Tuli Block

The Tuli Block

Set in a landscape of striking natural beauty in the extreme southeast of the country, the Tuli Block is a thin strip of commercial farmland which includes the largest privately owned game conservation area in southern Africa, combining an area of 120,000ha (300,000 acres) of game reserves and conservation areas. The land was originally ceded to the British government by Chief Khama III of the Ngwato tribe in 1885. It was intended to establish a buffer zone to halt the Boer expansion and provide the British with a corridor in which to build their planned ’Cape to Cairo’ railway line. However, the concession proved unsuitable for the railway, which was eventually built further to the west. The British finally transferred its administration to Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company (BSAC) which had colonized Rhodesia. In 1904, the BSAC divided the Tuli Block into lots which it sold to European farmers. Over a period of time, as ownership of these farms began to consolidate and as government pressure increased for better utilization of the land, it became possible for private game reserves to be established. This led to the creation of the North-East Tuli Game Reserve which occupies the entire Tuli Block area north of the Motloutse River and is made up of several private reserves such as the Mashatu and Tuli game reserves.

The Tuli Game Reserve

Solomon’s Wall
Of all the many fascinating geological features in Botswana, Solomon’s Wall in the Tuli Block is one of the most remarkable. This basalt dyke once formed a natural dam wall across the Motloutse River, and the two sides of this breached barrier still stand up to 30m (100ft) high, guarding each side of the narrow gorge. The vertical sides of this ancient dyke held back a great lake behind what must have been a beautiful waterfall. Evidence of this lake is in the number of alluvial semiprecious stones that can be found in this area along the Motloutse’s riverbed. Four-wheel-drive is necessary to reach Solomon’s Wall, but it is well worth visiting. There are often deep pools of water, and shade under the fever trees, but it is private property and you must have permission to visit the site. In the Tuli area there are two ranges of granite hills which are of great historical and archaeological interest.

The Lepokole Hills
The Lepokole Hills north of Bobonong are the southernmost extension of the Matopos Hills in Zimbabwe, and are made up of the same immense granite blocks, often piled high into tall castles of fissured rock. It is in these hills that the last of the San in eastern Botswana took refuge from the encroaching ’civilization’. Their presence is recorded in the paintings found in the caves and rocky overhangs of the kopjes. In addition to the Bushman paintings, the Lepokole Hills also contain a wealth of archaeological treasures, from Stone Age tools and ancient pottery to stone walls and mud granaries all left by longforgotten people. Visitors to the Lepokole Hills must be completely self-sufficient as only basic supplies can be obtained in Bobonong. From the village a rough fourwheel- drive track leads visitors for 15km (9 miles) into the hills. There are no public camp sites or facilities in the hills and if one wants to camp in the area it is a courtesy to ask permission from the kgosi (chief) in Bobonong.

Tswapong Hills
For the more adventurous, a true journey of discovery awaits those who set out to explore the Tswapong Hills east of Palapye. This is probably one of the least known areas of Botswana, yet it is less than 50km (30 miles) off the main Gaborone/Francistown highway. The shear-sided hills are made up of compressed layers of sandstone, shales and quartzites, giving them their distinctive colours It is, however, the water which is Tswapong’s unique attraction. In this thirsty country, deep gorges have been carved into the hills giving rise to seasonal rivers, fed by natural springs where absorbed rain flows out of the porous rock. In places, these springs give rise to streams forming waterfalls with deep moss-edged pools. Several waterfalls can be found near the village of Moremi, while a large colony of Cape vultures is established in the cliffs near the village of Gootau. Before visiting either of these sites, be sure to ask permission from the village chiefs. With the abundant water in these scenic hills comes a diversity of flora and fauna and almost half of Botswana’s 250 butterfly species can be found here. Butterflies are particularly plentiful near Moeng College, Botswana’s first secondary school.

Mashatu Game Reserve

Mashatu Game Reserve occupies the area between the Shashe and Limpopo rivers south of the Tuli Circle and covers 46,000ha (113,000 acres) of picturesque unspoilt countryside. Over 350 bird species have been identified in the area and, with over 800 elephants, Mashatu boasts the largest elephant population on private land in the world. One of the reserve’s attractions are the game viewing walks and night drives on offer. The latter are not permitted in Botswana’s national parks, so many visitors miss seeing nocturnal predators such as leopard, lynx and wild cat, which are reasonably common sightings in Mashatu.

The River Confluence
The reserve is immense, usually taking more than a couple of days to explore. While in the area, visitors should try to arrange a trip to the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers where Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe meet at the most easterly point of Botswana. This is an interesting area of riverine woodland and tall trees with plenty of elephant and other wildlife, while closer to the water’s edge you are likely to see the colourful Meyer’s parrot.

Majale and Thakadu
Majale offers luxury chalets for up to 30 guests with a thatched observation bar overlooking a floodlit water hole. Thakadu tented camp on the edge of the Tuli Circle is more rustic, but equally luxurious, with a similar thatched bar and game hide at the nearby water hole.