Ivory & Archaeological Trails

Guests staying at Mashatu Main Camp are able to reserve the "Ivory Experience" with scientists specialising in elephant and various other research fields. As this is a concession to the scientists (enabling them to finance their research), prior notice should be given in order to ensure that they are available at the time of the guests' visit.

For those guests staying longer than two nights, an option is to spend a night in the "Kgotla" at the Motloutse Ruins.  A longer stay will certainly permit more time on the banks of the Motloutse River in close proximity to archaeological sites, a visit to which forms an intergral part of the "Ivory Experience". 

• Ivory Experience US$ 55.00 surcharge per person per day (full day).
• US $ 35.00 per person per day (half day).
• Maximum 8 people.
• Proceeds go towards supporting the elephant research project.
• Guests depart on the Ivory drive after a cold breakfast at the camp, and includes a bush brunch later in the morning.
• A minimum of two guests are required to participate in this experience.
• Should a night in the open air Kgotla be required, a minimum of 4 guests are required to participate.

The Elephant component of the Ivory Experience offers guests the following opportunities:-

To distinguish between elephant bulls and cows; to determine the various age classes; to learn to identify individuals; to observe the various interactions that occur within a herd, and which of their actions are directed toward us and what they mean; to examine the social structure of elephants and their means of communication; to identify the differences between the African and Indian elephants; to view the ways in which elephants interact with their environment and with other animals; to talk about the myths and legends surrounding elephants, and the ways in which elephants and man have interacted for centuries in Africa as well as in India.
These are but a few of the issues focused on.

As part of the ivory experience you will spend time examining the various archaeological sites which abound on Mashatu:-

The Tuli Block, of which Mashatu forms an integral part, has a rich and varied story to tell. There are numerous Stone Age sites scattered throughout the area with material dating back at least 100 000 years. The Iron Age is also very well represented with some spectacular stonewalled cliff top sites predating Great Zimbabwe, as well as many smaller ones. Historically the area has seen famous characters such as Cecil John Rhodes and F.C. Selous, whom Sir Henry Rider used as the basis for his character Allan Quatermain. The region was also home to some of the opening conflicts between British and Boer forces during the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902.

The main focus of the archaeological research is the Iron Age period. The earliest culture represented, the Zhizo, appeared in the area about 1200 years ago. There followed a series of different groups including the Leopard's Kopje and Mapungubwe peoples. To better understand the lifestyles, beliefs, culture and interactions of these various groups with each other and traders from the Middle East, a site survey and a series of excavations is being conducted. Whilst much of the work concentrated on the site of Mmamagwa, an extensive multiple occupation site near the Motloutse River, archaeological sites are widespread on Mashatu and walks through the region will yield a host of new discoveries.

Itineraries depend on the number of nights spent at Mashatu. Please contact our Central Sales and Reservations department for further information on this exciting new endeavour.