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Tuli Botswana , Mohave and Serolo camps
Mohave camp (stayed September 2022) and Serolo camp (March 2023)
Located
In the Tuli block – approximately 60km from Platjan Border Post where you enter
You then self-drive to Serolo camp approx. (35km from the Border) – from there your party and your luggage are loaded onto a game vehicle and you are transported to Mohave camp if you are staying there. If staying at Serolo you park at the camp.
Thereafter you go out on game drives twice daily and at the end of your stay are transported back to Serolo (if staying at Mohave) where you pick up your vehicle and exit Botswana
Access
Various ways to access – however the easiest border post is Platjan which is close to Alldays. Always check with Tuli regarding the border posts – as PontDrif is also a possibility but not if the river is in flood
You will need:
Passports
Proof of vehicle ownership or a letter form the bank if still financed
A ZA sticker on your vehicle
Proof of accommodation
Proof of vaccination – or a negative COVID test if unvaccinated (this was in place in September 2022) but you will need to check for latest. (Note this was no longer a requirement in March 2023 – but you need to check as it could change)
Masks were required at the Border (NB) (also not required in March 2023- but could change)
A fee per vehicle is payable at the Border. Preferably cards (260 BWP approx. per vehicle) Sometimes card machine does not work so best to take some Pula as there bureau exchange does not always work either.
Note: if you do self-catering there are restrictions on what you can take into Botswana in terms of Meat, some vegetables, Dairy and Fruit. Best to check
Accommodation
Both very reasonably priced camps. Ask for any SADC citizens rates
Mohave – 5 tents – unfenced and you book the whole camp. 2 of the tents have en-suite bathrooms and the other 3 tents share 2 ablutions. So this is ideal if it is occupied by a group of friends as we did. There is solar power and each tent has now been upgraded to have one plug point – so the previous constraints of charging camera batteries no longer applies No cell phone signal. Take a torch and be very careful at night when returning to your tent as the camp is unfenced. Elephants and cats frequently come into the camp. The living area is lovely as is the boma – these overlook the waterhole and the swimming pool. The elephants frequently drink out of the swimming pool. You have the option of self-catering or going the fully catered route, Self-catering could be a challenge as you are restricted from taking meat across the border. The catered route was fabulous – we ate very well and were treated to a bush dinner under the stars which was very special. Alcohol is available via an honesty bar for which you pay at the end of your stay
Serolo – Also has 5 tents (all en-suite) as well as one self catering family unit. It is very close to the Limpopo River. You can book individual tents so there is no requirement to book the whole camp. Has a lovely living area and boma as well as a swimming pool overlooking a waterhole. Here too the elephant regularly drink from the swimming pool, Alcohol is available via an honesty bar for which you pay at the end.
The dinner under the stars was special and they go to an enormous amount of trouble to make it so
Booking
Directly with
https://.tulitrails.com
Photo opportunities
Since you are driven by the guides – the opportunities are plentiful, lion, cheetah, leopard, bat-eared foxes, elephant, birds, giraffes, kudus and many more. They are permitted to go off road to a degree which enhances the opportunities. There is a breeding pair of Black eagles and you can hike to that spot with the guide. The carmine bee-eaters can also be seen in the Limpopo river bed at certain times of the year.
Highlights
Everything – We were charged by elephant and we also were fortunate to witness a predator feast on the carcass of a young bull elephant that had died of natural causes which was a once in a lifetime experience. Seeing the hierarchy of the predators and the patience they exhibited over 3 days was amazing.