Location: Eastern Botswana
Area: 75,000 acres (30,000 ha)
Mashatu Game Reserve is a vast, privately owned wilderness area in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, forming a key part of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, it borders South Africa to the south and Zimbabwe to the north and east, creating a tri-country meeting point that allows wildlife to roam freely across unfenced boundaries. The reserve spans approximately 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres) of diverse terrain, making it one of the largest privately owned game reserves in southern Africa. This location is within the broader Tuli Block, a narrow fringe of land known for its rocky outcrops, red sands, and large riverine trees, often referred to as "Hardveld."
The origins of the Tuli Block, which encompasses Mashatu, trace back to the late 19th century. In 1885, Britain declared a protectorate over Bechuanaland (modern-day Botswana). A decade later, in 1895, Chief Khama III ceded the Tuli Block to the British South Africa Company (BSAC), led by Cecil Rhodes, to serve as a buffer zone against encroaching South African Boer farmers and to facilitate Rhodes' ambitious Cape-to-Cairo railway project. However, the rugged terrain proved unsuitable for the railway, leading the BSAC to establish Fort Tuli for protection. When gold mining prospects failed, the land was sold to private farmers. Over time, these farms shifted from agriculture to tourism and wildlife conservation, as the area's natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and archaeological heritage made it ideal for game farming. By the mid-20th century, farms were consolidated into privately owned reserves, with the Northern Tuli Game Reserve emerging as a major conservation area. Mashatu itself was established as a dedicated game reserve, evolving into a flagship property focused on low-impact tourism. Today, it is owned by conservationists Steve and Maggie Lansdown, who emphasize sustainable practices and low-carbon operations. The reserve also preserves ancient archaeological sites, including ruins on Mmamagwa Hill (also known as Motloutse Ruins) dating back over one million years, with relics linked to nearby Mapungubwe, highlighting human presence from prehistoric times. Colonial-era challenges, including conflicts during the region's turbulent past, have faded, allowing Mashatu to become a symbol of restored wilderness.
Mashatu's landscape is exceptionally varied, blending semi-arid Kalahari elements with unique features not typical of central Botswana. It includes wide open plains, grasslands, dense riverine forests along the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, marshlands, rocky hills, and dramatic sandstone ridges and cliffs. Eight perennial and non-perennial rivers crisscross the property, including the Majale River, often called "the mother of Mashatu," where animals gather at waterholes like Fig Tree Crossing. Iconic elements include massive baobab trees, towering mashatu (nyala berry) trees providing shade and food, and ancient sandstone formations reminiscent of Namibia's geology. The terrain offers incredible vistas, unusual topography, and wide-open spaces ideal for photography, with beautiful sunsets, sunrises, and star-filled night skies. The reserve experiences a semi-arid climate with 93% rain-free days annually, but summer temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F), making water sources critical during the dry season. Mashatu forms part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, spanning about 5,900 square kilometers across three countries, promoting cross-border wildlife corridors.
Known as the "Land of the Giants," Mashatu is renowned for hosting the largest elephant population on private land in Africa, estimated at around 1,400 individuals divided into subgroups, with some exhibiting small or absent tusks possibly due to genetic factors or historical poaching pressures. Elephants are the star attraction, often seen digging for water in dry riverbeds or traversing the plains in massive herds. Predators abound, including lions, leopards (highly habituated and easy to track), cheetahs, spotted hyenas (led by dominant females), African wild dogs, black-backed jackals, and smaller carnivores like African wild cats and bat-eared foxes. Other large mammals include giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, elands (Africa's largest antelope), impalas, kudus, steenboks, warthogs, baboons, and monkeys. The reserve is not a full Big Five destination, as buffalo and rhinos are absent, but it compensates with excellent sightings of the "extremes" of elephants—from massive bulls to tiny elephant shrews. Birdlife is prolific, with over 350 species, including ostriches (the world's largest bird), kori bustards (Africa's heaviest flying bird), African green pigeons, red-billed queleas, and various migratory flocks. The sparse vegetation and off-road driving policies enhance visibility, making Mashatu a paradise for wildlife viewing year-round, as animals do not migrate due to reliable water sources.
Mashatu offers a range of exclusive, low-density accommodations
catering to different preferences, from luxury to intimate bush
experiences. Options include:
Euphorbia Mashatu: 5-star
eco-friendly villas with solar air-conditioning, private plunge pools,
Wi-Fi, and stunning cliff-top views of the Majale River.
Mashatu
Lodge: 14 luxury suites with air-conditioning, spacious bathrooms, and
family-friendly inter-leading rooms; features a swimming pool, dining
area, and lounge with Wi-Fi.
Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu: 8 luxury
tented suites on the Limpopo River bank, with wraparound decks, a pool,
photographic hide, and walking trails; child-friendly and ideal for
cultural experiences.
Mashatu Tent Camp: 8 private tents for an
intimate, authentic bush camp feel, overlooking a waterhole, with a
maximum of six guests per vehicle.
Kolokolo Safari Home and Shalimpo
Safari Home: Exclusive-use, 5-star safari homes for groups, newly
renovated and located at scenic confluences.
All lodges emphasize
hospitality, with meals often served around fires under starlit skies or
at floodlit waterholes, blending comfort with wilderness immersion.
As a private reserve, Mashatu provides flexible, high-quality safari activities beyond standard national park restrictions. Twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, led by experienced Tswana rangers and trackers (with an average 14 years of tenure), allow off-road pursuits for close encounters, including night drives for nocturnal species. Adventure options include walking safaris, cycling safaris, horseback safaris, and mountain biking through the bush. Award-winning photographic hides offer discreet wildlife observation, ideal for photographers capturing elephants at waterholes or predators on the prowl. Wellness experiences and cultural interactions are available, with guides sharing storytelling and local knowledge. The exclusivity ensures minimal vehicle crowds, fostering intimate, transformative moments with nature.
Mashatu prioritizes conservation through private ownership and low-impact tourism, limiting vehicle numbers at sightings to minimize disturbance. It contributes to the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Park, facilitating wildlife movement across borders. Efforts focus on protecting the elephant population and biodiversity, with anti-poaching measures and habitat preservation. The reserve employs 239 staff, 98% local Botswanans, promoting community involvement and generational legacy in conservation. Owners emphasize sustainable, low-carbon practices to preserve the wilderness for future generations.
The Dry season (May to September) is optimal for wildlife viewing, with mild temperatures, clear skies, and animals congregating at water sources. October to April brings heat (up to 45°C/113°F) and sporadic rains, but excellent predator sightings and lush greenery. Malaria risk is low but present from October to April; prophylactics are recommended. Access is via road (6.5 hours from Johannesburg, crossing the Limpopo River by vehicle or cable car at Pont Drift Border Post) or air (direct flights from Johannesburg's Lanseria to Limpopo Valley Airfield within the reserve, about 1.5 hours). The reserve is exclusive and expensive, with all-inclusive packages; it's not very busy even in high season.
Mashatu stands out for its "giants"—not just elephants and elands, but also massive trees, birds, and landscapes. Its unfenced borders enable transboundary wildlife corridors, and archaeological sites add cultural depth. With 93% rain-free days and diverse ecosystems, it offers year-round reliability and transformative experiences, often described as "Botswana's hidden gem" where tranquility meets raw wilderness.