A life-changing gallop through the Okavango Delta in Botswana for a Virginia Tech equine clinician

When your day job involves providing lifesaving treatment to horses, it's only fitting that your dream vacation puts you right back in the saddle, but this time, galloping across open plains far away from home alongside zebras and giraffes.

That’s exactly what Sarah Dukti, clinical assistant professor of equine emergency and critical care at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, experienced on her "once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing, magical journey” through the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Dukti is one of a team of dedicated equine veterinary specialists at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, which is one of three animal healthcare facilities and teaching hospitals of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, based on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.

The seeds of this adventure were planted six years ago when Dukti and some equestrian friends visited Burghley Horse Trials in the United Kingdom. Amid the excitement of world-class eventing, a trade show booth featuring Okavango horse safaris caught their attention. Stunning images of horseback riders among African wildlife and the painted elegance of endangered African wild dogs etched the idea of an equine safari deep into their minds.

“We all looked at each other and said, ‘Someday, we have to do this!’” Dukti recalled. The dream was shelved, as dreams often are, until one of those friends called out of the blue: “We’re doing it. Want to come?”

Dukti didn't hesitate. She joined an eclectic, adventure-ready crew: a small animal vet, a specialist working with drug enforcement dogs, a pharmacist, an eye doctor, and herself, an equine emergency and critical care expert. Together, they were more than equipped to handle anything the African wilderness might throw their way.

Their journey began with a few days in Cape Town, South Africa, after which they continued their journey by helicopter to the Kujwana Delta Camp, Dukti’s first-ever helicopter ride, which came with sweeping views of hippos, elephants, and giraffes. 

When they arrived, mini-cocktails and warm welcomes awaited them from the camp’s owners, who quickly laid out the safari itinerary. There was no easing into it. Soon after arrival, they were evaluated for their riding ability and weight (200 pounds maximum with no exceptions) set to ensure the safety and well-being of the safari’s exceptional horses.

For the next week, Dukti lived out what could best be described as a horse lover’s fantasy. Early morning rides began at 7:30 a.m., continuing until noon across floodplains alive with wildlife. Riders spent hours in the saddle, cantering alongside zebras, giraffes, antelope, and even elusive and endangered African wild dogs. Lunchtime picnics in the bush, and evening gourmet meals under the stars were all part of the experience. 

The horses, mostly thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Boerperds — South Africa’s re-creation of the old Cape Horse, a hardy, all-around saddle horse, and descendants of horses imported to South Africa in the 17th century — were kept in excellent condition, with daily baths, lush grazing and overnight hay. Dukti’s mounts Lima and Utendi, both homebred mares, were each named after coastal Tanzanian villages.

These horses weren’t just transportation; they were silent companions offering the rare chance to get breathtakingly close to wildlife. “Being on a horse gave the whole experience a new dimension” said Dukti. 

The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a dazzling anomaly: A lush inland delta that doesn’t flow to the sea, bursting with life despite being surrounded by the arid Kalahari Desert. With nearly 1,000 square miles of private concession land to roam, Dukti and her group often felt like the only people on Earth.

Their days were filled with the sights and sounds of Africa; buffalo moving silently through golden grass, lions roaring in the distance, and birdsong identified with astonishing precision by their local guides. 

“The guides were incredible,” said Dukti. “They could recognize any bird call, read every sign in the landscape, and always kept us and the horses safe.”

Evenings featured three-course candlelit dinners, elephant wake-up calls, and stories around the campfire. The group stayed in Meru tents, charming, comfortable accommodations nestled beneath trees filled with birdlife and the occasional curious monkey.

From cantering beside giraffes to gazing at hippos while sipping morning coffee, it’s a balance of adventure and serenity, precision and wonder. an experience like no other that’s as close to nature as one can get.

“The most cautious animals we encountered in the bush were zebras who seem to have an innate fear of horses,” said Dukti. 

While she’s back at the Equine Medical Center now, treating equine emergencies with practiced skill and expertise, her heart still occasionally gallops alongside wild zebras under the blue Botswana sky. 

For Dukti, this trip was more than just a vacation, it was a powerful reminder of why she loves horses and the natural world. 

“It was magical in every way,” Dukti said. “You feel connected, to the land, the animals, the people, and the horses in a way that’s hard to describe.”