Tuli Block

The Tuli Block – the land of giants – is made up of a collection of privately owned wildlife concessions in the north east corner of Botswana, with the major reserves being Tuli and Mashatu. Famous for both its amazing wildlife and the unqiue, immense geographical features that fill the landscape, this is an incredible corner of Botswana to visit.

There are few fences in the entire Tuli area which permits unrestricted travel for animals along a large section of the Limpopo River. This attracts the migrant populations of impala, wildebeest, kudu and zebra as well as resident bushbuck, waterbuck, warthog, elephant and hippo , all accompanied by ever present predators - lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.

Mashatu boasts the single largest population of elephants on privately owned land (in excess of 700), and you are almost guaranteed to see lion and leopard while staying there. The safari options in the Tuli Block are numerous and will bring out the explorer in you. The private concession owners offer visitors to their lodges intimate and specialized knowledge of their animals and terrain and the Tuli Block is famous for its exciting night drives, where you will be able to see a different side of Africa as the Genet, lynx, leopard, porcupine, aardwolf and aardvark come out to hunt and forage.

For the more adventurous there are walking safaris and even mountain bike safaris which are an incredible way to experience the big game and wild lands of Africa. Enquire with one of our Safari Experts about tailor-making a safari to the Tuli Block region.

The Tuli Block – the land of giants – is made up of a collection of privately owned wildlife concessions in the north east corner of Botswana, with the major reserves being Tuli and Mashatu. Famous for both its amazing wildlife and the unqiue, immense geographical features that fill the landscape, this is an incredible corner of Botswana to visit.

There are few fences in the entire Tuli area which permits unrestricted travel for animals along a large section of the Limpopo River. This attracts the migrant populations of impala, wildebeest, kudu and zebra as well as resident bushbuck, waterbuck, warthog, elephant and hippo , all accompanied by ever present predators - lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.

Mashatu boasts the single largest population of elephants on privately owned land (in excess of 700), and you are almost guaranteed to see lion and leopard while staying there. The safari options in the Tuli Block are numerous and will bring out the explorer in you. The private concession owners offer visitors to their lodges intimate and specialized knowledge of their animals and terrain and the Tuli Block is famous for its exciting night drives, where you will be able to see a different side of Africa as the Genet, lynx, leopard, porcupine, aardwolf and aardvark come out to hunt and forage.

For the more adventurous there are walking safaris and even mountain bike safaris which are an incredible way to experience the big game and wild lands of Africa. Enquire with one of our Safari Experts about tailor-making a safari to the Tuli Block region.

The Tuli Block is also known for its prolific birdlife. Lappet-faced vultures, majestic black eagles and martial eagles, brilliantly coloured bee-eaters, kingfishers and rollers fill the skies, while on the ground are ostriches, huge kori bustards, saddle-billed storks and the rather peculiar-looking ground hornbill. Other birds to watch out for are giant eagle owls and Meyer's parrots.

Apart from the incredible bird and wildlife Tuli is renowned for its curious geographical features — Solomon's Wall and the Tswapong and Lepokole hills – which are located among the diverse Tuli wilderness of open grass plains, marshlands, massive trees hugging riverbanks, giant boulders and rocky outcrops punctured by huge peculiar-looking Baobab trees and cacti-like Euphorbias.

Solomon's Wall is one of the most fascinating and dramatic geographical features. The sheer basalt cliffs, 30 metres high, once formed a natural dam across the Motloutse River. A huge lake filled up behind it, with a waterfall spilling over the dyke during the rains, leaving rich mineral deposits of quartz, agate and other semi-precious stones. It was in the sands higher up the Motloutse River that the first alluvial diamonds were found in Botswana, giving a hint of the wealth that was to come.

The last of the San in eastern Botswana lived in the Tswapong and Lepokole hills. In the Tswapong hills deep gorges have been carved into the ancient granite rocks by seasonal rivers and springs resulting in amazing waterfalls, rock pools and exotic surrounding vegetation, while a pile of granite blocks forms the Lepokole hills. The hills are filled with San rock paintings in the caves and under overhangs, and the Stone Age tools and ancient pottery which lie scattered around the hills are evidence of even earlier occupation.

Day trips to visit these fascinating areas can easily be arranged whilst staying at your lodge and are highly recommended. Other activities in this region include quite the most incredible star gazing led by experienced guides and astrologists and bush dinners out under the stars. The Tuli is a fascinating region, perfect for the more adventurous wildlife enthusiast or those looking to get a little off the beaten tourist path.

Contact one of our experienced Safari Experts to plan your tailormade safari including the Tuli Block.