Traverse the Mopane savannah and stunning river valleys on horseback or mountain bike, with accommodation in three unique and beautiful camps, each with distinct design and character. This journey embraces the true definition of a safari: an expedition to observe animals in their natural habitat. Running throughout the year, this safari is a 7-night, Saturday to Saturday adventure that covers a distance of over 120 miles. From horseback or bike, the beauty of the African topography, fauna and flora will unfurl, and be complimented by a touch of classic safari luxury: hot showers, mouth-watering food, and memorable camps. As the wildlife in this area is not seasonal, wonderful game viewing experiences are possible throughout the year. 

Horse breeds on safari range from Thoroughbreds to Boerperd (a South African breed) to Percheron crosses, along with a variety of mixes. Horses are selected based on their good temperament in the bush and stamina for long days covering distance during safaris. The horses have been exposed to all the wildlife seen on safari and are comfortable in this environment.

Riding Level: Upper-Intermediate to Advanced

Must be able to independently control a horse at all paces. Jumping – ability to jump natural obstacle is a benefit, but not essential as can be ridden around. Must be able to take a light seat at canter.

Riding Test: Compulsory

Before each safari, every rider will take a short riding test to ensure they are competent enough for the safari, and fall into the above guideline. The decision of the manager conducting the test is final.

Speed: Walk / Trot / Canter / Gallop

Distance: Average 25-30 kilometers / 12-18 miles per day

Ride Time: Average 4-6 hours per day

Tack: Riders will be in English tack (general purpose saddles) or McLellan trail saddles.

Terrain: Terrain consists of open, grassy plains, hills, rocky outcrops, rivers, and mountains. Enjoy exploring the differing topography of the area: open bush, wooded riverine areas, wetlands, and strange rock formations home to large baobabs.

Our guides are passionate cyclists and specialist field guides who will go out of their way to ensure you have an extraordinary biking holiday experience. Catering for mixed groups, the pace, routes, and distances are tailored to suit individual fitness levels and riding

ability.

The rides cover the vast Mashatu Game Reserve, known as the ‘Land of the Giants’. This semi-arid landscape, bisected by numerous rivers and flanked by the mighty Limpopo, is famed for its density of elephants, gigantic Baobab trees, impressive rock formations and unsurpassed big cat sightings. Given free rein to cycle across the entire reserve, and using three or more beautifully appointed camps, we are able to tailor each cycling holiday to the needs and

ambitions of the group.

Bikes: The bikes are Silverback Stride 29 X 29 inch aluminum 12-speed hard-tail mountain bikes.

Small, medium, large and extra-large frames are available. Pedals are flat one side and SPD cleat the other.

Technical difficulty: Moderate

Distances: Between 20 and 50 km a day. A relaxed group will cover about 25km to 30km on a morning ride, with an elevation gain of 100 meters. More advanced riders might cover up to 50km with an elevation gain of up to 150 meters. The aim is to ride 3-5 hours per day at an easy

going pace with regular game sightings, and a mid-morning picnic stop, the guides will pace the ride to suit the abilities of the riders.

Time: Maximum 5 hours in the saddle per day. Altitude: Between 500 - 650 meters.

Two Mashatus Camp

Nestled in the shade of two large Mashatu trees, the heart of the camp has two traditionally built

Lala Palm rondavels for dining and lounge areas. Guest accommodation is in large A-frame walk-in tents set on teak platforms each with en-suite bathrooms. Each tent is private and positioned in the shade of a tree in the bush, not far from the main area. Each tent has a small deck area in front where guests can relax privately during the afternoons.

Two Mashatu also has a small swimming pool under a Mashatu tree for guests to enjoy.

Tree Camp

This is a very unique camp; any childhood dream of sleeping up in the arms of a tree, will be

completely fulfilled here. Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees, this Seligna deck, 4 metres off the ground, will be your retreat for the night.

Two guests each share an airy and cool sleeping pod. Along a short walkway, shared showers and toilets are under the Leadwood trees.

The spacious dining and lounge area flow from the sleeping pods and overlook the Majale River.

This truly extraordinary camp is one that will be remembered and spoken about for years to come. 

The Kgotla

The Kgotla is an old tribal court from a nearby community, which 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. There is hot running water, beautiful open-air showers and flushing toilets, the perfect combination of necessary comforts and an authentic bush experience. Guests sleep on beds around a large log fire which sits on a hearth in the center of the boma. 

A light breakfast will be taken first thing in the morning before riding Lunch will usually consist of a picnic in the bush, and dinner will be a decadent and delicious affair in camp, under the stars. 

Meet your guide at the border or the Mashatu airstrip. Short transfer to the reception area overlooking the Limpopo river, in time for a light lunch.

Enjoy an introductory ride to check you are suited to your horse, before embarking

on your first ride out to our Two Mashatus Camp. This will be your first opportunity

to experience the beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve and view the wildlife on

horseback. Mashatu Game Reserve is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming

elephants on private land in Africa, and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures.

As evening falls at Two Mashatu Camp, relax in the cool of the thatched rondavel

lounge and dining areas, before enjoying a three-course dinner and getting to know

your fellow adventurers for the next seven days.

Sunrise, the dawn chorus and tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds

the start of your first day. After breakfast, it’s time to mount and depart from the

dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River, and head towards the rocky hills that

delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of

Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herd of

elephants.

Having meandered across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, the

ride arrives at Tree Camp in time for lunch. Overlooking the Majale river, it is possible

to watch the wildlife from above, coming down to drink at the river.

That afternoon choose a ride or enjoy your first bush walk exploring the area along

the West of the Matabole River returning to Tree Camp for sundowners.

The safari passes through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations

synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Giant Baobab trees continue to scatter the

landscape as they have for centuries and ancient elephant trails make for wonderful tracks for long canters through open bush veld. Whilst riding alongside the banks of the Motloutse River, discover the old Leadwood ‘Kgotla’ (or enclosure used for the traditional law court of a Botswana village). This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night.

In the afternoon, we search for the area’s resident lions on a game drive and draw

the day’s adventures to a close with sundowners at the ancient “Amphitheatre”

rocks. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire. The night is spent

with a ceiling of stars and Africa’s nighttime melody to sing you to sleep; a veraciously rare experience which is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.

The sandstone formations, including the famed Solomon’s Wall, one of the

numerous dolorite dykes in the area, are explored on horseback. Some of the

oldest civilisations in southern Africa settled in this valley. Archaeological evidence

in the area includes middle and late stone age tools, rock art and the legendary

Mapungubwe Dynasty. Mapungubwe means “Place of the Jackal” in the Venda

language and this dynasty existed around 1220 AD. The Mapungubwe topography

itself is ancient and timeless, and combined with marvellous wildlife sightings, it

makes for an incredible riding experience. This afternoon enjoy a short drive to the

Mmamagwa Hills.

For the most visually stunning and ethereal sundowner, we visit the Mmamagwa Hills. A short climb up the sandstone ridge, brings us to the site of the Mmamagwa Ruins, which is of a similar period to Mapungubwe (13 century). To date these ruins have not been excavated and have been left alone. It is conceivable that similar treasures to those found at Mapungubwe (for example the golden rhino) could be buried here. After a short climb, enjoy sundowners beneath a beautiful baobab tree with a breath-taking view of the area.

Wind up Elephant Valley along ancient trails stamped into the soil by centuries of

migrating elephants, before heading north towards upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is peppered with enormous baobab trees and is one of the more remote areas of the reserve. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Tree Camp. An afternoon ride or bush walk or game drive exploring the northern banks of the Majele, Matabole and Jwala rivers.

Today’s riding promises great game viewing from horseback as we explore the

Pitsane River Valley. Drinking holes, dug by elephants along the course of the Pitsane, attract thirsty herds of game. An area, where history has it, there was a skirmish during the Boer war which destroyed Bryce’s Store, an old British supply post.

There was a stagecoach line, called Zeederberg’s, that ran from the towns of the

Transvaal in South Africa to the newly forged settlements of Southern Rhodesia, now

Zimbabwe. Those coaches crossed the broad Limpopo and followed the Pitsane

River into Zimbabwe.

The ride returns to the Two Mashatu Camp in time for lunch and a cooling swim in

the pool. A guided bush walk to one of the nearby koppies for sundowners is the

afternoon excursion.

Our ride today meanders its way through the beautiful plains between the Majale

and Pitsane rivers, with abundant game and spectacular views into the Limpopo

River Valley.

En route, we explore the remains of an old Boer War fort on a rocky outcrop,

followed by a ride down into the cooler wetland area where plentiful game enjoy

the lush grasses.

In the summer months, rain and water dependent, it can be possible to enjoy

cantering through the shallows of the Limpopo River. There is time to relax in camp,

before either an afternoon ride or bush walk for your last African sundowner.

The last ride in the Limpopo Valley is a great opportunity to take one last picture of

elephants and enjoy a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush

with your guides.

Arriving back at the stables and reception mid-morning, there is plenty of time for

a hot shower and a tasty brunch, before saying farewell to safari companions, new

found friends and Horizon Horseback Mashatu.