The Tuli Safari

Day 1: Arrival & Two Mashatus Camp

Hooray, your safari begins today! You’ll be met by representatives from our ride partners at Johannesburg Airport, South Africa, and chaperoned onto your charter flight to Limpopo Valley Airfield in Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. Arriving at the stables in time for a light lunch, you’ll then have a short introductory ride to get to know your new equine partner. Once everyone is comfortable in the saddle, the journey to Two Mashatus Camp begins. On the way, it’s highly likely that you’ll be graced by the presence of Africa’s largest herd of wild, free-roaming elephants on private land!

Two Mashatus Camp is named for the two big, beautiful mashatu trees that shade it. It consists of a pair of traditionally built Lala Palm rondavel huts for relaxing and dining, and large A-frame tents set on teak platforms, each with its own ensuite. There’s also a pool beneath one of the mashatu trees, a welcome sight at the end of a big day! A three-course dinner will be served in the cool of evening, then you’ll fall asleep to the primal melody of the forest.

Day 2: Tree Camp

Waking up to birdsong in the surrounding canopy and tea or coffee delivered to your tent (heaven!), you’ll fuel up on breakfast and hit the saddle.You’re moving camp today, and it’s a half day’s ride through the wilderness to reach the aptly named Tree Camp. This truly extraordinary camp is one you’ll remember for years to come. Nestled four metres above the ground in the bough of a giant mashatu tree and two ancient leadwood trees, your childhood dreams of sleeping up in the arms of a tree will be completely fulfilled!

After lunch on the deck watching all manner of creatures coming to drink from the Majale River, you’ll have the choice of an afternoon ride or a bushwalk along the Matabole River. Sundowners and dinner will be served al fresco, overlooking the river once more.

Day 3: The Kgotla

Another half day’s ride brings you to your next campsite, the old ‘kgotla’ on the banks of the Motloutse River. Bordered by a ring of upright leadwood logs, the kgotla is a traditional open-air court enclosure from a nearby community.

After lunch, the horses will have a rest while you and your fellow globetrotters jump into the safari vehicles for a game drive to see the local pride of lions. Capped off with sundowners at the ancient ‘Ampitheatre’ rocks, the drive is a great chance to get some blur-free photos.

Back at the kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around the central log fire. The security of the kgotla means that for the next two nights you can sleep in the open, beneath a canopy of stars.

Day 4: Mmamagwa Hill

Without the need to move camp, this morning is more relaxed, offering a chance to sit back and truly absorb the magic of an African dawn. The day’s trail passes stunning rock formations, including Solomon’s Wall, a remarkable 30 metre (100ft) dolerite dyke that once formed part of a natural, steep-sided reservoir wall across a narrow gorge in the Motlouse River. The valley surrounding this river was once home to some of southern Africa’s oldest civilisations, with archaeological evidence dating as far back as the stone age. Artefacts from the legendary medieval Kingdom of Mapungubwe have also been uncovered here. Combined with extraordinary wildlife sightings, all of this makes for a rich and rewarding ride.

Lunch is once again enjoyed back at the kgotla, then later in the afternoon you’ll take a short drive to Mmamagwa Hill. A quick climb up the sandstone ridge brings you to the Mmamagwa Ruins, which are unexcavated, but are thought to hold the remains of a Mapungubwe city. Crowning this hill is an ancient, solitary baobab, a sentinel watching over the vast wilderness below. Standing in its shadow as the sun sinks towards the horizon, you’ll be overcome by a sense of awe: people have stood in this exact spot, looking at the same remarkable view, since time immemorial.

Day 5: Elephant Valley

This morning your guides will lead the way back to Tree Camp via the aptly named Elephant Valley.  This remote area lives up to Mashuta’s nickname, ‘Land of the Giants’, peppered with big grey elephants and big grey baobabs.

Reaching the haven of Tree Camp in time for lunch and a siesta, in the afternoon you’ll have the choice of a ride, bushwalk or game drive exploring the banks of the Majele, Matabole and Jwala rivers. This is your last night at Tree Camp, so be sure to savour it!

Day 6: Pitsane River Valley

Today’s ride promises great game viewing in the Pitsane River Valley, where drinking holes dug by elephants along the river bed attract thirsty herds of game. Your guides will also tell you about the human history of the valley, which has certainly seen some action in recent centuries.

By lunchtime, you’ll find yourself back at Two Mashatus Camp, where you’ll no doubt be tempted to cool off in the pool after lunch.

Later on, your guides will take you on a bushwalk to one of the nearby koppies (a hill jutting out from the plains) for sundowners with another stunning sunset view.

Day 7: Limpopo River Valley

Another beautiful morning in Mashatu brings you through the beautiful plains between the Majale and Pitsane rivers, with spectacular views into the Limpopo River Valley. You’ll explore the remains of an old Boer War fort perched on a rocky outcrop before riding down into the cooler wetland area, where abundant game nibble the lush grasses everywhere you look. In the summer months, depending on the weather and rain, it might be possible to enjoy a canter through the shallows of the Limpopo River.

Returning once again to Two Mashatus camp for lunch, the afternoon brings a choice of more riding or bushwalking, followed by your last African sundowner (sob!). Come evening, you’ll gather together over yet another fabulous feast to swap stories, laugh and reminisce about your extraordinary week on safari.

Day 8: Departure

Your final ride is one to remember, with a glorious long canter through the savannah and an elephant sighting capping off this incredible adventure. Arriving back at the stables mid-morning, there’s time for a shower and a tasty brunch before saying your farewells and catching a charter flight back to Johannesburg for your onward travels.

Additional Activities

You will have the opportunity to participate in a game drive in Mashatu Game Reserve for an additional cost of approximately $85 USD per person (price is subject to change) which can be paid onsite with cash or card.

Non-Riders: Cycling Safari

For non-riding partners, there’s the brilliant option of joining a Cycling Safari. Mashatu’s mixed terrain makes for seriously fun, sometimes challenging riding, and because it’s a progressive trail, riders and cyclists come together for shared meals and dreamy bush accommodation along the way.

How technical is the cycling?
On a scale of 1–5, it sits around a 2 or 3. There are no major climbs, but you’ll tackle sandy riverbeds, rocky stretches and the odd technical section. The beauty of this trail is its flexibility – the riding can be dialled up or down depending on the group. Keen cyclists can stretch their legs on longer, more technical routes, while others can take it easy and focus on the incredible game viewing. You’ll mostly follow elephant and wildlife tracks – a must-do for any MTB enthusiast.

What level of rider must I be?
All levels are welcome, though we recommend getting in as much pre-trip saddle time as you can, just so you arrive feeling “pedal ready”.

How long are the rides?
Routes are tailored to the group. A laid-back morning ride might cover 25–30 km with minimal climbing (100–150 m), while more advanced riders may clock up to 50 km a day with around 250 m elevation. Expect to be out for 3–5 hours daily. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of wildlife encounters and photo stops – but don’t be fooled, Mashatu’s terrain can be deceptively demanding.

What kind of bikes are available for hire?
You’ll be riding quality aluminium 12-speed mountain bikes with front shocks. They run a 12-speed SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, POP geometry for balance and traction, and a 67.5-degree slacker head angle for confident handling in technical terrain. Frames are available in small, medium, large and extra-large. Please note, helmets are compulsory.