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Tuli Block
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Explore Botswana’s Tuli Block for elephant-rich wilderness, baobabs, rocky river landscapes and intimate safari experiences near the Limpopo.

The Tuli Block occupies a long, often rugged stretch of eastern Botswana between the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, close to the borders with South Africa and Zimbabwe. Rather than being a single town or formal administrative district, it is a broad travel landscape of private conservancies, cattle country, riverine woodland and protected wildlife areas. Its defining destination is the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, where sandstone outcrops, dry riverbeds and ancient baobabs create a markedly different setting from the flat Kalahari landscapes farther west.
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The reserve and neighbouring conservancies are particularly known for elephants, which move through the region in large numbers, as well as giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas and several species of antelope. Lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog may also be seen, although sightings are naturally unpredictable. Along the Limpopo, taller woodland and rocky hills provide a more enclosed landscape, while the open plains around the Motloutse River offer broad game-viewing country. Seasonal water levels and rainfall strongly influence the appearance of the bush.
Most visitors stay at a safari lodge or camp rather than in a conventional town. Game drives, guided walks, birdwatching and, at selected properties, horseback safaris are central to the experience. The region’s archaeological and cultural significance is also visible in rock art, stone-built remains and long-established connections between communities, livestock routes and the rivers. The Tuli Block is not a destination for a dense itinerary of museums and urban attractions; its appeal lies in time spent outdoors and in the contrast between private wilderness, working cattle land and remote border country.
The nearest substantial service centres are outside the core safari areas, so accommodation planning matters. Road distances between lodges can be considerable, and some access tracks are sandy, corrugated or affected by seasonal rain. Visitors arriving overland from South Africa may find the southern approaches convenient, while those travelling from within Botswana often use Francistown as a practical gateway before continuing eastwards. Small lodge airstrips can shorten the journey, but arrangements depend on the selected camp and should be confirmed in advance.
Evenings are generally quiet, shaped by lodge meals, fireside conversations and the sounds of the bush rather than by town nightlife. The Tuli Block suits travellers seeking a focused wildlife stay, a slower pace and a sense of geographical remoteness. Its location at Botswana’s eastern edge also makes it possible to understand the region as part of a wider Limpopo-border ecosystem, while keeping the principal wildlife experience firmly on the Botswana side.

When is the best time to visit Tuli Block?

Best: April–May, September · 22–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January3080
February3070
March2960
April (best)2640
May (best)2220
June1810
July177
August1910
September (best)2320
October2740
November2950
December3170

Getting to and around Tuli Block

How to get there

Most international visitors reach the Tuli Block by road from Botswana’s larger centres or from neighbouring South Africa. Francistown, outside the region, is a commonly used domestic gateway, while Gaborone can serve travellers approaching from the south or west. Several safari properties have private airstrips for chartered or lodge-arranged flights, but these are not conventional public airports and must be organised with the accommodation provider. Overland visitors should confirm the chosen border crossing, immigration requirements and the final road conditions before departure.

Transportation

There is no single public transport network connecting the region’s dispersed camps and reserves. Lodge transfers, charter flights and private vehicles are the practical options. Self-drivers should use a suitable high-clearance vehicle, carry extra water and fuel where appropriate, and allow generous time for sandy, rocky or corrugated tracks. Driving after dark is best avoided because of wildlife and limited roadside services. Within reserves, game drives and guided walks are normally arranged by the lodge, and visitors should not leave marked vehicles or approach animals independently.

Top city travel guides in Tuli Block

The cities of Tuli Block, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Tuli Block

The Tuli Block’s attractions are concentrated in its wildlife landscapes rather than in large built visitor complexes. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve and adjoining private conservancies offer guided game drives through riverine woodland, open grassland and rocky country, with elephants among the region’s most characteristic animals. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras and numerous antelope may also be encountered, while birdlife changes noticeably between the dry season and the summer rains. Guided walks provide a closer understanding of tracks, plants and smaller wildlife, and some camps offer horseback activities or specialist photographic outings. The Limpopo and Motloutse River systems, seasonal pans, baobab-studded plains and sandstone formations give different parts of the region their own visual character. Archaeological remains and rock-art sites add cultural depth, although access is often controlled and should be arranged locally. The area is best experienced through a lodge-based itinerary that balances morning and afternoon outings with time to observe the bush at a slower pace. It is not a conventional sightseeing circuit, and distances, seasonal road conditions and conservation rules shape what can realistically be visited in one stay.

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Best landmarks in Tuli Block

The Limpopo River is the Tuli Block’s defining natural landmark, forming much of the region’s southern edge and giving its woodland, sandbanks and wildlife corridors their shape. The Motloutse River and its seasonal channels create another important landscape feature, cutting through rocky terrain and open plains before joining the wider Limpopo system. Across the Northern Tuli country, isolated granite and sandstone outcrops rise above the bush, while ancient baobabs provide some of the area’s most recognisable silhouettes. The remains of stone settlements and rock-art locations are significant cultural landmarks, though their precise positions and accessibility are often kept under local management to protect them. The reserve’s boundary landscapes also carry historical meaning because they sit beside Botswana’s borders with South Africa and Zimbabwe, where older patterns of movement became divided by colonial frontiers. Rather than a single monumental building, the Tuli Block’s landmark character comes from the relationship between rivers, rock formations, archaeological traces and wildlife habitats.

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Best restaurants in Tuli Block

Dining in the Tuli Block is principally organised by safari lodges and camps, where meals are usually prepared for guests as part of the stay rather than selected from a town restaurant scene. Menus commonly draw on Southern African ingredients and may include grilled meat, seasonal vegetables, salads, breads and desserts, with dietary requirements best communicated before arrival because supplies travel long distances. Outdoor breakfasts, bush lunches and evening meals near a fire may be offered when conditions and wildlife procedures allow, but these are arranged experiences rather than independent restaurants. Botswana’s broader food culture can appear through dishes based on beef, beans, maize or sorghum, while lodge cooking often combines regional produce with international styles. In the villages and road settlements around the block, small general dealers and informal food outlets provide a more limited choice of everyday provisions. Visitors travelling independently should shop and refuel before entering remote areas, and should not assume that a lodge can accommodate an unbooked meal.

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Best bars in Tuli Block

Nightlife in the Tuli Block is quiet and lodge-centred. After game drives, visitors generally gather around a bar, dining terrace or campfire for drinks, conversation and wildlife interpretation rather than seeking nightclubs or late-opening entertainment. Safari properties may serve Botswana beer, South African wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, although selection varies and remote camps depend on planned deliveries. Some lodges arrange sundowners at suitable viewpoints, subject to weather, wildlife and conservation rules. Village life and rural evening routines are very different from the nightlife of a city, and there is no substantial club circuit within the safari areas. The main attraction after dark is the natural setting: clear winter skies, nocturnal sounds and, with a guide, occasional opportunities to learn about astronomy or night-active animals. Alcohol should be consumed responsibly, particularly before walking near wildlife or taking part in early morning activities.

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Best nightclubs in Tuli Block

Nightlife in the Tuli Block is quiet and lodge-centred. After game drives, visitors generally gather around a bar, dining terrace or campfire for drinks, conversation and wildlife interpretation rather than seeking nightclubs or late-opening entertainment. Safari properties may serve Botswana beer, South African wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, although selection varies and remote camps depend on planned deliveries. Some lodges arrange sundowners at suitable viewpoints, subject to weather, wildlife and conservation rules. Village life and rural evening routines are very different from the nightlife of a city, and there is no substantial club circuit within the safari areas. The main attraction after dark is the natural setting: clear winter skies, nocturnal sounds and, with a guide, occasional opportunities to learn about astronomy or night-active animals. Alcohol should be consumed responsibly, particularly before walking near wildlife or taking part in early morning activities.

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Best shops in Tuli Block

Shopping in the Tuli Block is limited and practical, with most visitors buying souvenirs through their lodge or arranging purchases in larger settlements before entering the reserve areas. Safari shops may stock branded clothing, books, maps, locally made crafts and small gifts, while nearby communities may offer baskets, beadwork, carvings or other handmade items when sales are organised locally. Availability varies, so visitors should buy essential toiletries, snacks, medicines and drinks before travelling into remote country. Botswana-produced crafts make more meaningful souvenirs than generic wildlife merchandise, but ask about materials and buy respectfully rather than removing natural objects from the bush. Small roadside shops and general dealers serve everyday needs but should not be confused with a developed retail district. Travellers continuing towards Francistown, outside the Tuli Block, will find a broader choice of supermarkets, banks and shops, making it a useful place to replenish supplies before a safari.

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Tuli Block essentials

Currency and Payment
Botswana’s currency is the pula (BWP). Lodges generally settle accommodation and organised activities by card or advance payment, but connectivity can be intermittent and card facilities are not guaranteed in remote areas. Carry some pula in smaller denominations for tips, local purchases and unexpected road expenses; South African rand may be accepted in some border-facing commercial settings, but it should not be assumed. Exchange or withdraw money before entering the remote safari areas, as banking facilities and reliable cash points are limited.
Safety
The principal safety concern in the Tuli Block is the natural environment rather than urban crime. Follow guide instructions around elephants, lions, hippos and other wildlife, remain inside vehicles unless a guide has designated a safe place, and never walk between a wild animal and water. Heat, dehydration, sun exposure, thorns and uneven ground are practical hazards. On self-drive routes, keep speeds moderate, check tyres and spare wheels, and avoid travelling at night. Border and reserve rules should be followed carefully.
Emergency Situations
Botswana’s national emergency numbers generally include 999 for police, 998 for fire and 997 for ambulance services. In remote safari areas, the lodge or safari operator is usually the first point of contact for medical evacuation, vehicle recovery or wildlife incidents, and mobile coverage may be limited. Keep accommodation contact details, travel insurance information and emergency contacts accessible offline. If crossing an international border, remember that emergency arrangements and telephone systems may change once you leave Botswana.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress for sun, dust and cool winter mornings, and wear enclosed footwear when walking in the bush. Listen closely to wildlife briefings, keep noise low near animals and ask before photographing local people or entering community areas. Do not feed animals, touch wildlife, collect rocks or plants, or leave litter in the reserve. Tipping guides and camp staff is customary when service has been satisfactory, but amounts are discretionary. Respect private conservancy rules, marked tracks and any restrictions on photography or cultural sites.
Local Tips
Plan the Tuli Block as a dedicated safari stay rather than as a quick stop between major cities. Dry-season conditions can make wildlife easier to find around remaining water, while summer rains transform the bush and bring migratory birds but may complicate some roads. Ask your lodge about community visits, walking activities and the accessibility of archaeological or rock-art sites instead of assuming they are open to independent visitors. A printed or offline map is useful because distances, signage and mobile reception vary considerably.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloDumelang[doo-meh-lahng]
GoodbyeTsamaya sentle[tsah-mah-yah sen-tleh]
YesEe[ee]
NoAowa[ah-oh-wah]
Please/You're welcomeTsweetswee[tswee-tswee]
Thank youKe a leboga[keh ah leh-boh-gah]
Excuse me/SorryNtshwarele[nt-shwah-reh-leh]
How are you?O kae?[oh kah-eh]
Fine. And you?Ke teng, wena o kae?[keh teng, weh-nah oh kah-eh]
Do you speak English?A o bua Seheberu?[ah oh bwah seh-heh-beh-roo]
I don't understandKe sitwa go utlwa[keh see-twah go oot-lwah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseKe kopa go bona menu, tsweetswee[keh koh-pah go boh-nah meh-noo, tswee-tswee]
I don't eat meatKe sitwa go ja nama[keh see-twah go jah nah-mah]
Cheers!Bokamoso![bo-kah-moh-soh]
I would like to pay, pleaseKe kopa go lefa, tsweetswee[keh koh-pah go leh-fah, tswee-tswee]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Thusa![too-sah]
Go away!Tsamaya![tsah-mah-yah]
Call the Police!Bua diphiri![boo-ah dee-pee-ree]
Call a doctor!Bua ngaka![boo-ah ngah-kah]
I'm lostKe tsietsi[keh tshee-tsee]
I'm illKe a bolelwa[keh ah boh-leh-lwah]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ke kopa go reka...[keh koh-pah go reh-kah]
I'm just lookingKe lebelela fela[keh leh-beh-leh-lah feh-lah]
How much is it?Ke bokae?[keh boh-kah-eh]
That's too expensiveGo a borelwa[goh ah boh-rehl-wah]
Can you lower the price?A o ka fokotsa theko?[ah oh kah foh-koh-tsah teh-koh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Nako e kae?[nah-koh eh kah-eh]
It's one o'clockKe a borai[keh ah boh-rah-ee]
Half past (10)Nako ya borai[nah-koh yah boh-rah-ee]
MorningMosong[moh-sohng]
AfternoonMoipone[moh-ee-poh-neh]
EveningMantsibanye[mahn-tsi-bah-nyay]
YesterdayMaabane[mah-ah-bah-neh]
TodayKajeno[kah-heh-noh]
TomorrowKamoso[kah-moh-soh]
1Nngwe[nngweh]
2Pedi[peh-dee]
3Tharo[thah-roh]
4Nne[neh-neh]
5Tshebe[tseh-beh]
6Ntsatsi[nt-sah-tsi]
7Nkhwe[nkhweh]
8Borai[boh-rah-ee]
9Nne[neh-neh]
10Lesome[leh-soh-meh]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kgorong e kae?[khoh-rohng eh kah-eh]
What's the address?Aterese ke efe?[ah-teh-reh-seh keh eh-feh]
Can you show me (on the map)?A o ka ntlhapisa (ka map)?[ah oh kah nt-lah-pee-sah]
When's the next (bus)?Ke neng bus e latelang?[keh nehng boos eh lah-teh-lahng]
A ticket (to ....)Tshelete (go ....)[tseh-leh-teh (go)]

History of Tuli Block

Early settlement and San rock art

The Tuli landscape preserves evidence of human activity extending far beyond the modern safari industry. Hunter-gatherer communities used the rivers, rocky shelters and seasonal water sources, leaving rock paintings and engravings in parts of the wider region. These images are important records of earlier relationships with animals and the landscape, although individual sites vary in accessibility and interpretation. Visitors should view rock art only with permission and local guidance, since many locations are fragile and culturally sensitive.

Iron Age communities and stone settlements

Later farming and herding communities brought ironworking, livestock keeping and more permanent settlement patterns to eastern Botswana. Archaeological remains in and around the Tuli country include stone structures, pottery evidence and traces of earlier farming societies. The region formed part of wider networks linking the interior plateau with the Limpopo basin, rather than existing in isolation. These remains help explain why the Tuli rivers and rocky outcrops have long been important for movement, settlement and access to water.

The Limpopo frontier before colonial rule

Before modern international boundaries, communities on both sides of the Limpopo maintained connections through kinship, cattle ownership, trade and seasonal movement. The area was influenced by changing Tswana-speaking polities and wider political developments in the Limpopo basin. The river was a route and resource as well as a boundary, and its significance continued after colonial borders divided landscapes that had previously been more fluid.

Colonial expansion and the Tuli Block

During the late nineteenth century, British imperial expansion formalised the Tuli Block as a frontier zone in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The territory’s location beside South Africa and the routes towards Rhodesia gave it strategic importance, while farms and cattle operations gradually developed alongside administrative and military activity. The colonial boundary-making process separated the Botswana side of the Limpopo from neighbouring territories, creating the international border geography that visitors encounter today.

Cattle country and changing land use

For much of the twentieth century, the Tuli Block was associated not only with wildlife but also with cattle ranching and commercial agriculture. Fences, veterinary controls and livestock management shaped movement across the landscape, while drought and fluctuating rainfall repeatedly tested rural livelihoods. The coexistence of cattle areas, community land and wildlife conservancies remains an important feature of the region. Modern safari tourism developed within this broader working landscape rather than replacing its rural identity entirely.

The creation of protected wildlife areas

Late twentieth-century conservation initiatives brought greater emphasis to the Tuli Block’s wildlife value, particularly its elephant populations, riverine habitats and transboundary ecological connections. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve and neighbouring private conservation areas established a framework for safari tourism and habitat protection. Conservation in the region continues to involve practical questions about water, fences, livestock, local communities and animal movement, making the Tuli Block part of a living borderland ecosystem rather than a completely isolated wilderness.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Tuli Block, Botswana

Discover the wonders of Tuli Block with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide that covers attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and much more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Tuli Block like never before with Evendo. Get detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and book hotels, tours, and experiences all in one place. Download now for free!

  • Historical insights and essential travel information
  • 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby attractions and amenities
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • User-friendly navigation

Welcome to Tuli Block, Botswana—a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers. With Evendo, your ultimate travel guide app, you can make the most of your trip to this stunning destination. Imagine standing at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, exploring the ancient ruins of Solomon’s Wall, or experiencing the thrill of a safari at the Mashatu Game Reserve. Evendo provides all the information you need to discover these famous landmarks and more.

Not only does Evendo cover the best attractions, but it also provides comprehensive details on the top restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Tuli Block. Savor local cuisine at The River Lodge or unwind at the Tuli Safari Lodge’s bar after a day of exploration. With rich descriptions, images, maps, and contact details, planning your trip has never been easier.

In addition to offering detailed guides, Evendo allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and unique experiences directly through the app. Whether you want to embark on a horseback safari, visit local shops, or enjoy nightlife, Evendo ensures you have all the information and booking capabilities at your fingertips.

Features like the 'Near Me' function help you discover nearby attractions and amenities, while curated local tips ensure you experience Tuli Block like a local. The app also includes essential travel information and historical insights, making it your comprehensive travel companion. And the best part? It’s 100% free with no in-app purchases!

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