Mashatu Game Reserve comprises 29,000 hectares (72000 acres) of privately owned land in the conserved wilderness area known as the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The reserve lies in the eastern extremity of Botswana where the great Limpopo and Shashe Rivers converge. This exceptionally diverse landscape includes wide open plains, grassland, riverine forests, rocky hills, marshland and majestic sandstone ridges.

Mashatu, “Land of Giants”, takes its name from the locally sacrosanct Mashatu or Nyala berry tree (Xanthrocercis zambesiaca) and the giants that roam its terrain.

Mashatu Game Reserve is situated at the confluence of the great Limpopo and Shashe Rivers in the remote eastern corner of Botswana. This area is known historically as the Tuli Enclave and it is here where the three countries; Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe converge. In addition to this large conservation area, Mashatu Game Reserve offers refuge to the largest elephant population on a private reserve on the African continent.

This diverse landscape of open plains, grassland, riverine forests, rocky hills, marshland and majestic sandstone ridges can be reached in a number of ways

Our suggested two-night itinerary, which has been specifically crafted to create the most immersive Mashatu experience possible. This itinerary is not cast in stone, but serves as guide to what you can experience at our magnificent game reserve within a short period.

From being met by a representative at the border post / airfield, high tea on the terrace overlooking the waterhole, sundowners during a game drive, dinner under the stars in the traditional open-air boma to early morning game drives, hearty brunches and a final transfer back to the border post / airfield.

One thing is for certain, regardless of which camp guests may choose, Mashatu is an extraordinary place, which is manned by an extraordinary team. Passionate, highly skilled, and intensely proud of this land, each member of the Mashatu team aims to delight every client through a focus on satisfaction at every level of interaction.

No less than seven staff members on the Mashatu team of staff have spent a minimum of 12 months at the Disney entertainment complex in Orlando in south eastern USA as part of an exchange programme offered to the citizens of Botswana.

At Mashatu Game Reserve we are very proud of our unique offerings. Our reserve is located on 29 000 hectares of private Botswana land. Our location, in the centre of the proposed Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, has experienced 92% rain-free days per year, for the past 19 years – making for excellent wildlife viewing weather.

In addition to the above, our Adventure Safaris, which feature walking, cycling and horse safaris, offers a truly unique way to experience our true wilderness, diversity of ecosystems and interesting landscapes.

The magnificent cultural landscape in which the Northern Tuli Game Reserve and Mashatu is located, is jointly conserved by Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This part of southern Africa is home to some of the most significant paleontological and archaeological remains on the subcontinent, including the dinosaur footprints of Vhembe and Sentinel (estimated to be 50-100 million years old). The 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 Venda.