Tuli Safari

8 Daysย  |ย  From ยฃ2625pp

Botswana ( Best airport: Johannesburg)

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The Tuli Safari is an adventure that covers a distance of over 120 miles and enjoys long extended canters across the open land. Traversing the Mopane savannah and stunning river valleys, with accommodation in three unique and beautiful camps, each with distinct design and character.

The Riding

This journey embraces the true definition of a safari: an expedition to observe animals in their natural habitat. From horseback, the beauty of the African topography, fauna and flora will unfurl, and be complimented by a touch of classic safari luxury: hot showers, mouth-watering food, and memorable camps.

As the wildlife in this area are not seasonal, wonderful game viewing experiences are possible throughout the year.

Level of Riding and Fitness

As youโ€™ll be riding in the area of wild game, this holiday is for experienced, confident and calm riders with a sense of adventure. The guests should ride regularly and be comfortable at posting trot, light seat canter and gallop, as well as, be able to control a horse independently at all paces and jump small natural obstacles. You should be able to mount and dismount unaided.ย Good riding fitness is expected as youโ€™ll be spending 4-6 hours in the saddle each day.

Every rider will take a short riding test to ensure they are competent enough.

Hard hats mandatory.

Weight limit: 95 Kgs / 209Lbs

Guides and Group Size

The guides have many years of experience in leading the safaris and they have grown up in the area. They know the bush like the back of their hand and are qualified by the Botswanan Qualifications Authority.

Maximum number of riders in a group is 10. Groups over 8 are split into two groups for rides, unless one ride is specifically requested by a private group.

Any questions?

Contact us now on WhatsApp with any queries you have about this trail.

The Horses

The horses have been carefully chosen for their temperament, courage, endurance and responsiveness. They are tough and used to coping with extreme conditions. They are of various breeds including for example Boerperd, Shire cross Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas and South African Warmbloods, ranging from 14.3h to 17h.

Tack and Riding Equipment

The saddles used are South African McClellans. They are designed for the cavalry and ideal for long hours of riding. Small saddlebags are provided.

botswana-9
botswana-12

Accommodation and Dining

Two Mashatus Camp
Nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees, the heart of the camp has two traditionally built Lala palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. Guest accommodation is in large A-frame walk-in tents set on teak platforms each with en-suite bathrooms. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree in the bush, not far from the main area. Each tent has a small deck area in front where guests can relax privately during the afternoons. Two Mashatu also has a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for guests to enjoy.

The Kgotla
The โ€˜Kgotlaโ€™ is an old traditional court enclosure from a nearby community. This open-air enclosure, made of leadwood logs, provides a secure location for a camp. The camp has hot running water, beautiful open-air showers and flushing toilets: the perfect combination for comfort and an authentic bush experience. Guests sleep under the stars on single beds around a large log fire in the centre of the enclosure listening to the resonance of an Africa evening.

Tree Camp

This is a very unique camp; any childhood dream of sleeping up in the arms of a tree, will be completely fulfilled here. Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees, this Seligna deck, 4 metres off the ground, will be your retreat for the night. Two guests each share an airy and cool sleeping pod. Along a short walkway, shared showers and toilets are under the Leadwood trees. The spacious dining and lounge area flow from the sleeping pods and overlook the Majale River. This truly extraordinary camp is one that will be remembered and spoken about for years to come.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & first ride to Two Mashatus Camp Meet your guide at the border. Short transfer to the reception area overlooking the Limpopo river, in time for a light lunch. Enjoy an introductory ride to check you are suited to your horse, before embarking on your first ride out to the Two Mashatus Camp. Mashatu Game Reserve is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming elephants on private land in Africa, and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures. Relax at camp before enjoying a three-course dinner and getting to know your fellow adventurers for the next seven days.
Day 2: Two Mashatus Camp โ€“ Tree Camp Sunrise and the dawn chorus, with tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds the start of your first day. Following a light breakfast, itโ€™s time to mount and depart from the dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River, and head towards the rocky hills that delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game. Having meandered across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, the ride arrives at Tree Camp in time for lunch. That afternoon enjoy your first Mashatu game drive in hunt of sightings of the big cats (lion, leopard and cheetah) and returning to Tree Camp for sundowners. Dinner is served in the on the deck under the branches, overlooking the Majale river.
Day 3: Tree Camp โ€“ Kgotla Camp The safari passes through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Giant Baobab trees continue to scatter the landscape as they have for centuries. Whilst riding alongside the banks of the Motloutse River, discover the old Leadwood โ€˜Kgotlaโ€™ (or enclosure used for the traditional law court of a Botswana village). This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive and draw the dayโ€™s adventures to a close with sundowners at the ancient โ€œAmphitheatreโ€ rocks. At camp, dinner is enjoyed around a log fire. The night is spent with a ceiling of stars and Africaโ€™s nighttime melody to sing you to sleep; a veraciously rare experience which is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.
Day 4: Kgotla Camp The sandstone formations, including the famed Solomonโ€™s Wall, one of the numerous dolorite dykes in the area, are explored on horseback. Some of the oldest civilisations in southern Africa settled in this valley and the topography here is ancient and timeless, and combined with marvelous wildlife sightings, it makes for an incredible riding experience. This afternoon enjoy the most visually stunning and ethereal sundowner, visit the Mmagwa hills. After a short climb, enjoy sundowners beneath a beautiful baobab tree with a breath-taking view of the area.
Day 5: Kgotla Camp โ€“ Tree Camp Today the safari roves through the open bush from the western side of Mashatu.; winding along ancient trails, stamped into the soil by centuries of migrating elephants, and enjoying wonderfully long canters. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, a relaxing lunch in the eaves of the Tree Camp is very welcomed. An afternoon ride or bush walk or game drive exploring the northern banks of the Majele, Matabole and Jwala rivers.
Day 6: Tree Camp โ€“ Two Mashatus Camp Today the ride roams through the Pitsane River Valley. The river is fed by a spring high in the hills and its regular watering holes attract the wildlife, guaranteeing excellent sightings. The area is steeped in history: the Zeederberg Trail, a stagecoach line that connected the towns of the Transvaal (South Africa) to the newly forged settlements of southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), once traversed these open plains. Our dayโ€™s journey comes to a close at Two Mashatu camp, where there is opportunity to relax by the swimming pool. A guided bush walk to one of the nearby koppies for sundowners is the afternoon excursion.
Day 7: Two Mashatus Camp Todayโ€™s riding promises abundant game and spectacular views into the Limpopo River Valley. En route, explore the remains of an old Boer fort on a rocky outcrop, and drop down into the wetland area, which is always a bit cooler and is usually host to plentiful game enjoying the lush grasses. In the summer months, this is also a great opportunity to enjoy cantering through the shallows of the Limpopo River and watch the elephant taking a bath. There is time to relax in camp, have a cooling swim in the pool, before either an afternoon bush walk or short ride, and a crowning sundowner.
Day 8: Last ride & departure Your last ride in the Limpopo valley is a great opportunity to snap one last picture of elephants and a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush with your guides. Arriving back at the stables with plenty of time to enjoy a hot shower and a tasty brunch. Say farewells to your safari companions and new found friends, itโ€™s time for your onward journey.

Tuli Safari

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days riding
ยฃ2625pp

Single supplement 2023
No single supplement is payable if you are willing to share with another rider. If you want your own room prices for 2024 are:

High season ยฃ1289
Mid season ยฃ1089
Low season ยฃ659


International flights

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.

Plan your flight to arrive at Johannesburg airport by 10:15am on Day 1 of your holiday. Your departure flight on Day 8 should be after 8pm.

Airport transfers

By Air
Transfers to and from Johannesburg are by a charter flight. Meeting point is at the ORT Information desk in the arrivals hall (at Johannesburg airport) at 11am. Your flight should arrive no later than 9.30am. The charter flight (duration approx. 1,5 hours) will take you to Limpopo Valley airfield, just a short drive away from the stables. Meet your guide upon landing.

Return transfer arriving back at OR Tambo by approx. 17:30. Return flights should be booked for no earlier than 8pm.

By Road
Road transfers can in some cases be arranged to and from Johannesburg airport. Transfer time approx. 6 hours.

Charter air transfer Johannesburg โ€“ Limpopo return flights

2024: ยฃ720 per person

Payable locally: Conservation Levy $70 per person. Equivalent can be paid in ยฃ or โ‚ฌ.

Price Includes
  • 6 full days of riding
  • Shorter rides on arrival and departure days
  • Shared accommodation
  • All meals
  • Drinks
  • Game drives
  • Bush walks
  • Sundowners
  • Laundry
  • All arrangements for duration of holiday
  • Services of guides
Price Excludes
  • Conservation Levy $10 per person per night
  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Tips