Meet our Guide: Boy
The Okavango Delta Ride, Botswana
Growing up, Boy watched the Okavango Horse Safaris (OHS) horses pass through his small village on their way to and from the original camp—sparking a lifelong dream. Having first learned to ride on a humble donkey, his passion for horses began early and grew with every hoofbeat. Years later, when an opportunity arose to work as a groom at OHS, his cousin recommended him for the position—and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Boy is one of Botswana’s most respected horse riding safari guides, sharing the magic of exploring the Okavango Delta on horseback with guests from around the world. His journey from village trails to leading unforgettable horseback safaris in Botswana is a true testament to dedication, heritage, and love for the wild.
How long have you been guiding in the Okavango Delta?
Boy – Gopolang Ntema
How long have you been guiding or working with horses?
I started working at OHS in 2011 as a groom, quickly progressed to become a fully licensed guide and have been leading safaris for a decade now.
What do you love most about being a guide?
What’s not to love? The wilderness, sharing knowledge with interested and interesting guests all whilst having the fun of riding our horses through the wonderful delta. Of course the splashy canters are always a highlight!
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I’m very conscious that every guest is different, with different expectations and abilities. I do my best to quickly work out a guest’s particular interests, the type of horses they will enjoy and the riding pace will suit them best. I think I get it right most of the time!
A memorable moment with guests or horses:
Last year I found a pangolin on one of our rides! An extraordinarily rare occurrence that I was delighted to share with our guests. A first for me, hopefully not a last!
Describe your riding style or approach in three words:
Joyful, safe, personalised
What do you think makes your ride special for guests?
The wilderness we operate in can’t be beaten. Guests will not see another tourist during their safari and we access places you simply couldn’t without a horse. Being so utterly submersed in nature is often a once in a lifetime experience for our guests and it’s something they remark on again and again.
A tip for globetrotters before joining the ride:
Get riding fit!
Anything else GT’ers should know about you?
I grew up watching the OHS horses travelling past my village to and from the original OHS camp. Having learnt to ride on a donkey I was determined to become a horseback guide one day. When an opening for a groom came up many years later my cousin who worked at OHS recommended me for the role, and the rest is history!
Find out more about the Okavango Delta safari ride here.