What To Do at Macatoo Camp
Horseback Safaris
There is no better way to savour the Okavango Delta and experience its
unparalleled wildlife population than on horseback. The annual flooding
of the area leaves vast swathes of the Delta inaccessible to vehicles, making
horses the most natural and exciting means to explore.
The pace of riding is varied; in between fast and thrilling gallops alongside
giraffe, zebra and buck, in water and on land, we quietly stalk bigger game
such as buffalo and elephant and take time to indulge in some of the best
bird watching in the world.
Experienced guides are full of fascinating stories about the ever-changing
landscape, its trees and plants, and have an incredible ability to spot
even the best-camouflaged wildlife. The horses also have finely-tuned senses
- keep an eye on their ears to see where animals are hiding. Once comfortable,
they calmly drop their heads to graze, sending a signal to other animals
in the area to relax and go about their normal daily routines.
In order to ensure the safest and most enjoyable horseback adventure for
everyone, riders must be riding fit and confident at all paces. Days in
the saddle can be long, and daytime temperatures can vary, so it is worth
the effort to arrive prepared.
Game Drives
An African safari adventure at Macatoo does not have to involve horses
and they can easily cater for non-riding spouses, partners, friends and
children. Indeed, many of the riding guests like to have time away from
the saddle and take advantage of the wide range of other activities on offer.
Game drives offer the opportunity to track and photograph birds and big
game in stunning settings. Going out in open top safari vehicles at dawn
or dusk provide the best chances of seeing wildlife on the move, hunting,
feeding, drinking or roosting.
Boating
The arrival of the annual floods brings with it the unique chance to explore
the Delta by water, on a motorboat, and Macatoo camp has its own jetty.
Many guests are lucky enough to arrive in camp from the airstrip by boat.
Mokoro
The mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe which is navigated through the waters
by a skilled poler, offers the most romantic way to view the Delta. The
tranquillity and silence of the journey enables guests to feel at one with
nature and observe at close quarters how the animals and birds adapt to
their ever-changing environment.
Fishing
Fishing, from boat or land, is a hugely popular pastime with both riding
and non-riding guests. Macatoo has access to a wide range of beautiful fishing
spots where guests cast between water lilies and wallowing hippos. The challenge
is not only to get a fish to bite, but land it before it is snatched from
the line by swooping fish eagles and kingfishers.
Helicopter Rides
But perhaps it is only from the air that one can really appreciate the
diversity and vastness of the Okavango Delta. Helicopter flights, which
take off and land in front of camp, offer not only the chance to see vast
herds of elephant and buffalo but a bird’s-eye view of the entire
eco-system and a better understanding of this unique miracle of nature.