Mashatu Game Reserve
Overview
Botswana Parks
By Anthony Ham
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.
Mashatu is part of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve and is one of the largest private reserves in southern Africa. Mashatu only has three of the Big Five, with rhino and buffalo absent, but elephant and leopard sightings are unparalleled. The exclusivity of the reserve with very limited vehicles out on game drives makes for quality sightings. Even more so due to the sparse vegetation.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Elephants are the star-attraction in Mashatu, but predators are well represented too. Leopards are very common, and a lot of individuals are habituated and easy to follow. Lion, wild dog, spotted hyena and cheetah can all be seen. Smaller predators regularly spotted include African wild cat, bat-eared fox and black-backed jackal. Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a variety of antelope species, are all found in this sparse habitat.
Scenery
The reserve comprises a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forest and wetland. Most striking are the sandstone cliffs jutting out of the plains and the dry riverbeds, frequented by herds of elephants digging for water. The majestic nyala berry tree or ‘Mashatu’, found along the rivers, provides shade and food for a variety of animals.
Weather & Climate
Summer in Mashatu (October to April) can get very hot. Although this corresponds with the Wet season, rainfall is sporadic. By contrast, the winter months (May to September) are fairly mild (and totally dry), with a notable chilliness early in the morning and at night.
Best Time to Visit
May to September, which is the area’s Dry season, are the best months to visit. Mild temperatures make the game drives more enjoyable, and wildlife viewing is generally superb. December to February can be uncomfortably hot with peak temperatures sometimes hitting 45°C/113°F.
