Horizon Horseback · Tuli Block, Botswana
A 7-night mobile safari through wild elephant country
Horizon Horseback's Tuli Safari, on the Mashatu Game Reserve, covers over 120 miles across a week, through Mopane savannah, wooded riverine areas, wetlands and rock formations home to large baobabs. Wildlife here isn't seasonal, so good game viewing is possible year-round. Two slightly different itineraries run alternating weeks (Tuli 1 and Tuli 2), varying only in how nights are split across the three camps: Mashatu, Tree Camp and Kgotla. One of four African safaris Horizon runs (alongside Signature Safari, African Explorer and a dedicated Family Safari), operating since 1993.
This is a fast, serious safari. You must be able to independently control a forward-going horse at all paces and stay with the group; a short riding test is done on arrival for everyone's safety. Not suitable for beginners or nervous riders.
A uniform herd of well-schooled, forward-going but calm horses, mostly the South African Boerperd, well suited to safari work.
Days are built around the game and the light: long rides out across the reserve morning and afternoon, moving between three camps over the week, with rests through the heat of the day. You ride among big game on horses used to it, covering real distance, with the camps each having their own character along the Limpopo and its tributaries.
Three distinct bush camps (Mashatu, Tree Camp and Kgotla), moving through the week.
All meals included, cooked and served in camp.
Best months: Year-round
Game viewing in the Tuli is good all year, so the safari runs across the seasons; the winter months are cooler and drier.
Nearest airport: Johannesburg (JNB) for international arrivals, then a light aircraft from Lanseria to Limpopo Valley Airfield
Transfers: Arrive at Johannesburg, transfer to Lanseria (about 40 minutes), then fly to the Limpopo Valley airfield at Mashatu (return flights around 800 GBP); road transfers are also possible
Fly to Johannesburg, then the light-aircraft hop into Mashatu.
