Frequently asked questions

Tuli Wilderness is located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in eastern Botswana, approximately 7 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, bordering the Limpopo and Motloutse Rivers.

For more information on the area, click here. 

Tuli Wilderness is a good destination all year-round.

Generally hot from October to March (min 15°C max 40°C), and cooler from April to September (daytime min 10°C max 30°C).

Birding is particularly good between October and March, depending on when the rains arrive. At this time the bush is also particularly lush with wildflowers blooming. The bush thins out from March onwards and is at its driest from July to October.

For more information about the weather and season experienced in Tuli Wilderness, click here. 

Tuli Wilderness is a good destination all year-round, with prolific wildlife sighting all year too.

It is generally hot from October to March (min 15°C max 40°C), and cooler from April to September (daytime min 10°C max 30°C).

Birding is particularly good between October and March, depending on when the rains arrive. At this time the bush is also particularly lush with wildflowers blooming.

The bush thins out from March onwards and is at its driest from July to October, making this considered the best time to see predators as the water sources dry up.

For more information about the weather and seasons experienced in Tuli Wilderness, click here. 

Tuli Wilderness is located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, approximately a 6-hour drive from Johannesburg and 3-hours from Polokwane. Border Transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

It is the perfect way to start or end your trip to Botswana and is a destination in itself!

Platjan and Pont Drift are our two closest borders (approximately 30 km from either of them, to our reception).

Serolo Safari Camp is approximately 550km from both Johannesburg and Gaborone, with drive times of around 6-hours from both capitals. The camp is approximately 4 hour’s drive from the northern gates of the Kruger National Park.

For more details on our recommended borders, routes and times please click here.

Game drives normally take place twice a day: starting just after sunrise until 10h30, and from about 16h00 until sunset.

Below is a sample itinerary for a day at Tuli Wilderness.

05h00: Wake Up

05h30: Coffee / tea and light morning snack

06h00: Start of morning activity

10h30: Return to Camp for Cooked Brunch

11h30 – 15h00: Leisure time – relax, nap, read a book, birdwatch or take a dip in the plunge pool.

15h00: Afternoon Tea

16h00: Afternoon activity

19h00: Return to Camp, freshen up and Dinner

20h00 onwards: Drinks around the fire, listening to the night sounds and end your day in the bush!

Guests will check-in via Serolo Safari Camp, even if they are staying at other camps.

Check-in Time: 13h00 | Check-out Time:10h00

Game drives are interpretive drives in the bush, guided by professional and passionate people, who have a special ability to teach you about nature.

As you are residing in a natural environment, the Game Ranger can never guarantee any specific sighting. However, our area is prolific with life, and there is something interesting and beautiful to see in every direction, big or small.

Below is a tabulated list of major species that occur at Tuli Wilderness. The list is not exhaustive but covers many of our recorded species.

For ease, we have provided a “Chance of Sighting” Rating, which we have classified as follows:

• Abundant: Animals are seen in large numbers on almost every outing. They are widespread and easily spotted.
• Common: Consistently seen, often in moderate groups or regularly spaced individuals. A high likelihood of seeing them on a 1-2 day safari.
• Regular: Spotted regularly but not guaranteed on every drive. They may be shy or restricted to specific habitats. A good chance of seeing them on a 4-5 day safari.
• Occasional: Spotted infrequently. Requires patience, specific searching, or luck.
• Rare Sighting: Very few individuals in the area, or they are extremely elusive / nocturnal.
• Absent: No longer found in the area, or no sightings recorded in recent years.

Birders will be pleasantly rewarded with sightings of more than 350 species occurring in Tuli Wilderness’ habitat, including Meyer’s Parrot, Meve’s Starlings, Southern Black Tit, African Mourning Dove, African Scops-Owl, Verrauex Eagles and African Green Parrot which are resident all year round.

We also have a resident Pel’s Fishing Owl at Pel’s Pools – be sure to visit this incredible spot!

Summer brings visitors like Broadbilled Roller, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Woodland Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee-Eater and Levalliant’s Cuckoo.

Birding is particularly good between October and March, depending on when the rains arrive. At this time the bush is also particularly lush with wildflowers blooming. The bush thins out from March onwards and is at its driest from July to October.

Tap water at Mohave Bush Camp and Serolo Safari Camp is safe to drink and is regularly tested.

Yes, drinks are available for purchase from Tuli Wilderness.

An assortment of beers, ciders, wines, spirits and soft drinks are usually available. Should you have specific preferences, please notify us in advance so we can ensure stocks are available.

Guests on self-catering may bring their own drinks.

We can cater for special dietary requirements for full-board options when given advance notice. Please contact us to discuss this.

Tuli Wilderness is officially in a low-risk malaria area, and cases are extremely rare.

Guests should consult their doctor for any advice and about appropriate malaria prophylaxes.

Guests of Mohave Bush Camp will have their own private Game Viewer and Guide, reserved exclusively for the group of people rentinig the camp at the time.

Guests of Serolo Safari Camp will go on communal Game Drives. Should you wish to have your own private Game Viewer and Game Ranger, this can be arranged at an additional cost.

Tuli Wilderness is located within a fully unfenced, wild safari area, which means animals are free to move naturally through the landscape — this is part of what makes the experience so authentic and special. 

The camp is carefully positioned and managed with wildlife awareness in mind, and staff are highly trained in bush safety and animal behaviour. By following the guidance given, guests can enjoy a safe, relaxed stay while remaining fully immersed in the wilderness.

Upon arrival at Tuli Wilderness, listen carefully to the briefing provided by your ranger or accommodation staff.

Please do not allow children to roam around the camps on their own. Children should also be briefed on the possibility of snakes, spiders and scorpions when climbing trees or playing with rocks.

We encourage guests to wear closed shoes at night and bring a torch.

Guests will be accompanied back to their rooms after sunset, and the Game Ranger remains in and around camp at all times during your stay.

You do not need to outfit yourself in special safari clothing in order to enjoy yourself!

In Summer, it is extremely hot and you will not need more than lightweight windbreakers and trousers. A hat and sunglasses are recomended. 

In Winter, being on the open vehicle can be extremely cold. Take a warm sweater, beanie, gloves and scarf with you. It is best to wear several layers.

Below is a list that may be helpful:

Clothing

Toiletries

Safari Essentials

Tuli Wilderness is a paradise for nature photographers, with wildlife, landscape and birdlife photographic opportunities. 

For non-professional photos and videos, best results are achieved by using a (digital) SLR camera with one or more lenses. High quality cellphones will also capture your experiences, as we aim to take you as close to them as possible.

For more professional level photography of wild animals, a SLR or DSLR camera with a lens that has a minimum range of 200mm is good, preferably a 300mm lens.

For landscape photography, a wide-angle lens (18 mm or less) is recommended. Beautiful portraits can be taken with lenses with a fixed focal length (usually a 50 mm lens provides good results) and large aperture.

Don’t feel like carrying big bags of photo equipment on safari? A 18-200 mm telezoom lens produces beautiful pictures, and pretty much all subjects are within range.

Important during your safari is protecting your valuable equipment – because you will drive in an open vehicle on dirt roads, dust easily gets into the car and may damage your camera. Make sure your camera is always protected by a quality dust-free bag.

Should you wish to book a function or special occasion, kindly contact us for a quotation tailored to suit your requirements.

Serolo Safari and Mohave Bush Camps both offer complimentary WiFi courtesy of Starlink.

MTN (SA) reception is to be found over most of the reserve. Mascom and Orange (Botswana) signal is to be found in scattered pockets around the reserve.

MTN offers 3G for data connections on smart phones.

We are a family-friendly safari destination, but our camps are unfenced and this a wild, wild area!

Therefore, all children are welcome at our camps under strict adult supervision.

Children under the age of 2 years old will be at no charge when sharing with two adults; rates for children aged 2-12 years of age applicable as per rate sheets.

If separate accommodation is required of a child, full adult rates will apply.

Note that children under 12 years of age may not participate in bush walks.

If parents with children under the age of 6 to participate in game drives, please advise us in advance as it may be necessary to arrange a vehicle for the exclusive use of the family (for which there may be an additional charge).

Laundry can be arranged at our camps for an additional charge.

No, unfortunately we do not allow self-drive vehicles at Tuli Wilderness.

No, unfortunately Tuli Wilderness does not have a campsite. 

Tuli WiIderness, Redshield Estates, Tuli Wilderness Safaris, their holding companies or any other associated company, person(s) or trust, shall not be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage to, any guest(s), or their property, caused through whatever nature, or by any acts, or any person(s).

The person signing the guest registration form will be held liable for payment of all outstanding invoices should any problem with payment occur.

Please note that all guests are required to complete and sign our indemnity form, prior to or on arrival at Tuli Wilderness.