Mashatu Game Reserve - A secret goldmine of wildlife activity
Date 2020/12/01 14:17:50 by Various
Africa is travel ready and there is no better place to practice social distancing than in the African bush. On the 6th of November the president of Botswana, Masisi announced in a press release the lifting of international travel restrictions in a phased manner starting from the 9th November 2020 and extending to the 1st of December 2020.
no better place to practice social distancing than in the African bush
Our lodge partner, Mashatu Game Reserve is located within the Northern Tuli game reserve tucked away into the most eastern corner of Botswana lays Mashatu privately owned game reserve. The reserve is to re-open their doors in February 2021, and we have various trips planned and schedule at Mashatu in the coming year. But here are 10 reasons why Mashatu should be on your bucket list.
C4’s 10 Reasons why to visit Mashatu
1. The PhotoMashatu hides - These are structures built to specifically maximise the photographic potential of the subjects that visit them. These hides can be used to view animals in the normal manner but have been positioned to consider the angle of the sun, the background as well as the angle you are to the animals and birds. If you are a photographer, you will notice all of these things immediately and it will enable you to get some absolutely stunning photographs. The results of the images taken form the hides have been published in many magazines and books as well as have won some major awards. This is an indication of just how well the hides are built for photographers. The PhotoMasahtu wildlife photographer will accompany you in the hides. They will help tutor you with the various camera techniques to ensure you get your great images.
These hides can be used to view animals in the normal manner but have been positioned to consider the angle of the sun, the background as well as the angle you are to the animals and birds.
Image by Aubrey Tseleng
Image by Aubrey Tseleng
2. Mashatu is the epitome of all that defines wilderness areas in Africa. Known as land of the giants, which comprises of the elephant, lion, giraffe, eland, ostrich, kori bustard and the Baobab tree. It is not uncommon to find leopard reclining in one of the large Mashatu trees, which makes Mashatu one of the best Predator viewings especially in winter months. The soft rays of the winter sun make lion, leopard and cheetah really glow. As usual, the cheetah are found on the open areas, allowing for easy, close up viewing and it is one of the best locations to see and photograph elephants.
Image by Trevor Kleyn
epitome of all that defines wilderness areas in Africa
3. With over 50 Mammal and Reptile species, 350 unique bird species and 150 species of Tree’s, Mashatu can easily be regarded as one of the most diverse reserves on the continent. The unique landscape has allowed this diverse array of flora and fauna to flourish in a simply untouched environment – a true testimony to the reserve.
Image by Isak Pretorius
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Image by Kyle De Nobrega
4. The overall landscape at Mashatu varies from the thickets of Mopane bush, dry riverbeds to the koppies that form part of the Greater Mapungubwe. This is a land unlike anything else in Botswana, it is drier than the Delta, yet has large river courses unlike anything in the Kalahari. Straddling the Shashe, Motloutse and Limpopo Rivers, which serve as natural boundaries with Zimbabwe and South Africa, the Northern Tuli Game Reserve (NTGR) comprises 71,000 hectares of remarkably diverse habitat, including Mopane bush land, riverine woodland, and marshland, punctuated by towering sandstone cliffs, basalt formations and unusually shaped kopjes – making for truly breath-taking scenery.
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Image by Kyle De Nobrega
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Image by Kyle De Nobrega
making for truly breath-taking scenery
5. Mmamagwa Hill – where the famous Rhodes baobab is located. Down in the valley, as far as the eye can see, lie Mopane plains of the Mashatu Game Reserve. The perfect location to enjoy your sun downers as nature whispers sweet nothings in your ears and in the distance a dassie would alarm call and you know it is on…
6. 3 vehicles per sighting. This allows for more intimate time at the sighting, no overcrowding and allows all on the reserve to fairly get a chance to view the sighting and enjoy what nature has to offer.
7. The warm hospitality and friendliness from the Mashatu staff and guides at both Tent camp and Mashatu Lodge, make you feel like you are part of the Mashatu family.
Image by Janet Kleyn
8. Mashatu is located in the eastern extremes of the Kalahari Desert and has had 92% rain-free days a year over 23 years. Essentially it means that there is no true green season, which equates to excellent wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities.
Image by Andre Cloete
9. Mashatu accommodates two very different camps; Mashatu Tented camp to make you feel at one with nature, Mashatu Main Lodge and the third camp, Mashatu Euphorbia Villas a world class eco-camp that combines sustainability with the ultimate luxury, is set to open in the coming year. Thus, catering for all kinds of safari goers in a sustainable manner.
Image by Janet Kleyn
10. Lastly, Mashatu is actively involved in the Children in the Wilderness program (Bobirwa). Children in the Wilderness is a non-profit organization with facilitates sustainable conservation through leadership development and education of rural children in Africa. Insight, care and commitment are required to conserve Africa’s pristine wilderness and wildlife areas. If we are to ensure that these places continue to exist – in this generation and those to come – we need the rural children of Africa to understand the importance of conservation and its relevance in their lives. The Bobirwa, Children in the Wilderness programme at Mashatu is an environmental and life skills educational programme for children, focusing on the next generation of decision-makers; inspiring them to care for their natural heritage and to become the custodians of these areas in future.
Images by Angelica Mills (CITW Bobirwa Volunteer)
If we are to ensure that these places continue to exist – in this generation and those to come – we need the rural children of Africa to understand the importance of conservation and its relevance in their lives.
If you are able, come and join us in Mashatu Game Reserve on Safari. Africa has been waiting for you.
Image by Janet Kleyn