General Information
Rangers & Trackers -
Tswana men with intimate bush knowledge and an instinct that
imparts an extremely fascinating insight that brings you
into closer contact with the bush. They are thoroughly trained
in all aspects of ecology.
Game
Drives - Game drives are conducted in open 4-wheel drive
safari vehicles in the 30 000 ha (75,000 acre) Mashatu Game Reserve.
The rangers are in constant radio communication with one another
to keep each other informed about the location of the game. Headsets
are used for this purpose so as not to disturb the sounds of
the African bush. Beside
elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena, general game such
as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland and a variety of antelope,
and nocturnal species like springhares, bat eared fox, civet
cat, genet cat, honey badger and mongoose, are prevalent throughout
the reserve. The bird life is prolific with Mashatu Game Reserve
recording over 366 different species. The
4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers to leave the
road and provide guests with up close game viewing and fantastic
photographic opportunities. Night drives, with the aid of powerful
spotlights bring the bush to life.
Sole
Use Vehicles - Sole
use of a vehicle can be arranged upon request at Mashatu Main
Camp only, subject to availability on check-in. Sole use of
these vehicles is charged per empty seat per day out of six,
up to a maximum of 5 empty seats.
Transfers -
Transfers between the camps and the Limpopo Valley Airfield / Pont
Drift border post are by road. Transfer times are dictated by the
number of guests in the various camps and their flight schedules.
Charges
are not levied for the transfers to/from Limpopo Valley Airfield
to connect with scheduled flights, or from the Pont Drift Border
Post (via open/enclosed safari vehicle) at the rendezvous time
of 13h00. In the event of the Limpopo River being in flood necessitating
the use of the cable car to cross the border, a nominal charge
will be levied for the trans-river transfer. Charges are levied
for transfers out of the normal scheduled times.
VAT -VAT
is applicable in Botswana.
VAT is currently at 10%, and is included in the price of most goods, services
and hotel accommodation. Foreign tourists qualify for a VAT refund on items
purchased and taken out of the country upon departure. No VAT refund may be
claimed on goods consumed or services rendered.
Credit
Cards – Master Cards and Visa Cards are accepted
for Pula transactions at Mashatu Game Reserve Camps, whilst American
Express are only accepted in Rands. Diners Club cards are
not accepted.
Cheque
Payments - Cheques
are not accepted at any of the Camps.
Climate -
The climate over most of Southern Africa is temperate. Hot, dry conditions
are usually encountered in the Tuli region. Heavy summer thunderstorms
of short duration in the late afternoon and evening may be experienced.
Rainfall occurs mostly during the summer months (October - March).
Click
here for a more detailed weather report
Health
And Medical Services - Malaria
is endemic to the Tuli region of the country. Anti-malarial
precautions should be taken by people entering these areas.
Arrival
And DepartureTimes - 13h00
Any variations must be advised prior to the guests’ arrival at the camps
and are at the sole discretion of the camp manager.
Catering
Requirements - Please
inform our reservations department upon reservation of any
special dietary requirements. Please also advise us if any
guests will be celebrating a birthday or special occasion,
which that you may want us to be aware of.
Tour
Leader/Pilot/Driver/Guide Policy - Accommodation for
a bonafide tour leader, pilot, driver or guide is offered in
B. grade accommodation at Mashatu Main Camp and Mashatu Tent
Camp. The reduced rate is solely for accommodation and meals.
This rate does not include game drives and/or any other special
activities available to full paying guests at the camps. However
we will make every effort to ensure that tour leaders accompanying
a party are included in all such activities.
Conference
Facilities - Mashatu
Main Camp offers a fully air-conditioned conference room, with
seating for up to 48 delegates “Boardroom Style” and
includes: VCR and TV monitors, overhead projectors, slide projectors,
screens, flip charts and white boards. No additional charge
is levied for the use of the conference room.
Drinking
Water - All water in the camp is filtered to the highest
standards and is guaranteed perfectly safe for drinking.
Temperature
Control - Extremely
important for cooling in the summer (October to April) whilst
heating is necessary during winter (May to September) when
temperatures can drop to below 10°C. This service is available
24 hours a day throughout the year. Please note that air-conditioning
and heating is not available at Mashatu Tent Camp.
Swimming
Pool - Both
Camps have filtered swimming pools.
Power
Supply - 220V
A.C. current is available 24 hours a day.
Dress code
is safari casual but a sweater may be required at any time. During
the winter months (May to September) very warm clothes including
a windbreaker (anorak) are essential.
What
To Take:
- Anti-malarial
prophylactics are essential all year round. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist.
- Comfortable
walking shoes, sun hats, sunglasses, sun screen.
- Cameras
and binoculars.
- Summer:
lightweight clothing and swimwear, warm clothing for game
drives.
- Winter:
light clothing for daytime, very warm insulated jackets for
game drives.
Travel
Documents - A valid passport is obligatory if travelling
from outside Botswana with a re-entry visa for South Africa for some nationalities.
The
Following Countries REQUIRE a Visa To Enter Botswana:
This list is a guideline only. Visas are ultimately your responsibility, and Mashatu Game Reserve cannot be held accountable for failure to obtain the necessary travel documentation.
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Aramenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosina & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Burkina faso
Burindi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Capte Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
DRS - Democratic Republic of Congo
Cote Divoire
Croatia
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Gabon
Georgia
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jordan
|
Kazakhstan
Korea DPR
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos PDR
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Lithuania
Macedonia
Mali
Madagascar
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar ( Burma)
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Philippines
Poland
Qatar
Romania
Rwanda
Sai Tome and Pricipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Slovakia
Somalia
Srilanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Yzbe Kistan
Vietnam
Yemen
|
This list is a guideline only. Visas are ultimately your responsibility, and Mashatu Game Reserve cannot be held accountable for failure to obtain the necessary travel documentation.
