RAW Botswana summary
Motswiri stands on the banks of the Selinda Spillway in the far western corner of Northern Botswana’s Selinda Reserve. This beautiful and remote area combines the open flood plains of the Okavango Delta to the West and North of the camp with the thick, riverine forests lining the Selinda Spillway to the East. Motswiri camp is located in the world renowned Selinda Reserve and operates safaris exclusively on over 120,000 acres of pristine, African bush. Due to the diversity of the vegetation, the birding is superb. The reserve is also home to giraffe, zebra, tsesebe, roan antelope, sable, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and many elephant.
Motswiri offers a wide range of activities both from the main camp and combining the even more remote Kala Bushcamp, a 6 bedded gem nestled in amongst the banks of the Spillway some 12kms from Motswiri Camp. Motswiri Camp is owned and managed by RAW Botswana and is run by people who are passionate about the safari industry. As the name suggests, RAW Botswana offers walking and riding holidays in the area as well as mekoros, canoeing and boating along the spillway. Please note that, for safety reasons, we will only take experienced riders. For the non-rider, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. The ethos of the company is to provide low impact safaris conducted by some of the industry’s most experienced guides. Wishing to get away from the conventional; Motswiri offers a unique, charming and comfortable base from which to explore some of Africa’s remotest areas.
Motswiri offers five, large and tastefully appointed en-suite, classic meru tents all on raised decking. Each tent overlooks the Selinda Spillway where the elephants regularly come to bath in the afternoons. The tents are 5 metres x 7 metres in size and are positioned well apart from one another. Each tent has its own private bathroom, and large decked veranda. We also welcome families and have a specially designed family unit. The main area of the camp offers a large, comfortable sitting area with separate dining. There is also a small plunge pool for those hot October afternoons.
Activities from the camp are all unique and in line with the concession policy of low impact safaris. For those of you looking for a longer safari, we offer 5 and 7 night safaris which utilise our remote fly camp, Kara Bushcamp. For those wishing to just enjoy being in one of the most beautiful and remote areas in the Okavango Delta, we offer boating, game drives and walking from camp. As we only take a maximum of 10 people, we are able to tailor make itineraries and activities according to particular interest and length of stay.
Riding summary
The riding in the reserve is simply superb. The terrain is a mix of open flood plain, dry savannah and riverine bush, resulting in great change in pace and experiences as each day evolves.
We have between twenty and twenty four horses, ranging from Thoroughbreds to Boerperds, Arabs and Kalahari crosses, large to small. All are well schooled, well fed and cared for, well turned out and acclimatised to the area and to the game that you will encounter. We aim to offer a choice of English or trail saddles. Rides will not normally comprise more than six guests, and each ride is lead by a guide and accompanied by a back up.
We do not have set departures and prefer to be flexible. We do, however, recommend a minimum of 3 nights and suggest that the optimum stay is either 5 or 7 nights to include a night out at our fly camp. We have typical 3,5 and 7 night itineraries available so to give an idea of what your holiday will involve.
Up to six hours per day are spent in the saddle – riding fitness is a distinct bonus! You must be able to rise to the trot, and control your horse at all speeds. We endeavour to match the riding ability of those on the rides so that all travel at a pace that matches riding ability. You may be required to gallop out of trouble, so we cannot take beginners, and it will be at the Company’s discretion as to whether novice riders can be accepted, taking their own safety and that of the group as a whole into account.
Wild and Exotic fact sheet on RAW Botswana riding holidays
Accommodation: Motswiri Camp offers 5 spacious safari tents with shower en-suite (flush loo). There is a specially designed family unit with 2 bathrooms adjoined as well as a honeymoon tent with additional outside shower. All of the tents are attractively furnished with bedside tables, hanging cupboards, luggage rack, floor rugs, curtains, a desk and chairs. There is also a swimming pool and large mess area for relaxing in camp. Kala Bushcamp has specially designed tents with adjoining dressing area and chemical loo. Each tent has a separate bucket shower with hot water and long drop loo.
Children: We accept children of all ages in camp but there is a minimum age of 12 for riders.
Clothing list: A detailed clothing list will be sent when a booking is confirmed.
Drinks: Iced drinks are available all day. Beer, wine, bottled water, an assortment of cool drinks and a limited choice of spirits. Special requests can be catered for. All drinks in camp and not on request are included in the tariff.
Game Viewing: Game in the area includes elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, roan and sable antelope, baboon, vervet monkey, warhog, leopard, lion, cheetah and wild dog. Safety precautions are taken when viewing any dangerous game.
Guiding: All rides are lead by qualified professional guides. A keen interest is taken in birds as well as fauna and flora.
How to get there: Air Botswana fly from either Johannesburg, Kasane, Gaborone or Windhoek into Maun. Consult your agent for further information. From Maun, you will be flown by light aircraft to Motswiri Airstrip which is a beautiful 40 minute flight directly North of Maun.
Indemnity: Guests will be asked to sign an indemnity in camp before they ride.
Insurance: All guests must have their own medical and travel insurance including medical evacuation. Guests must also wear riding hats to be covered under this insurance.
Length of the ride: Between 3-5 hours in the saddle a day. This is broken by refreshment stops.
Location: Rawbotswana operates in the Selinda Reserve, a private concession area of some 330,000 acres, situated on the North Eastern side of the pan handle of the Okavango Delta. The Selinda Spillway flows through the entire concession.
Meals: 3 meals a day are provided and emphasis is made on fresh vegetables and salads. Fresh bread is baked every day. Vegetarians are catered for. Light lunches, cold meats, salads and 3 course dinners served by candle light at the dining table near the camp fire.
Medical: A medical kit is kept in camp and a number of our staff have first aid training. Guests should take malaria tablets.
Non-Riders: We are fully equipped to welcome non-riders who will be looked after by a separate guide and be able to enjoy walking, mekoros, motor boating and game drives (water levels permitting).
Other Activities: Although our priority is riding, we offer alternative activities during the afternoons including mekoros (dugout canoes), motor boating, walking and fishing.
Riding Ability: You will need to feel confident about keeping up with the group, capable of riding at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter. You may be required to gallop out of trouble, so we cannot take beginners. Riders should be aged 12 and over and anyone over 65 needs to be riding fit and strong. Everyone is required to complete a riding questionnaire prior to arrival in camp.
Safety: All rides are lead by qualified professional guides. A .458 calibre rifle is carried on all rides. Groups are no more than 7 guests and the rides all have an additional back up guide. Each guide carries a hand held radio which has communication with the base radio in camp plus a satellite phone and a first aid kit and water.
Single Supplement: We will always do our best not to charge a single supplement on accommodation although we do impose a single supplement on light aircraft transfers.
Tack: Camp provides a variety of English and Trail Saddles. Camp does not provide riding helmets and riding attire including chaps, boots etc.
Type of Horses: Horses include a variety of pure and part bred Thoroughbreds, Boerperds and a Friesian cross. The horses range in size from 14 to 17 hands and are all well schooled. Every effort is made to match horse and rider.
Weather Conditions: Summer months are September to April. October, November and February are the hottest months, with temperatures varying from 12 degrees C and peaking at 38 degrees C at midday. The rains can start in October, with the occasional thundershower. December to February are the wettest months. Winter is May to the end of August. No rain and evening and early mornings are chilly. Temperatures vary from 8 degrees C to 24 degrees C at midday.
Weight Limit: Maximum weight is 15 stone, 210lbs or 95kgs. Over this, you will need to enquire and only if an advanced rider.
Walking summary
There is no better way to get close to nature. Our walking safaris involve tracking spoors, searching for specific game, bird watching, detailed study of flora and fauna – whatever you want! You will be accompanied by an armed, professional guide who will tailor his activities to your specific areas of interest.
Groups are small, no more than 6, and you can choose whether to walk on dry land, wade in shallow flood plains, explore the floodplains by mekoro or the Spillway in a larger boat. Walking activities can be interspersed with fishing and swimming, or by taking up watch on some of the spectacular pans within the reserve and observing the birds and animals coming to drink.
There are no set arrivals and departures. We do, however, recommend a minimum of 3 nights and suggest that the optimum stay is 5 nights to include a night out at our fly camp. We have typical 3 and 5 night itineraries available on request.
Wild and Exotic fact sheet on RAW Botswana Walking Safaris
The Motswiri Walking safaris operate in 120,000 acres of pristine bush along the western part of the Selinda Reserve. Follow animal trails on foot through this environmentally sensitive area that offers the Big Five as well as a wide diversity of fauna and flora. The area also offers a superb variety of birdlife for the enthusiast. Walking amongst the game remains one of the most magical experiences available. Our guides are some of the most experienced in Africa.
Accommodation: Motswiri Camp offers 5 spacious safari tents with shower en-suite(flush loo). There is a specially designed family unit with 2 bathrooms adjoined as well as a honeymoon tent with additional outside shower. All of the tents are attractively furnished with bedside tables, hanging cupboards, luggage rack, floor rugs, curtains, a desk and chairs. There is also a swimming pool and large mess area for relaxing in camp. Kala Bush Camp has specially designed tents with adjoining dressing area and chemical loo. Each tent has a separate bucket shower with hot water and long drop loo.
Children: We accept children of all ages in camp but there is a minimum age of 12 for walkers although we will consider younger walkers on request. Drinks: Iced drinks are available all day. Beer, wine, bottled water, an assortment of cool drinks and a limited choice of spirits. Special requests can be catered for. All drinks in camp and not on request are included in the tariff.
Game Viewing: Game in the area includes elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, roan and sable antelope, baboon, vervet monkey, warhog, leopard, lion, cheetah and wild dog. Safety precautions are taken when viewing any dangerous game.
Guiding: All walks are lead by qualified professional guides. A keen interest is taken in birds as well as fauna and flora.
How to get there: From Maun, light aircraft to Motswiri takes 40 minutes. Indemnity: Guests will be asked to sign an indemnity in camp before they walk.
Meals: 3 meals a day are provided and emphasis is made on fresh vegetables and salads. Fresh bread is baked every day. Vegetarians are catered for. Light lunches, cold meats, salads and 3 course dinners served by candle light at the dining table near the camp fire.
Medical: A medical kit is kept in camp and a number of our staff have first aid training. Guests should take malaria tablets.
Other Activities: Although our priority is walking, we offer alternative activities during the afternoons including mekoros (dug out canoes), motor boating, fishing or, should you wish, a gentle relax by the swimming pool.
Safety: All walks are lead by experience and qualified professional guides. A .458 calibre rifle is carried on all walks. Groups are no more than 7 guests all walks have an additional back up guide. Each guide carries a hand held radio which has communication with the base radio in camp plus a satellite phone and a first aid kit and water.
Single Supplement: We will always do our best not to charge a single supplement on accommodation although we do impose a single supplement on light aircraft transfers.
Where the Walking Safaris operate: Rawbotswana operates in the Selinda Reserve, a private concession area of some 330,000 acres, situated on the North Eastern side of the pan handle of the Okavango Delta. The Selinda Spillway flows through the entire concession.
Weather Conditions: Summer months are September to April. October, November and February are the hottest months, with temperatures varying from 12 degrees C and peaking at 38 degrees C at midday. The rains can start in October, with the occasional thundershower. December to February are the wettest months. Winter is May to the end of August. No rain and evening and early mornings are chilly. Temperatures vary from 8 degrees C to 24 degrees C at midday.
Botswana general information and map
Capital: Gaborone
Getting there: Visitors to Botswana usually fly into Maun (for the Okavango Delta) via Johannesburg in South Africa, or Kasane via Livingstone in Zambia. The flying time to Johannesburg is approximately 11 hours from London and from Johannesburg to Maun is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
Time: GMT plus two hours
Try not to miss: Chobe National Park for huge herds of elephant, the Okavango Delta for diverse wildlife and unique 17,000 square km ecosystem, the Selinda Reserve for hippo eating lions, the Kalahari Desert for interaction with the San bush people and the Makgadikgadi salt pans for rare desert wildlife, quad biking and sleeping beneath the stars.
Visas: No visa is required for UK citizens visiting for up to 90 days. Non-UK residents do require a South African transit visas to travel to Botswana.
