretching in every direction. Camp is set up here, sleeping on bedrolls under the silence of a star studded sky!
Day 5
 As the dawn greets this extraordinary landscape the last of the stars disappear. Set off riding directly across the Pans back to Camp Kalahari. Sometimes ostriches are seen deep in the Pans and from a great distance the famous Chapman’s Baobab is visible. One of the largest trees in Africa, this great baobab was also the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area. Lunch here then continue to Camp Kalahari in time for a refreshing shower and a final lamp lit dinner.
Day 6
 Breakfast and say goodbye to the horses, then set off on an early morning walk with Zu/’hoasi Bushmen trackers. Offering a window into the past, they teach you how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of survival skills. Lunch at Camp Kalahari before your onward journey.
  Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions