Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world with up to 70% covered by the Kalahari Desert. In addition to its delta and desert areas, there are grasslands and savannas making Botswana’s vast open space perfect to see its diverse wildlife inhabitant. Traditionally game drives have been the way to view these animals but now there is this rare opportunity to learn to photograph them as well with hides and well trained photographer guides. Photograph Africa Big Cats Safari is your chance of a lifetime to visit two of Africa’s lesser known private game preserves and learn to take award winning pictures.
Mashatu & MalaMala Safari
Combine MalaMala and Mashatu Game Reserves in an exciting 6 night package (3 nights Mashatu and 3 nights MalaMala) including a charter flight between the two reserves. The order of the itinerary is flexible as the charter flight runs in both directions.
Day 1 – 3 ( Starts on Sunday) – Johannesburg
Connect to your scheduled flight to Polokwane. On arrival you will be met for your road transfer with Copper Sun across the border (via Pont Drift border post) to Mashatu Main Camp in Botswana’s Tuli Block. Three nights on a full board basis including daily game activities.
Mashatu Main Camp is located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, in an area known historically as the Tuli enclave – a diverse wilderness of savannah, riverine forests, marshland, open plains and sandstone outcrops. The name is derived from the magnificent Mashatu trees, which occur throughout this immense tract of privately owned land. This area is home to no less than seven of Africa’s giants: the African elephant, the lion, the giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich and the kori bustard. Mashatu Game Reserve, an area of history and legend, offers some of the most exciting game viewing in Africa in open 4-wheel drive vehicles, guided by expert rangers and experienced trackers. It is home to large herds of elephant, prides of lions and cheetah. Up to 350 species of birds could be seen here. Along the river courses, huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, whilst at night the bat-eared fox, African wildcat and the magnificent leopard search for prey.
Mashatu Main Camp offers 14 luxury suites situated along the camp’s perimeter, designed to offer complete privacy. Each of the air-conditioned suites is elegantly decorated. A double bed and an extra large single bed together with a seating area comprising a day bed allows the suites to provide more than enough space to comfortably accommodate families. The ample en-suite bathroom with both bath and shower facilities and a separate W.C complete the luxurious suites. A large swimming pool is the most popular spot in the camp to wile away the hours on the hot days between game activities. The sturdy and shaded hide at Mashatu Tented Camp overlooks a waterhole, and here bush enthusiasts can sit quietly and witness animals going about their day, completely unaware that they are being watched.
Mashatu has Exclusive Photographic Hides and in a professional camp photographer, Mike Dexter. Each day you’ll have half day in hide photographing and then photography tutoring in camp. Note: Please see details of Hides at end of itinerary.
Day 4 (Wednesday) – MalaMala Camp
After your morning activity, you will be road transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Mala Mala Game Reserve. On arrival you will be met by a camp representative and transferred to MalaMala Main Camp. Three nights on a full board basis including daily game activities.
In existence since 1927, MalaMala Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa. Comprising 13 300 hectares, MalaMala shares a 19 km unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park and lies sandwiched between the National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve. Today this area is known to have the greatest diversity of animal species on the African continent. Over two hundred species occur in abundance whilst the ever-changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds.
Pathways wind their way along the perimeter of the camp to reveal individual ochre colored units tucked into the greenery that flanks the Sand River. Massive trees and rolling green lawns are filled with birdsong, with the occasional antelope or elephant seeking the succulence of greenery. The camp is unfenced – an oasis in the midst of the bushveld. Guests are accommodated in eight luxury suites and ten luxury rooms each with “his” and “hers” bathrooms, 24-hour temperature control, direct dial telephones, mini-bar, safe, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Game drives are conducted in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles in the 40,000 acre reserve. The rangers (using headsets so as not to disturb the sounds of the bush) are in constant radio communication with one another about the location of game. The 4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers to leave the road for special sightings and allow for fantastic photographic opportunities. Night drives, with the aid of powerful spotlights, bring the bush to life at night.
Day 7 (Saturday) – Depart for Johannesburg
After your morning game activity and breakfast depart by Federal Air Light aircraft transfer to Johannesburg.
CALL NOW for COST 415-331-3791
HIDES ARE ADDITIONAL.
Click here for basic information on types and rates (subject to change): Hides
Includes:
– Transfers as specified
– 6 nights’ accommodation on a double occupancy basis
– Scheduled charter flight between Mashatu & Mala Mala
– Meals as specified
– Bottled water on safari
– Two game drives daily at safari camps & lodges on a shared vehicle basis
– Park and concession fees
– Accommodation taxes and tourism levies
– 3 half day photography hide spots and 3 photography tutoring sessions.
Does not include:
– International flights
– Cancellation, interruption, evacuation, baggage insurance
– Gratuities for guides and camp/lodge/hotel staff
– Passport and visa expenses
– Personal expenses
– Drinks
– Airport departure taxes
– Any future taxes or levies that may be assessed by suppliers
