A fantastic horseback safari in Botswana. 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.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: please enquire
SAMPLE ITINERARY - TULI SAFARI TRAIL
Day 1
Upon arrival at the Pont Drift Border Post or Limpopo Valley Airfield, 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 to make sure that you and your horse are suited.
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 Llala palm dining room. Retire for a night of rest in the comfort of Two Mashatu's Camp.
Day 2
The day begins at sunrise with tea/coffee and a light breakfast. 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 or Grace – our truly brilliant chefs 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.
In the afternoon we have the option of visiting the local village to buy hand crafted Llala palm curios and viewing Bushmen paintings. 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 to explore the archaeologically rich Mmamagwa hills where a 360 degree view of the reserve can be enjoyed as well as another beautiful African sunset.
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. Tonight is your opportunity to explore Mashutu from a game drive vehicle and try to locate the elusive leopard, wild dog, cheetah and lion the area is well known for.
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 (perfect for a really good gallop!). 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 Majale and Limpopo confluence where lunch awaits you. This ride is about 5-6 hours.
Dinner is in the Llala palm rondavel. 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 and 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 the Pont Drift Border Post.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - TULI SAFARI TRAIL
The single supplement is 50% of the holiday price and only charged is riders are not willing to share.
Clients who booked this holiday also enjoyed:
Big 5 Combo All the excitement of the Big 5 and excellent riding in Botswana and South Africa for experienced riders.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All riding with qualified guide and armed backup, games drives, bush walks, laundry, 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 and items of a personal nature.
Why not spoil yourself with a few days on a tropical beach after your safari? We recommend one of our Mozambiquan Beach Extensions as an ideal way to round off a safari.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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