Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris Tuli - 8 Day / 7 Night Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival at the Pont Drift Border Post or Limpopo Valley Airfield, you will be met by your guide, Cor or West, and transferred to the reception area at LVHS stables. A light lunch is served overlooking the beautiful Limpopo River. You also have time to get acquainted with your guide and some of the staff, but, most importantly, your trusty steed for the week! You embark on a short introductory ride to make sure that you and your horse are well suited. Sundowners are enjoyed at the stable whilst watching the horses roll in the setting sun. Then you head to our base camp Two Mashatus for a warm shower and a delicious dinner served in the Llala palm dining room.

Day 2

The day begins at sunrise with tea/coffee brought to your tent, followed by a light breakfast. Mount up and head off in a north westerly direction for Jwala Camp on the banks of the Jwala River. Six to seven hours are spent in the saddle enjoying the abundance of game and the magnificent scenery synonymous with Tuli (the Land of the Giants). After arriving at Jwala Camp, lunch is the order of the day followed by a fascinating guided afternoon walk. Dinner is prepared over an open fire by Martha or Grace – the brilliant chefs whose “bush cuisine” is renowned far and wide. Retire to your spacious tent where you will experience the “music” of the African bush.

Day 3

An early wake up call heralds a new day and tea/coffee and a delicious light breakfast is served around the log fire. You cross over basalt ridges following age-old elephant trails and enjoy long sustained canters to make up for the lost time traversing the ridges. This ride is about six to seven hours, and you arrive at Kgotla Camp for a late lunch. This is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The open-air traditional African enclosure is made of leadwood logs in the shade of a century old Mashatu tree. In the afternoon you have the option of visiting the local village to buy hand-crafted Llala palm curios, view Bushmen paintings and then enjoying a sun downer looking out over the Motloutse River. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire after which the night is spent sleeping under the stars while listening in on the cacophony of sounds generated by the African bush orchestra.

Day 4

Spend another night at Kgotla Camp, enjoying a full day exploring the sandstone formations including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Here ancient civilizations harboured their wealth among the hills where two mighty rivers, the Limpopo and the Motloutse, meet. This day's riding is about four to five hours, leaving time in the afternoon to head to the archaeologically rich Mmamagwa hills where a 360 degree view of the reserve can be enjoyed as well as another beautiful African sunset.

Day 5

Another early rise and a good breakfast around the log fire gets the morning off to a good start. Today you wind your way through the mopane bush before reaching the more open plains. This will probably be your longest day of riding (some seven hours). Upon arrival at Liana Camp you are welcomed with a well-deserved drink and a refreshing lunch. Tonight is your opportunity to explore Mashatu from a game drive vehicle and try to locate the elusive leopard, wild dog, cheetah and lion the area is well known for.

Day 6

This morning will begin a little slower as the day is spent exploring the banks of the Mojale and Matabole Rivers, following their courses north towards the Zeederberg site. The day offers riding up and down river banks, through riverine forest, game sightings and more fabulous photo opportunities. Today’s ride is about five to six hours. Lunch is under the bows of an old Mashatu tree, where a century ago the Zeederberg transport riders had their midday break before finally reaching Fort Tuli. Spend the afternoon at leisure before you embark on a guided walk into the bush. Enjoy sundowners around a log fire and a delicious meal to end another exhilarating and rewarding day.

Day 7

Today’s ride is rich in history and offers a variety of interesting tales of the past. The open Pitsani plains, so characteristic of this area, are perfect for a really good gallop, hopefully with zebra or wildebeest! You head in the direction of the Majale and Limpopo confluence where lunch awaits you upon return to the Two Mashatus camp. This ride is about five to six hours. Dinner is in the Llala palm Rondavel.

Day 8

Today is your last day in the bush and begins with your final early morning tea/coffee and breakfast snack. The morning is spent riding back to the stables where fond farewells are made to your steed. This is a shorter ride of about two hours, allowing you time to shower, have brunch, buy some mementos from the curio shop and to watch the horses enjoying time back with their friends in the paddock. Once refreshed you will be taken to the border in time to catch the transfer to the Johannesburg

Accommodation on the Tuli Safari

Wilderness/Satellite Camps: Satellite campsites are set up in specific locations throughout the Mashatu Reserve. Accommodation is in A frame tents on comfortable beds with sheets and duvets. Facilities include a bucket shower and “bush-WC”. Meals are cooked over a camp fire.

The Kgotla: The Kgotla is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The Boma is an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of leadwood logs. Guests sleep on beds around a large log fire which blazes at the centre.

Two Mashatus Camp: Nestled in the shade of an ancient Mashatu tree, two traditionally built Lala palm Rondavels serve as dining area and lounge. Accommodation is in big A frame walk-in tents pitched on teak platforms, with en-suite ‘enviro’ toilet and hot water shower. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree with a small deck area on which to relax during the afternoons.

 

Notes

 

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