Mashatu in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve is currently developing a brand-new luxury overnight photographic experience, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide, due to launch in October. 

Created in partnership with concessionaire C4 Photo Safaris, co-founded by professional photographer Shem Compion, the new hide has been subtly sunk into the ground to blend in with the surrounding scenery and will offer photography enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike the opportunity to view wildlife in absolute privacy from dusk till dawn.  

The waterhole, previously known and loved by many as Pete's Pond, has always been a hive of wildlife activity as Mashatu's many herds of elephants and other animals and birds come down to drink and wallow in the waterhole - which will make for some the most thrilling wildlife encounters imaginable, given that they are at eye level, sometimes as close as a couple of meters away from the window. Innovative, non-intrusive lighting is also being introduced around the waterhole to ensure the best possible conditions for both daytime and nocturnal photography, with sensors to alert you to activity during the night and full control panel, allowing adjustment of the side, front and back lighting, as well as colour temperature and angle.

Equipment wise, photographers should bring everything … from wide angle to ultra-zoom lenses: 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm and up to a 500/600 lens. They can expect to be photographing elephants up close with a wide angle. A 400mm will be rewarded with tight images of an elephant trunk spraying water or perhaps a portrait of a leopard. For night and low light photography, the faster the lenses (low f-stop value), the better.

Lala (meaning sleep) Limpopo will be available to book for exclusive use and will sleep up to four photographers or guests at a time.  There is also a small kitchen and lounge/dining area, full bathroom with shower facilities and a separate bedroom for the tour leader, Mashatu ranger or C4 guide who is always available for safety, advice and tips.  There will also be facilities for editing photography between filming and shooting.  There is also a small outdoor courtyard to the rear entrance should guests wish to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors without disturbing the wildlife. 

C4 PhotoMashatu's other underground hide, Matebole, is renowned in photography circles globally, with Greg du Toit's "Essence of Elephants" portrait winning him Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2013, as  just one example of the numerous  award-winning shots taken there.  Lala Limpopo now raises that benchmark even higher, with this new, “one-of-a kind” sleepout safari suite. 

There will be an opening special of 50% running for the months of October and November 2024 for those eagerly awaiting, lenses at the ready. Lala Limpopo, as with the other hides in Mashatu, will then close from December 2024 until the end of February over the rainy season and will reopen from 1 March 2025. The rate for this additional activity will be $450 per person sharing per night or  $650 to book one room. To book the whole hide for exclusive use will cost $1,600.

Lala Limpopo is booked as an additional activity for guests staying at one of Mashatu's camps including Euphorbia Mashatu, Kolokolo Safari Home, Mashatu Lodge, Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu, Mashatu Tent Camp and Shalimpo Safari Home.

For more details email claire@umlingo.co.uk or visit mashatu.com

** Please let me know if you need a high res version of the elephant at the hide waterhole