Northern Tuli Game Reserve
Overview
Botswana Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Botswana.
Northern Tuli Game Reserve spans more than 720km²/278mi² of privately owned land in the Tuli Block area and is a fabulous wildlife destination. It incorporates several private concessions, including Mashatu Game Reserve and Tuli Safari Lodge. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with abundant elephants and habituated leopards. Expect to enjoy a number of activities as well.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Northern Tuli offers high-quality wildlife viewing. Elephant-lovers are in for a treat and this is also a great place to see predator behavior. Leopards thrive in this habitat, and the scarce vegetation makes it possible to track them. Lion, cheetah and wild dog are regularly spotted as well. Some antelope to look out for include klipspringer, waterbuck, impala and eland, the largest antelope in Africa.
Scenery
Tuli lies in a semi-arid region with a variety of landscapes, including riverine forest along the riverbanks, sandstone outcrops, massive rock formations and mopane woodland. A well-known landmark is Solomon’s Wall, a 30m-/100ft-high basalt dike.
Activities
As in most Botswana reserves, guided game drives are the main activity here, and these may include night drives. Self-drive safaris are not permitted. Although options can vary between lodges, walking safaris, mountain biking, horseback riding and hot-air ballooning are all possible within the reserve.
Weather & Climate
The Northern Tuli reserve has a semi-arid climate characterized by a mild, dry winter (April to October) and a hot, wet summer (November to March). Warm clothing is a must for early morning game drives in the heart of winter, when it can get very chilly. By contrast, even though December through February is the hottest time of year, the early morning climate is perfect for getting out and about.
Best Time To Visit
The rivers of the area draw thirsty animals in the drier months, from May to September. These animals attract predators which, in turn, attract more visitors to the reserve, although it rarely feels crowded. If you prefer your sky to be bright rather than hazy, and your vegetation as lush as possible, you may want to visit in the wetter months. This is also the best time for birding and when baby animals might be spotted taking their first steps.
