Okavango Horse Safaris- Kujwana

Accommodation

Kujwana camp is found beneath a forest of mature trees, with the 6 en-suite canvas tented rooms set on decked platform overlooking the Xudum River. And for those seeking a little extra space, the larger Hippo Cradle and Rocking Horse suites are available at a supplement.

Camp Facilities & Dining

The main area features a open deck lounge and the campfire which guests gathering around at the end of every day before enjoyed a communal dinner with other guests and managers. The Tree house is an open lounge with lovely views of the river and a popular spot for relaxing between activities. The swimming pool with lovely decking area looking on to the Xudum river so swimmers can enjoy peering at hippos wallow in the river as they wallow in the pool.

Location

Set in the private Ranns Concession in the west of the Okavango with over 90,000 hectares which spreads across two river systems – the Xudum and the Kiri, there is a good mix of floodplains, woodland and seasonal waterways, which creates varied riding throughout the year. Riders can move from long canters across open grasslands to slower exploration through riverine woodland, often within the same morning.

There are a number of transfer options to the camp. The best access to Okavango Horse Safaris is by a 25 min helicopter ride which allows for activities the day of arrival. Alternatively a fixed wing flight to Xaranna Airstrip followed by a 1 hours game drive to camp. It should be noted there is a strict 20 Kgs weight limit for flights. A helicopter flight for at least one way is highly recommended as the delta is truly spectacular from this vantage.

Activities & Seasonality

Okavango Horse Safaris provide an authentic and experienced horse riding safari into the Okavango Delta in the company of expert guides. Guests can expect a small riding group of up to 8 riders although larger private group bookings can be accommodated on request. Horses and tack are of the highest standard. Tack is South African with comfortable seat savers. Okavango Horse Safaris have a string of over 50 horses, mainly thoroughbreds, thoroughbred crosses, Arabians and American Saddle bred crosses and boerperds, as well as breeding some of their own horses too. The horses are between 14hh and 17hh. There is a 90 kg / 200 lbs weight limit for riding and a supplement will be charged for those over for the use of an extra horse.

The majority of your rides will begin at Kujwana, in addition, for those with an itinerary of 5 nights or more, you´ll have the option to spend two night out at their Fly Camp to experience a classic 1920´s style safari camp.

Okavango Horse Safaris operate in true wilderness and as such there is an inherent risk in the activity as guests will be riding in an area with wild and potentially dangerous animals. For this reason only experienced riders will be permitted – at a minimum OHS require a mastery of the basic aids, riders must be comfortable at all paces and to be able to gallop out of trouble.

Wildlife

With a range of habitats across this private concession there is a varied and interesting array of wildlife including plains game, elephants as well as predators such as from wild dog to lion, and even cheetah have been seen. It is also an excellent location for birding.

History

The Okavango´s longest running horse safari was started in 1986 by PJ and Barney Bestelink, Okavango Horse Safaris entered a new chapter in 2025 when Gareth Peake and Alex Smith took over ownership, having both spent years working at the camp, they were uniquely placed to continue its legacy by retaining the character and standards that built the camp’s reputation while bringing fresh energy to the operation.