Mountain biking through elephant territory while lions watch from nearby rocks isn't your typical safari experience. But in Botswana's remote Tuli Block, it's becoming the new standard for adventure-seeking travelers looking beyond traditional game drives.
This 2,300-square-mile wilderness that straddles Botswana's borders with South Africa and Zimbabwe is working to establish itself as southern Africa's most exciting active adventure destination. And the best thing is that it's still flying completely under the radar for most international visitors.
Ancient highways, modern adventures
What makes the Tuli Block's cycling safaris unique is the trail system itself. Riders follow routes carved by elephants over thousands of years, natural highways created by countless generations of Africa's largest land mammals. These ancient paths are perfectly graded, leading directly to water sources and optimal wildlife-viewing areas.
Operators like Mashatu Game Reserve have developed guided cycling programs along these elephant highways, with distances and technical difficulty tailored to fitness levels. The terrain varies from gentle savannah rides suitable for beginners to challenging rocky sections that test experienced mountain bikers.
The annual Tour de Tuli, a 300-kilometer, multiday mountain bike event crossing three countries, has put the region on the map among serious adventure cyclists. But guided rides are available year-round for individuals and small groups, with professional guides providing both safety oversight and wildlife expertise.
The silence of bicycle travel creates the ideal wildlife experience that motorized vehicles can never achieve. Cyclists report pedaling alongside curious giraffes, sharing trails with zebra herds and experiencing close wildlife observations while animals often ignore them completely.
Beyond biking
Tuli's adventure offering doesn't stop at cycling. Walking safaris are a major draw, giving travelers a chance to track animals on foot, learn about the bush up close, and take in the smaller details missed from a vehicle. Multiday walks with fly-camping are available for those who want deeper immersion.
Horseback safaris are another highlight, with experienced guides leading riders across open plains and through mopane woodland, often getting close to wildlife in a way that feels almost surreal. The landscape itself is an attraction: enormous baobab trees dot the horizon, some over a thousand years old, providing an unmistakable backdrop to every ride or walk and inspiring Tuli's "Land of the Giants" moniker.
Walking safaris are a major draw in the Tuli Bock reserve, giving travelers a chance to track animals on foot, learn about the bush up close and take in the smaller details missed from a vehicle. Photo Credit: Mashatu Game Reserve
For photographers or wildlife fans, Tuli's award-winning underground photographic hide (especially the Matebole Hide) offer a chance to watch and capture animals at waterholes from ground level, just meters away. For something truly out of the ordinary, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide lets travelers spend the night in a secure underground suite right next to the action.
There's also the Night Under the Stars experience, organized by Mashatu: a wilderness sleepout in custom tents, complete with fireside stories and some of the darkest, clearest night skies in Africa. Cultural visits to local communities and ancient San rock art sites round out the experience, adding history and context to the wild setting.
Land of the Giants
Tuli's nickname comes to life everywhere you look. The baobabs here are some of the oldest and largest on the continent, and the region is home to the biggest herds of elephants found on private land anywhere in Africa. Wide plains stretch toward dramatic sandstone ridges like Solomon's Wall, and more than 350 bird species make this a favorite for keen birders.
Mashatu Game Reserve is the best-known name in the area, operating six properties that range from the flagship Mashatu Lodge to more intimate options like Euphorbia Mashatu and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu. The reserve's guiding team boasts an average of 14 years' experience, with over 230 staff, 98% from Botswana, ensuring local knowledge stays at the heart of every guest experience.
The luxury market got a boost in May with the opening of Shaturia Manor, a five-star property featuring private lakes and flexible arrangements for families or exclusive-use groups. At the other end of the spectrum, operators like Tuli Wilderness focus on authentic bush experiences, including the Eagle View Star Deck for dedicated stargazing enthusiasts.
For travel professionals, the Tuli Block offers fresh angles for clients seeking alternatives to traditional safari experiences. The combination of cycling adventures, underground wildlife observation and authentic bush experiences appeals to travelers prioritizing active, sustainable experiences over crowded game reserves.