Mashatu Game Reserve
Revel in an authentic safari experience in the renowned ‘land of the giants’
Discover the iconic Mashatu Game Reserve
Known as the ‘land of the giants’, Mashatu Game Reserve is a vast wilderness immersed in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana. Sharing unfenced borders with both South African and Zimbabwean national parks, this biodiverse conservation area is prolific with flourishing flora and iconic fauna. Located at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, the privately owned expanse of 29,000 hectares (72,000 acres) is a textured landscape of dense riverine forest, craggy hills, towering sandstone ridges, boundless open plains and sweeping savannah.
Predators are abundant and roam the sweeping grasslands, while massive herds of elephant wind their way through dense riverine forest. Lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal and African wild cat are forever on the prowl. Over 350 unique bird species colour the sky and adorn the branches of leafy trees. An adventurer’s paradise, this is the ideal landscape for guided walks, horseback riding and horseback safaris. Passionate photographers will love the underground Matebole photographic hide, the ideal spot to capture picture-perfect moments. With eight perennial and non-perennial rivers on the property, Mashatu is a wildlife paradise.
Named after the locally revered mashatu (nyala berry) trees that fringe the river, wildlife are known to be drawn to this natural leafy refuge that provides shade and food. Custodian to enormous herds of elephants and dotted with ancient baobab trees, this terrain is the ultimate safariscape with leopard, lion, and spotted hyena, and offers a plethora of adventurous experiences. Guests are able to get up-close-and-personal with wildlife and enjoy the thrill of off-road safari.
Why we love it
Deeply steeped in history
Mashatu Game Reserve is home to some of the most significant paleontological and archaeological remains on the subcontinent, including the dinosaur footprints of Vhembe and Sentinel (estimated to be 50 – 100 million years old). The archaeological evidence in the area includes middle and late Stone Age tools, rock art and the legendary Mapungubwe Dynasty, amongst so much more.
Spectacular sweeping vistas
Mashatu Game Reserve’s famous landscape is quite unlike the rest of Kalahari-dominated Botswana, featuring baobab-studded plains, rocky kopjes, riverine forests and open grasslands. The rock formations, more reminiscent of Namibia, will keep both photographers and geologists entertained. The reserve’s semi-arid location makes it a year-round destination for wildlife watching.
‘The land of the giants’
Known as ‘the land of the giants’, everything in Mashatu Game Reserve is ‘big’, showcasing both Africa’s largest land mammal, the elephant, and the continents largest antelope, the eland. Breeding grounds for the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, and Africa’s heaviest flying bird, the kori bustard, are also present; not to forget about the towering baobab and mighty mashatu (nyala berry) trees.
More than just elephants
Mashatu Game Reserve is one of the few places on earth where explorers can spot both ‘extremes’ of elephant: elephants and elephant shrews. Elephant shrews, with their endearing long noses resembling an elephant’s trunks, are more closely related to the elephant than to shrews. You may also spot the rock and yellow-spotted dassie – who too count elephants as their closest relations.
Where to stay
Accommodation that enthuses authenticity
From charming under-canvas extravagance to elegant safari tents to magnificent nature-inspired lodges, Botswana offers travellers, from all corners of the globe, a wide variety of accommodation options well-suited to the unique safari experience they are after.
Tented Camps
While exploring Mashatu Game Reserve, enhance your Botswana experience by staying at this exclusive safari tented camp located in the historic Tuli enclave.
Safari Lodge
Be part of an immersive safari experience while staying at this beautiful bush lodge sprawled in the renowned Mashatu Gamer Reserve wilderness, located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana.
Choose your immersive Botswana experience
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