Horse riding in Botswana: In the eastern corner of Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, lies the 32,000-hectare Mashatu Game Reserve – a diverse wilderness with savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone formations. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve, where horse riding is also available, covers 70,000 hectares. It is home to seven African ‘giants’: the African elephant, the lion, the giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich and the giant bustard. Along the river courses, large Mashatu trees provide shade for impalas, zebras and wildebeests. You will ride surrounded by a variety of African flora and fauna and discover their impressive habitat. The Limpopo Valley horseback safari takes place in the Tuli Block, home to the Mashatu Game Reserve, also known as the ‘Land of Giants’. This area is brimming with contrasts, magnificent views and land formations as old as time itself. This region is also home to a wide variety of wildlife and remains almost untouched by humans. The rides cover both the river areas and the true African bush, including the famous sandstone formations of Tuli. The Mashatu horseback safari experience is made perfect by the wide distribution and frequent sightings of lions, leopards, elephants and hyenas.

Tuli Block, Botswana - Tuli Horseback Safari
There is no better way to discover this dreamlike African wilderness than on horseback! Your well-trained horses are accustomed to bush life and wild animals. They are very well trained and absolutely sure-footed! Many horses also compete in show jumping and cross country!
The Tuli Horseback Safari starts and ends at the comfortable Two Mashatus Camp. You will spend two nights in Kgotla Camp under the starry sky, a very special, romantic experience in the African bush! You will spend three nights in wilderness camps along the way.
Non-riders are very welcome! Various game drives are offered. Wildlife viewing on foot, hiking, cycling and much more are also possible.

Itinerary

Sample itinerary: (order may vary)

Day 1: Flight to Johannesburg. Continue your journey at around 11 a.m. on a private charter flight to Limpopo Valley Airfield, where you will be met and taken to the stables. Enjoy a light lunch to fortify yourself for the day ahead. After lunch, you will meet your horse for the week and go on an introductory ride along the banks of the mighty Limpopo River. If there is enough time, you will ride directly to the camp (your luggage will be transported in the support vehicle), otherwise you will return to the stables and travel by jeep to Two Mashatus Camp. At the camp, enjoy a drink at the camp bar at sunset while your horses roll happily in the sand. Afterwards, a delicious dinner will be served.

Day 2: At sunrise, tea or coffee will be brought to your tent. After breakfast, it is time to leave the dense forest that embraces the Limpopo River. During the ride through the heartland of Mashatu, you will encounter abundant wildlife, including giraffes and a herd of elephants. The ride winds its way over the hills with sweeping views back to South Africa and reaches Tree Camp in time for lunch. Overlooking the Majale River, it is ideal for watching the wildlife come down to drink from above. Choose a ride this afternoon or enjoy your first bush walk to explore the area along the western part of the Matabole River, returning to Tree Camp at sunset.

Day 3: The safari takes you through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations that are synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Huge baobab trees continue to dot the landscape as they have done for centuries, and ancient elephant trails form wonderful paths for long walks through the open bushland. Discover the ancient village of Kgotla on a ride along the Motloutse River. The open enclosure provides the perfect safe haven for the night. In the evening, go on a game drive in a jeep and end the day's adventures with a sundowner at the ancient ‘amphitheatre’ rocks. You will usually see wildebeest, antelope and zebra on the way, but you may also spot big cats. Back at camp, enjoy your dinner around the campfire. Spend the night in the camp under the sparkling starry sky, with the African bush orchestra playing you a little night music to help you fall asleep.

Day 4: Explore the sandstone formations, including the famous Solomon's Wall, one of the many dolomite dams in the area, on horseback. Some of the oldest civilisations in southern Africa settled in this valley. Archaeological evidence in the region combined with wonderful wildlife viewing make for an incredible horseback riding experience. This afternoon, enjoy a short drive to the Mmamagwa Hills. For the most visually stunning and ethereal sundowner, we visit the Mmamagwa Hills. A short climb over the sandstone ridge brings us to the site of the Mmamagwa ruins. To this day, these ruins have not been excavated and are left in peace. After a short climb, enjoy the sunset under a beautiful baobab tree with breathtaking views of the area.

Day 5: Ride along old trails through Elephant Valley before heading north towards the upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is dotted with huge baobab trees and is one of the more remote areas of the reserve. After an exciting ride through this timeless landscape, enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Tree Camp. An afternoon ride, bush walk or game drive in the Mashatu Main Camp vehicles may take you to the central area of the reserve.

Day 6: Today's ride promises great wildlife viewing from horseback as you explore the Pitsane River Valley. Waterholes dug by elephants along the Pitsane attract thirsty herds of game. The ride returns in time for lunch and a refreshing dip in the pool at Two Mashatu Camp. A guided bush walk to one of the nearby koppies for sunset is the afternoon excursion.

Day 7: Today's horseback ride winds through the beautiful plains between the Majale and Pitsane rivers, with abundant wildlife and spectacular views of the Limpopo River Valley. En route, we explore the remains of an old Boer War fort on a rocky outcrop, followed by a ride down into the cooler wetlands where game is abundant. In the summer months, when there has been little rain, it may be possible to gallop through the riverbed of the Limpopo River. There is time to relax at the camp before either going on an afternoon ride or a bush walk to watch your last African sunset.

Day 8: You ride along the Limpopo River once more in the early morning, with a last opportunity to observe wildlife, before returning to the stables (approx. 2 hours). Here you say goodbye to your horse. After a light brunch, you will begin your journey home (there is also the option of taking a shower at the stables). Transfer at around 1:30 p.m. to Limpopo Valley Airfield and from there by private charter flight to Johannesburg Airport.

(Subject to change)

Accomodation
The luxurious Two Mashatus Camp is the permanent base camp under two huge, ancient mashatu trees. Here you will find spacious, comfortable safari tents on teak platforms with a small terrace. In addition to comfortable beds with bedding, the tents also have their own showers (an open-air shower experience!) and WC. Towels are provided. You can relax and refresh in the pool with sun deck. Meals are served in the rustic Lala Palm Rondavel bush restaurant. There is also a lounge with a cozy sitting area where you can relax and read. In the evening, you can usually sit around the campfire and enjoy the romantic atmosphere under the African starry sky with a sundowner...

On the way you will spend the night in tent camps, including:

Tree Camp: This is a very unique camp; every childhood dream of sleeping in the arms of a tree is fully realized here. Nestled in the branch of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient lead trees, this Seligna deck, 4 meters above the ground, will be your retreat for the night. Two guests at a time share an airy and cool place to sleep. Shared showers and the toilets are located under the leadwood trees.

Kgotla: Kgotla is an old settlement of an indigenous tribe, situated on the banks of the Motlouse in the west of the reserve. Here you sleep on comfortable loungers by the campfire under the twinkling starry sky, all guests together in a large round area, pure African feeling! Hot showers and toilets provide a little luxury in the middle of the wilderness.

 

Saddle & Tack: Sehr bequeme englische Trekkingsättel.

Experience: McClellan Saddles, snaffle.

Horses: Advanced rider with several years of experience. Confidence in all gaits and trail experience are required. Young people, with riding experience from 16 years of age. Helmet compulsory.