Mashatu Tent Camp
Mashatu Tent Camp is a tented camp in the private and game-rich Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Enclave region of south-east Botswana.
Mashatu Tent Camp is one of the best value for money camps in Africa. The camp itself is very comfortable yet retains an authentic and intimate camp atmosphere, and whilst food is good quality and service is professional, it is not a camp you choose to visit if you are looking for a luxurious, relaxing stay. The beauty of Mashatu Tent Camp is the direct access you have to the exclusive Mashatu Game Reserve and everything it offers – incredible game viewing, varied activities, genuine exclusivity and a beautiful wilderness experience.
Mashatu is often favoured by photographers too as the game viewing is so good and they have a photographic vehicle available to hire and a ground level photo hide that can be booked in advance, along with a photographic host. Mashatu is ideal for enthusiasts looking for an affordable big game and wilderness experience, and makes a great combination with various safari regions in northern South Africa including the northern section of the Kruger National Park, the private game reserves bordering the southern Kruger, Madikwe Game Reserve and the Waterberg Region.
Rooms
Mashatu Tent caters for 16 guests in eight comfortable tents, each raised off the ground on a concrete plinth and accessed through a framed canvas door. The tents are furnished with proper beds, tables, a wardrobe and chairs. To the front of the tent is a small furnished verandah raised on a wooden deck and looking out into the bush. To the rear are plumbed en suite facilities, also raised on a wooden deck, with an open air plumbed shower and thatch covered toilet. The tents are set beneath large trees and overlook a seasonal stream, you definitely feel like you are in the bush here!
Central Areas
The central areas include an open plan lounge, bar and dining area, all raised on wooden decking and covered by thatch and overlooking at waterhole which supplies water throughout the year to the resident wildlife. Early morning and brunch are taken are taken in the main area, whilst dinner is mostly served in a traditional boma (weather permitting). There is also a small camp plunge pool. There is a shaded hide by the waterhole, and it is well worth spending a few hours here during the heat of the day watching the wildlife come and go.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
Mashatu is the largest privately owned game reserve in southern Africa, and is located in the ‘wedge’ of south-eastern Botswana known locally as the Tuli Enclave which lies between Shashe (border with Zimbabwe) and Limpopo (South Africa) rivers. Affectionately known as ‘the land of the giants’, the reserve covers an area of some 90,000 acres of varied habitat including riverine forest, open plains dotted with mighty baobab and ‘Mashatu’ nyala berry trees, and savannah woodland.
The area has over 1,000 resident elephant which are regularly seen together with lion, cheetah, leopard, impala, giraffe, kudu, eland, zebra, bushbuck and many other small species. Wild dog are occasional visitors. Neither buffalo nor rhino are found. The birdlife is excellent with over 360 species recorded including the ostrich and the kori bustard (the heaviest flying bird).
The area was originally inhabited by the mystical Maphungubwe tribe in 800AD, and made famous by Frederik Courtney Selous who hunted elephant in the region during the late 1800′s and led the Pioneer Column and Zeederberg Express. Baines also passed through here on his voyages. Archaeological sites abound including the notable Motloutse Ruins and Pitsani Koppie.
Activities
Activities are based around morning and afternoon game drives. There is also the option to have one walk and one game drive per day, rather than two game drives. Additional walks (daily or extended trails), mountain biking (cycle safaris either as a daily activity or extended trail – these depart and return to Mashatu Lodge), night drives and community visits can all be arranged at extra cost. Between the months of March and November it is also possible to spend time in a photographic hide built at water level on the edge of a waterhole allowing wildlife to be observed at close quarters, in a very relaxed setting. This can be particularly productive for elephant sightings and birdlife. Sessions in the hide can be booked at an extra cost and include tuition from a professional wildlife photographer (maximum 8 guests) and can be booked for a morning, afternoon or full day. There is also an overnight hide giving the opportunity for a sleep out and some night time photography.
Seasons
Mashatu Tent Camp is open all year round, but game viewing will be best between May and October.
Whilst Mashatu Tent Camp does not accept children under 12 years of age, families with older children would certainly find this a fantastic and adventurous safari option. With an extensive activity list and exciting game viewing, we feel that families looking for an active safari holiday would certainly enjoy Mashatu.
Every guest pays a daily conservation levy with their accommodation rate, which is earmarked for conservation, community and culture projects and support. Mashatu works closely with community villages on the periphery of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve where many of their staff come from, and from where services are procured.
Mashatu also supports the Tuli Conservation Trust which seeks to protect the Northern Tuli wildlife and to find sustainable solutions to enable harmonious human-wildlife coexistence. Projects include establishing a reserve-wide anti-poaching unit to protect vulnerable wildlife species; a fencing project to protect crops, deter poaching and help human-elephant coexistence; and community outreach programmes focusing on education and community empowerment.
