Fourteen suites on a seasonal tributary of the Limpopo, in a 104,000-acre private reserve holding the largest elephant herds on private land anywhere in Africa.
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Overview
Where Three Nations Meet
Mashatu sits in the wild eastern corner of Botswana's Tuli Block, where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers converge and Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe touch at a single point.
At 104,000 privately owned acres, Mashatu is one of the largest private game reserves in southern Africa, its landscape swinging between open plains, riverine forest, rocky hills and sandstone ridges carved by eight rivers, some perennial and some not. The reserve holds the largest herds of elephant found on private land anywhere on the continent, alongside archaeological sites dating back over a million years and ruins connected to the nearby Mapungubwe World Heritage Site. Mashatu Lodge itself sits on a seasonal tributary of the Limpopo, its 14 air-conditioned suites decorated with black-and-white wildlife prints and built for families as much as couples.
One of several Mashatu addresses in the reserve. Mashatu Lodge shares the reserve with the eight-suite Tuli Safari Lodge on the Limpopo's banks, the more rustic Mashatu Tent Camp, and a collection of exclusive-use private villas — this page covers Mashatu Lodge alone.
14
Air-Conditioned Suites
104,000ac
Private Reserve
8
Rivers on the Property
3
Nations at One Point
Suites
Facing the Waterhole
Each suite comfortably sleeps a family, with an infinity pool overlooking an active waterhole as the lodge's centrepiece.
Guest Suite — Private Patio
01
A Double & an Extra-Large SingleEvery air-conditioned suite pairs a double bed with an extra-large single and a day-bed seating area, comfortably sleeping a family of three or four.
02
Black-and-White Wildlife PrintsTastefully decorated interiors carry striking black-and-white photography of Mashatu's wildlife throughout each suite.
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Private PatioA private patio with outdoor seating gives every suite a quiet, shaded spot to unwind between game drives.
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Two Pools, One WaterholeTwo large swimming pools serve the lodge, including an infinity pool that looks directly over an active waterhole.
Experiences
Giants, on Foot or Horseback
Beyond the standard game drive, Mashatu's size and history support horse safaris, cycling, walking trails and a museum dedicated to the land itself.
On Foot
Walking Safaris & Trails
Guided walking trails through Mashatu's wilderness grounds for up-close, unhurried encounters with the reserve's wildlife.
On Horseback
Horse Riding Safaris
Riding safaris for experienced riders, including week-long immersive trips across the reserve's open plains and riverine forest.
Photography
PhotoMashatu
A dedicated photographic vehicle and camera equipment hire, with the reserve's giant elephant herds and predators as star subjects.
History
Room of Discovery
A museum of bones, artefacts and relics tracing Mashatu's archaeological, cultural and geological history back over a million years.
Active
Cycling Safaris
Trail-cycling across Mashatu's varied terrain, a distinctive way to cover the reserve's big country at ground level.
Culture
Village Tours & Night Drives
After-dinner night drives and full-day cultural village tours, offered exclusively to Mashatu Lodge guests.
Dining
African Cuisine, Home Cooking
Meals at Mashatu Lodge lean into traditional African cuisine, with fresh fruit, home-made breads and pies alongside succulent meat dishes and hearty desserts.
01A sumptuous dining room serving traditional African fare
02Poolside meals overlooking the waterhole
03Bush breakfasts on morning game drives
04Sundowners at a scenic viewpoint over the reserve
The Waterhole Deck — Infinity Pool
Location
Northern Tuli, Botswana's Secret Eden
Mashatu lies in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, a largely undiscovered corner of eastern Botswana where the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers converge at the meeting point of three countries.
104,000 acres of privately owned land, one of the largest private reserves in southern Africa.
Home to the largest elephant herds found on any private reserve on the continent.
Archaeological ruins connected to the neighbouring Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, with history dating back over a million years.
Reached directly by flights from Johannesburg into Mashatu's own Limpopo Valley Airfield, without a separate customs stop.
Fly
Direct flights from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg land at the private Limpopo Valley Airfield inside the reserve.
Drive
A roughly four-hour road transfer from Johannesburg is also available, crossing at the Pont Drift border post.
Arrive
Guests clear customs on arrival and are driven straight through the reserve to the lodge, game viewing along the way.
Combine & Stay
Three Camps, One Reserve
Guests often split a stay between Mashatu Lodge, Tuli Safari Lodge and Mashatu Euphorbia Villas — all less than an hour's drive apart within the same private reserve.