Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
Euphorbia Mashatu
Safari camp set among euphorbia trees in the Mashatu Reserve
Euphorbia Mashatu sits above the Majale River within the Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana, surrounded by giant succulents, sandstone ridges, baobabs and dry riverbeds. The camp takes its name from the euphorbia trees that dominate this landscape, while its architecture draws directly from another local species: the curved seedpods of the mopane tree. The villas take their shape, giving the camp a silhouette unlike anywhere else in southern Africa. Positioned within Mashatu’s ‘Land of Giants’, the reserve is particularly known for elephant herds and leopard sightings in the open bushland where Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa meet.
There are only eight villas at Euphorbia Mashatu, each built for privacy with uninterrupted views across the Majale ravine. Inside, curved walls and rounded wood details echo the mopane pod, with the earthy colours of the surrounding terrain. Each villa includes a private plunge pool, viewing deck, indoor and outdoor showers and a freestanding bath facing the bush. Large sliding doors allow elephants and other wildlife to remain visible from the bed or bath.
Euphorbia specialises in active Botswana safari experiences, including game drives and beyond. Alongside morning and evening safaris with a maximum of four guests per vehicle, you can opt to explore the reserve on horseback, search for elephants by mountain bike or photograph wildlife from Mashatu’s two photographic hides – including one underground hide designed for sleep-outs to observe nocturnal wildlife. Walking safaris and overnight fly-camping trips let you stargaze deep in the reserve, and the area’s high predator density offers strong chances of spotting lions, leopards and cheetahs. At camp, meals are served on the open terraces overlooking the river, and evenings often centre on the fire pit as elephants tramp through the bush just beyond.
Highlights
Stay in a villa shaped like a mopane seedpod overlooking the Majale River
Photograph elephants and nocturnal wildlife from Mashatu’s bespoke wildlife hides
Explore the reserve on horseback, mountain bike or guided walking safari
Take part in day and night game drives with a maximum of four guests per vehicle
Watch elephants move through the valley from the camp’s firelit terraces
Trip inspiration
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Places to combine Euphorbia Mashatu with
Linyanti
With uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, and a fantastic vantage point from which to watch the areas mega-herds of elephants, Wilderness DumaTau and nearby Wilderness Little DumaTau are perfectly located for making the most of your stay in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
Each spacious tented guest suite has been positioned to offer great views whether you’re relaxing on your deck, or cooling off in your plunge pool. You’ll also find the tents include spot-cooling, meaning you can find respite from the hot afternoons indoors. Spend time investigating the ‘curiosity boxes’ you’ll find mounted on the walls in your room and the drawers filled with fascinating artefacts and information. They’re a great way to learn more about the area’s wildlife and rich history. Look out for unique elephant and wild dog art in the rooms and library made from reclaimed snare wire.
Wilderness Safaris have constructed both camps to give maximum comfort and offer guests a large array of facilities. In addition to the in-tent cooling systems, you’ll discover that the central Osprey Retreat which sits between the two camps boasts a pool, drink and snack counter and a Safari Boutique area, offering you more space to mingle with your fellow guests if you choose to do so. Large decks, plunge pools and awnings are attached to each of Wilderness Duma Tau’s eight tented suites as well as at the four at Wilderness Little DumaTau.
The Wilderness DumaTau team continues to focus on the sustainability of wildlife corridors, as they have done since 1997. They believe that it is more vital than ever to protect large wildlife corridors of wilderness, like those within the vast Linyanti Wildlife Reserve – especially for the African elephant and wild dog that cover extensive ground.
Staying at Wilderness DumaTau offers you easy access to the Linyanti floodplain as well as the Savuti Channel, in fact, it’s the only concession from which you can access both. The region has all the habitat diversity to make it a haven for wildlife, and is well-known for its elephant concentrations as they congregate along the waterways and lagoons during the dry winter months. General wildlife viewing is excellent year round including impala, wildebeest, red lechwe, Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, Cape buffalo, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, and warthog. Predator sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena are good. As well as day and night game drives, you can explore on nature walks or take to the water on motorboats or the river barge (depending on water levels).
