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Category: News

A Family Safari, Made for Little Explorers

Planning a family safari in Botswana? Discover the Kids@Mashatu Programme, with ranger-led bush experiences, tracking, wildlife discovery and safari adventures for children aged 4–12.

The Ultimate Birdwatching Safari in Southern Africa

For those looking to experience the best of Southern Africa’s birdlife, the Kaelo Destinations collection – comprising Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana and Pambele Beach House in Mozambique – offers a compelling combination with over 350 bird species recorded at each destination.

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Euphorbia Mashatu

“There aren’t enough superlatives for Mashatu Euphorbia. We enjoyed a fabulous 4 night stay as a 25th anniversary celebration and can’t wait to go back. The villas are outstanding, just lovely, so well taken care of, with an indescribably magical view. The public areas for dining, relaxing and animal viewing were all exquisite. Our guide, Kaiser, and our tracker, Albert, went out of their way to ensure we saw everything we dreamed of with amazing drives topped off with lovely coffee and sundowner breaks. The camp manager, Miss T, and everyone else who we spent time with – Jessica, OT, Kenny and all the wonderful rest – went above and beyond to make sure that our time together was special. The food was phenomenal and plentiful. We felt like our anniversary was honored each day in a different way, and everyone clearly wants to go above and beyond for all their guests. The landscape is breathtaking, the animal viewing sublime, but it’s the people who really made the experience the dream come true it was.”

Melinda

“Beautiful area! The Euphorbia trees were so pretty. We spent 3 nights in a luxury villa that was perfectly apportioned. Rode a cable car across the Limpopo River to get to the reserve. Guide Kenosi and Tracker, Mike were fun, knowledgeable, and like family before the journey was over. Everyone took such care of us. The only animals we could not find were cheetahs and pangolins. Guide Kenosi experience with over 20 years had never seen a pangolin in his entirety. But we looked! Area very Rocky and off roading was fun. Watched a young lion attempt a kill within a large herd of impala, nyala, zebra, etc. When the lion ran and the herd took off – the sound of the hooves thundering across the area will stay with me for along time. This lion was unsuccessful in the hunt, but we later found a lion with a baby giraffe. Also saw a leopard dragging an impala to hide it under a bush. Interesting process.
I’m not posting any pics because I want you to see it for yourselves and make your own memories.”

Lori H

“We stayed at Mashatu Euphorbia Villas in August, and it was truly one of the most memorable trips my family and I have ever taken. Every detail, from the villas to the staff to the wildlife, made this experience feel incredibly special. Here’s a breakdown of what stood out:

Accommodation & Lodge
-The villas are beautifully designed and blend seamlessly with the landscape.
-Incredible views. My mom even spotted a leopard right from our room!
-Meals were consistently delicious and varied. We especially loved the ginger tea at tea time.
-It’s an intimate experience, with only a handful of guests in the lodge.

Safari Activities
-Game drives (about 4 hours each, morning and afternoon) offered exceptional sightings, especially along the riverbed.
-The reserve is vast and rich with flora, fauna, and diverse environments.
-Sunsets were the most vivid and beautiful we’ve ever seen.
-At night, the sky was unbelievably clear—we could see the Milky Way every evening.

-A photographic hide at a watering hole—perfect for early mornings to see elephants, impala, and wildebeest.

-Mountain biking—a fun and active way to explore in the morning before it gets too hot.

The activity variety really helped us feel immersed in the landscape and wildlife.

Guides & Staff
-Our guide, Judas, and spotter, Mike, were fantastic. They were warm, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable.
-We learned so much about the animals and also about Botswana’s culture and people, through Judas’ stories, especially that one night where we were able to eat dinner with him.
-Judas also provided a smooth airport transfer, which helped us feel comfortable from the start.
-The staff learned our names, and provided wonderful experiences and surprises throughout our trip.
-They went above and beyond to organize a stunning anniversary celebration for my parents, including sundowners and snacks at sunset.

Wildlife Highlights
The Mashatu Reserve is teeming with life. Some of our top moments:
-Spotting a family of three leopards—a mother and two sisters.
-Watching elephant herds with adorable babies.
-Seeing a lion pride reunite at sunset, nuzzling and greeting one another—a magical moment.

Final Thoughts
Mashatu Euphorbia Villas offers the perfect combination of luxury, personal service, and incredible wildlife. The people, the place, and the experience left a lasting impression on all of us. We can’t recommend it enough and hope to return one day!”

Margot H

“I cannot do Mashatu Euphorbia justice in a review… it is FABULOUS! This was the perfect safari trip, from start to finish. We were greeted at the airstrip, helped with immigration, and transported immediately to the reserve. From there, Miss T made us at home, showing us around and giving us an overview of the schedule. We were guided to our villa, which was perfect. It had all the comforts of home with all the luxury you would want in your villa. The view was perfect… we spent every afternoon sitting on the veranda watching the wildlife in the riverbed. We were visited by duikers and warthogs and saw a baboon with a baby, elephants, giraffes, and so much more below our villa.

The game drives were also fabulous. Rodgers and Pontsho helped us find all of the animals we were looking for and taught us how to read the tracks in the dirt and understand the habits of the animals. We learned about the leopards we saw and tracked the cheetahs for 2 days. It was an absolutely amazing experience made even more so by their enthusiasm for the work and willingness to learn more about the birds we wanted to see and take us to the edges of the property that are not visited as often. They also took us on a night drive so I could see porcupines!

The meals were also perfect, and all of the staff should be thanked for the experience. They noted what we were drinking and made sure the minibar in the room was stocked with it. ST met us each evening with the perfect drink, and the kitchen staff produced amazing meals for us. One evening, Miss T and ST even brought our favorites and some snacks out onto the veld for our sundowners. Everything is considered, and they do all they can to make you feel like part of the family. We were so sad to leave and can’t wait to return!”

Mac

“Just go! Possibly one of the most magical places we have visited. The people, the accommodation, the safari treks all were worth it. We saw lots of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, cats and giraffes (some even from our room). From the minute we were met at the air strip to being dropped off, we felt like family. Food was amazing and the staff outdid themselves. Highly recommend and can’t wait to go back.”

Weny

“This is our 4th visit to Mashatu and the first camp of our 25 th trip to Africa

The lodge is perfect. Compliments to the team that designed and executed this property. It fits in with the surrounding landscape.

The bar is expertly run in the evenings.

Chef Thebes is extremely creative. The food is excellent.

The food service is Michelin star excellent. The hospitality team is A+.

The lodge is managed at the highest standards by Miss T and KK.

The wildlife is off the charts. 7 unique leopards in 5 nights. Some are shy and some are comfortable.

Multiple prides of lion.

Wildlife everywhere. Our guide Bellamy and tracker Poncho are two of the best. We always learn from them – nature, culture, history – the time flies.

Mashatu is relatively easy to get to. We landed at JNB then took a 45 minute drive to Lanseria international ( almost like a private airport- no crowd and no wait ) and then a 1 + hour flight in a schedule air van charter to Limpopo valley international. LVA is the coolest, nicest and easiest border post of my travels. You meet your guides and the action is on. Extremely simple and in time for lunch if you choose.

Also a huge thanks to Judith Hoffman with Mashatu and Lyndall and Shann with Pambele Aviation for receiving and delivering our bags that British Air left at Heathrow. Amazing service abd professionalism.

Mashatu is legendary – HIGHLY recommended.”

Michael Maloon

“This was our 3rd time to Mashatu, having stayed at Mashatu Lodge 2x before. We were really excited to stay at Euphobia having watched it being built during a prior stay. The rooms are very comfortable with great views over the cliffs, food excellent, but what makes an amazing camp is the Guiding and seeing the animals in their natural habitat. Our Guide was terrific, and made sure we were thrilled every minute. You have only 2 others in the truck which is great and the wildlife is very plentiful and close, from seeing leopards drag their kill up into a tree to giraffe all over the place. Lions, antelope of all kinds, herds of elephant, each day brings new adventures. Definitely book the photo hide for AM as that is the best. The bush walk was lots of fun as well. They will only accept very experience riders for the horseback option so be aware. We have been to Africa 8 times so far and Mashatu remains one of our favorites!”

Leigh L

“The reason you go on safari is you want to see the African wildlife in their natural habitat. So the Mashatu game reserve is the first thing I would like to address. It is big and the landscape and scenery is magnificent. So many different habitats like plains, mountains, rocks, woods it is like all the different ecosystems are present. It gives you so many beautiful photo opportunities. It is also one big reserve and not owned by many different people so you have no traversing rights and problems which comes with that. Have experienced in other reserves you can not go to particular area or you are strictly bounded to time allowed to traverse. Over here non of that problems, it also means when you see something special they will extend your drive. Also not many lodges so it is quiet and crowded with cars. They don’t have the big five, they lack the rhino and buffalo but that is well compensated by other game and an abundance of leopards. During our one week stay we had 14 leopard sightings with 9 different leopards almost all in very beautiful poses in trees. The rangers and trackers are friendly and very knowledgeable and go the extra mile…. The lodge is luxurious, the food is good, everything is clean and the lodge is beautiful situated on top of a cliff with great views on the river and hills. People are very friendly and food was great. I have been in a lot of countries on Safari but I can really recommend this lodge and reserve. Will certainly come back.”

Berend de Leeuw

“Among many factors that made us choose to stay at Euphorbia Villas despite the many places to pick from Tuli Block , was the reception that was provided by their Reservation department it was their prominent feedback that sold it for us.

Upon arrival we were given heart warning welcome by the whole team that was lead by the Camp Managers. It made our long journey to arrive at the destination worthwhile. What immediately caught our attention was the ‘Unisex’ bathrooms this is concept that is still foreign to most hotels / lodges we been to more especially in Botswana.

Our three days in the Villas was filled with one of the best services we ever experienced every Game Drive had a new nature discovery to it and it’s a good thing we picked the rainy season to visit the place because we got to really appreciate the beauty of the wildlife and the vegetation.

My partner and I are ‘self- proclaimed’ foodies, so the menu had us in awe , it was how every presentation of it was Taylor-Made for us , it made us feel so special like we celebrate a honeymoon or something!! The three course meals were a given I don’t even have a sweet tooth but I enjoyed their dessert dishes.

The rooms and the view is something that I have never quite seen, so serene!! The staff was the driving force behind us enjoying our stay in Mashatu Euphorbia Villas .

The decor which has is inspired by the natural elements found in the area like the Mophane Seed design was so profound. As a Motswana I found that quite unbelievable that someone could find such a creative way to appreciate something that is of essence to us..including the Euphorbia cactus.

I am actually writing this review while also in preparation of making our second bookings that’s how amazing the place was!!”

Lady T

“Our stay at Mashatu was truly exceptional. The staff provide world class service with utmost sincerity. Everything from the first greetings and introductions, house keeping, game drives to food services was extraordinary. We enjoyed every dish and the conversations around diner time. Our hosts at Euphorbia were warm and welcoming. They ensured that we had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable and memorable.

The game drive was executed professionally, giving us time to enjoy the terrain, and the animals. Mashatu trees were our favorite to marvel at. Our tour guide even provided an opportunity to take photos of elephants passing in front of the Mashatu tree. We learnt a lot about the animals even the smallest chameleon and different species of birds.

We are planning our winter visit to come back home to Mashatu.”

Opelo Mogotsi

“Every time I think back on our stay at Mashatu, I want nothing more than to return to Africa immediately. We almost didn’t get to come here due to some covid-related logistical challenges, but a chartered flight solved our problems and we were able to make it work (hopefully the border opens soon and this becomes a non-issue). Mashatu was well worth the extra effort and I’d do it all again.

Euphorbia Mashatu gets everything right. Excellent game drives, diversity of activities, attention to detail, extreme luxury, adventure, amazing staff… the list goes on. We had high expectations and they were exceeded.

One of the highlights of Mashatu was the photography offerings. We booked a photo vehicle and guide for one day, which was 100% worth it. We are avid amateur photographers and the tutorial session with Aubrey really helped us take our skills to the next level. The photo vehicle was also so nice! The boxes for storing camera gear and the camera mounts seemed like small things, but they made it so much easier to take pictures comfortably. We also spent 2 sessions in the photo hide – the first time, not much showed up. The second time, we got two herds of elephants passing through and a huge group of impala. Being able to shoot from ground level was amazing. Aubrey also noted our interest in astrophotography and arranged for us to try and capture the Southern Hemisphere stars one night as we returned from our game drive. We had so much fun tiptoeing around our camera gear in the dark while lions roared in the not-too-far distance.

Other than the photography offerings, we stuck to game drives. The landscape was beautiful and very different from other areas on our trip. Eric and Edward, our guide and tracker, were excellent. I wish we had more time to try out the other activities that are offered – three nights is simply not enough.

The grounds and villas were absolutely stunning. Attention to detail is so evident in everything from the architecture to the tableware to the artwork in the villas. The common areas are open and airy, decorated in earth tones, wood, and stone. The design details, like the walls in the dining area, the custom furniture, and the fireplace in the bar were unique and really fit. The villas themselves…. wow. Huge, comfortable, and the same level of thought and design in every corner. They looked amazing from the pictures and were even better in person. Two toilets, and indoor and outdoor shower, and a giant deck with a plunge pool and views of giraffes and elephants in the distance. I actually took a bath here, which I rarely do, because the bathtub looked so nice and the hot water was endless. Staying here was a dream come true and I didn’t want to leave (actually tried to extend our trip, but in the end decided we would just need to come back).

The food was also delicious across the board. We especially loved the boma dinner because we got to try some traditional Botswanan food. Our guide ate dinner with us as well, which was nice and a throwback to the pre-covid days of communal dining on safari (they asked if we were ok with this, so if you’re not then don’t worry).

Overall, 10/10 on all counts and we are so happy we made it to Euphorbia Mashatu. This was a perfect place to end our 2+ week safari trip with some quality game viewing and opportunities to relax. Props to them for opening such a special place in the middle of a pandemic and making it work so well. We cannot wait to come back and will be dreaming about it until that day arrives.”

Will

Kolokolo Safari Home

“Kolokolo House: What else can I say other than OH MY GOODNESS! Kolokolo was so nice and lovely that we almost didnt want to go out on game drive. Oney made the kitchen feel like my childhood home with my mom cooking and me watching. I absolutely loved the aspects of the home that made it truly feel like home. It was relaxing, calming, it felt like a perfect place to digitally detox from the rest of the world. We were so relaxed here and every one of the staff members were unbelievably lovely. We especially loved relaxing in the pool and watching the resident leopard tortoise speed between the gardens. I know, more and more, scientists are proving that humans originated from Botswana – and im pretty sure you have recreated the garden of eden in Kolokolo. Tips was lovely while he was at the home and Benny was so attentive and felt like an old friend.”

Matt Roth

“Trip to Botswana – was great. Team met us in the lobby. Smooth drive to the airport. Staff met us at the curb, walked us through immigration/security, met the pilots, etc. Really nice and smooth. Kids enjoyed the flight. Limpopo valley airport was great. Customs was a breeze.

Mashatu staff were onsite waiting for us. Tips was our guide throughout our stay. His wife was our chef at the house.

Mashatu was just magical! I guess I can not speak for any of the other “camps”. But Kolo Kolo house was just perfect!!! The staff just spoiled us. Food was fantastic, and just so much of it. I’m pretty sure I put on weight at this stop. We loved the house, and the grounds were fantastic. We had dinners, lunches, high tea, at different spots on the grounds. The river made for great viewing during the afternoon. (hippos and crocs) The pool was beautiful, and cold. The kids all took a plunge. I was happy to sit next to it, and just relax.

The rooms were large and beautiful. We truly felt pampered by the staff.

The game drives were fantastic. I do not have any reference to compare them too, but I think it would be hard to find a better option than Mashatu. While they do not have Rhino or Buffalo, The numbers and close encounters to the animals was incredible. We drove up on lions that were 2 meters from the truck….. and the lions couldn’t care less about us. The same was with almost every animal in the park. Leopards, Cheetah’s, Lions, elephants, etc. We were up close and personal to all of them.

And the Elephants…… so many elephants…. Everyday, up close and personal to elephants. On our last evening drive, we counted 93 elephants marching in front of us, as they moved away from the river.

Antelope, giraffe, warthog, ostrich, kudu, waterbuck, the list goes on and on. It would be impossible to go someplace in the reserve and NOT see animals. If you wanted to be alone…. good luck, it won’t happen.

I don’t know if other reserves are like this. But if you went 3 min without seeing an animal, it felt like something was wrong. I’m sure you have much better insight into this, but Mashatu just felt like it wasn’t real… I don’t know if other guests had the same experience as us, but it was amazing. Tips was not afraid to take the truck “where no truck has been before” – in looking for animals. He wasn’t just driving on the roads, going thru the motions. He was actively working to get us the best experience possible. And did he deliver!!! We did not feel like just another guest. We felt like Tips had our best interest in mind.

Our time in Mashatu was perfect for the boys. I could have stayed there all week. But the boys were actively engaged in each game drive. I think they would have lost interest with another drive. So timing was great.

Jack told me as we were leaving Mashatu – “This place was awesome. I wish we were here last, instead of our first stop. It would have been great to end the trip here”

Weston family

“Very nice house and garden. Very welcoming and personal atmosphere. Very nice care.

Accommodation staff: Great praise to Mashatu. Friendly, accommodating, helpful. You can feel that many have been there for a very long time and you see each other more like a big family.”

Jürgen Kühner 

“Dené and I really had the most lovely time at Mashatu. The thing that stuck out the most to us (and especially Dené who used to be a manager at Kirkman’s and Tengile in the Sabi Sands), was the service. From the Tent Camp all the way up to Euphorbia, it was so outstanding.  Also, the quality of the rangers and trackers was outstanding, so I won’t mention them all by name, but each was as good as the next.

Kolokolo House: Outstanding, I can’t wait to start booking groups here.”

Nikki Topp

“Kolokolo – this was amazing – it offered a completely different feel. There was nothing to find fault with. The staff were great.”

Zelda Smit

“Kolokolo Safari Home is breathtaking – a real piece of paradise on the banks of the Limpopo. The food was incredible and it was good to see how the staff used all different locations for all the meals.”

Craig Marshall

“Kolokolo is on another level and although. You can see the topography is very varied as you travel in and out of certain areas.  I can certainly see a huge attraction for groups to use the home exclusively and will surely come back. I loved the bathrooms and open showers!!”

Arlene

Pambele Beach House

“We had an unforgettable week at Pambele—a truly relaxing and beautiful escape. The setting was perfect for unwinding after an action-packed safari: waking up to the gentle sound of waves just outside our door, soaking in breathtaking views, and embracing a slower pace of life.

From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the warm, attentive, and welcoming staff. On our first day, we mentioned that turtles were George’s favourite animal, and the team went above and beyond to make that dream come true. By day three, we were snorkelling and swimming alongside turtles—a true “pinch me” experience

Other highlights included sailing and fishing trips, where we caught a tuna that was prepared for us that very evening—fresh and delicious. Every meal, snack, and treat was thoughtfully prepared by a talented team of chefs, blending creativity with local flavours to create amazing meals

When we weren’t out exploring, our days were filled with simple pleasures: swimming in the sea, snorkelling on the nearby reef (made by Pambele), strolling through the reserve, kayaking, lounging by the infinity pool, and simply relaxing while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Every detail—from the setting to the exceptional service—made Pambele the perfect place to slow down, recharge, and create lasting memories!”

Lucy Brock

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pambele. The boat trip across is such a highlight – what a wonderful way for arriving guests to immediately “get onto the sea.” It’s both adventurous and delightful, and it creates an instant connection to the environment, especially for those arriving from the bush or a city. A heli transfer out will perfectly round off the experience, giving guests the best of both transfer options. Even the wading to and from the boat at Pambele added to the charm.

I was pleasantly surprised by the layout of the villas – spacious, cool, and welcoming. I can imagine in the hotter and more humid months, they offer a much-needed reprieve. The Beach House is an absolute gem, lending itself to family and social time throughout the day.

I also loved the “nothing is too much trouble” attitude. With sufficient notice, it’s clear that almost anything is achievable for your guests. The option of combining bush drives and birdwatching with water activities is a real point of difference.

A huge thank you to Zoe and Conrad for your wonderful hospitality. Lunch was delicious and the wine an unexpected pleasure. It was a real pleasure to learn more about the sanctuary. Back of house was just as impressive as front of house – your efforts to ensure every comfort and need is met are truly commendable.”

Melinda Inward

Mashatu Lodge

“It was a wonderful experience! Everyone was so friendly and so accommodating (especially with food allergies). The game drives were lovely as well and we loved our driver Graphites (and tracker Jack)! We would definitely recommend Mashatu to anyone looking to go to Botswana! Thank you for such a memorable experience!”

Rebecca Johnson

“Wonderful knowledgeable guides. Kaiser was personable, kind, informative and always had a smile on his face. Staff were friendly and went out of their way to make our stay memorable.”

Amy Nesbitt

“Mashatu has exceeded our expectations in every way. Fantastic animal observations, excellent guides, first-class service, and a unique landscape. One of the most beautiful places we have ever visited. Unrestricted recommendation! 🦁🐘🐆”

Voyager

“This was our tenth trip to Mashatu, which has become our second home over the years, ‘home from home in Africa’. The friendly welcome, personal touch, stay, scenery, variety of game and experienced guides make it one of the top safari destinations in southern Africa. Whether you stay in tented camp, or in Tuli, or in Euphorbia, or in Mashatu lodge, you will never be disappointed.
See you next year in March!”

Dee

“We stayed 3 nights in this tented camp wonderful for the location and for the staff! All very kind. We had a great meal.
Our guide was knowledgeable and helpful but respectful of the surrounding nature!
Thanks to all the staff!”

Giusinat

“From arrival to departure I could not fault this beautiful lodge.
Such a warm welcome and introduction to the lodge and our guide Arun and tracker Jack. The room was so spacious, clean and well equipped with a fabulous decking area looking out over the bush. The air con was welcome too as night/mornings were chilly.
The food was so delicious and plentiful, and also the evening meal wasn’t served in the same spot once.
Every member of staff always had a warm smile and greeting whatever the time of day.
The game viewing was excellent too. Our guide,Arun, and tracker Jack, did everything to get the sightings and we were rewarded every day.
There was so much more water than normal for that time due to a very wet rainy season but the animal sightings we had were incredible.
I cannot wait to return.”

Alison

“Our time at Mashatu Lodge in Botswana was absolutely incredible – the perfect balance of wild adventure and luxury. From breathtaking landscapes to unforgettable wildlife sightings (especially the big cats and elephants!), every moment was pure magic.”

Koenraad P

“I just lead a 12 day-long private photo safari to Mashatu during which I stayed at Mashatu Lodge for 8 nights and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu for another 4. It was my 20th time back in Mashatu and, as always, the only word to some up our safari experience was “perfection”!

I haven’t been to any other lodges in Africa where the game viewing and photo opportunities are matched by the experience in camp in such a spectacular way – we were always met with genuine smiles, ate waaay more than we should have and most importantly, we felt like family.

On four occasions, we spent quality time with leopard cubs, giving us some of the best wildlife photography opportunities I’ve had anywhere in summer! Speaking of which, despite heavy rains, we didn’t miss a single drive, and the transformation of the reserve in to lush paradise was something to behold. I can highly recommend coming to Mashatu during the rainy season!

I can’t wait to be back in May this year…”

Villiers Steyn

“Mashatu does not advertise in the UK – it is not covered by any UK tour company or in any guide book – so I only heard about it from meeting a frequent visitor to it by chance. We are so glad I did. The Main Lodge is expensive, but not eye-watering as many Botswana properties are, so was affordable. We had really personal care, with a driver / guide / tracker Fish assigned just to our friends and us.

We saw so many animals, including one or more lovely leopards on every game drive. Plus please do book the underground photo hide – going there in the morning was like the Royal Variety Show – unending waves of different animals and birds, from elephants to mongoose!

The food is fabulous – very imaginative and tasty, with different choices at each course every day. And the kind staff all sang to us on our last evening. The suite rooms are large, with 2 toilets, and a double and a single bed.

Everything we did was private to us, and we loved it!”

Worldtraveller

“It is hard to find the proper words to describe the magnificence that is Mashatu Lodge. First, there is the brilliance of Mashatu itself and the ability to see Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Zebra, Giraffes and so much more. Second, there is the amazing food which you are provided from the minute you wake up until the end of the day. All of our meals were terrific and, even more impressive, they beautifully and without question accommodated a variety of dietary restrictions. My daughter who is vegetarian and cannot eat dairy or gluten has never been able to eat on vacation as easily as she did at Mashatu Lodge! But the most amazing thing about Mashatu, is the people who go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home from the moment you set foot on the airfield. From our guides to the front desk to the talented culinary team, we were treated like good friends throughout our stay. Our group included family from the ages of 12 through 76 and everyone felt the warmth of the Mashatu welcome. We are incredibly grateful to have had the chance to visit Mashatu and recommend it to anyone trying to decide where to go on safari.”

Amy K

“Love Mashatu in every way. The game is plentiful and the area is wonderfully quiet with hardly any other vehicles at each sighting. In fact most of the time, it will just be yourselves.

The lodge is extremely comfortable without being over the top and the food is so enjoyable. The staff cannot do enough for you and are all so friendly and happy. Highly recommend to anyone that loves a safari experience.”
Angela J

“In Januari 2024 we went for two weeks to Mashatu Lodge (main camp) in Mashatu game reserve. First some comments regarding the reserve; no big five (rhino and buffalo) are missing but who gives a ….. The sightings are incredible in a beautiful setting and landscape. We have done a lot of safaris and used to to called Nature Appreciation Drives…. which actually means we did not see anything special and just took in general surroundings and common game, But this safari every drive was special. We had so many beautiful leopard and lion sightings really amazing. We had also amazing rangers and spotters like Fish, Bashi, Edward and Abel. And again there are so many different eco systems in the Reserve it is really special and gives a lot of beautiful photographic opportunities. The lodge was also great, people are very friendly and genuine interested in you as a guest and willing to go the extra mile to make it special for you. The food is fantastic the chef is great and also a great singer :-) The room is comfortable, good beds, clean, airconditned with a nice shower. The only thing I missed was wifi in the room… you want to share your pictures but you have to go to the main area so that is the only downside… Further I can recommend it to the fullest. Have already booked again for Januari 2025 :-)”

Berend de Leeuw

“Spent five glorious days here with Heartbeats of Africa. Wonderful, comfortable, air conditioned rooms. Great food. Welcoming, knowledgeable staff. But of course, most importantly fantastic game viewing. Leopards multiple times every day, Giraffe, Eland, Ostrich, African Wild Cat, Lions, Elephants, Impala, Kudu, Genet, Wildebeest, Cheetah, Bat Eared Fox, and 75 species of birds. Could not ask for more.”

Karen H

“Very nice and clean lodge with very good food and great staff. The game drives are the best I have ever experienced. The Mashatu Game Reserve is an absolute insider tip. If you want to see leopards, lions and hyenas up close, this is the place to do it.
I will definitely be back!!!”

Daniel G

“Mashatu Game Lodge was perfect from start to finish. Our guides were Simon and Abel and they were the kindest most knowledgeable guides that we had during our entire trip which included three camps. They taught us how to track, extended our drives when they thought we should to see something. It was all exceptional, the animals were plentiful and at no point were the areas we went to crowded. We were most concerned with not going somewhere that felt like there were too many people. This hit the mark. Food was fabulous, staff overly friendly, engaging and kind. The accommodations were very comfortable and as someone that tends to get a little cold, the bush babies were plentiful and took care of that. Loved it and we can’t wait to go back.”

Alison B

“16 nights at Mashatu Game Reserve. This was our 6th trip to Africa in 11 years. In our prior 5 visits we stayed in several camps and countries. This time we decided to stay at the Mashatu Game Reserve for our entire 16 nights. We were there on our last trip and loved it. We stayed at 3 of the Reserves properties. The Lodge for 8 nights, 2 in Tuli and 6 in Euphorbia, all less than an hour drive apart. What a great decision.

There was not a sour face at any of the camps. The attitude was friendly and helpful throughout the entire stay. Never a crack in any of the services.
Rooms were cleaned and sanitized several times a day, meal consistency, variety and personalized service was spot on, even after 16 days. They were all special.

Peter Joji Bale is the manager of all the reserve’s facilities, and he gets the credit for the consistency, great personalized service, meals, housekeeping, people remembering your names and preferences. This does not happen by accident. The individual lodge managers also get it and were all great. All 3. Thank you Peter, the managers and staff for making this one of our best trips.

Let’s not forget why we were there – the GAME. It was insane. Every day, a few times a day, we had incredible sightings. There were multiple days where we saw 7 to 9 lions, 4 to 5 leopards and 3 to 5 cheetah. The big cats were my focus. We witnessed kills and the just about every possible species except rhino, dogs and hippos.

Most of this success was due to our guide, Bashi. He has been guiding there for over 30 years and knows the animals, generations of their family and their habits. Sometimes it seemed like they were waving hello to him. The trackers were first class. We spent a few days on the Photo Mashatu vehicle with Joe, who provided excellent advice. Be sure to take advantage of the Photo Hide.

You would that after 16 nights you may have had an issue somewhere. We honestly did not.”

Joseph W

“One of my all time favourites.  I have been to Africa at least 12 times now. I had been to Botswana before, but never to Mashatu. I was blown away by the accommodation, accommodating and friendly staff, and the sightings we had. The food was delicious– simply some of the best I’ve ever had in all of Africa. There was always plenty of food, so don’t worry about going hungry! The photo hide is simply magnificent. I went for a morning and an afternoon session. The rooms are spacious– ours had two bathrooms– and the lodge itself feels traditionally African which I appreciate. Aaron and Albert were simply amazing… a great team and a joy to be around! Thank you, Mashatu! I hope to be back one day.”

Elissa

“This lodge was amazing for me and my family words cannot describe of how good this place. We’ve spend 3 nights at this lodge and it met all our expectations. I will be returning back. Thank you Eric and Edward for this lovely memories.”

Aaron Sarinana

“This lodge was among the most expensive but also among the best of the 13 we stayed at in Botswana so far. The game viewing was thé best by the way. Good to know: the rooms are attached but offer enough privacy. Food was just avarage for luxury lodges. Beautiful pool (but not heated just as in any lodge so of no use in winter).”

Jurgen B

“This was the first trip my family and I took after the pandemic started, so a family vacation after more than a year and we could not have visited a better place. Mashatu provided us with the perfect escape from everything that is happening. We stayed there for 2 nights and 3 days, but honestly wish we stayed longer. It was a 6-7 hour drive from Gaborone, and we followed the exact directions provided by the lodge and reached there properly. During the way, the manager kept in touch with us to make sure we were on the right path. Our room was excellent, and we had absolutely no complaints. The safari was absolutely fantastic, our guides were extremely knowledgeable and went out of their way to show us the animals they could, and not just that but gave us details of the animals, track marks, birds, everything that was out there. The pictures I was able to capture came out so good thanks to the guides. The guides are extremely well animal spotters, and also great company.  The food was delicious and the staff was extremely helpful in getting us what we wanted. It was great to have our room cleaned twice a day. The staff were all so helpful, kind and sweet, it made the whole experience even better. The booking process was very easy. There’s no WIFI in the room but there is wifi in the wifi lounge and deck, which is honestly all you might need, keeping in mind most of the time you will be outside witnessing wildlife at its finest. There’s a water body right outside the deck where you meet for breakfast, brunch and high-tea and many animals come to drink water there which is a lovely sight to see. 

All covid protocols were followed and masks were worn by both us and staff at all times.

All in all, a fantastic unforgettable trip. Thank you so much to the team at Mashatu, especially our guides Richard and Okay and the manager! Definitely, a place I’d want to visit again soon.”

Srisha R

“The entire staff and accommodations were wonderful. Rogers was an excellent guide and Lovemore his tracker made a great team. They did not just spot animals, but also explained the different track marks we were seeing, including showing us where a cheetah dragged its kill across the dirt under a bush where we found a little blood and a small bone left – it was like CSI animals! Lops was very welcoming and the food was excellent.”

Denise Q

Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu

“We had a wonderful experience. Loved the ambiance of Tuli Lodge. The lodge team was very friendly and effective. Everything ran like clockwork and done with a smile. Everything was kept spotless. Our ranger Bellamy and tracker Stan were the best. They knew the reserve like the back of their hand. Bellamy has 34 years’ experience as a wildlife guide and it showed. He is calm and in control, an excellent communicator with vast experience of animal behaviour. We had incredible wildlife sightings in 4 days. Multiple sightings of cheetah, lion and leopard. We are planning to return with our friends next year.”

Karen & Geer Hubregtse

“Friendly staff and amazing game drive experiences!”

Lori Kiel

“Great guide! Amazing service. People remember my name and what I eat and drink. Everyone is wonderfully friendly.”

Aleksandr Karpovsky

“I had a wonderful time with staff and the animals.”

Amy Nesbitt

“Having been on safari in many African countries we can honestly say this was one of our favourites. No rhino or buffalo but a wonderfully varied landscape with very few other vehicles. Sightings of different lions and leopards on each of our 4 days. The lodge is beautifully situated below a rocky escarpment where at night there is a star gazing area. and a welcoming pool to cool off in. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. Food was excellent and almost too plentiful. Lovelies, our Guide, and OG our spotter were great and really added to our experience. Having left our car at Pont Drift, the cable car crossing of the Limpopo river just added to the experience. Definitely a place we’d like to return to.”

Peter Fin

“Our 1 week safari is part of our ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday to Botswana and South Africa and it’s been a fantastic start !
After a long journey from Hampton on the Sunday evening we arrived here Monday lunchtime, the last step of the journey being the cable car crossing the Limpopo. We were made to feel incredibly welcome by Eric and his team with a singing reception and welcome drink. After the daily ritual of high tea at 3.30 we were off on our 1st safari drive. And that was it, the whole 6 days spent driving round, sitting in a hide and, on 2 occasions, staying overnight in the fabulous Lala Limpopo hide. In between we were given well cooked brunches, high teas and dinner with lots of variety and even changing dinner locations in the main area.
Eric and his team are fantastic, polite, friendly, always on hand. The ‘tent’ rooms are luxurious and well cleaned and attended to daily. The grounds are well laid out and well maintained. The pool looks great but we were happy to rest in our tent room or at the main area between activities.
Obviously the key part of this safari trip are the guides and trackers. Our team, Lovsie and Oagiy, were brilliant, knowledgeable and patient and really keen to support my husband’s quest for the ‘perfect shot’ of all the mammals and birds we saw. And we saw lots. Everything but cheetahs. We thoroughly enjoyed our sundowners at spots picked out by them on the way home after the afternoon drives.
A shout out also to Aubrey, our photo guide who was in the hides, both the short stay one and the overnight Lala. He’s very knowledgeable and friendly. If you’re a keen photographer, the overnight hide is well worth it. I’m not and I enjoyed it too !
A great start to our African adventure.”

Frances and Rene Heer

“Four of us have just returned from a four night stay at Tuli. We have had a wonderful time. The lodge and accommodation are really nice but it is the people that make Tuli so special. Food was very good, the rooms are great. Tuli is the oldest lodge in Botswana and oozes charm. A special shout out to Tahto our guide & Mike his tracker, we had some wonderful drives and amazing sightings. Also to ‘smiley’ Rebecca! Mashatu is a very special reserve with beautiful landscapes and views. The best spots for morning coffee and sundowners that we have ever had. Tuli really deserves a visit, we felt it was really good value for what we received. Crossing from South Africa to Pont Drift near the camp by cable car was a memorable experience. Thank you to everyone at Tuli.”

Mark

“What an unbelievable venue for our destination wedding!

It couldn’t have been more perfect, from the food and accommodation to the fantastic staff at Tuli that made our wedding weekend a stay that we will never forget. It was one surprise after another with a bush dinner of dreams and an appearance from the Tuli Choir. Our Guests had so many lovely things to say about the weekend but the one thing that stood out the most in all their compliments was their love for the staff. Our Vision came to life with their help, it was a weekend our guests will never forget.

Every bit of the weekend ran without a hitch, their execution far exceeded our wildest dreams. We wouldn’t recommend getting married anywhere other than Mashatu Game Reserve.

Thank you to all!”

Samantha Jacobsz

“Tuli is an absolute gem. All the staff are so welcoming. Nothing is too much trouble. The tented suites are incredible giving you a sort of “bush” experience with the luxury. It is nestled in amongst the trees. Food excellent and accommodated dietary needs. Baboons visit and are so cheeky to watch. We had a wonderful 3 night stay seeing lots of animals including elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and wildebeest plus many others. Our guide and tracker Simeon and Chris shared their knowledge and also about life in Botswana.
Everyday an adventure with so many memories made.
Thank you.”

Anne

“Tuli has truly become a second home for us in Africa. It is a short 4 hour road transfer from Johannesburg and offers a 100% better experience than Kruger. Gone are the fences and other concessions safari vehicles and it is replaced by a comfortable, stress free safari. Our Guide and tracker are the best in the business and are the best at Tuli. Of course we are biased here but we will be requesting them every visit. Our Guide Thato and our Tracker Pontsho are amazing. I highly recommend their partnership when you visit Tuli. They not only work very well together, you can tell they are willing to take any steps to get you to see what you need.
The rooms are not really rooms as they are homes. They are massive tents on elevated concrete slabs. Even in the hottest weather they are a great escape. Last visit in 2019 we spent 5 nights, this time we spent 6. It will be really hard not to extend next time.
Food is great, new chef and the twins prepare great meals, and the service is top notch.
Love this place. Cant say enough positive comments. It is not your typical canned south african safari. Its truly wild and open.

You must see for yourself. When you are planning your trip….make sure to ask about the photo hide. Worth every penny!”

Matt R

“We had a very relaxed and enjoyable time at Tuli Safari Lodge, Mashatu, Tuli Block.
Every member of the lodge went out of their way, to help and serve us. Impeccable rooms – clean and well appointed.
Please do get an RO Filter for the drinking water as the high salt content makes the water taste awful. Thank you dear guides – Simion and Montsho. We enjoyed the game drives.”

Clarina E

“Everything about Tuli is magical, from the spectacular landscape to the accommodations and staff. The wildlife are truly abundant; on this, our 8th visit; we saw 11 leopards, plus lions, cheetahs and over 40 other kinds of wildlife. The Tuli management and staff go way out of their way to accommodate special interests and make the experience unforgettable. You can pay a lot more at other lodges but you won’t find a better safari experience than at Tuli.”

Edward D

Mashatu Tent Camp

“Above all expectations. Great lodge, friendly attentive staff, extraordinary game sightings.”

Gill Brereton-Smith

“Great Africa experience!
We loved every moment at this wonderful place in the middle of the bush. We loved to be so close to wild animals, the game drive were so fantastic, the tents, the food, the people!
We saw so many animals despite it was rainy
I really like to go back one day❤️”

Lisa & Florian

“Great hospitality and service. Beautiful camp, nestled in the bush under trees. Very good value. Game viewing, some of the best in Africa.”

Manuel

“In the middle of nature, pure safari. We felt incredibly comfortable. The tents are very nice. Great bathroom. The whole team is very warm and helpful. Dan was perfect as a tour guide with a lot of knowledge and a great feel for the animals he showed us. For photographers, this camp is a revelation.”

Heike K

“From the moment we arrived we felt at home, the place is beautiful & the staff are fabulous! They went all out & even arranged a few special things for my mom-in-laws birthday. Big thanks to BG who manages the lodge, him & his team really made this a truly memorable experience.

The rooms are great with an “outside” style bathroom that’s connected to the tent but is open. You get to feel one with nature.

The food was excellent! From breakfast to afternoon tea & dinner I can’t say there was anything that we didn’t enjoy. They also change the location of one dinner & one breakfast to mix it up. I’ll leave you to enjoy that surprise.

Game viewing is also fantastic – we saw Leopard every day. Our guide (SB) and tracker (ST) were tactful at finding animals and in many cases through tracking their spoor.

I’d recommend this as a must do visit.”

Karyn Strybos

“When you visit Botswana, you immediately think of Savuti, Moremi, the Okavango. And yet there is a marvelous place somewhat forgotten by tourists, Tuli Block, in the far south-east of Botswana. The landscapes are magnificent, majestic trees, rocky ground. I stayed 3 nights at Mashatu Tent Camp and had a fantastic time. The guides are very professional, you are almost guaranteed to see leopards, lions. There is abundant wildlife. The staff are adorable. The tents are very nice and the food delicious. For sure, I would come back to this fabulous place!”

Valerie G

“The camp was very nice, clean, good food, comfortable and very nice atmosphere. The reserve and drives were great. Being used to Sabi Sands with a lot of leopard sightings I can fairly say that the leopard density in this reserve is at least as good as in Sabi Sand. In one drive we spotted 3 different adult leopards in 200 meters…… They don’t have rhino’s and buffalo’s but the lack of that is made up for by beautiful scenery and stunning landscape with many diverse eco systems so great photographic opportunities. The sight of the week was a cheetah mother with 5 subadult cubs. Unbelieveble that mother cheetah is bringing so many cubs hopefully to adulthood. The drives are not time bound so if you have a special sighting you can stay out longer. We also did the Mashatu hide, a sea container digged in, in front of a water hole. Being able to photograph herds of elephants drinking with a low angle at close range was also very very special. So I can recommend this game reserve and if you don’t like tents they also have main camp and villas were you can book.”

Berend de Leeuw

“2 nights stay at the tent camp with my fellow photographers was pretty awesome.

The staff is excellent, welcoming and friendly. highly professional.
The food is awesome.
Accommodation is excellent

Before year end we will be there again.”

Lesole Isaac

“I have to say that the wildlife viewing was just superb. I saw four different leopards in one day, as well as lions every day. I also managed to see two cheetahs. The elephant viewing was also excellent. I even saw bat-eared foxes, which are one of my favorite mammals.

The staff was friendly and so helpful. The food was just yummy. I was given a choice at every meal.

The tents were comfortable and roomy. However, they become a bit hot at midday. I will be returning to Mashatsu. I also wish that more travel agents will offer the Masatsu camp as an option.”

Africamantravel

“Wonderul tent camp, magnificent facilities, good people, plentiful game, beautiful landscape. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at the tended camp. the hospitality is out of this world. the food by world class chefs very African and tasty. comfort unsurpassed. plentiful game, especially seeing the leopard , lions, plentiful antelope, birds, flora and of course the mighty.”

Neo Tladinyane

“8 private tents tucked under branches of enormous trees which are accessed via dimly lit, meandering pathways. They are spacious and comfortable and large enough to stretch in. A person who is 6ft tall could stand in the tent very comfortably. Each tent has its own private outdoor en-suite facilities which are way way fancier than you’d expect, and include WC and a shower with hot/cold water. We were each also presented with a stainless steel, Mashatu Camp logoed, water bottle with our names labeled onto our very own bottle. During the day or night, you could expect any number of lively not-so-welcome visitors so guests are advised to keep tent doors closed at all times. We saw quite a few steenbucks and an entire family of vervet monkeys decided to picnic on our patio.

The camp does not allow children below the age of 12 as guests in these camps unless the entire lodge is booked out by one group as they offer no childcaring facilities.

Dinner is served under starlight in a mock-traditional open-air boma. I have to compliment the chef and the kitchen staff. As soon as the chef saw my husband & I, he knew we would need chillies and without question already presented a bowl of freshly crushed chillies on the buffet table. These small gestures were the most meaningful to me.

The food was unlike any hotel restaurant food I’ve ever had before. We do not eat red meat so when we book our accommodations, we usually note that we prefer chicken & seafood. Again, the kitchen staff delivered and I can not fault a single crumb. We were all so well fed, I was never once given an opportunity to think I was hungry.

This camp is notorious for their Lemon Meringue Tart and a Chicken Pot Pie. Now I can not attest for the tart but I can for the pie I had that morning and it was mouthwatering.

Overall, the camp was beautiful even though I barely spent any time there as we were on game drives for about 8 hours of the day and the sleep I had out in the bush was the soundest and most restful I’ve ever experienced.”

Krupali R

“It was our second visit to Mashatu. There is a reason we specifically chose to add Mashatu to our return trip to Botswana: this place is AMAZING. We come for the animals, but the people/staff make your stay truly extraordinary. Our guides (Jakes & Ephraim) were both excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with them. They were professional, knowledgeable, and have a great sense for knowing what guests want to see, how to find it, and also importantly – knowing how to position the vehicle so you can get amazing photographs. The game was plentiful, and we were fortunate to be able to see everything we had hoped to see.

All of the staff was wonderful, and the food was fantastic. For me personally, I found the tent camp to be a bit more “rustic” than I would prefer. It was quite warm at night during our stay, and there is no AC in the tents. I would probably choose the Main Lodge for a future visit, only for the simple reason that it has some extra amenities, like the AC and an indoor shower/toiler, that the tent camp does not have. Those are outside at the tent camps, and you are truly one with nature when using the facilities! But that is just a personal preference.

This place is amazing, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy a safari experience.”

Christy S

WalkMashatu | Night Under the Stars

We were at the Mashatu Game Reserve for four days … did morning and evening game drives. Such a serence place…. undisturbed by humans. We got to see several animals. Our highlights were spotting leopards and lions. Loads of beautiful elephants, zebras, giraffes. We will be back again.

Clarina Emanuel

Beautiful place and saw so much wildlife, birdlife, different plants etc. The game rangers and staff at the villa was just top class. Will definitely be going more into Botswana 2 discover other places.

Chrizelda Viljoen

It was the best weekend of my life! Good food, accommodation and entertainment!

Philda Shathani Hobona

One of the best vacations we’ve ever been on! We stayed in the villas for our honeymoon and the place is so beautiful. Very modern. The staff is incredible! They go above and beyond! For one of our dinners, they decorated it for our honeymoon with petals, floating candles, a thoughtful card and champagne. Our guide Kenosi and tracker Abel were great! They showed us sooo many animals. We hope to be back soon!

julia jekli

Shalimpo Safari Camp

“We have been visiting Mashatu for decades and have stayed at Shalimpo many, many times. For us, it offers something rarer than the traditional safari lodge experience – complete privacy, flexibility and an extraordinary sense of place.

Shalimpo’s location is what makes it truly distinctive. Set in the remarkable landscape of the Northern Tuli, in an elevated position at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, it feels wonderfully remote and deeply connected to its surroundings. The combination of riverine woodland, rocky outcrops and vast open skies gives this part of Mashatu a character all its own.

As an exclusive-use safari home, Shalimpo allows you to experience that landscape entirely at your own pace. It is particularly special as a complement to a stay elsewhere at Mashatu, offering a quieter and more personal way to experience the reserve.”

Jacques de Haan

We were at the Mashatu Game Reserve for four days … did morning and evening game drives. Such a serene place…. undisturbed by humans. We got to see several animals. Our highlights were spotting leopards and lions. Loads of beautiful elephants, zebras, giraffes. We will be back again.

Clarina Emanuel

It was the best weekend of my life! Good food, accommodation and entertainment!

Philda Shathani Hobona

Amazing game & scenery! The place to be 😍

Rianne De Bruin
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Botswana

Explore the award-winning Mashatu Game Reserve, situated within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, eastern Botswana – renowned for the largest elephant herds on private game reserve in Southern Africa and incredible big cat sightings.

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