THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A short, guided horseback ride from Gaborone takes you to Notwane Dam’s bird sanctuary and lakeside forest. Beginner-friendly and family accessible, the 30-minute loop offers close encounters with local birdlife and a hands-on equestrian experience.
A short, guided horseback ride from Gaborone takes you to Notwane Dam’s bird sanctuary and lakeside forest. Beginner-friendly and family accessible, the 30-minute loop offers close encounters with local birdlife and a hands-on equestrian experience.
You can feel the dam breeze before you see the water: a horse's steady breath, the soft slap of hooves on sandy track, and gulls calling where freshwater meets reed beds. The Notwane Equestrian Centre sits about a dozen kilometres from central Gaborone; a thirty-minute guided loop delivers riders to the shoreline of Notwane Dam, past a protected bird sanctuary and into a pocket of shady riparian forest.
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Operated by NOTWANE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE · Gaborone, South-East District
You can feel the dam breeze before you see the water: a horse's steady breath, the soft slap of hooves on sandy track, and gulls calling where freshwater meets reed beds. The Notwane Equestrian Centre sits about a dozen kilometres from central Gaborone; a thirty-minute guided loop delivers riders to the shoreline of Notwane Dam, past a protected bird sanctuary and into a pocket of shady riparian forest.
The setting is young geologically—sedimentary plains drained by the Notwane River—yet rich in local history: the river was a travel and grazing route for Tswana communities and later a colonial water source for an expanding capital. Cultural touches around the centre—locally run stables, Zorro’s restaurant—anchor the ride in everyday Botswanan life rather than in staged tourism.
Expect a slow, observational pace rather than a gallop; guides lead each mount and fit saddles and helmets for comfort and safety. The shoreline invites binoculars and phone snaps: reedbeds dare you to notice hidden warblers and reed cormorants, while the forest presses gently against the trail.
Practicalities are simple: reservations are solid for short windows, riders should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and arrive hydrated—the sun can be strong even in the late afternoon. The experience is beginner-friendly, family-accessible, and built around easy, focused interaction with horses and landscape. For a compact taste of Botswana’s bush and birdlife without trekking hours from the city, the Notwane ride is efficient, approachable, and quietly memorable.
easy.
30 minutes.
Suitable for beginners and most fitness levels; minimal exertion required
No. The guided ride is suitable for beginners—each rider is matched with a guide-led horse and given basic instructions.
Children and adults can participate; operators request age and weight during booking to assign the appropriate pony or horse and tack.
Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a lightweight top; helmets are provided and mandatory.
The operator offers full refunds for cancellations at least 24 hours in advance and may cancel for bad weather with a full refund.
The Notwane River corridor has long been used by local Tswana communities and later supplied water to Gaborone as the city expanded in the 20th century.
The dam area includes protected reedbeds and a bird sanctuary; stay on designated paths, avoid feeding wildlife, and follow guide instructions to minimize disturbance.
NOTWANE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You can feel the dam breeze before you see the water: a horse's steady breath, the soft slap of hooves on sandy track, and gulls calling where freshwater meets reed beds. The Notwane Equestrian Centre sits about a dozen kilometres from central Gaborone; a thirty-minute guided loop delivers riders to the shoreline of Notwane Dam, past a protected bird sanctuary and into a pocket of shady riparian forest.
You can feel the dam breeze before you see the water: a horse's steady breath, the soft slap of hooves on sandy track, and gulls calling where freshwater meets reed beds. The Notwane Equestrian Centre sits about a dozen kilometres from central Gaborone; a thirty-minute guided loop delivers riders to the shoreline of Notwane Dam, past a protected bird sanctuary and into a pocket of shady riparian forest.
The setting is young geologically—sedimentary plains drained by the Notwane River—yet rich in local history: the river was a travel and grazing route for Tswana communities and later a colonial water source for an expanding capital. Cultural touches around the centre—locally run stables, Zorro’s restaurant—anchor the ride in everyday Botswanan life rather than in staged tourism.
Expect a slow, observational pace rather than a gallop; guides lead each mount and fit saddles and helmets for comfort and safety. The shoreline invites binoculars and phone snaps: reedbeds dare you to notice hidden warblers and reed cormorants, while the forest presses gently against the trail.
Practicalities are simple: reservations are solid for short windows, riders should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and arrive hydrated—the sun can be strong even in the late afternoon. The experience is beginner-friendly, family-accessible, and built around easy, focused interaction with horses and landscape. For a compact taste of Botswana’s bush and birdlife without trekking hours from the city, the Notwane ride is efficient, approachable, and quietly memorable.