Pel's Post
Mashatu Game Reserve is located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana bordering South Africa. It is the embodiment of all that defines Africa. Space so open and vast, taking it all in is almost too much; an array of wildlife from the gigantic to the miniscule; majestic skies open to the universe and unfettered by smog; a quiet so loud it thrums with life; and unexpected adventure beyond the game drive with horse-back safaris, cycling safaris and walks in the wild.
Mashatu Game Reserve is a place to connect you to the essence of what life is meant to be. Uncomplicated, bold, and beautiful.
Thirty minutes from Mashatu Lodge is a refuge that is very different – the Mashatu Tent Camp is almost one with the environment – blink and you might miss it! This tented camp is the leisure choice for the guest who seeks the ultimate one-on-one bush experience and who prefers a more intimate environment (and no children under the age of 12).
Safari vehicles meander into the bush twice a day, bringing visitors into close contact with an Africa that is largely known only in wildlife documentaries and glossy books. But this Africa is real, and distinctly tangible through all six senses.
Eight completely private luxury tents are tucked under the branches of enormous trees, accessible via meandering pathways. The tents themselves are spacious and comfortable – large enough that adults need not duck to move around. Each is mounted on a concrete platform and has its own private outdoor en-suite facilities, including W.C. and shower. Imagine showering under the stars!
Game Drives
Safari vehicles meander into the bush twice a day, bringing visitors into close contact with an Africa that is largely known only in wildlife documentaries and glossy books. But this Africa is real, and distinctly tangible through all six senses.
Mashatu Walking Safaris
There are a wide variety of landscapes, vegetation types and eco-systems on Mashatu which should be all experienced first-hand. Walking Mashatu offers the wilderness lover, the bird watcher, the keen botanist, the intrepid hiker and the nature enthusiast the ultimate experience whilst walking in the Land of Giants.
The Mashatu Walking Safari can be enjoyed as an ad-hoc activity from Mashatu Lodge or Tent Camp, or as an overnight multi-day adventure.
Adhoc Walking Safari: The perfect opportunity to combine exercise with focusing on the smaller and no less interesting creatures of Mashatu, most often missed when out in a vehicle on safari. Although many opportunities arise to view big game, the focus is on the little, often overlooked aspects of the bush - tracks, plants, insects, etc. A walker is part of the environment and not merely a spectator. There is no better place to enjoy a walking safari than in The Land of the Giants. This diverse and mammoth piece of Africa is the perfect place to witness the intricacies of the wild animals of Africa, to learn about the hidden secrets of nature, to find the smaller creatures hidden in their bush homes and to see how the eco-system involves the inter-relatedness of species.
Multi-day Adventure: Tailor-made walking safaris suit the disposition of the clients on safari. Distances covered per day depend on the ability and preference of the guests. There is no limit on the number of nights spent on the walking safari. It is however suggested that at least three nights are booked. Guests camp out in one of three camps specifically designed for comfort in the bush. Luggage is transported by vehicle between camps to give guest the opportunity to have full enjoyment of the walk, without having to carry any luggage.
A walking safari means coming closer to the roar of the lion, the howl of the hyena, the cry of the jackal and the whistle of the pearl-spotted owl during starry nights around the campfire. A walking safari compliments the magnificence of a sunrise, a full moon and sightings simply not possible from a vehicle or the comforts of a lodge.
Horse Safaris
Horizon Horseback Mashatu is honoured with the reputation of having the finest schooled horses on the African continent. Surrounded by a multitude of Africa's flora and fauna, come and explore this breath-taking terrain from horseback, in the company of experienced African equestrian hosts who have extensive knowledge and experience of the bush. There is nothing more exhilarating than galloping on horseback alongside herds of antelope, over the wild open plains of Mashatu, kicking dust into the sunset sky.
The Mashatu Horse Safari can be enjoyed as an ad-hoc activity or as an overnight multi-day adventure.
Adhoc Horse Safari: Horizon Horseback Mashatu is recognized as having the best schooled horses of all the horse safari operators in Africa. The experiences may differ from Mashatu to the Okavango Delta, to the deserts of Namibia to the migrations of Tanzania and Kenya, but one thing agreed on by all visitors and horse operators alike, is that the Horizon Horseback Mashatu horses are the most well trained as well as the ‘most forward’ of the other operators.
Multi-day Adventure: There are combinations of horse safaris from which the guest can choose including multi-day, camp wild experiences.
Please note that only competent and regular horse riders should consider this activity as the adventure Mashatu operator will, in the interests of safety, test the skills and ability of the horse riders. The experienced staff will terminate the reservation if the guest is not skilled enough to ride through wild country where dangerous animals roam.
Mashatu Photographic Hides
This concession on Mashatu comprises a resident wildlife photographer, based at Mashatu Lodge and photographic hides in two selected sites plus a mobile hide on the reserve. Guests at Mashatu can enlist the photographic expertise of the photographer or simply visit one of the hides during their stay which will be charged as an additional activity over and above the daily rates for accommodation.
The photographic hide is a structure built to maximise the photographic potential of the animals that visit them. The hide can be used to view wildlife in the normal manner, but have been positioned with consideration of the angle of the sun, the background and the angle which the viewer occupies in relation to the animals and birds.
The most famous of these hides is the 'elephant hide', renowned for the photographic images taken of elephant and other animals drinking from the water's edge. The PhotoMashatu hide offers both the amateur or professional photographer the most unique and delightful opportunities to record a memorable safari at Mashatu.
Mashatu Cycle Safaris
Cycle Mashatu operates the cycling concession on Mashatu Game Reserve. Cycling is offered to guests from both Mashatu Lodge and Tent Camp as an experience to be enjoyed during their stay on a more traditional vehicle safari.
The more adventurous may join a mountain bike safari in the company of an armed and highly experienced guide. On a bike, the cyclist is, in effect, conducting his/her own safari and gets to enjoy the reserve and its inhabitants from a completely different perspective. The groups of cyclists meander along ancient elephant paths. The exhilaration of cycling amongst the ‘Giants of Mashatu’ is awesome, and should be enjoyed at least once on a safari for anyone with a little interest in cycling. Rides are generally enjoyed early morning.
Guests can also book a 'camp wild' cycling experience comprising up to three days on a cycling safari. These safaris depart in the winter months where Cycle Mashatu offers a 3 night guided mountain biking adventure. Enjoy riding elephant manicured game paths, sleeping under the starlit skies and exploring the ancient Land of the Giants. Cycle Mashatu tailors the tours to suit the group's fitness and strength and provides vehicle support, meals, and camp amenities. Many would argue that you have not lived until you have cycled in the Land of the Giants - a thrilling experience indeed.
To see more on Mashatu Tent Camp click HERE
To see videos of Mashatu Tent Camp click HERE
