Horseback Riding in Botswana
TULI SAFARI |
Riding in tall grass on the savannah
Passing elephants
|
This is a classic point-to-point safari covering approximately 120 miles in the vast Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block of south eastern Botswana. Mashatu is a privately owned wildlife sanctuary of 75,000 acres, situated at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, in the remote and largely undiscovered Northern Tuli Region. This is an area of great bio-diversity, magnificent vistas, ancient civilizations and dramatic rock formations bordered by the great Limpopo River in the south.
Aptly named the “Land of the Giants” for its baobab studded plains and large herds of elephant, the land remains largely untouched by man and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species including lion, cheetah, leopard, African wild dog, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds.
To make the most of the prime game viewing hours, the day begins just before dawn with a quick breakfast before tacking up and heading toward the next camp as the sun is breaking over the horizon. Gallop along the river courses where huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra. Five or six hours in the saddle has you arriving at the next camp in the early afternoon with time to relax before an evening walking safari to witness the smaller creatures and plants missed on horseback. The guide, who is highly qualified and experienced, will point out some of the 350 bird species, and is often able to find elusive nocturnal species like bat-eared fox, African wildcat and the magnificent leopard. There are significant archaeological and historical sites en route, from subtle sign of the ancient indigenous people to relics from the Boer War.
The small group size, the fit, energetic horses and the light mobile camp allow this safari to cover a lot of interesting territory in this seldom visited corner of Africa.
"I can’t say enough good things about the Tuli Safari. It was a fantastic trip, far exceeding our expectations for comfort and the abundance of wildlife we saw. The daily mix of exhilaration and comfort made for an unforgettable experience."
- Debi Salmon -- USA
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Meet in Johannesburg at 8.00 am and drive 5 ˝ hours north, crossing into Botswana at the Pont Drift Crossing where you will be met by your guide, Cor or West, and transferred to Two Mashatus Camp. After a light lunch it’s time to get acquainted with your horse and head out on an introductory ride along the banks of the mighty Limpopo River. Your first evening is spent enjoying sundowners at the Two Mashatus Camp whilst watching the horses roll in the setting sun, before a delicious dinner is served in the beautiful Lala Palm Rondavel. |
| Day 2: | The day begins at sunrise with tea/coffee brought to your tent, followed by a light breakfast. Mount up and head off in a northwesterly direction for Jwala Camp on the banks of the Jwala River. Six to seven hours are spent in the saddle enjoying the abundance of game and the magnificent scenery synonymous with the Land of the Giants. After arriving at Jwala Camp, lunch is the order of the day followed by a guided afternoon walk, examining the bush around you in detail. Dinner is prepared over an open fire by truly brilliant chefs whose “bush cuisine” is renowned far and wide. Retire to your spacious tent where you will experience the “music” of the African bush as it gently serenades you to sleep. |
| Day 3: | An early wake-up call heralds a new day and tea/coffee and a delicious light breakfast is served around the log fire. Test the amazingly sure-footed Boerperds as we cross over basalt ridges following age-old elephant trails and enjoy long sustained canters to make up for the lost time traversing the ridges. This ride will be about six to seven hours, arriving at Kgotla Camp for a late lunch. This is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Mocloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The open-air traditional African enclosure is made of leadwood logs in the shade of a century old Mashatu Tree. Sundowners are enjoyed on a sandstone kopje overlooking the Mocloutse River as it meanders and disappears into the African landscape. Guests enjoy dinner around a large log fire. The night is spent sleeping under the stars while listening in on the cacophony of sound generated by the African bush orchestra. |
| Day 4: | Spend another night at Kgotla Camp, enjoying a full day exploring the sandstone formations including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Ancient civilizations harbored their wealth among these hills where two mighty rivers, the Limpopo and the Mocloutse, meet. This days riding will be about four to five hours, leaving time to explore the surroundings on foot in the afternoon or the possibility of visiting a nearby village. |
| Day 5: | Another early rise and a hearty breakfast around the log fire will set the morning off to a good start. Today’s ride heads towards the Liana Camp in a dry river bed overhung with baboon vines. See the visual wonders of nature, feel the warmth of the sun on your face and taste Africa in its most authentic sense. Lunch is a welcome stop halfway to camp. On arrival at Liana Camp you will be welcomed by a well-deserved sundowner as this is probably the longest day in the saddle--about 7 hours. Tonight is your opportunity to explore Mashatu from a game drive vehicle and try to locate the elusive leopard, cheetah and lion the area is well known for. |
| Day 6: | This morning will begin a little slower, as this day will be spent exploring the banks of the Mojale and Matabole Rivers, following their courses north towards Zeederburg site. The day will offer riding up and down river banks in riverine forest, game sightings and opportunities for fabulous photography. Today’s riding time is 5- 6 hours. The afternoon will bring a welcomed lunch under an old mashatu tree, where a century ago transport riders took their midday break before finally reaching Fort Tuli.
Spend the afternoon at leisure relaxing before you embark on an afternoon walk into the bush. You will be able to follow spoor, and are one-on-one with the bush environment. Dinner around the fire, and overnight in the tented camp. |
| Day 7: | This route today is rich in history and offers a variety of interesting tales of the past. One often-cited event of the Anglo Boer War was the destruction of Bryce’s Store in a battle on the banks of the Pitsane River. Remnants of the store can still be seen here. Your experience is further enhanced by the large herds of antelope encountered along the way, peeking shyly between foliage.
The open Pitsani plains so characteristic of this area are perfect for a really good gallop, hopefully with zebra and wildebeests. Head in the direction of the Mojale and Limpopo confluence, where lunch awaits at Two Mashatus camp. This ride is about 5-6 hours. This evening you have the opportunity to take a game drive in a landrover, which with any luck will give you a chance to see some big cats up close. Dinner is in the Lala Palm Rondavel. A dreamless sleep no doubt awaits you as the final day draws to a close.
|
| Day 8: | Today is your last day in the bush and begins with your final early morning tea/coffee and breakfast snack over the open fire. This morning is spent riding along the Limpopo River with the possibility of jumping some of our natural cross country fences enroute back to camp. This is about a 2 hour ride to give you time to prepare for departure.
After a final brunch and sad farewells to your riding companions and trusty steeds, you will have a chance to pack and freshen up before leaving for the Pont Drift Border Post where a car and driver await. The return transfer will have you at the Johannesburg airport by 5.00 pm. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
Comfortable, secure English saddle
Fun run at the river's edge
Cantering giraffe
When horse and rider become one
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Johannesburg |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 7 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-8 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate / fast |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Boerperd, Warmbloods and Shire cross |
| Weight Limit | 200 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | Apr 4-11, Apr 18-25, Apr 25-May 2, May 9-16, May 16-23, May 30-June 6, *June 6-13, *June 13-20, *June 20-27, July 11-18, July 18-25, July 25-Aug 1, Aug 1-8, Aug 15-22, Aug 22-29, Sept 10-17, Sept 26-Oct 3, Oct 18-24, Oct 24-31 |
| 2010 Price | $3,120
*$2,200 SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR JUNE SAFARIS ONLY |
| Single Supplement | 50% of total (not required if willing to share) |
| Transfers | $420 (Johannesburg to the Tuli and return) |
| 2011 Dates | April 24-May 1, May 1-8, May 8-15, May 15-22, May 22-29, June 5-12, June 12-19, June 19-26, June 26-July 3, July 3-10, July 10-17, July 17-24, July 31- Aug 7, Aug 7-14, Aug 14-21, Aug 21-28, Aug 28-Sept 4, Sept 11-18 |
| 2011 Price | TBA |
| Single Supplement | 50% of total |
| Transfers | TBA (to and from the Johannesburg airport and Tuli camp) |
| Additional Information | These are classic camp safaris. You stay at an established refined camp and ride out each day. |
|
|
|
|
