ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: English.

Type of Riding: Safari/Trail-Ride - Long trots and canters. The Okavango Delta could be described as a vast water meadow made up of palm islands, grassy flood plains, mopane forests and clear streams. Highest water is normally between May to September. Many of the flood plains are full at this time and the horses wade through from island to island. The going is normally quite good and firm along the edges of the islands allowing the ride to move on at a trot and canter.

Type of Tack: English GP saddles with a seatsaver for comfort. Tack is of a high quality and kept in good condition. Saddles are well known makes such as Ideals, Barnsby, and Symonds. Most horses are in snaffle bridles.

Hours in the Saddle: 4 to 6 hours a day. This is broken by refreshment stops - picnic breakfast or lunch and a 10-minute walk for every two hours spent in the saddle. (This eases up the rider using different muscles, and helps the horse from constant pressure of the rider's weight).

Riding Ability Required: Intermediate upwards. It is a great advantage if you are riding fit and used to long hours in the saddle. This is Big Game country and fast, evasive action may be required. Minimum riding ability required is mastery of the basic aids, ability to post to the trot for stretches of 10 minutes at a time, to be comfortable at all paces and to be able to gallop out of trouble.

Maximum Weight: 90kgs (14st) for a novice rider and 95kg (14st7lbs) for an advanced rider. Guests may be required to step on the scales. A special program is available for clients over the weight limit, which offers shorter rides, game drives and walks. A high season weight supplement for people over 90kgs of 50% of the Ride Only price will be charged for an extra horse.

Number of Guides per Ride: 1 professional guide and 1 back-up rider.

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 2/8.

Looking after the horse: You are not expected to assist with grooming although you will be asked to untack and wash your horse down at the end of the day.

ABOUT THE HORSES

The horses used have been individually chosen for their even temperament and suitability. The herd of 50 includes full and part thoroughbred, pure Arab, Anglo Arab and American Saddle Bred. Heights range between 14 and 17 hands. The horses are all well schooled and responsive. Every effort is made to match horse and rider whether you are a competition rider or just require a steady hack. Here are a few of the horses you might meet.

Lamu - 16hh, bright chestnut stallion, American Saddler. Named after the island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya. PJ's one-eyed, lead horse, has tremendous courage and experience. The anchor of our herd. Several of his off spring contribute to our valuable collection of safari horses.

Linyanti - 15hh, flea bitten grey Anglo Arab. An old horse that is written about in many articles, he is extremely light in the mouth with a beautiful extended movement. A very safe and gentle ride.

Sahube - 14.2hh, chestnut, Arab. A bright little horse with a big stride. Very experienced, he likes to be near the front of the ride. Goes well on a loose rein and has a great cheerful attitude.you.

Delta ??? 16hh, dark bay TB. A lovely looking horse, very steady who pulls together very nicely and has a rock solid canter.

Tutwa - 15.3hh, bay TB. A really willing horse who bends over the vertical in his enthusiasm to impress. Really honest with a lovely outline this horse tries his heart out for you. Needs a schooled rider

Kikuyu - 16.1hh chestnut TB. Is a steady ride with a very comfortable canter. Well-experienced safari horse

Mashushu - 16.3hh, grey, homebred American saddler x Anglo Arab. Mashushu is very chilled, and riding him has been described as floating on an Egrets feather. Very smoothed gaited he prefers to be ridden with hardly any contact. Our best swimmer, a real water baby being born to it.

Maloi - 14.3hh, grey Arab. An ex-endurance horse, big striding Maloi never tires. He is honest and clever and very personable. Well schooled, he likes a sympathetic rider.

Zulu - 15.1hh, dappled grey Bred as a show stallion but could not be shown due to scar tissue on hock. Zulu has plenty of character. He is cheeky, playful and adventurous. He is also very smooth gaited with lots of stamina and very sure footed.