May
14
Important News Update from Mashatu
SA Airlink Schedule change
Airlink which provides the daily scheduled return air service between Johannesburg and Polokwane has announced that, with effect from the 2nd of June 2014, all flights will depart from Johannesburg earlier and return to OR Tambo International Airport earlier. The new flight times are:
Until 01 June 2014:
SA8809 Depart Johannesburg 11h40 Arrive Polokwane 12h30
SA8810 Depart Polokwane 15h30 Arrive Johannesburg 16h25
After 02 June 2014
SA8809 Depart Johannesburg 10h50 Arrive Polokwane 11h40
SA8810 Depart Polokwane 12h00 Arrive Johannesburg 12h55
SA8817 Depart Johannesburg 15h15 Arrive Polokwane 16h05
SA8810 Depart Polokwane 16h25 Arrive Johannesburg 17h20
Please do not book clients into Polokwane on SA8817 as they will not arrive at Pont Drift Border Post before 4pm when the border post closes.
These changes to the flight schedules could well be an added convenience to our mutual clients who depart on late night international flights out of Johannesburg as it will mean less time in OR Tambo International Airport if the 16h25 flight from Polokwane is taken.
Upgrade of Mashatu Tented Camp
Heavy rain in Zimbabwe on the 27th of December 2013 resulted in rivers bursting their banks in Mashatu and some of the tents at Mashatu Tented Camp were flooded. This initiated the early start of our Tent Camp refurbishment and the fortuitous opportunity for a more extensive upgrade. The camp was opened again on the 18th of April 2014 and reports from departing guests have been excellent. Tented Camp still offers the same incredible value as the rates have not increased since the renovations.
In addition to our refurbishment, Tent 1 at Mashatu Tented Camp has been designed so that a guest using a wheelchair may also enjoy the Mashatu experience. Ramps to the tent, a larger more spacious bathroom area and a tent close to the main facilities enable wheelchair-bound guests the opportunity to enjoy the “closer to nature” experience that Tent Camp offers.
The New Infinity Hides at Mashatu
The exciting addition of an infinity hide, to the highly successful photographic hides at Mashatu, took place on the 1st of April 2014. This new and exciting development for our guests who are keen photographers, complements the elephant and mobile hides at Mashatu. Hidden in a grove of riverine trees on the banks of the Matabole River, equidistant from Mashatu Main and Tent Camps, this hide will allow photographers to film birds from very close range in an area of Mashatu populated by some of our most beautiful bird species.
The Mashatu elephant hide has been featured in a number of media articles and continues to receive praise from both professional and amateur photographers. Greg du Toit, award winning photographer, has won the 2013 BBC and London’s Natural History Museum award for an image taken at Mashatu’s elephant hide.
It is vital that guests who wish to experience the Mashatu hides should pre-book them as they are very popular and can be fully booked in advance.
Adventure Safaris
The walking safaris under the able leadership of a highly qualified guide, Stuart Quinn, continue to grow in popularity.
Cycle Mashatu’s occupancies are on the increase and we now have 5 qualified cyclist guides after a really successful 2013. A Mashatu cycling safari is an exhilarating experience for anyone who can ride a bike, whether they are a novice or an experienced mountain biker. The elephants of Mashatu have created the most wonderful single track as the herds move between their feeding grounds and water each day. It is not unusual to bump into a herd whilst cycling along their paths but this whilst in the safe care of an experienced and armed guide.
Pre-booking is recommended.
Children’s Programme
The popularity of the Mashatu Children’s program continues to grow and we are seeing more and more children travelling with their parents. Children are given a safari gift pack on arrival and are familiarised with the Discovery Room at Mashatu. In addition to this, we now have a crocodile and snake feeding experience for the children which takes place twice a week. This experience naturally depends on the season and the temperatures being experienced as both these factors impact on the metabolism of these cold blooded creatures; Their metabolic rate speeds up in warmer temperatures and therefore they eat more frequently. Parents are required to accompany children to the feedings.