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Mashatu Game Reserve is part of Northern Tuli Game Reserve and is one of the largest private reserves in southern Africa. Mashatu has three of the Big Five, with rhino and buffalo absent, and elephant and leopard sightings are unparalleled. The exclusivity of the reserve means there are very limited vehicles out on game drives, making for quality sightings. Even more so due to the sparse vegetation.
Wildlife Experience
The wildlife experience at Mashatu is exceptional, with elephants being the main attraction. The reserve boasts a variety of predators including lions, wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and cheetahs. Smaller predators such as African wild cats and bat-eared foxes can also be seen. In addition to these species, visitors can expect to encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and various antelope species within the diverse habitats that include savannahs and riverine forests.
Scenery and Environment
Mashatu Game Reserve features stunning landscapes characterized by sandstone cliffs that rise dramatically from the plains and dry riverbeds where elephants often dig for water. The vegetation includes the iconic nyala berry tree (known locally as ‘Mashatu’), which provides essential shade and food for many animals.
Best Time to Visit
The optimal time for visiting Mashatu Game Reserve is during the dry season from May to September when temperatures are more comfortable for game drives and wildlife viewing conditions are generally superb.
Activities Available
Visitors to Mashatu can engage in various activities including game drives, walking safaris, night drives, horse riding, and mountain biking. The exclusivity of the reserve means that there are limited vehicles on game drives which enhances the quality of wildlife sightings.
From: $264 to $663 pp/day
From: May to September (Winter)
From: May to October, December to mid-January (Not very busy)
From: 290km² / 112mi²
Mashatu Game Reserve offers great wildlife viewing. Big herds of elephants make their daily appearance at the dry riverbeds to find some puddles of water. This is one of the best places to get close to these giants and observe their behavior and interactions. Leopard is often tracked along the riverbeds and off-road through the bush.
Wildlife Highlights
Wild dogs were reintroduced into the reserve and have been established extremely well. Sightings are hit-and-miss, but when you do see them, you can follow the pack and spend a couple of hours, hopefully witnessing a kill or some family bonding. The most impressive of several antelope species is the stately greater kudu. The males with their big corkscrew horns can sometimes be found in a deadly fight.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Mashatu offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. The best time is in the dry winter months, from May to September, when water is scarce and animals stay near the rivers. The summer months are very hot, but December to February is a good time to see big herds of elephants, eland, zebra, and other ungulates.
Mashatu Game Reserve's climate is semi-arid with an annual rainfall of 300mm to 350mm/11.8in to 13.8in. Rain is highly variable, but occurs almost entirely during the summer months, from October to April. Summers are hot, and winters are mild. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is recommended.
Dry Season –May to September – winter
Winter is dry, and temperatures are mild. It is, however, chilly in the morning and it is recommended to bring warm clothing for early morning game drives.
Wet Season –October to April – summer
Summers are very hot. The humidity is relatively low, which makes the heat a bit more bearable. It rarely rains all day, but there are occasional afternoon showers. Temperatures always peak before the rain breaks, which in turn cools everything down.
Mashatu Game Reserve is located in a remote eastern corner of Botswana. The reserve is visited more frequently from South Africa than from Botswana. From Johannesburg, you can rent a car and drive yourself. The trip takes about 7 hours*. Alternatively, there are scheduled flights to Polokwane Airport (PTG) in South Africa, and from there, it’s a 2-hour transfer.
Overland from South Africa, you’ll cross the border at Pont’s Drift. Leave your car at the border and the lodge will pick you up. The border has strict opening times, from 8 AM to 4 PM.
From Gaborone, you can drive a rental vehicle to the lodge through the western boundary of the reserve, which takes about 8 hours*.
Entry into Botswana is usually through Maun Airport (MUB), Kasane Airport (BBK) or Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone.
Entry into South Africa is usually through O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), near Johannesburg and Pretoria.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Botswana or South Africa, and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
The easiest way to get to Mashatu is by charter plane to the Limpopo Valley Airfield, near the lodges. The Limpopo Valley Air Taxi offers a daily flight from Lanseria, Johannesburg. There are also twice-weekly flights available from Maun and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Scheduled flights to Polokwane can be booked with SA Airlink.
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Botswana page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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