BOTSWANA SAFARI
Set in the Tuli area of Botswana, in the expansive Mashatu game reserve, this is an amazing 'mobile' riding safari for those who are wild at heart. With 29,000 hectares to ride through, you simply cannot run out of new places to explore! The safari includes riding between three different stunning and unique camps over a seven day period.
This part of Botswana has a very wild feel about it, allowing you to relax and submerse yourself in to nature and your horse.
With around 700 elephants in the Mashatu reserve, this safari offers intense wildlife viewing, with other species including zebra, giraffe, kudu, eland, blesbok, wildebeest, impala and the occasional pride of lions or shy leopard.
Explore bushy scrub-land, rest under the magical Mashatu trees, and ride alongside rivers, including the stunning Limpopo River, home to hippo and crocodiles. Canter freely through the reserve and end each day resting and dining at camp.
Location: Northern Tuli Block, Botswana.
Nights: Seven.
Rider Limitations: For experienced riders only.
Season: January - December (all year).
Dates: Set dates throughout the year.
Riding: 3-5 hours per day.
Included: All-inclusive of all riding, food and drinks, accommodation, and airport transfers.
Not Included: Flights, insurance.
Extra Costs: Tips for staff. Recommendation is around £15/$18 per day.
There will also be a conservation levy on arrival to Mashatu wildlife reserve in Botswana of £8.15/$10 per night.
(£57/$70 for seven nights).
Luggage: Rider's luggage will be moved by vehicle between camps. Due to the small aircraft from Johannesburg Airport to Botswana there is a strict luggage limit of 18kg. Luggage must also be in a soft case. No hard cases as these cannot go in the cargo hold.
Flights: Flights must be booked to arrive and depart from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Riders will then take a charter flight to Botswana, which is booked for you and included in the cost.
Flights on arrival day must land at OR Tambo International Airport before 9.30am.
Flights on departure day must be no earlier than 8pm to arrive at Johannesburg airport in time from Botswana.
Internet: This is a truly wild safari, and wi-fi will only be available at the stables as you arrive and leave.
The rest of the week you will have no access to internet!
Discounts available for groups of eight.
ACCOMMODATION
This mobile safari includes three beautiful, unique camps:
CAMP TWO MASHATU
Named after the two giant Mashatu Trees that shelter it, the trees give the camp a magical feel.
Riders sleep in walk-in A-frame tents with an en-suite bathroom.
Each tent is private and has it's own deck area for morning coffee.
The sounds of Africa surround camp and guests can fall asleep to the sounds of wildlife.
This camp includes a rondavel lounge area and dining room.
TREE CAMP
A camp built high in the arms of the Mashatu and Leadwood trees!
Guests share airy and cool sleeping pods, with a dining and lounge area overlooking the river.
Shared showers and toilets are also built up in the trees.
This camp is the ultimate 'tree house'!
KGOTLA CAMP
An open air camp where guests sleep on beds around a large fire and sleep under the amazing African night sky!
PRICES
Low Season
(Dec, Jan)
£3345
Single Supplement: £4001
Mid Season
(Feb, March)
£3828
Single Supplement: £4916
High Season
(April-Nov)
£4402
Single Supplement: £5691
Prices are per person sharing.
Single supplement is optional for solo travelers who do not want to share a room.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note this is a sample only, individual experiences may vary slightly.
This itinerary acts as a guide to give you an overview of what your safari will be like.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY, STABLES TO CAMP TWO MASHATU
Riders will be greeted at the airport and transferred to reception at the stables. After an orientation and late lunch you will be introduced to your horse! Your horse will have been matched to you based on your experience, personality and any specific requirements you made before your trip.
You will then head out for a test ride, followed by an afternoon ride to camp Two Mashatu, giving you chance to get to know your horse and form a bond. As you set out on your first ride within the Mashatu Reserve you will already start to see some of the wildlife species!
Riders will head back to camp at sunset for a delicious three course dinner. Sit around the fire after dinner and finally fall asleep in your tent, immersed in the African bush, and listen to the sounds of animals calling.
DAY 2: CAMP TWO MASHATU TO TREE CAMP
The day begins early as riders set out from Two Mashatu. Riders become at one with nature as they head out along the Limpopo river to the next camp.
Enjoy taking amazing pictures of the nature surrounding you, canter freely through the open bush, and learn about the flora and fauna from your guide.
You may bump into giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, blesbok and kudu to name but a few!
Riders have the chance to relax and nap after lunch, before heading out again to explore. You are likely to see elephants and witness one of nature's giants from the back of a horse! Large herds of elephants pass by the group, stirring up the ground and taking everyone's breath away.
Dinner is served at Tree Camp, overlooking the Majale river.
DAY 3: TREE CAMP TO KGOTLA CAMP
After breakfast riders head out into the reserve again for further exploration and wildlife spotting. The group passes by rock formations, giant baobab trees and elephant trails, and riders have long canters through open scrub. Lots of wildlife can be seen along the way. The ride takes you along the Matlouse River and finishes up for lunch.
The group can choose between an afternoon walk or a ride to a rock formation known as 'The Ampitheatre'.
Dinner is served around the campfire at the Kgotla camp and riders sleep in the boma, with the stars and African night sky as their ceiling!
DAY 4: KGOTLA CAMP
Day four includes a morning ride into the valley to view amazing sand formations. Combined with amazing wildlife sightings, the morning's ride will make sure rider's go home with their cameras full!
After lunch, guests are taken on an excursion to the nearby Lentswe Le Moriti village to get a taste of local life, followed by a short and easy climb in the Mmamagwa Hills. As you enjoy sundowner drinks and snacks at the end of the climb you will be overlooking the Tuli area, with South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe spread out before you!
DAY 5: KGOTLA CAMP TO TREE CAMP
After breakfast the group saddles up for a long day of riding. By this point you will be well and truly bonded to your horse after so many beautiful experiences together.
The group travels through Elephant Valley, along ancient trails left behind by herds of elephants. You are likely to see plenty of wildlife along the way, including more elephant sightings.
Riders are often sore after this long, challenging ride so the afternoon is used for a game drive to allow aching muscles to relax!
Guides will try to track big cats to provide guests with great photo opportunities.
The night is spent back at Tree Camp.
DAY 6: TREE CAMP TO CAMP TWO MASHATU
An early wake up with a hot drink brought to you in your tent. Riders head out for the morning on a long ride back to Two Mashatu camp, tracking animals with the experienced guide. The group rides along the beautiful Limpopo river and may spot hippo or crocodile!
Riders pass along empty river beds in search of tracks or spoors, and watch naughty baboons shrieking and playing in the trees.
On return to Two Mashatu Camp riders can relax around the pool before gearing up again for the afternoon ride and sundowners.
DAY 7: CAMP TWO MASHATU
A full morning ride in the reserve to explore the Pitsane River.
Great wildlife viewing is guaranteed as the group passes by regular watering holes which attract wildlife from all around. Riders take snack breaks under the giant Mashatu trees between spotting wildlife.
After lunch riders can choose another afternoon ride or a bush walk for their sundowners. The group eats their last dinner together before retiring for the night.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY
One last morning ride in the reserve, before saying goodbye and heading back to Johannesburg airport.
Africa will have well and truly captured your heart, and you will already be planning your next trip back!