Overview

Known as the land of the giants, Mashatu Game Reserve covers 42,000 hectares of private and pristine wilderness within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Tucked away in Botswana’s remote eastern corner, where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers meet, you’ll find scenically beautiful landscapes, wide plains, lush forests, rugged hills and ancient ridges, creating an unparalleled ecological diversity. Complementing three members of the Big Five – leopard, lion and elephant – are some surprising species, including the aardwolf (or ‘earth wolf’), bat-eared fox, African wildcat, honey badger and black-backed jackal.

Rooms

There is a choice of accommodation options in the reserve, ranging from a tented camp to luxury safari villas or an exclusive use home.

• Mashatu Tent Camp offers an authentic bush experience in an intimate environment, with just eight tents that are tucked under the branches of enormous trees. Each tent is set on a raised platform and has a private outdoor bathroom with toilet and shower.
• Mashatu Lodge has 14 suites, each large enough to accommodate a family, with a double bed, a large single bed and another single day bed in the seating area. The suites are air-conditioned and have en-suite facilities with a bath, shower and toilet.
• Euphorbia Mashatu is a collection of eight luxurious and private safari villas. Designed in the shape of a pod from the local mopane tree, each spacious villa is exquisitely furnished, with solar-heated private plunge pools and indoor and outdoor showers.
• Tuli Safari Lodge is a 4-star camp on the banks of the Limpopo River, with eight tented suites. Set on wooden platforms, the suites feature an outdoor deck, bedroom area and en-suite bathroom with a bathtub shower and toilet.
• Kolokolo Safari Home is a luxurious exclusive use home with four en-suite bedrooms and a full complement of staff.

Facilities

Each of Mashatu’s lodges and camps is very different in style, which means there is something for everyone, from the rustic authenticity of the Tent Camp to the 5-star luxury of the adults-only Euphorbia Villas. Both Mashatu Lodge and Tuli Safari Lodge are family-friendly and as their locations are in different areas of the reserve, combining a stay at both is a great way to explore Mashatu’s diversity.

All lodges and camps have their own communal areas for dining and relaxing, and a pool to cool off in (at the Euphorbia Villas, each villa has its own private plunge pool).

Tent Camp brings you close to nature, with al fresco dining under the thatched gazebo or in the traditional boma. A waterhole attracts the wildlife.

The views across the ravine that greet you on arrival at Euphorbia Villas are breathtaking and with just four people per game viewing vehicle, the experience here feels very exclusive. At night, relax around the campfire under the illuminated euphorbia candelabra trees after which the camp is named - a wonderful end to each day.

Mashatu Lodge has something for all the family – two large pools to splash about in, a Discovery Room with ancient relics and a spa for some unadulterated pampering between game drives.

Tuli Safari Lodge is tucked among the rocks on the banks of the Limpopo River and surrounded by rolling lawns. There’s a walking trail within the grounds and a waterhole frequented by local wildlife.

Activities

Mashatu is all about the experiences. In addition to the game drives in open safari vehicles and night drives to seek out the nocturnal wildlife, you can get even closer to nature by heading out on foot for guided walks with highly trained and experienced guides. For more adventure, take a mountain bike safari or explore the reserve on horseback. For photographers – amateur and professional alike – the award-winning sunken hide gets you exceptionally close to wildlife at the waterhole – expect unique angles and incredible photos.

A night under the stars in one of Mashatu’s ‘bed tents’ is an intimate, romantic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Please enquire with our team about pre-booking these exceptional experiences.

Facilities may change. Some activities may be subject to an additional charge.