Location: Eastern Botswana
Area: 75,000 acres (30,000 ha)
Mashatu Game Reserve is a privately owned game reserve located in eastern Botswana, in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, where the borders of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe meet. It covers approximately 42,000 hectares (approximately 104,000 acres) and is considered one of the largest private game reserves in Southern Africa. The name "Mashatu" comes from the native mashatu tree (Nyala berry tree, Xanthocercis zambesiaca), which grows along the rivers and provides shelter and food for the wildlife. The reserve is often referred to as the "Land of Giants" due to the large animals and majestic natural features found there.
Mashatu is located at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, creating an exceptionally diverse landscape. It features wide open plains, savannahs, riverine forests, swamps, sandstone ridges, rugged hills and the famous baobab trees, some of which are hundreds of years old. The region differs from the typical Kalahari Desert that dominates much of Botswana due to its ecological diversity and the richer vegetation along the rivers.
Mashatu is famous for having the largest population of elephants on private property in Africa - there are hundreds of them, and sightings of large herds are not uncommon. Other "giants" include giraffes (the tallest mammal), elands (the largest antelope), ostriches (the largest birds) and kori bustards (the heaviest flying birds). Predators include lions, leopards (especially numerous in the riverine forests), cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and African wild cats. The reserve is also famous for its excellent opportunities for observing leopards, which have become accustomed to the presence of people. There are no buffaloes or rhinos in Mashatu, but the diversity of antelopes (kudu, impala, wildebeest) and smaller animals such as honey badgers and porcupines is impressive. The bird world includes more than 350 species, including the African fish eagle, herons and colorful rollers.
The climate is semi-arid: the dry season (May-October) brings cool weather (15-30°C) and the best conditions for observing animals, as they gather near water bodies. The rainy season (November to April) is hot (40°C and above) and humid, with peak rainfall in December to February, when the savannah comes alive with yellow flowers.
Mashatu offers an exclusive safari experience with a limited number of lodges and vehicles, ensuring quality and long encounters with animals. In addition to classic 4x4 safaris, there are also walks, night drives, horse safaris, bike rides and photo sessions from specially designed hides. The main accommodation options include Mashatu Lodge, Tented Camp, Euphorbia Villas and Tuli Safari Lodge, ranging from luxury villas to tented camps that blend into the natural environment. Access is via Pont Drift border crossing (6.5 hours from Johannesburg) or charter flights to Limpopo Valley Airfield within the reserve.
Mashatu is rich in archaeological finds: dinosaur footprints (50-100 million years old), Stone Age tools, rock paintings and the remains of the Mapungubwe dynasty, which existed in the 11th-13th centuries, have been found here. The region is also associated with the story of the hunter Frederick Courtney Selous, who explored the area in the 19th century.