Mashatu Game Reserve
Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
Welcome to the ‘Land of Giants’
Peak time
June to September
Best time to visit
May to October (the dry season)
Known for
Its giants – elephants and baobabs; its exceptional predator viewing
Also known for
Its photographic hides; adventure activities such as mountain biking
About the Mashatu Game Reserve
Mashatu is a land of colossal baobab trees, vast herds of elephants and powerful predators. Located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, this vast private reserve is a world away from the wetlands of the Okavango. This is a landscape of semi-arid beauty, defined by the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, vast open plains and sandstone outcrops.
The safari experience at Mashatu is renowned for being action-packed and exhilarating. The reserve is famous for its density of wildlife and its exceptional predator viewing. It has one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa, with sightings a daily occurrence. Huge herds of elephants are a constant presence, earning Mashatu its “Land of Giants” nickname.
Did you know
It is part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, which spans Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
What truly sets Mashatu apart is its diverse range of adventure activities and its world-class photographic opportunities. Beyond traditional game drives, visitors can explore the reserve on mountain bikes, on horseback or on foot. The reserve is also famous for its pioneering network of photographic hides, which offer incredible, ground-level perspectives of wildlife.
Get to know Mashatu
The Mashatu safari experience is dynamic. As a large private reserve, it offers an exclusive and crowd-free environment where the daily rhythm can be tailored to guests’ interests. While classic morning and afternoon game drives are the core activity, Mashatu is famous for offering a much wider range of adventures.
For photographers, the network of hides is a major drawcard. These hides are strategically located at waterholes and are designed to allow for incredible, ground-level photography of everything from elephants to kingfishers. For the active traveller, guided mountain bike safaris offer a thrilling way to cycle alongside herds of plains game. Walking safaris and horseback safaris provide other ways to experience this rugged landscape.
History
Mashatu’s history is one of conservation and collaboration. The area, known as the Tuli Block, was historically used for farming and hunting. In the mid-20th century, a group of conservation-minded landowners began to realise the area’s incredible ecological value. They started to consolidate the farms and remove the internal fences to create a larger, more viable wilderness area for wildlife.
This led to the formation of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Mashatu was established as the primary tourism and conservation entity within this larger reserve. Its history is one of pioneering eco-tourism, built on the principle that sustainable tourism is the best way to fund the conservation of the land and its wildlife. This model has been incredibly successful, transforming the area into one of Southern Africa’s premier and most innovative safari destinations.
More unforgettable activities
Turtle egg laying and hatching
Traditional Bo-Kaap cooking experience
Tracking Africa’s most elusive species on foot
SkyBoma, Etosha
Rhino darting and chipping experience
Picnicking on islands in the Zambezi
Paddle with penguins
Live-aboard luxury Zambezi safari
Hiking Table Mountain with a botanist or forager
Voices of our guests
Mashatu Game Reserve FAQs
It is most famous for two things: being the “Land of Giants” due to its huge elephant herds and large baobab trees, and for its exceptional leopard sightings.
It is a “Big Four” destination. It has outstanding populations of lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. However, rhinos are absent from the reserve.
Yes, it is located in a malaria-risk zone. It is essential to consult your doctor about appropriate anti-malarial medication before you travel.
The most common way is to fly to Polokwane, South Africa, followed by a road transfer to the Pont Drift border post, where you cross the Limpopo River into Botswana and are collected by your lodge.
They are completely different environments. The Okavango is a lush, flat wetland. Mashatu is a semi-arid, rugged landscape of rocky hills, riverine forests and open plains. Mashatu also offers a much wider range of adventure activities, such as mountain biking and horse riding.
They are specially designed, semi-permanent structures (some are underground) located at waterholes. They allow photographers to get incredibly close, ground-level shots of animals coming to drink, in a discreet and safe way.
A stay of three to four nights is ideal. This gives you enough time to enjoy the classic game drives and also try some of the unique activities on offer, such as the photographic hides or mountain biking.
Yes, it is an excellent destination for families with older, more active children who will enjoy the adventure activities on offer. Some camps have dedicated family suites and programmes.
When the Limpopo River is flowing and cannot be driven across, a small, open-air cable car is used to transfer guests and their luggage across the river between South Africa and Botswana. It is a memorable part of the arrival experience.
Mashatu is a leader in adventure safaris. Beyond game drives, it offers professionally guided mountain bike, horseback and walking safaris, providing a thrilling and active way to experience the bush.
