Mashatu Valley Tuli Safari

7 nights from €3700

An 8 day riding adventure along the banks of the lush Limpopo River, staying at three unique character-filled camps along the way. The Mashatu Reserve is home to large herds of elephants and numerous cat species.

Botswana, Tuli Block
Set arrivals
7 nights
4-8 hours of riding per day
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
Group size: 8 max

The Tuli Safari explores the Mashatu Game Reserve which is located at the eastern tip of Botswana. On your 8 day riding adventure, you will cover 120 miles along the banks of the lush Limpopo River, staying at three unique character-filled camps along the way.

The Mashatu Reserve is home to large herds of elephants and numerous cat species including leopard, lion, cheetah, African wild cat, and serval. The vast open plains provide the most spectacular game viewing in Africa with diverse species which also include wild dog, eland, impala, wildebeest, kudu, waterbuck, giraffe and zebra, the bat-eared fox, and jackal. The reserve is also home to over 350 bird species (bird watchers heaven.

The Tuli area is well known for its Baobab trees, huge sandstone outcrops, magnificent plains, and of course, the Mashatu trees, which are all prevalent along the great Limpopo River. The area is perfect for riding and offers the space for long canters (with zebra or wildebeest if you are lucky), with the occasional jumps over natural ditches and logs along the way, adding that extra dimension to an already exhilarating ride.

You can expect regular game sightings throughout your trip and as the wildlife in this area is not seasonal, wonderful game-viewing experiences are possible all year round.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary – subject to change at any time.

Day 1

Arrival

After a long day of traveling, you will have either arrived at Pont Drift Border Post or Limpopo Valley Airfield where you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to the Reception area. After a light lunch, you will go to the stables to meet your horse for the week. You will then head off on a short introductory ride to make sure that you and your horse are well suited – if time permits you will ride directly to Two Mashatus Camp, otherwise back to the stables. You will then enjoy a lovely dinner in the Llala palm dining room, sip on some good wine (or another choice of beverage) and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Day 2

Your first morning in the bush and it starts early with a cup of tea or coffee that’s brought to your tent, which you can enjoy while watching the sunrise and listening to all the wonderful bush sounds. After a light breakfast you head out on your morning ride which will take you to your next destination, the Tree Camp which overlooks the Majale river. This ride takes you through dense woodlands along the Limpopo river towards the rocky hills that mark the edges of this great river valley. The Tree Camp is in the center of the Mashatu area, which is home to one of the largest herds of elephants. You are almost assured of great viewings of these magnificent creatures as well as many other animals. After lunch and a siesta you can enjoy your first gentle guided walk to explore the area on foot along the west of the Matabole river. You will return to camp for sundowners followed by dinner.

Day 3

Another early wake up and this time your tea/coffee and breakfast is served around the log fire pit. Your morning ride takes you through the ancient rock formations in the heart of Mashatu. You can enjoy long canters through old elephant trails and admire the Giant baobab trees as you ride by. This ride brings you to the banks of the Motloutse river, and to your next destination, Kgotla camp, an old tribal court on the banks of the Motloutse River, which is nestled amongst the dense Mashatu trees. The open-air traditional African enclosure offers a perfect spot for spending the night under the stars and a true and unique experience in the African bush. In the afternoon you go out on a guided game drive to search for the area’s resident lions . You then head for sundowners at the “Amphitheatre”, an ancient rock formation. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is served around a large log fire after which the night is spent sleeping under the stars.

Day 4

Today’s ride is a shorter one where you explore the amazing sandstone formations including the famous Solomon’s Wall. Ancient civilisations kept their wealth in between these hills, where the Limpopo and Motloutse rivers meet. The timeless landscapes combined with the great wildlife sightings, makes for an incredible riding day. Later by vehicle, you head out for sundowners in the Mmamagwe Hills overlooking the Motloutse River, this is a sundowner spot you will never forget which overlooks the Tuli area. You then return to Kgotla camp, sit around the fire pit and enjoy your dinner before heading to bed under the stars.

Day 5

Another early start and you head out on another epic adventure, possibly your longest ride yet. You meander through Elephants Valley along ancient elephant trails, before riding north to the upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is covered with numerous baobab trees and is one of the more remote areas of the reserve. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless landscape, you enjoy lunch back at Tree Camp and a relaxing break or siesta. In the afternoon there is either another ride or a guided walk (a game drive may be possible at an additional cost of USD65 per person, to explore the northern banks of Majele, Matabole and Jwala). After which you return to the Tree Camp for dinner and head to bed (at this point you fall asleep by the time your head touches your pillow).

Day 6

Today’s ride promises great game viewing as you explore the Pitsane River Valley. Along the river are scattered waterholes dug by elephants that attract thirsty herds of wildlife. At these points, during the Boer War, carriages crossed the wide Limpopo River and followed the Pitsane River into Zimbabwe. The ride then takes you back to Two Mashatu Camp for lunch. Followed by some chill time by the pool, to read a book, soak up some more african sun or another siesta in your shady tent. In the afternoon you may enjoy another guided bush walk to one of the nearby koppie for sundowners.

Day 7

Today you head out on your morning ride where you meander your way through the beautiful plains between Majale and Pitsane Rivers, again the game viewing and views of the Limpopo Valley are spectacular. En route you discover the remains of a Boer War fort and then ride to the cooler wetlands where it is very likely to come across many herds of wildlife enjoying the lush grasses. During the summer months it may be possible to canter through the shallows of the Limpopo river (it all depends on rain and water levels at the time). There is time to relax back at camp after a late lunch, before heading out again for an afternoon ride or guided bush walk followed by your last sundowner and reminiscing of your amazing time on your safari. Your final dinner is in the Lala palm rondavel after which you can relax around the fire pit with the unforgettable sounds of Africa echoing around you.

Day 8

Departure

You’ve sadly reached your last day in the Limpopo Valley and it’s your chance to take a few more photos of the elephants while you enjoy one last ride which allows for long wonderful canters through the bush. With enough time for a nice hot shower and a delicious brunch, you arrive at the stables before embarking on our journey home.

Getting there

Light aircraft transfers to and from Limpopo are from Johannesburg O R Tambo airport.
The meeting point is at the information desk in the international arrivals hall at 10:30. Road transfer to Lanseria Airport and the light aircraft will depart at 11:45 latest.
Your flight should be scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg O R Tambo no later than 8:30.
The return flight from Limpopo will arrive back at Johannesburg O R Tambo airport by 17:00. We recommend onward domestic flights should depart after 19:00 and international flights should depart after 20:00.

NB: It is possible in exceptional circumstances that the light aircraft transfer is replaced by a road transfer. A minimum of 4 pax is needed to confirm the air transfers.

Travel Arrangements

You will be met at Johannesburg International Airport at 10:30 for the vehicle transfer across to Lanseria airport (around a 45- minute journey). At Lanseria airport, you will take a flight that will depart at around 12:00 (1-hour flight time). If you are traveling by road then on arrival at the Botswana border at Pont Drift, you will be met by a representative from Horizon Horseback Mashatu.

DATES

All year round; Saturday – Saturday.
Additional dates Monday – Monday every second week.

PRICES

Low season (January, February, December): from €3700 per person sharing
High season (March – November): from €5100 per person sharing

INCLUDED

Accommodation, full board, drinks, riding, game drives and laundry.

NOT INCLUDED

Special drinks and additional activities, Airport Transfers, International flights, Insurance, and Tips. Please note that you have to bear the bank charges incurred for transfers from abroad

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

A single supplement is payable to guarantee a single tent. Additional 25% of the safari price in low season (January, February, December); 35% of the safari price in high season (March – November). There is no single supplement if you are willing to share.

PAYABLE LOCALLY

Tips; Conservancy fee of US$140 per person payable locally on entry to Botswana; additional game drive (optional) US$90 per person.

NEAREST AIRPORT

Johannesburg.

TRANSFERS

You will normally be transferred between Johannesburg and Botswana by air charter. The cost of the return flights is from €1000 per person.

ENQUIRE NOW

The accommodation

On the Tuli Safari you stay at 3 unique wilderness camps. This is normally three nights at Two Mashatus, two nights at Kgotla Camp, and two nights at the Treehouse camp.

Two Mashatus Camp

is nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees.

Two Mashatus Camp is nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees. You stay in a large, private, A-frame walk-in tent on a teak platform with your own en-suite bathroom, not far from the main area. You have a small deck area in front where you can relax privately during the afternoons. The heart of the camp has two traditionally built Lala Palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. There is also a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for you to enjoy in the heat of the day.

Tree Camp

is a treehouse, built on a 4m wooden deck raised off the ground, nestled in the giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees.

Tree Camp is a treehouse, built on a 4m wooden deck raised off the ground, nestled in the giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees. Two guests each share an airy and cool sleeping pod. Along a short walkway, shared showers and toilets are under the Leadwood trees. The spacious dining and lounge area flow from the sleeping pods and overlook the Majale River. This truly extraordinary camp is one that will be remembered and spoken about for years to come.

Kgotla Camp

is situated on the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu.

Kgotla Camp is situated on the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The camp has hot running water, beautiful open air showers and flushing toilets: the perfect combination for comfort and an authentic bush experience. Here you sleep on single beds around a large log fire in the center of the enclosure. The highlight of this camp is sleeping in the open under the stars and listening to the resonance from an African evening.

The camps are not enclosed and it is very exciting to see animals in and around camp.

N.B. Occasionally alternative camps may be used instead of those stated above.