South Africa Safaris: SOUTHERN BOTSWANA & BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA

Please check for seasonality.

Day 1
Arrive at Mashatu Main Camp. Accommodation has been reserved for you for 3 nights.

Mashatu Main Campis located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, in an area known historically as the Tuli enclave – a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops. The name is derived from the magnificent Mashatu trees, which occur throughout this immense tract of privately owned land. This area is home to no less than seven of Africa’s giants: the African elephant, the lion, the giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich and the kori bustard. 

Mashatu Game Reserve, an area of history and legend, offers some of the most exciting game viewing in Africa in open 4-wheel drive vehicles, guided by expert rangers and experienced trackers. It is home to large herds of elephant, prides of lions and cheetah. Up to 350 species of birds could be seen here. Along the river courses, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, whilst at night the bat-eared fox, African wildcat and the magnificent leopard search for prey.  Mashatu Main Camp offers 14 tastefully and authentically decorated suites. Each suite is furnished with two three-quarter beds, a day bed, expansive en suite bathroom. French doors open onto the African bush where guests can relax and savour the sights and smells of the bush. There is a magnificent viewing deck directly off the bar or “gin trap” together with an elevated lounge overlooking the waterhole.

Day 4
Road transfer from Mashatu Main Camp to Pafuri Camp. Accommodation has been reserved for you for 3 nights.

Situated between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu Rivers in the northern sector of Kruger National Park is an area of 24,000 hectares called the Pafuri or the Makuleke. In May 2007 the biological significance of the area was recognised in its declaration as a Ramsar site - a wetland of international importance.  This area is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and is the most diverse and scenically attractive area in all of Kruger National Park. This area is certainly the wildest and most remote part of the Park and offers wonderful and varied vegetation, great wildlife viewing, the best birding in all of the Kruger Park and the romance and folklore of early explorers and ancient civilisations. Just about every stage of humankind from 1.5 million years ago till today can be seen on the ground making this one of the longest inhabited places on earth. The area is covered in stone-age tools, rock engravings and rock paintings. There are even unexcavated dinosaur fossils.

Pafuri Camp is situated on the northern bank of the Luvuvhu River within lush riverine forest. The camp consists of twenty luxurious thatched tents that are raised off the ground on wooden walkways. The camp has two plunge pools, a dining room and lounge. There are six family tents, which are able to sleep families of up to four under one roof. The interiors are stylish, with a Makuleke influence.  Each tented room has wonderful views onto the Luvuvhu River. The rooms are comfortably furnished and have 220v lighting and an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water and an additional “outside” shower for those who want to enjoy being closer to nature.

The area is home to all the Kruger animal species, including lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard – although the Pafuri is most famous for its big herds of elephants and for special, rare birds like the Pel’s fishing owl.  Animals such as nyala, eland and Sharpe’s grysbok are not commonly seen in the Kruger further south from Pafuri. On our morning and afternoon activities, guests may choose from a range of options, including game and nature drives in open 4x4 vehicles; night drives throughout the concession (north of the Luvuvhu), birding walks and foot safaris all accompanied by an armed guide. 

Alternatively some guests will enjoy just sitting on one’s verandah watching the wildlife and birdlife wandering through the camp. The Makuleke people who live on Kruger’s western boundary are the land-lord for this camp and for the area. They earn direct financial benefits from every guests stay at Pafuri.  8% of our gross turnover (or over 40% of our nett profits when we are running at good occupancies) accrues directly to the community. Access is by vehicle or by air. There is a 1000m airfield close to the camp for easy air access.

Day 7
Light aircraft transfer from Pafuri Camp to Mala Mala Main Camp. Accommodation has been reserved for you for 2 nights.

MalaMala Game Reserve, the first private photographic safari destination in South Africa, is situated on the largest tract of land within the Sabi Sand Reserve and shares a common boundary with the world famous Kruger National Park. MalaMala Main Camp, overlooking the Sand River, offers accommodation in 18 luxury rooms, including a disabled unit and family rooms. Each individually decorated room, under traditional thatching, is furnished with every amenity, including "his" and "hers" bathrooms, 24 hour temperature control, direct dial telephones, mini bar, room safe and a private deck with views of the surrounding bush.

Guests can relax in the Buffalo lounge which leads onto a large wooden deck that provides elevated views of animals watering in the Sand River. Dinner is served under the stars in a reed enclosed boma. There is a swimming pool, room service, a complimentary laundry service, wine cellar, bush gym, bar, library and safari boutique. Photographic safaris are conducted in open 4 wheel drive vehicles in the morning and afternoon and spotlight safaris in the evening. Walking safaris with an armed ranger can be arranged on request.

Day 9
End of Mafuri Package Itinerary.