This Tuli Horse Riding Safari in Botswana, is a true African trail riding adventure…
This Tuli Horse Riding Safari in Botswana, is a true African trail riding adventure, returning to the joys of travelling in the style of Africa’s original pioneers.
This ‘Land of Giants’, well known for its baobab studded plains and large herds of elephant, is situated in some truly wild landscapes largely untouched by man. The area is home to a variety of wildlife species including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds.
Combining both bush camping and permanent tented camps, this 7 night mobile safari allows you to soak up the wonderful luxuries of ‘glamping’ with true African bush experiences. The permanent tented camp of Mashatus, offers a complete bush setting, nestled in a grove of giant Nyala berry trees and just a stone’s throw from the mighty Limpopo River.
The tents are raised on timber decks, offering a wonderful place to relax and absorb the African bush, each tent is equipped with en suites and hot showers. Weather permitting this ride offers the exciting opportunity to sleep outside under the star studded African sky in the Kgotla Boma, an unforgettable experience.
This epic journey, with its brilliant game viewing opportunities, varied and exciting scenery, wonderful accommodation, fabulous sunrises and sunsets, and of course exceptional riding, covers approximately 120 miles over the course of the week and can be scheduled any time of the year.
QUICK FACTS
The Tuli Block, Botswana | |
OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) | |
Open All Year | |
Up to 8 days, 7 nights | |
Group Size: Max. 8 | |
Minimum of 2 guests | |
Intermediate Plus |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience luxury Africa as well as true bush experiences, such as sleeping out under the stars
- Enjoy the unparalleled thrill of riding alongside game and becoming part of the herd
- Indulge in the true joy of riding, feeling the freedom of riding through vast open country without boundaries
- Feel a sense of achievement as you complete each ride, with at least 3 different base camps
THE DESTINATION
The Tuli Block, or ‘Land of Giants’, is located on Botswana’s eastern border, between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The area is a very protected nature reserve known as the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
Famous for its dramatic geographical and geological features, here you’ll find Solomon’s Wall by the Motloutse River, and the enchanting rock paintings left by the San Bushmen in the Tswapong and Lepokole Hills.
Tuli is also known for its rich wildlife including numerous big cats, large herds of elephant, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds.
DATES & RATES
Open all year round, departing every Sunday to Sunday. Please enquire for the exact dates and availability.
2023 RATES
Low Season: January, December 2023
GBP £2450 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
Mid Season: February, March 2023
GBP £2905 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
High Season: April, May, June, July, August, September, October 2023
GBP £3437 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
Price Includes:
- Accommodation at 3 different camps
- Full board and drinks
- Expert guiding
- All horse riding activities on well-trained and responsive horses
- One Game Drive
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- Transfer by air from Johannesburg to Limpopo: £680 return
- $70 Conservation Levy paid upon arrival which goes towards anti-poaching and protecting the reserve
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Comprehensive travel & medical insurance
- Game drive with Mashatu Main Camp (USD75 per person – subject to availability)
YOUR 8-DAY ITINERARY
** This itinerary is subject to change – it is an example and not an exact timetable. The Tented-Camps chosen route may vary from the below example, as if there has been heavy rains recently or unusually hot days, the Kgotla boma will be swapped out for another camp.
Day 1
Arrive at the Pont Drift Border Post or Limpopo Valley Airfield, where you will be met and transferred to Two Mashatus stables. Welcomed by an alfresco lunch, taken on the edge of the usually dry Limpopo River – you will feel like you’ve entered paradise!
Lunch finished, head down to the stables to be introduced to your new four-legged friend. Enjoy an introductory ride to check you are suited to your horse, before embarking on your first ride out to our Two Mashatus Camp. This will be your first opportunity to experience the beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve and view the wildlife on horseback. Mashatu Game Reserve is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming elephants on private land in Africa, and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures.
As evening falls at Two Mashatu Camp, relax in the cool of the thatched rondavel lounge and dining areas, before enjoying a three-course dinner and getting to know your fellow adventurers for the next seven days.
Day 2
Sunrise, the dawn chorus and tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds the start of your first day. After breakfast, it’s time to mount and depart from the dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River, and head towards the rocky hills that delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herd of elephants.
Having meandered across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, the ride arrives at Tree Camp in time for lunch. Overlooking the Majale river, it is possible to watch the wildlife from above, coming down to drink at the river. That afternoon choose a ride or enjoy your first bush walk exploring the area along the West of the Matabole River returning to Tree Camp for sundowners.
Day 3
The safari passes through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Giant Baobab trees continue to scatter the landscape as they have for centuries and ancient elephant trails make for wonderful tracks for long canters through open bush veld. Whilst riding alongside the banks of the Motloutse River, discover the old Leadwood ‘Kgotla’ (or enclosure used for the traditional law court of a Botswana village). This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night.
In the afternoon, search for the area’s resident lions on a game drive and draw the day’s adventures to a close with sundowners at the ancient “Amphitheatre” rocks. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire. The night is spent with a ceiling of stars and Africa’s nighttime melody to sing you to sleep; a veraciously rare experience which is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.
Day 4
The sandstone formations, including the famed Solomon’s Wall, one of the numerous dolorite dykes in the area, are explored on horseback. Some of the oldest civilisations in southern Africa settled in this valley. Archaeological evidence in the area includes middle and late stone age tools, rock art and the legendary Mapungubwe Dynasty. Mapungubwe means “Place of the Jackal” in the Venda language and this dynasty existed around 1220 AD. The Mapungubwe topography itself is ancient and timeless, and combined with marvellous wildlife sightings, it makes for an incredible riding experience. This afternoon enjoy a short drive to the Mmamagwa Hills.For the most visually stunning and ethereal sundowner, we visit the Mmamagwa Hills.
A short climb up the sandstone ridge, brings us to the site of the Mmamagwa Ruins, which is of a similar period to Mapungubwe (13 century). To date these ruins have not been excavated and have been left alone. It is conceivable that similar treasures to those found at Mapungubwe (for example the golden rhino) could be buried here. After a short climb, enjoy sundowners beneath a beautiful baobab tree with a breath-taking view of the area.
Day 5
Following a light and early breakfast, ride out through the Mopane bush in search of elephant. Wind up Elephant Valley along ancient trails stamped into the soil by centuries of migrating elephants, before heading north towards upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is peppered with enormous baobab trees and is one of the more remote areas of the reserve.
After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Tree Camp. An afternoon ride or, subject to availability, a game drive with Mashatu Main Camp vehicles may be possible to enjoy the central area of the reserve (additional cost $75 pp). This is a great chance to photograph big cats and hyena up close.
Day 6
Today’s riding promises great game viewing from horseback as we explore the Pitsane River Valley. Drinking holes, dug by elephants along the course of the Pitsane, attract thirsty herds of game. An area, where history has it, there was a skirmish during the Boer war which destroyed Bryce’s Store, an old British supply post.
There was a stagecoach line, called Zeederberg’s, that ran from the towns of the Transvaal in South Africa to the newly forged settlements of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Those coaches crossed the broad Limpopo and followed the Pitsane River into Zimbabwe.
The ride returns to the Two Mashatu Camp in time for lunch and a cooling swim in the pool. A guided bush walk to one of the nearby koppies for sundowners is the afternoon excursion.
Day 7
Our ride today meanders its way through the beautiful plains between the Majale and Pitsane rivers, with abundant game and spectacular views into the Limpopo River Valley.
En route, we explore the remains of an old Boer War fort on a rocky outcrop, followed by a ride down into the cooler wetland area where plentiful game enjoy the lush grasses.
In the summer months, rain and water dependent, it can be possible to enjoy cantering through the shallows of the Limpopo River. There is time to relax in camp, before either an afternoon ride or bush walk for your last African sundowner.
Day 8
The last ride in the Limpopo Valley is a great opportunity to take one last picture of elephants and enjoy a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush with your guides. Arriving back at the stables and reception mid-morning, there is plenty of time for a hot shower and a tasty brunch, before saying farewell to safari companions, new found friends and Horizon Horseback Mashatu.
You will then be transferred to Mashatu Airport in time for your return flight to Johannesburg.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Two Mashatus Camp
This beautiful camp is built in the shade of a centurion Mashatu tree. The camp is made up of two traditionally built Lala palm rondavels, which make up the dining and lounge areas. You are accommodated in a series of A-frame walk-in tents. These large and spacious tents are situated on teak platforms, with en-suite loos and hot water showers. Each tent comes with a small deck area on which to relax during the peaceful afternoons.
The Kgotla
The Kgotla is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The boma is an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of leadwood logs. Guests sleep on beds around a large log fire which blazes at the centre. Fall asleep with a canopy of stars above you.
Tree House Camp
The camp is located on a raised wooden platform, and all of the tents are in a semi-circle on the decking with the dining area in the centre. They are shaded by a beautiful canopy of the neighbouring woodland. This camp has shared (but wonderfully private and secluded) outdoor shower and separate toilet facilities.
QUICK FACTS
The Tuli Block, Botswana | |
OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) | |
Open All Year | |
7 nights | |
Group Size: Max. 8 | |
Minimum of 2 guests | |
Intermediate Plus |
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
Beginner | |
Novice | |
Intermediate | |
Intermediate Plus | |
Advanced |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience luxury Africa as well as true bush experiences, such as sleeping out under the stars
- Enjoy the unparalleled thrill of riding alongside game and becoming part of the herd
- Indulge in the true joy of riding, feeling the freedom of riding through vast open country without boundaries
- Feel a sense of achievement as you complete each ride, with at least 3 different base camps
DATES & RATES
Open all year round, departing every Sunday to Sunday. Please enquire for the exact dates and availability.
2023 RATES
Low Season: January, December 2023
GBP £2450 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
Mid Season: February, March 2023
GBP £2905 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
High Season: April, May, June, July, August, September, October 2023
GBP £3437 per person sharing + £680 flight transfers from Johannesburg
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
Price Includes:
- Accommodation at 3 different camps
- Full board and drinks
- Expert guiding
- All horse riding activities on well-trained and responsive horses
- One Game Drive
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- Transfer by air from Johannesburg to Limpopo: £680 return
- $70 Conservation Levy paid upon arrival which goes towards anti-poaching and protecting the reserve
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Comprehensive travel & medical insurance
- Game drive with Mashatu Main Camp (USD75 per person – subject to availability)
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”I had the most incredible time on the Tuli safari! This is the first time I've done anything like this, but I am so hooked and already looking at where to go next. Each day, we saw tons of incredible animals and enjoyed exciting and varied riding. Each camp was amazing in its own way, and I didn't expect to be so full of yummy food the whole time. I particularly loved the kgotla camp because it was so unique. Our lead guide, Mpho, was extremely knowledgeable and respectful of the animals. He was amazing - we hadn't seen hyenas, despite hearing them our whole trip, but Mpho managed to find a couple on our very last morning! We got right up close to them, and it really capped off our experience.
Lindsay MooreTuli Safari, Botswana
I rode Pumba, and I am absolutely obsessed with him. He was a perfect match - forward, responsive, and a puppy dog when it came to snacks and cuddles. He had a big beautiful stride and took care of me the whole time. I wanted to bring him home with me. The horses were clearly well cared for and happy throughout, which is super important.
I will absolutely be reaching out for future trips!
TOUR GALLERY
How we care for our horses
Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses at Horizon Horseback are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. Our horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:
- The string of horses are as well looked after as our guests. Each horse is recognized and appreciated for his unique ability and personality and every effort is made to match him with the most suitable rider.
- When not ridden, the horses are free-roaming in large paddocks during the day. They come in twice a day for grooming, checks and feeding, and spend the night in a large secure paddock or stable.
- Tack is checked regularly and cleaned daily
- The horses get varied training, including jumping, polo-crosse, dressage and western games to keep them fit and responsive.
- Horses have dedicated rest days and are on holiday for a few months each year.
RELATED SAFARIS
Wildlife and Waves – Tuli Horse Safari and Wild Coast
12 Nights
South Africa & Botswana
Scenery & Wildlife Focused Horse Safari
For intrepid travellers, this is a combination of incredible horseback game viewing and endless deserted beaches.