Horse Back Safari Overview: Kafue national park Zambia Experience

Best months for horseback safaris: High season - July, August, September, October to November best game-viewing safaris with temperatures between 12 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius at midday.

Winters low seasons are: April, May and June when the temperatures vary from 8 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius at midday
Qualified experienced armed safari guides are only allowed to lead horse back safaris at these times of year.

The rains start in October/November, and December to February are the wettest months with 12-degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.

Safari Overview: Excellent game-viewing in Kafue national park which ranges from herds of elephants, buffalo, wildebeests, zebra, impala, kudu and lechwe. Predators include Cheetah, leopard, and prides of lion and more than 500 species of birds life.

FACT SHEET MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY: require mastery of basic horsemanship - aids, post to trot for stretches of 10 minutes at a time, be comfortable at all paces and gallop out of trouble. Fit and proficient riders are at an advantage.

TYPE OF HORSE: A mount to suit almost everyone: full and part thoroughbred, pure Arab, Anglo Arab and American Saddlers, between 14 and 17 hands. Well-schooled, responsive and even temperament. Wide range of horses is available, suitable for riders from competition level to a steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider.

WEIGHT LIMIT: A novice rider should be 200 lbs. (14 stone or 90kg) maximum weight and advanced rider should be 210 lbs (15 stone or 95 kg) maximum. Guests are required to step on the scales before the ride. Game drives, walks and short rides are offered to guests over the maximum weight limit.

GUIDING & SAFETY: All horse back safaris are led by armed qualified professional guides. Camps and vehicles are equipped with radio communication and hand radios are carried on all rides by the guides. Safety talk with demonstration is given before the beginning on how to handle big game situations.

INDEMNITY: On arrival, guests will be required to sign an indemnity form.

TACK: Tack is English style and each saddle has a seat-saver for comfort. Tack is of high quality and kept in good condition. Saddles are well known makes such as Ideals, Barnsby, and Symonds. Most horses are in snaffle bits.

RIDING GROUP SIZE: Maximum of 8 guests per group.

MEALS: Safari chefs prepare 3 course meals plus picnic saddlebag breakfasts. Emphasis is to ensure fresh vegetables and salads made to suit the day's activities. Home made fresh bread is also prepared every day for the trip. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request. Light lunches include: salads, bread rolls, cold meats and 3 course dinner meals are served by candle light on dining tables nearby bush-campfires.

DURATION OF RIDES: Between 4-6 hours in the saddle a day, broken with 15-30 minutes refreshment stops - picnic lunches or breakfasts and 10-minutes leg stretch walk for every 2- hours spent in the saddle as a way to ease the rider using different muscles and to rest the horse.

TERRAIN: Water Meadows as the Okavango Delta is described, the beauty of the landscapes include grassy swamps and sandy flood plains, mopane woodlands, palm islands and clear streams. May to September have normal high water levels with most of the flood plains being full and during the rides, horses wade through the shallows to cross from island to island. Experience an adventure such as the early explorers might have had, when roads did not exist. Crossing grassy swamps to the islands on horseback is fun and exciting as we move on at a trot and canter.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Riding is the safari priority, but other safari alternative activities during the afternoons when not riding can be offered such as game drives and afternoons spent on leisure bird watching with evening walks or mokoro rides depending on water levels.

NON-RIDERS: Non-riders can be accommodated but must be booked in as non-riders as own guides are provided to accompany non-riders on this trip.

CHILDREN: Young people of 15 and over are accepted but they must demonstrate strong competent riding ability with a certificate from a pony club or qualified teacher to attest this. Unfortunately price is not adjusted for non-adults on horse riding safaris.

CLOTHING: Most camps provide laundry service. Baggage allowance on light aircraft transfers is 12 - 15kg, any extra luggage will be left with the Maun office. Only soft duffel-bag type luggage is allowed on light Aircraft. It is recommended that riding clothes should be in neutral colours such as khaki, brown, and dark green. Red, blue, yellow or white are discouraged.

INSURANCE: We recommend comprehensive full cover insurance for all guests taking Horse Back Safaris in case of any medical emergency, illness, injuries or evacuation and guests must have adequate insurance policy to cover themselves.

WHERE DOES HORSE BACK SAFARIS OPERATE: In a Big Five conservation area in a private concession of 2,500 sq. klometres located on the western side of the Okavango Delta's three major river eco-systems of Xudum, Matsibie and Kiri, bordering the untouched Moremi Wildlife reserve.

HOW TO GET THERE: Air Botswana, South African Airways fly from Johannesburg, into Gaborone the capital of Botswana or from Victoria Falls or Air Namibia from Windhoek into Maun. All flight booking for Air Botswana flights can be arranged including all light charter flight transfers in camps or near airstrip from Maun airport. Clients are collected from the private airstrips and transferred by 4x4 vehicles to camps. You are also advised that all internal transfer light aircraft have a strict luggage weight restriction of 12-15kg.

SAFARI INFORMATION REQUIRED: Nationality, Age, weight, height, and guests' riding experience. Preferred drink, dietary requirement or allergies. Completing our booking request form when making a reservation can really assist us with your requirements enabling us to put together best Horse Back Safaris for you.

*This itinerary depends on local environments and seasons and is subject to Change...*

SAFARI ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
Day:	Location:	Camps/lodges Accommodation:	Board:	Safari Highlights:
1	Lusaka-Kafue national Park	Nkala Fortified Camp	DB	Orientation Ride 1-2 hours
2	Kafue national Park, Zambia	Nkala Fortified Camp	LDB	3-hours split ride morning & afternoon
3	Kafue national park, Zambia	Nkala Fortified Camp	LDB	Morning & afternoon Ride exploring the national park wildlife spotting.
4	Kafue national Park, Zambia	Nkala Bush Camp site	LDB	Morning day ride with catered lunch at a bush location with an afternoon guided bush walk.
5	Kafue national Park, Zambia	Nkala bush Camp- Nkala fortified Camp	LDB	Morning ride, lunch at lodge, afternoon bush walk
6	Kafue national park, Zambia	Nkala fortified Camp	LDB	Morning ride to tour African villages, picnic lunch, evening sundowners on Kafue river
7	Kafue national Park, Zambia	Nkala fortified Camp	LDB	Early morning ride on floodplains, brunch at the lodge, late afternoon ride
8	Kafue national Park, Zambia	Nkala fortified Camp – Victoria falls	BB	Morning short ride on floodplains before midmorning departure to Lusaka-Victoria falls flights.
9	Victoria falls	Sussi & Chuma Camp	LDB	Guided tour of the Vic falls, afternoon sunset cruise on Zambezi river, crafts shopping, and evening tribal dancing show at Mulungushi cultural village.
10	Victoria Falls-Livingstone flight Departures	Victoria falls-Livingstone-Johannesburg departures	Two way flight	After breakfast, Livingstone flight departure to Johannesburg for your home ward flight connection.
BB-Bed and breakfast, LDBB-Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast. Bottled water, local wine, drinks, park fees, Game drives, hotel transfers, local Charter flights & Safari activities all inclusive.

Safari Itinerary Details:

SCHEDULED SAFARIS RUN FROM TUESDAY TO TUESDAY EACH WEEK EXCEPT FROM JANUARY & FEBRUARY WHEN THE CAMP IS CLOSED:

Day 1 Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national park - Zambia
Arrive in Lusaka to connect with light aircraft or car transfers from Lusaka airport. Light aircraft will fly you to the bush airstrip in Kafue national park – called Ngoma. You will be collected at the airstrip and driven the 18km to the lodge arriving mid afternoon for either late lunch or high tea. Car transfers will bring you direct to the lodge. Once settled in to the rooms you will change in to riding gear and have your first introductory ride. Here you will have the opportunity to meet your mount and try out the trail saddles as the guides take you for your first glimpse of the park and potentially game viewing on the way. Sundowners overlooking the water pan precede a delicious evening meal and your first night in the bush with all the exciting noises that darkness in the bush offers.
An orientation ride for approximately 1 - 2 hours.
Overnight at Nkala fortified Camp – Kafue national park Zambia (DB)

Day 2 & 3Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national park - Zambia
Typically the safari days will start with an early morning call and a light breakfast of drinks, rusks and toast before departing to start the adventure of exploring the National Park and tracking game. Riding will be split to 3 hours in the morning with brunch back at the lodge and the chance to relax by the pool. A shorter ride of two hours in the afternoon returning for sundowners and delicious evening meal. Dinner meals and overnight at Nkala fortified Camp – Kafue national park (LDB)

Day 4 Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national park - Zambia
Leave the lodge early in the morning game tracking and riding through the park to arrive at a very special location for lunch. Here you will get the chance to relax after a longer morning ride and then in the afternoon a guided walk will give you a very different viewpoint of Zambia and its amazing animals. Return to camp site for evening meal and sleep under open sided lapa for a truly unique experience. Dinner meals and overnight Nkala Fortified Bush Camp site– Kafue national park Zambia (LDB)

Day 5 Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national park - Zambia
After light breakfast riding back through the park, game viewing and enjoying the ambiance of riding your horse through the bush. Arrive back to lodge for late lunch and then afternoon of relaxation around the pool. Potential for guided walk later afternoon. Overnight at lodge.
Dinner meals and overnight at Nkala fortified Camp (LDB)
Day 6 Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national park - Zambia
This is another very special day as you will once more leave the camp early to ride and visit the local villages and see how people live today in rural Zambia. A beautiful picnic spot will provide the location for lunch and this great opportunity to gain an insight in to the real Africa whilst enjoying the beautiful open plains and riding. Return to the lodge later afternoon for sundowners and the last evening meal.
Overnight Nkala fortified Camp (DB)

Day 7 Nkala Fortified Camp – Kafue national Park – Zambia
Light breakfast again with riding early morning, arrive back to lodge for delicious brunch and relaxation with riding again late afternoon, across plains and game viewing.
Overnight at Nkala fortified Camp (LDB)

Day 8 Nkala Fortified Camp – Lusaka –Victoria falls extension flight departures
For the last morning this will be a shorter ride to allow you open up across the plains and really embed your bush experience with your horse in the memories. Arrive back to the lodge mid morning in time to allow you to shower and change and be driven to local airstrip for onward flight back to Lusaka or you’re your flight connection to Victoria falls safari extension. Overnight Sussi & Chuma Camp (BB)
Day 9 Mosi-ao-tunya national park - Victoria falls - Zambia
After morning breakfast, you taken on a dramatic panoramic guided tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, best viewed on Zimbabwean side with options. Mid-morning tour of the Traditional village and school visit, best craft markets, or you can choose between a variety of optional extra activities such as the 'Flight of Angels' - viewing the Victoria Falls by small aircraft or a choice of afternoon safari activities. When back at the camp, farewell dinner this evening, gift exchanging from your Afrika Zambezi Safaris tour Guide.
Overnight at Sussi and Chuma Camp (DB)

Day 10 Victoria Falls – Livingstone - Johannesburg flights departures
Regional flight connection from Victoria Falls Livingstone airport to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International airport for your homeward bound flight connection this evening.

Inclusive: 5-star safari accommodation, all horse back safari activities at Kafue national park and game drives, sundowners cruise, walking safaris, all charter flights into camps/lodges, all meals, house-wines & soft drinks, laundry, Guided tour of the Victoria falls, Traditional village, school & evening tribal dancing show visits, sunset cruise on Zambezi river, park entry fees and transfers.

Excluded: Optional tours e.g. scenic Flight of the Angels over the Victoria falls, white-water rafting on the Zambezi gorge rapids, horse riding boots, horse riding sunset hats, canoeing safaris on Zambezi River, 110-metre bridge bunji jump, elephant back bush ride, gift/curio shopping at local markets, personal bar bills/imported liquor, staff & guides' gratuity/tips in the camps/lodges.