The Best Time to Visit Tuli Block, Season by Season

Honestly, the Tuli is magic all year round and it changes completely with the seasons. You could go back at different times of the year and have a very different safari experience. And you should!

 June to September: Winter magic in the Tuli

If we had to pick, July to September offers some of the best riding weather. It’s Goldilocks season, with cool, crisp mornings, sunny days and cold, clear nights. And since it’s not too hot, wildlife is very active even in the middle of the day, so you get some of the best wildlife sightings from horseback. Plus, the ground is perfect for those epic long canters and hopping over the elephant-felled logs.

October to November: Dry, Hot & Wildlife-Rich

What most people don’t expect is how good October and November can be for wildlife. This is when water becomes scarce, and huge herds of elephant, zebra and antelope gather around the remaining waterholes and pools. Wildlife sightings can be spectacular. The heat is the trade-off, but there is something wonderfully wild about the landscape at this time of year, and the dust makes for seriously cinematic riding photos and videos.

December to March: Summer magic in the Tuli

December to March brings the summer rains. These short, powerful thunderstorms make incredible photo backdrops and the air feels electric. The landscape turns green almost overnight, and you may see young wildebeest, zebra and impala finding their feet. With the rivers and marshy areas filling up, you also get the chance of splashy canters. And by late February, the landscape can be covered in bright yellow flowers as far as you can see. You do need a sense of adventure, as the itinerary may change with the weather, but it’s all part of the adventure.

April to June: Secret Season and a personal favourite

April to June is also a personal favourite, as the bush is still lush and green after the summer rains. The long grass makes it feel like riding through a sea of green, and while it can be a bit harder to spot wildlife, it’s incredibly rewarding when you do.

Want to ride through the Land of Giants?

Explore the Tuli Trail, or check out the African Explorer, combining Botswana and South Africa.
Check out this useful guide for the month by month comparisson for the Tuli

What’s the easiest time to ride in the Tuli Block?

July to September is generally the easiest. The weather is cooler, the ground is dry and wildlife is easier to spot. Just pack warm layers for those chilly evenings around the fire.

Is the Tuli good for wildlife viewing?

Absolutely. The Tuli is known for its huge herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plains game, as well as rarer animals adapted to the dry conditions, including bat-eared foxes, jackals, hyenas and eland. It’s also excellent for big cats. Lions, leopards and cheetah are all found here, and you can sometimes see all three in the same day on game drives.

When does it rain in the Tuli Block?

The summer rains generally fall December to March, bringing short but powerful thunderstorms and an explosion of new life. By late February you’ll see fields of bright yellow flowers across the landscape.

Is it easy to spot big cats in the Tuli?

It’s one of the best places to see them, though the long grass from April to June can make spotting harder. Most big-cat sightings are from a vehicle rather than horseback, but they can be phenomenal. Great for wildlife photos.

What makes April to June a good time to visit Mashatu Game Reserve?

It’s a beautiful combination of lush green bush, long grass, colourful birdlife and young animals, without the heavy thunderstorms. Add in huge elephant herds and fantastic riding conditions, and it’s easy to see why it’s my favourite time to visit.