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Mashatu Game Reserve: Land of Giants

Explore Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve: a land of giants, diverse landscapes, and exceptional wildlife encounters in the heart of the Northern Tuli.

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Mashatu Game Reserve, also known as the 'Land of Giants', is a 29,000-hectare private reserve in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Sharing unfenced borders with South Africa and Zimbabwe, it allows wildlife to roam freely. Known for its diverse landscapes and large elephant herds, Mashatu offers an exclusive safari experience.

A brief summary to Mashatu Game Reserve

Local tips

  • Pack warm clothing for morning and evening game drives, especially during the cooler months (April to August).
  • Bring binoculars to enhance wildlife viewing and bird spotting.
  • A 4x4 vehicle is recommended if self-driving, particularly during the wet season.
  • Check border post operating hours (Pont Drift) if driving from South Africa.
  • Consider visiting during the dry season (May to October) for peak wildlife viewing.
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Getting There

  • Air

    The most convenient way to reach Mashatu is via a chartered flight to Limpopo Valley Airfield (LVA), located within the reserve. Mashatu Connect coordinates flights from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon arrival at LVA, a guide will transfer you to your accommodation within the reserve. Contact Mashatu Connect for flight schedules and pricing.

  • Road

    If driving from Johannesburg, South Africa, the journey to Mashatu takes approximately 6.5 hours. The route involves crossing the border at Pont Drift. Ensure you have the necessary documentation for cross-border travel. If the Limpopo River is not in flood, you can drive across; otherwise, a cable car is used. After clearing customs, Mashatu rangers will meet you at the border post to transfer you to your camp. Note that the Pont Drift border post is open from 8 AM to 4 PM.

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Discover more about Mashatu Game Reserve

Mashatu Game Reserve, a jewel in Botswana's tourism crown, lies in the remote eastern corner of the country, where the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers converge. This 29,000-hectare (72,000 acres) privately-owned reserve, also known as the 'Land of Giants,' forms part of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, sharing unfenced borders with South Africa's Mapungubwe National Park and Zimbabwe's Tuli Safari Area. This allows animals to migrate freely across these international boundaries, creating a diverse and thriving ecosystem. Mashatu's landscape is remarkably diverse, featuring wide-open plains, riverine forests, marshlands, rocky outcrops, and imposing sandstone ridges. The reserve gets its name from the Mashatu tree (Xanthocercis zambesiaca), which provides shade and sustenance to a variety of wildlife. Mashatu is renowned for its large elephant population, estimated at approximately 700, and excellent predator sightings, including lion, leopard, and cheetah. The reserve is also home to over 350 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Visitors can explore Mashatu on game drives, walking safaris, horseback, or mountain bike. The reserve prides itself on providing an exclusive and intimate safari experience, with limited vehicles at wildlife sightings and knowledgeable guides. Night drives offer the chance to spot nocturnal animals like porcupines, aardvarks, and bat-eared foxes. Mashatu also boasts significant paleontological and archaeological remains, including dinosaur footprints and evidence of the ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe.

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