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Home>Botswana>What to see | 
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| Botswana: What to see | |||
| Tuli Block | |||
>see photographs Overview The Tuli Block is situated along Botswana's south-eastern border with South Africa. It's an area approximately 350 km long and ranges from 10 to 20 km wide. In 1885, Chief Khama III ceded the land to the British as a means of stopping Boer expansion and as a corridor for the planned Cape to Cairo railway. After a survey found the terrain to be unsuitable, the railway was built further west and subsequently the land in the Tuli Block was partially subdivided and sold for agricultural development. Due to the same reasons that the land was unsuitable for the railway, farming in the area was not a success and by the 1960's it was obvious that game farming and tourism would be more viable. The resultant consolidation of farms into larger conservation areas has become known collectively as the North-East Tuli Game Reserve. This area covers all of the Tuli Block north of the Motloutse River and incorporates several privately owned reserves including the Mashatu and Tuli Game Reserve. Wildlife Wildlife in the North East Tuli Game Reserve is diverse and abundant. There are few fences in the Tuli area so allowing wildlife to move unrestricted along the Limpopo River. It is home to the largest elephant population on private land. Predators include black-maned lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wildcat and serval. Plains game are common and on the river, hippo and crocodile are often seen. Some experts regard the Tuli Block as one of the finest birding spots in Southern Africa, with over 350 recorded species. There are breeding colonies of black eagles, lappet faced and Cape vultures. Amongst more exotic birds are the pygmy kingfisher and long tailed starling. Environment and vegetation The habitat of the Tuli Block is very diverse, ranging from sub-tropical river valleys and Kalahari sandveld to open grass plains and mopane woodland. The most unusual feature of the Tuli area is Solomon's Wall. This is the remains of what was once an ancient dyke, which formed a natural dam across the Motloutse River. These 30m high dolerite outcrops on either side of the river, resemble massive stone walls, almost like the entrance to an ancient citadel. River water is sometimes trapped in deep, clear pools on the riverbed beneath a canopy of fever trees edging the natural sandy beaches, so creating an idyllic picnic spot. When to go Game viewing is best from April to December. Activities Game drives, night drives, spotlit waterholes and hides, game walks and archaeological tours. Accommodation There are lodges and chalets on various reserves within the Tuli Block including Mashatu Game Reserve and Tuli Safari Lodge. Guests should have prior bookings as passing trade is not encouraged. Camping is not permitted in the area and nor are travellers allowed to venture off the public roads without permission. This is to conserve the fragile ecosystem and ensures the exclusivity pre-booked guests are paying for. How to get there By road From Gaborone it is easiest to get to the Tuli Block via South Africa, however if the Limpopo River is too deep to be forded you will have to leave your vehicle in South Africa and be collected by road transfers from Tuli Safari Lodge or Mashatu. From the Gaborone Francistown main road there is a choice of seven access routes into Tuli, the most direct being 20 km north of Palapye. By air There are weekly private charter flights between Gaborone and Tuli Safari Lodge's Pont Drift airstrip. |
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