HariS

Hi Ken,

Lovely pictures. Loved them - thanks for your honest report. I haven't had time to read through the thread will do so when I get the time to do so.

I agree with you -it's a spotter who sits on the back row!!! No way is that called "tracking" ........ Tracking is what you do on foot or by vehicle when the tracks are visible. IMHO that's the only way to avoid radio-controlled game drives.............

Regards,
Hari

Kavey

The issue, Sniktawk is the hypocrisy (you have lambasted others for posting under multiple aliases and yet have now shown that you have been doing the same).
It's also rather against your normal behaviour. Looking at the history of your alternate ID, you are using it to post some rather snide comments without damaging the reputation, if you like, of your sniktawk ID. That's kind of strange in itself since you have never shied away from posting what you thought under this ID, even when it's contributed little other than rudeness. It's hard not to wonder why the second ID just for some of it?

LAleslie

What Kavey said. It has nothing to do with the Mashatu, but credibility. More than one ID raises questions, that's all. Mainly, Why?

sniktawk

Hi Hari,

Thanks for your comments. In pasricular those regarding tracker position.

Kavey and La Leslie

Most illuminating!

Kavey

Don't tell me - you've decided that we too are both aliases for Div?

scootr29

I think it is just weird to post on the swme site with 2 different names. Alter ego?

ekscrunchy

Without recapping all of the questions brought up on this old thread, has anyone here been to Mashatu recently and if so, what is your opinion of the game viewing and the overall experience?

christabir

No rhinos, no buffalo, wild dog are gone. But the reserve is gorgeous, wildlife viewing excellent now that the drought is sort of over. Hopefully the elephants are less crabby with better water access.

I wouldn't hesitate to return but I probably wouldn't stay at other northern Tuli camps again as they don't have access to the river on smaller properties. We were there in the midst of the drought and it was very sad. But love the reserve.

Combine with Pafuri or The Outpost and a southern Kruger reserve lodge for three different ecosystems. Visit Mapungubwe Park or the Mopane Bush Lodge too!! It was a perfect trip.

If you haven't visited Botswana, you're in for a treat. The Batswana people are very special.

KathBC

Mashatu Tented Camp is my favourite camp overall. Intimate with less than 10 tents.

Saw tons of leopards up close and sat in the middle of a herd of close to 100 eles as they walked by on either side of our vehicle that was parked behind a low bush. Amazing!

ekscrunchy

You are both great! Too many choices but this one looks promising...think there is a combo with MM, too.

Love the combo of Pafuri or The Outpost (scenery looks magical) with Mashatu and maybe MM.

I've been to the Delta but now just looking to explore further....


But now have big decision on whether to do these camps or three I picked out in Zimbabwe (two Wilderness). Lots of $$ needed for the air transfers to those camps.....

Thank you again......this is making my head spin......xxxx ek

SDsunflower

Tagging along:
Christabir and Kathy? When were you last there?

We also are seriously considering Mashatu and MM for a trip at end of winter in S. Africa next year...

Does Mashatu tented only seat 6 in a jeep? Can't find this on their website?

Christa: did you do the Mashatu express package, which gives you free flight between MM and Mashatu? A really good deal...

Pafuri or The Outpost would be via a drive, and then another long drive to MM.
Do you think these road transfers are a better idea rather than flying directly to MM?

The flight made more sense to us for the "deal" between the 2 lodges...
Am I missing something?

If one were to use the stay 3 Mashatu/stay 4 malamala with free flights between the 2 lodges, is there another place anyone would suggest to extend one's safari to 10-12 nights?
We thought to even road transfer to Londolozi after MM as it's close by and would be an amazing end to the trip.
Any other thoughts appreciated !

christabir

I won't be traveling to Zimbabwe until things change there.

The charter is not free (far from it!!). I'm not sure where you got that info. The pay three get four is only until June, not all year. The Mashatu-Pafuri-Mala Mala trip used to be common but then Pafuri got destroyed in an epic flood in 2011 I think and has recently reopened under new ownership/management. It was called the MaFuri safari.

We went from a Sabi Sand lodge to Pafuri then Mashatu via a private transfers, then a charter to Polokwane, then a commercial flight. I'd do it backward and end in a Kruger lodge if a first safari. Now I'd just drive (and did last year). We did a shortened game drive in our Sabi Sand lodge to leave by 9am, took breakfast on the road, to make the very interesting transfer outside Kruger to Pafuri by the afternoon game drive. I'd miss a game drive at Pafuri (if needed) if I did it again. Or do a self drive and spend a night inside Kruger at Letaba or Olifants on the way.

We loved Mashatu Tented but our travel budget no longer allows those splurges so we chose another lodge in northern Tuli without access to the river. Unfortunately we visited during the drought and had awful sightings but the reserve is still gorgeous, vast. We just got unlucky. The guests before us had a great time. I've never heard anyone complain about Mashatu (except on this insane thread - the original poster is a bit nuts in my opinion). It's a very special place.

We drove from JNB to Marakele National Park. There's a private concession called Marataba (newer, getting excellent reviews) if you prefer but Tlopi Camp in the park is gorgeous. Then we drove north to Mapungubwe NP. Mopane Bush Lodge nearby is a great option if you don't want to self cater in the park. Don't miss the Golden Rhino. It's a very interesting place - they are creating another Transfrontier Park here! Then into Botswana/northern Tuli at the Pont Drift border crossing.

After nT we drove east to Kruger Park through AllDays and Mussina. Passed Pafuri and The Outpost in Kruger on our way to Punda Maria camp. Easy drive from Mashatu as you park at Pont Drift. We drove to our lodge and had to make a different border crossing leaving to Kruger and it took much longer. Still fine. The northern part of Kruger is beautiful with the fever trees and baobabs. Wildlife is more abundant now as the private concessions prevent poaching alongside SanParks. All good. See Lanner Gorge and Crooks Corner!! Only available through the private concessions.

After Pafuri, according to The Outpost site you can get a transfer and fly from Phalaborwa to southern Kruger lodges (maybe a charter? I don't know).

The Mala Mala or Mashatu website has a bunch of combo holiday packages on it. See there for info. Or add Phinda - my favorite area of S Africa.

SDsunflower

Thank you SO much christabir!!!! I'll have to look into it all!

christabir

We have been pretty lucky to go to S Africa on a limited budget. Do we find excellent lodges we can't afford and look for an affordable option. We generally have a great time - and similar wildlife to the higher end lodges. But in my research, I find both the high end and affordable options. Fun to see how to do it in my budget - and we do!!

If you don't mind moving often as have the budget, Mashatu, Mala Mala, Phinda could be great. Mashatu, Pafuri, MM/other was almost perfect for me.

But now I've discovered KwaZulu Natal and I adore it. The beaches, mountains, golf, game reserves, fun in St Lucia just can't be beat!!

I forgot Entabeni above near Marakele. Fun. If you like golf, check out their unbelievable 19th hole. We've been very fortunate with all of our fun experiences in Southern Africa.