Rangers & Trackers - Tswana men with intimate bush knowledge and an instinct that imparts an extremely fascinating insight that brings you into closer contact with the bush. They are thoroughly trained in all aspects of ecology.
Game Drives - Game drives are conducted in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles in the 30 000 ha (75,000 acre) Mashatu Game Reserve. The rangers are in constant radio communication with one another to keep each other informed about the location of the game. Headsets are used for this purpose so as not to disturb the sounds of the African bush. Beside elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena, general game such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland and a variety of antelope, and nocturnal species like springhares, bat eared fox, civet cat, genet cat, honey badger and mongoose, are prevalent throughout the reserve. The bird life is prolific with Mashatu Game Reserve recording over 366 different species. The 4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers to leave the road and provide guests with up close game viewing and fantastic photographic opportunities. Night drives, with the aid of powerful spotlights bring the bush to life.
Sole Use Vehicles - Sole use of a vehicle can be arranged upon request at Mashatu Main Camp only, subject to availability on check-in. Sole use of these vehicles is charged per empty seat per day out of six, up to a maximum of 5 empty seats.
Transfers - Transfers between the camps and the Limpopo Valley Airfield / Pont Drift border post are by road. Transfer times are dictated by the number of guests in the various camps and their flight schedules.
Charges are not levied for the transfers to/from Limpopo Valley Airfield to connect with scheduled flights, or from the Pont Drift Border Post (via open/enclosed safari vehicle) at the rendezvous time of 13h00. In the event of the Limpopo River being in flood necessitating the use of the cable car to cross the border, a nominal charge will be levied for the trans-river transfer. Charges are levied for transfers out of the normal scheduled times.
VAT -VAT is applicable in Botswana.
VAT is currently at 10%, and is included in the price of most goods, services and hotel accommodation. Foreign tourists qualify for a VAT refund on items purchased and taken out of the country upon departure. No VAT refund may be claimed on goods consumed or services rendered.
Credit Cards – Master Cards and Visa Cards are accepted for Pula transactions at Mashatu Game Reserve Camps, whilst American Express are only accepted in Rands. Diners Club cards are not accepted.
Cheque Payments - Cheques are not accepted at any of the Camps.
Climate - The climate over most of Southern Africa is temperate. Hot, dry conditions are usually encountered in the Tuli region. Heavy summer thunderstorms of short duration in the late afternoon and evening may be experienced. Rainfall occurs mostly during the summer months (October - March).
Click here for a more detailed weather report
Health And Medical Services - Malaria is endemic to the Tuli region of the country. Anti-malarial precautions should be taken by people entering these areas.
Arrival And DepartureTimes - 13h00
Any variations must be advised prior to the guests’ arrival at the camps and are at the sole discretion of the camp manager.
Catering Requirements - Please inform our reservations department upon reservation of any special dietary requirements. Please also advise us if any guests will be celebrating a birthday or special occasion, which that you may want us to be aware of.
Tour Leader/Pilot/Driver/Guide Policy - Accommodation for a bonafide tour leader, pilot, driver or guide is offered in B. grade accommodation at Mashatu Main Camp and Mashatu Tent Camp. The reduced rate is solely for accommodation and meals. This rate does not include game drives and/or any other special activities available to full paying guests at the camps. However we will make every effort to ensure that tour leaders accompanying a party are included in all such activities.
Conference Facilities - Mashatu Main Camp offers a fully air-conditioned conference room, with seating for up to 48 delegates “Boardroom Style” and includes: VCR and TV monitors, overhead projectors, slide projectors, screens, flip charts and white boards. No additional charge is levied for the use of the conference room.
Drinking Water - All water in the camp is filtered to the highest standards and is guaranteed perfectly safe for drinking.
Temperature Control - Extremely important for cooling in the summer (October to April) whilst heating is necessary during winter (May to September) when temperatures can drop to below 10°C. This service is available 24 hours a day throughout the year. Please note that air-conditioning and heating is not available at Mashatu Tent Camp.
Swimming Pool - Both Camps have filtered swimming pools.
Power Supply - 220V A.C. current is available 24 hours a day.
Dress code is safari casual but a sweater may be required at any time. During the winter months (May to September) very warm clothes including a windbreaker (anorak) are essential.
What To Take:
- Anti-malarial prophylactics are essential all year round. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats, sunglasses, sun screen.
- Cameras and binoculars.
- Summer: lightweight clothing and swimwear, warm clothing for game drives.
- Winter: light clothing for daytime, very warm insulated jackets for game drives.
Travel Documents - A valid passport is obligatory if travelling from outside Botswana with a re-entry visa for South Africa for some nationalities.
The Following Countries DO NOT Require A Visa To Enter Botswana:
Commonwealth Countries
(except Ghana, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan)
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Italy |
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Mauritius
Netherlands
Norway
Republic of Ireland
Samoa
San Marino
Sweden
Switzerland
USA
Uruguay
Yugoslavia |
, 
& 
merchants.