Description
This 10 day safari explores the remote Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana to see the large herds of elephants and the many predators for which the area is renowned.
Mashatu lies between the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, in the wedge of Botswana which lies between Zimbabwe and South Africa. It covers an area of 35000 hectares, a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops, and is home to a wide range of animals including the largest herd of Elephant on private land (numbering around 1000), and an excellent Big Cat population particularly leopards. The reserve also has a pack of African Wild Dogs (Cape Hunting Dogs). Other animals likely to be seen include Hyena, Eland, Giraffe, Impala, Wildebeest, Zebra, and Greater Kudu and many smaller species including nocturnal ones which we look for on our regular night drives. The area also boasts a huge variety of colourful birds such as Hornbills, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers and the ubiquitous Lilac-breasted Roller.
Our safari begins with an overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Here we will be met and transferred northwards by road to the Pont Drift border post where we will enter Botswana and the Mashatu Game Reserve itself. We will spend seven nights in Mashatu before returning to Johannesburg for the return overnight flight to London
Accommodation is provided in large permanent tents with en suite toilet and shower facilities extending from the rear of each tent. Hot water is available at all times and power points are provided within each tent to allow charging of photographic equipment. We use ten-seat open four-wheel drive vehicles for all game drives with numbers of clients restricted in each vehicle to no more than five so that everyone has a window seat. The professional driver/guides, who will remain with us throughout the safari, know the park extremely well, are experts on the animals and birds, and understand the needs of photographers. Game drives are taken each morning and afternoon, with the latter being followed by a regular night drive. We also include excursions with the resident researchers of elephant and predator behaviour which provide a fascinating insight to these dominant species in the reserve. There is time to rest during the middle of the day, you can take a dip in the swimming pool or you can visit a hide overlooking a waterhole which offers exceptional photographic opportunities for animals and birds visiting to quench their thirst.
Peter Smart from Wild Arena will accompany you. Peter is a wildlife photographer, escorting tours to a variety of countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, India, Spitsbergen and the Galapagos Islands. Peter treats it as a genuine privilege to introduce people to the wildlife, landscapes and people of the countries he visits and his knowledge, organisational skills and sense of fun ensures that not only will you have excellent photographic and game-viewing opportunities but also a highly enjoyable holiday!
The safari is arranged by African specialists, Safari Consultants Ltd, a fully bonded UK tour operator; your financial protection when travelling with us. Safari Consultants can also arrange a customised extension to your safari such as the magnificent Victoria Falls.
In addition to providing great photographic opportunities, Wild Arena’s safaris are designed to offer a wide appreciation of the natural beauty of Africa’s wildlife, people and the environment. The itinerary provides you with the maximum time in the field so we can offer you the best photographic opportunities, including giving help when it is needed. We aim to give you a highly enjoyable holiday and for you to feel that our knowledgeable guides have provided you with unique opportunities to view and capture images of the natural world. Wild Arena also offer a wide selection of photographic workshops in the UK which many of our delegates have found to be an ideal way to develop their photographic skills, try new equipment and ask questions before embarking on their safari.
This exciting safari offers wonderful and varied game viewing in a beautiful, uncrowded environment. It is also a fantastic and contrasting alternative destination for those who have previously travelled with us to Kenya and Tanzania. View our exciting itinerary and see reports of past tours on our website including many more amazing images.
Please contact us regarding any questions you may still have or to discuss the possible extensions to this tour. You are advised to make your reservation immediately once you have decided to join us, as places are strictly limited on this unique tour to Botswana: A Wilderness Paradise.
Flights:
Estimated price given is without international flights.
download p_LtGQl5.pdfItinerary
Day 1
Evening departure from London Heathrow
Day 2
Morning arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. We will be met and transferred northwards by road (about six hours, although we will have the opportunity to stop en route) to the Pont Drift border post where we enter Botswana and proceed to Mashatu Tented Camp for our seven night stay. We should arrive in time for a late lunch and undertake our first game drive in the afternoon. After stopping for sundowners, we will undertake a night drive during which we hope to see leopards and a range of other nocturnal species such as African Wildcat, Porcupine, Genet and perhaps owls (LD)
Days 3 to 8
Six full days of game drives in Mashatu. Each day will start before sunrise with tea or coffee and light refreshments before setting out on our morning game drive hoping to see some of the huge elephants as they move down to the river to drink. We will also be looking for the Big Cats - Lion, Cheetah and good population of Leopard can all be seen in Mashatu. There is also a pack of African Wild Dogs (Cape Hunting Dogs). Other species we expect to see include Impala, Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Giraffe and Zebra. During the morning we will stop for further refreshments and later return to camp for a substantial brunch.
During the heat of the middle of the day there is the opportunity to rest, take a dip in the swimming pool or visit a hide overlooking a waterhole which is excellent for photographing birds and mammals, especially Impala, Greater Kudu, Warthog and perhaps Elephants which come to quench their thirst.
High tea, including mouth-watering savoury snacks and cakes, is served mid-afternoon after which we start our afternoon game drive. As the sun sets we stop at an appropriate location for photography and enjoy our sundowner drinks. As darkness descends we undertake a night drive, with a spotter using a lamp to find interesting nocturnal inhabitants of Mashatu. After a couple of hours we return to camp for a shower and then to dinner.
One morning we will hope to offer an optional Ivory Drive with the resident Elephant researcher which provides a fascinating insight into the lives of these animals on a more personal level. One evening we hope to provide an optional Predator Drive with the person who is studying the Big Cats in Mashatu. Some of the leopards are fitted with radio collars so they can be tracked and their behaviour observed. We will also offer a nature walk to those who are interested in stretching their legs and learning more about the plants, birds and insects of Mashatu. (BLD)
Day 9
At dawn we go on our final game drive before returning to camp for breakfast. We are then transferred back to Johannesburg, South Africa for our evening return flight to the UK.
Day 10
Morning arrival at London Heathrow
Please note:
- The itinerary is provisional and subject to change depending on local conditions
- Not all wildlife mentioned can be seen well at all times of the year & some activities mentioned may not always be available
- Meals included are as shown - B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Venue
Botswana
This safari explores the remote Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana to see the large herds of elephants and the many predators for which the area is renowned.
Summary
Single supplement
Subject to availability. If you are a single person booking this holiday you do not have to pay single supplements, if you are happy to share. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired with another single client of the same gender. However your booking is accepted only on the understanding that if no roommate is available then you accept a single supplement will be levied. Single supplements are payable if you specifically request to have a room to yourself. If you have requested single accommodation we will do our best to secure this although this may not always be possible.
Deposit
£300 required to confirm booking
Travel insurance
You must be covered by insurance, which must include adequate cover for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue, including air ambulance.
Fitness Level:
Easy wildlife touring in four-wheel drive vehicles. This tour is suitable for guests of most levels of fitness.
Photography Level:
This tour is suitable for all levels of photographic experience. The Wild Arena guide will be available throughout the tour to support and advise clients.
Group Size:
6 to 10 plus Wild Arena guide and local driver/guide(s)
Cost includes
Hotel/lodge accommodation on a twin share basis (unless single has been requested) on a full board basis, transfers for group departures using our chosen airline, all internal transport as per the itinerary, sightseeing tours where specified, entry fees to the national parks, all wildlife activities escorted by English speaking driver/guides, services of Wild Arena photographic guide throughout the tour
Cost excludes
International flights from the UK, airport taxes, transfers for Land Only packages and group tours when choosing your own flight arrangements, visa fees, medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs, personal expenditure, bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc, porters, guides & other tips, meals not specified & mineral water, personal clothing & equipment, travel insurance, optional trips, increases in park fees and taxes levied by the Government on the tourism sector, fuel surcharges, charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Safari Consultants control, anything not specified in the Cost Includes.
Wild Arena African photographic tours are organised through Safari Consultants Limited, a fully bonded UK tour operator holding ATOL licence 3783. Also bonded through AITO Trust (No. 1091) and holding an IATA licence. Your financial protection when travelling with us.
All clients will be required to complete a Safari Consultants Limited Booking Form which supersedes any information presented on Wild Arena’s web site or other Wild Arena promotional literature. Bookings will be subject to acceptance of Safari Consultants’ Terms and Conditions and the following will also apply for this tour:
1. Safari Consultants reserve the right to cancel the tour if the minimum numbers specified is not reached at least 45 days prior to the departure. In this event, you will be offered the chance to travel individually or to receive your deposit back in full
2. In the unlikely event that Peter Smart is unable to join the tour, Safari Consultants reserve the right to send a suitable replacement if available. In such circumstances, the tour will not be cancelled and no compensation will be paid
3. The tour is based on shared accommodation but a single supplement may be paid for single accommodation, subject to availability
If you would like to request a copy of Safari Consultants Ltd booklet providing General Information, Terms and Conditions and Booking Form or you have any questions regarding any of our tours or workshops then please don’t hesitate to get in touch
