TULI SAFARI TRAIL - BOTSWANA

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This is a fast and exciting mobile tented safari in the "Land of the Giants". Here large herds of elephant roam and the "great, green, grey, greasy Limpopo" (in the words of Rudyard Kipling) meanders, where the mighty baobab stands tall and lions and hyena serenade you under the starry African night sky. For experienced and adventurous riders only. The Tuli Block is also home to a multitude of wildlife species and remains untouched by the invasion of man. The accommodation is luxurious in the base camp but consists of comfortable camping en route to give you the flavour of the real Africa.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price £1,575 for 2008 Departure dates 30 Mar; 27 Apr; 4, 11, 18 & 25 May; 1 (FULL), 8, 15 & 29 Jun; 6, 13 & 20 Jul; 3, 10, 17 & 24 Aug; 28 Sep (FULL); 19 & 26 (FULL)Oct 2008 Approximate riding time per day 4 - 8 hours per day Riding ability required Confident, fit and experienced riders. Min age 16. Group size 2 - 8 Meeting point Johannesburg International Airport, South Africa Transfer A return road transfer of 5 hours from Johannesburg to Botswana, price is £175 pp. Flight guide London - Johannesburg return £500 - £750. See below for flight info. Single supplement A single supplement of 50% is charged only if not willing to share.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - TULI SAFARI TRAIL

DAY 1
Upon arrival at the Pont Drift Border Post, you will be met by your guide, Cor or West and transferred to The Two Mashatu's Camp.
After a light lunch it is time to get acquainted with your horse. You will then embark on an introductory ride along the banks of the mighty Limpopo River.
Your first evening is spent enjoying sundowners at the Stable Bar whilst watching the horses roll in the setting sun, before a delectable dinner is served in the beautiful garden under the inky black sky (weather permitting). Retire for a night of rest in the comfort of Two Mashatu's Camp.

DAY 2
TODAY THE REAL FUN BEGINS!!
The day begins at sunrise with tea/coffee and a light breakfast under the Mashatu Tree in the FJ garden. Departing from Two Mashatu's Camp the ride heads off in a northwesterly direction for Jwala Camp on the banks of the Jwala River.
6-7 hrs are spent in the saddle enjoying the abundance of game and the magnificent scenery synonymous with the Land of the Giants. After arriving at jwala camp, a siesta is the order of the day followed by an afternoon walk, examining the the bush around you in detail.
Dinner is prepared over an open fire by Martha – our truly brilliant chef whose “bush cuisine” is renowned far and wide.
Retire to your dome tent where you will experience the “music” of the African bush as it gently serenades you to sleep.

DAY 3
An early wake up call heralds a new day and tea/coffee and a delicious light breakfast is served around the log fire.
The next ride begins: Test the amazingly sure footed Boerperd as we cross over basalt ridges following age old elephant trails, and enjoy long sustained canters to make up for the lost time traversing the ridges.  This ride will be about 6 to 7 hours. 
Camp is at the Kgotla. This is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Mocloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The open-air traditional African enclosure is made of leadwood logs in the shade of a century old Mashatu Tree. Sundowners are enjoyed from a sandstone kopje overlooking the Mocloutse River as it meanders and disappears into the African landscape.
Guests enjoy dinner around a large log fire, before retiring to bed.  The night is spent sleeping under the stars in the cacophony of sound generated by the African bush orchestra.

DAY 4
We spend another night at Kgotla camp, in order to have a full day worth of exploring the sandstone formations including the famed Solomans Wall.  Ancient civilizations harbored their wealth in between these hills, where two mighty rivers meet; the Limpopo and the Mocloutse. This days riding will be about 4-5 hours to leave time for exploring the surroundings on foot in the afternoon.

DAY 5
It’s up and away! Another early rise and a good breakfast around the log fire will set the morning off to a good start.
Today’s ride will allow you to become one with nature as you head towards the dry river bed overhung with baboon vines called Liana Camp. Large open plains afford the opportunity to tantalize the taste buds of the thrill seeker with exhilarating riding amongst herds of galloping wildebeest and zebra! See the visual wonders of nature, feel the warmth of the sun on your face and taste Africa in its most authentic sense! Another bush lunch is a welcome stop halfway to your camp, enjoy the feeling of eating out in the bush surrounded by miles and miles of Africa!
On arrival at Liana Camp you will be welcomed by a well-deserved sundowner as this probably the longest ride about 8 hours. As evening draws to a close, enjoy the camaraderie and drinks with your fellow riders around the fire.

DAY 6
This morning will begin a little slower, as this day will be spent exploring the banks of the Mojale and Matabole Rivers, following their courses north towards Zeederburg site.  The day will offer riding up and down river banks in riverine forest, game sightings and once in a lifetime opportunities for more fabulous photo footage. Today’s riding will be about 5- 6 hours. The afternoon will bring a welcomed lunch under the bows of an old Mashatu tree, where a century past, transport riders had their midday break before finally reaching Fort Tuli.
Spend the afternoon at leisure relaxing before you embark on an afternoon walk into the bush. On foot you are able to witness the smaller creatures and plants that are missed on horse back. You are also able to follow spoor and are one-on-one with the bush environment.
The evening is enjoyed with sundowners around a log fire and a delicious meal sees the close to another exhilarating and rewarding day.

DAY 7
This ride is rich in history and offers a variety of interesting tales of the past. One of the events of the Anglo Boer War was the destruction of Bryce’s Store in a battle on the banks of the Pitsane River. Remnants of the Store can still be found on Mashatu. Your experience is further enhanced by the large herds of antelope that are encountered along the way, peeking shyly between foliage.
The open Pitsani plains so characteristic of this area are perfect for a really good gallop, hopefully with Zebras and wildebeests!  You head in the direction of the Mojale and Limpopo confluence where lunch awaits you. This ride is about 5-6 hours.
this evening you have the opportunity to partake in a game drive which gives the opportunity to see some of the big cats from close.
Dinner is around the log fire, under another centurion Mashatu Tree. A dreamless sleep no doubt awaits you as the final day draws to a close.

DAY 8
Today is the last day of your horse riding holiday in the bush and begins with your final early morning tea/coffee and breakfast snack over the open fire. This morning is spent riding along the Limpopo River with the possibility of doing some of our natural cross country fences, we head back to Two Mashatu's. This is a shorter ride about 2 hours to give you some time to get ready for departure.
After a final brunch in the beautiful picturesque gardens of Two Mashatu's and sad farewells to your riding companions and trusty Steeds, you will have a chance to pack and freshen up in order to prepare for departure to either the Pont Drift Border Post.

NOTES - TULI SAFARI TRAIL

GETTING TO Johannesburg Airport

As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.  

The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All riding with qualified guide and armed backup, all accommodation, all meals, drinks, snacks, tea and coffee, concessions fees, luggage transfer between camps, transfers to and from the Limpopo Valley Airfield or Pont Drift border post at specified times.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transport between your home and Botswana, gratuities. It is not possible to guarantee a tent to yourself on this safari so you should be prepared to share.

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