Tuli Game Reserve
In the eastern corner of Botswana, where the legendary Limpopo and Shashe rivers meet, lies one of the world's largest private game reserves. It is owned by an assortment of commercial lodges, syndicates and individuals who, in the early 1960's banded together in a joint conservation effort and formed The Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The Reserve was once part of a vast ecosystem and has some of the most spectacular scenery and an incredible diversity of wildlife along with some 350 species of birdlife. It is steeped in a rich in history and pre-history and its fascinating past stretches back thousands of years when early Stone Age and Iron Age peoples roamed these parts.
This is a semi-arid land where temperatures can reach more than 40 degrees C in summer but drop to below freezing during the winter months. The rainfall is erratic and droughts are commonplace and for most of the year the smaller rivers contain little or no surface water, although the Limpopo has several permanent pools that provide some respite for thirsty animals.
Although the Reserve is really vast there is only a small array of accomodation available, which adds to the true wilderness experience. The family friendly Mashatu Main Lodge is a refuge of unparalleled bush comfort which blends in with the game lands its surroundings. Its sister camp, The Mashatu Tent Camp is nestled in the remote northern area of the reserve. With never more than fourteen guests, this idyllic getaway provides accomodation in the form of seven twin tents. Lastly, Nitani Safari Lodge offers African travellers a special bush experience, its five beautifully appointed guest suites that are built over the Majali River.