Travelpack

Highlights: Botswana

Other departures: Edinburgh - £4395, Manchester - £4329

Alternate travel dates: 28 Oct 18 - 3 Dec 18

Lodging:
Botswana - Mashatu Game Reserve

Accommodation at the Reserve:
- Two Mashatus Camp
- MajeleRiver Camp
- Liana Camp
- The Kgotla

Itinerary:

Day 1:
International flights to Johannesburg.

Day 2:
A short flight from Lanseria airport Johannesburg to Mashatu Game Reserve. 0Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to our reception area by the stables. After a light lunch it’s time to head off to meet your horse for the week. You will embark on a short introductory ride to make sure that you and your horse are well suited and then ride out to our static camp, where supper will be served in the Llala palm dining room of the Two Mashatus camp.

Day 3:
The day begins at sunrise with tea or coffee brought to your tent, followed by a light breakfast. Mount up and head off from the dense woodland along the Limpopo River towards the shallow rocky hills that mark the edges of the great river valley. Your destination for night two is Majele River camp, a rustic series of cabins atop the steep and shady banks of the Majele River.

Here in the heart of the Mashatu area the game is plentiful. The Tuli area is home to one of the largest herds of free roaming Elephant south of the Zambezi and you are almost assured of great viewing of these incredible creatures. After lunch and a siesta you will take a gentle guided walk to a nearby lookout spot known as “Majele Koppie”. Dinner is enjoyed in the thatched lapa overlooking the river.

Day 4:
An early wake up call heralds a new day, today, your journey takes you through the heart of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations synonymous with the Limpopo valley. Giant Baobabs silently surveying the land as they have for centuries, ancient elephant trails stamped into the soil and wonderfully long canters around the open scrub. This ride brings you to the banks of the Motloutse River and amongst dense old Mashatu trees a Leadwwod Boma that we call “Kgotla” after the old tribal court that was once held in its enclosure.

The openair traditional African enclosure gives perfect security to night is spent under the stars and a unique experience of the African bush up close and personal. The afternoon activity on day three is the choice of a guided walk or ride to the “Amphitheatre”, an ancient and awesome rock formation.

Your walk concludes with traditional sundowners looking out over the Motloutse River. Back at “The Kgotla” dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire. The night is spent in the comfort of your bed set within the boma but with a ceiling provided by the southern skies, a blanket of stars to send you to sleep, a truly unique experience and just about as far away as you can get from city life and the modern world.

Day 5:
Today is a choice of either a morning and afternoon ride, exploring the amazing sandstone formations including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Some of the oldest civilizations in southern Africa had their settlements in this valley, their kings safely nestled in royal kraals at the tops of these flat topped hills.

The Mapungubwe topography is ancient and timeless, and combined with great wildlife sightings, it is certainly an incredible riding experience. Or the group may prefer a long morning ride and an afternoon excursion to the nearby village of Lentswe Le Moriti and the basket weavers followed by a trip to the Mmamagwa hills.

At the end of a short easy climb and beneath a beautiful Baobab you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Tuli area with South Africa to the South, Zimbabwe to the North and Botswana around you, this is a a sundowner drink you will remember for many years to come.

Day 6:
An early rise and hearty breakfast is a good start for what is probably your longest day on horseback. Winding your way through the Mopane bush, with the chance of sighting elephant, you will make your way to the rich plains area close to the Limpopo River.

Liana Camp is snugly nestled amongst giant Mashatu trees that line the Liana lagoon, a tributary to the Limpopo River. To ease your aches we use the afternoon for a game drive that takes us deep into the reserve in search of the big cats the area is renowned for including leopard, cheetah and lion.

Day 7:
Our ride today meanders its way through the beautiful plains between the Mojali and Majele rivers. Abundant with game and with spectacular views into the Limpopo River valley we work our way back to our base camp, Two Mashatus. With the feel of a returning traveler we end the ride back at Two Mashatus where you will have the opportunity to relax by the pool and enjoy the comfort of our permanent camp with its shady tents and ensuite bathrooms. That afternoon we ride to one of the nearby koppies for a sundown drink.

Day 8:
Todays riding promises great game viewing from horseback as we explore the Pitsane river valley on an all day ride. The Pitsane has a spring high in the hills which provides regular drinking holes along its course to draw thirsty herds of game. An area where history has it there was a skirmish during the Boer war and Bryces store, an old supply post was destroyed.

A Picnic lunch is served in an area of shady Mashatu trees before exploring further in the afternoon. There was once a stage coach line called Zeederbergs 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 crossing into Zimbabwe. You will return to camp in the afternoon with time for a cooling drink around the pool As the final day draws to a close you may take to your tent for a peaceful and dreamy last night in the bush .

Day 9:
Your last ride in the Limpopo valley is a great opportunity to snap one last picture of elephants and a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush with your guides. Arriving back at the stables with plenty time to enjoy a hot shower and a tasty brunch you get to s ay farewells to safari companions and new found friends, it’s time for your onward journey.

Offer Includes

Meal Plans