Tuli Reserve, Botswana
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Boerperd, Shire Cross Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas, and the S.A. Warmblood.
Nature of horses:
Responsive, honest and well schooled.
Number of horses:
30
Height of horses:
14.3hh - 16hh
Weight limit:
15st / 209lbs / 95kg
Tack type:
Australian stock saddles, South African Mcllelans and a selection of English saddles for those who prefer.
Pricing
The price of this ride is inclusive of all riding with a qualified guide and armed back up, drinks, snacks, tea, coffee, concessions fees, specified transfers and luggage transfer between camps.
Return road transfer from Johannesburg International airport £175 per person.
Per person per week (seven nights) : £1575
Per person per night: £225
Subject to availability single accommodation can be provided and incurs a 50% supplement charge.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Your hosts offer safaris as a concessionaire on Mashatu Game Reserve which is located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve - the eastern tip of Botswana. Mashatu is 30,000 hectares within a greater area of 70,000 hectares. Mashatu is home to great herds of elephants, estimated at least 800 just on Mashatu.
As well as numerous cats, including leopards, lions, cheetahs, African wild cat and some cerval. The Tuli block is known as The Land of the Giants for good reason with the magnificent Baobab tree, huge sandstone outcrops, and magnificent plains and of course the Mashatus trees prevalent along the great Limpopo River.
The area is perfect for riding; good going with natural ditches and logs to jump gives an exhilarating ride. Regular game sightings not only of the elephants and cats but also of antelopes, jackals, bat eared foxes, giraffe and the occasional canter with zebras and wildebeest across the plains leaves you with an unforgettable holiday.
The horses have been individually selected for their temperament and ride-ability. They have been carefully chosen from the various South African breeds, which are well known for being of a tougher nature - able to cope under extreme conditions. These breeds include the Boerperd, Shire Cross Thoroughbreds, Appalosas, and the S.A. Warmblood.
Your hosts pride themselves on horses that have been selected with the same stringent criteria as those selected for eventing and other equine competitive sports. Their schooling concentrates on classical English style, although they neck rein when in the bush. They are schooled to very high level and respond easily and lightly to the aids. You hosts use Australian stock saddles, South African Mclellans and a selection of English saddles for those who prefer.
Choose from an a traditional seven night Tuli Safari or the Big 5 Ride with four nights in South Africa and four nights in Mashatu. All safaris are tented and mostly mobile, giving you the chance of a lifetime to see as much of Mashatu as possible.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Wilderness accommodation is in A frame tents. These tents are 3.5 x 6 metres so that you have the space you need. With beds, sheets and duvets this is very comfortable camping. A bucket shower is shared, while each tent has a long drop of its own. Meals are cooked around the fire.
The “Two Mashatus “camp is where the static safaris are based during March and November. This camp is also used as the last night of the Tuli safari, and the first night for all Big 5 ‘s. This camp is in a wonderful location near the Limpopo River but also has a view over open plains to the west. Toilets are long drop but each tent has its own toilet and shower in a private area behind each tent. The central dining area is built on a teak platform using the local building style with a lala palm thatch roof.
The Kgotla is an old tribal court and now performing the function of a wilderness camp. It is built from leadwood poles in the sandstone formations of the Limpopo basin. Equipped with running water and hot showers, the Kgotla provides an alternative exciting night out.
A well known cook will prepare delicious meals offering an array of regional specialities using fresh local produce.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: None specific but a reasonable standard of physical fitness is required.
Age limit: No under 16's
Tuition: No
Included: All riding with qualified guide and armed back up, all meals, drinks, snacks, tea, coffee, concessions fees, luggage transfer beween camps and specified transfers to/from Limpopo Valley Airfield or Point Drift Border.
Not included: Flights, travel / medical insurance, bar services, gratuities and road transfers to/from Johannesburg International airport.
Travel Information
Direct flights from the UK to Johannesburg can be booked with the following airlines:
London Gatwick to Johannesburg - Nationwide Airlines
London Heathrow to Johannesburg - British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Indirect flights from a number of regional airports can be booked with KLM, Lufthansa and Air France.
We suggest return road transfers, arranged by us, from Johannesburg International airport. These cost £175 per person.
Airport: Johannesburg (JNB)
Programme
The Tuli Ride
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This ride is unique in southern Africa. Moving every day enables you to cover vast tracts of the Mashatu and surrounding game reserves. This safari has an old style feel to it. Excellent guiding and horsemanship combined with attention to detail and comfort make for an unbeatable experience. An early start makes the most of the day and you will be in the saddle for at least four to seven hours a day. Riding is varied and you can take the opportunity to enjoy lots of canters winding through the bushveld, jumping small logs with the occasional gallop across the open Pitsani plains! You arrive at your camp for lunch which, after a cool drink is very welcome! After an afternoon rest you go for a walk to stretch the legs and take in the smaller sights and sounds. If you are lucky you will see the small 5! Back at the camp sundowners are enjoyed around the fire before settling down to a scrumptious three course meal by candlelight. Sample Itinerary Day 1 Upon arrival at the Pont Drift Border Post or Limpopo Valley Airfield, you will be met by your guide, Cor or West, and transferred to Two Mashatus Camp. After a light lunch it is time to get acquainted with your horse. You will then embark on an introductory ride along the banks of the mighty Limpopo River. Your first evening is spent enjoying sundowners at the Stable Bar whilst watching the horses roll in the setting sun, before a delectable dinner is served in the beautiful Lala Palm Rondavel. Day 2 The day begins at sunrise with tea/coffee brought to your tent, followed by a light breakfast. After mounting up and head off in a north westerly direction for Jwala Camp on the banks of the Jwala River. Six to seven hours are spent in the saddle enjoying the abundance of game and the magnificent scenery synonymous with the Land of the Giants. After arriving at Jwala Camp, lunch is the order of the day followed by a guided afternoon walk, examining the bush around you in detail. Dinner is prepared over an open fire by Martha or Grace – the truly brilliant chef whose “bush cuisine” is renowned far and wide. You can then retire to your spacious tent where you will experience the “music” of the African bush as it gently serenades you to sleep. Day 3 An early wake up call heralds a new day, tea/coffee and a delicious light breakfast is served around the log fire. Test the amazingly sure footed Boerpherd as you cross over basalt ridges following age-old elephant trails, and enjoy long sustained canters to make up for the lost time traversing the ridges. This ride will be about six to seven hours. Camp is at the Kgotla Camp. This is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Mocloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The open-air traditional African enclosure is made of leadwood logs in the shade of a century old Mashatu Tree. Sundowners are enjoyed from a sandstone kopje overlooking the Mocloutse River as it meanders and disappears into the African landscape. Guests enjoy dinner around a large log fire. The night is spent sleeping under the stars in the cacophony of sound generated by the African bush orchestra. Day 4 You spend another night at Kgotla Camp, enjoying a full day exploring the sandstone formations including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Ancient civilizations harboured their wealth among these hills, where two mighty rivers meet; the Limpopo and the Mocloutse. This day’s riding will be about four to five hours, leaving time to explore the surroundings on foot in the afternoon. Day 5 Another early rise and a good breakfast around the log fire will set the morning off to a good start. Today you wind your way through the mopane bush before reaching the more open plains. This will probably be your longest day of riding, about eight hours. On arrival at Liana Camp you will be welcomed by a well-deserved drink and a refreshing lunch. Tonight is your opportunity to explore Mashatu from a game drive vehicle; you will try and locate the elusive leopard, cheetah and lion the area is well known for. Day 6 This morning will begin a little slower, as this day will be spent exploring the banks of the Mojale and Matabole Rivers, following their courses north towards Zeederburg site. The day will offer riding up and down river banks in riverside forest, game sightings and plenty of opportunities for more fabulous photo footage. Today’s riding will be about five to six hours. Lunch is under the boughs of an old Mashatu tree, where a century past, Zeederberg transport riders had their midday break before finally reaching Fort Tuli. You will spend the afternoon at leisure before you embark on a guided walk into the bush. The evening is enjoyed with sundowners around a log fire and a delicious meal sees the close to another exhilarating and rewarding day. Day 7 This ride is rich in history and offers a variety of interesting tales of the past. The open Pitsani plains so characteristic of this area are perfect for a really good gallop, hopefully with zebras and wildebeests! You head in the direction of the Mojale and Limpopo confluence where lunch awaits you upon return to the Two Mashatus camp. This ride is about five to six hours. Dinner is in the Lala palm Rondavel. A dreamless sleep no doubt awaits you as the final day draws to a close. Day 8 Today is your last day in the bush and begins with your final early morning tea/coffee and breakfast snack over the open fire. The morning is spent riding along the Limpopo River. You head back to Fort Jameson’s, a shorter ride about two hours giving you some time to get ready for departure. After a fond farewell to your horse, you head back to Two Mashatus for a quick brunch and then it’s off to Pontdrift in time for your return transfer. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Experienced riders only. |
| Type of ride: | Safari |
| Total riding time: | 4-8 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | 2008 Dates: 30th March - 6th April, 27th April - 4th May, 4th - 11th May, 11th - 18th May, 18th - 25th May, 25th May- 1st June, 1st June - 8th June, 8th June -15th June; 15th June-22nd June, 22nd June - 29th June; 29th June- 6th July , 6th July- 13th July, 20th - 27th July, 27th July - 3rd August; 3rd - 10th August, 10th - 17th August, 17th - 24th August, 24th - 31st August, 31st August-7th September, 28th September-5th October, 19th - 26th October, 26th October-2nd November , |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |