Mashatu Game Reserve MTB Safari — Botswana
Mashatu Game Reserve occupies 25,000 hectares of the Tuli Block — a private wildlife reserve in the southeastern corner of Botswana where the Limpopo and Shashe rivers meet. It holds one of the highest concentrations of elephant in southern Africa and all of the Big 5, making it among the most wildlife-rich private reserves on the continent. The MTB safari program here is operated with professional guides and exists within a broader Big 5 wildlife experience.
The Riding
The 15km Tuli Block Bush Trail winds through ancient baobab forest and riverine woodland on the game tracks used by management vehicles and wildlife alike. Elephant encounters at distances of 20–50 metres are common and managed by experienced guides. The 20km Limpopo River Gravel follows the banks of the Limpopo into Botswana’s hinterland — flat, wide river gravel with hippo visible in the pools. The 10km Elephant Country Singletrack is the most concentrated wildlife experience — narrow paths through dense mopane with guide radio contact throughout.
Access
Mashatu is accessed via the Pont Drift border crossing — a 4WD wade across the Limpopo River (seasonal depth varies). A 4WD vehicle is required for the final approach. Alternatively, fly to Limpopo Valley Airstrip in the reserve. From Johannesburg it’s a 5.5-hour drive to Pont Drift. GPS: -22.2333, 29.2833.
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