National park · Botswana
Northern Tuli Game Reserve
Enter Northern Tuli for a day hike (e.g., Solomon's Wall) for about BWP 30–50 per person, or stay 2‑3 nights in a lodge (≈US$200‑400 per night) for full wildlife viewing; go in the dry season (June‑Oct) for best game spotting and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Botswana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Botswana government sources before booking; most Western passports are visa-exempt, others use the Botswana e-visa.
- Botswana ↗Light-aircraft transfers limit luggage by weight and require soft bags; confirm the limit with your camp or operator before packing.
- Botswana ↗Self-driving in Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari needs a properly equipped 4x4, booked campsites and experience in sand driving.
- Southeast Botswana ↗Prices in pula (BWP), about 13–14 per US$ — check; cards work in Gaborone malls and hotels, carry cash for villages and fuel stops.
- Southeast Botswana ↗Drive on the left; tar between Gaborone, Kanye and the Tuli Block, but livestock and donkeys on the road at dusk.
At a glance
- Country
- Botswana
- Area
- 720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
- Converted from 72 000 ha (source).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Northern Tuli Game Reserve is a private 720 km² wildlife area in southeast Botswana, offering high elephant densities, year‑round game, sandstone formations like Solomon's Wall and cultural sites such as Mapungubwe Hill and Motlhabaneng village.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²) · national park since 2000
Converted from 72 000 ha (source).
Why go
- Private reserve with high elephant density and year‑round wildlife.
- Varied habitats – savannah, riverine forest, marshland, sandstone outcrops.
- Cultural sites like Mapungubwe Hill and Motlhabaneng village.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, wildlife active.
- FebWarm, good birding.
- MarStart of dry season.
- AprDry, excellent game viewing.
- MayDry, low mosquito risk.
- JunPeak dry, best sightings.
- JulDry, cool nights.
- AugDry, good visibility.
- SepDry, still good game.
- OctEnd of dry, still good.
- NovStart of rains, wildlife still visible.
- DecWarm, occasional showers.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants (large herds)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lions, leopards, wild dogsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ElandsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds – waterfowl, raptorsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kasane
Private transfer or self‑drive 45 km (28 mi) north on tar road to reserve gate.Private transfer or self‑drive 28 mi (45 km) north on tar road to reserve gate.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From Maun
Fly to Kasane (30 min) then road transfer as above.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
From Gaborone
Domestic flight to Kasane or long‑distance drive (≈12 h).
12–14 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, parking. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Solomon's Wall area | 30 m sandstone wall, hiking trail to viewpoint. | Open with day entry; guided walks optional. |
| Mapungubwe Hill | Archaeological site with guided tours. | Guided only; extra fee may apply. |
| Motlhabaneng village | Cultural tours, craft demonstrations. | Guided visits from lodge or day‑hike operators. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centered on the main gate; other points approximated from maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day entry (per person) | BWP 30–50 | person | Approximate; varies by lodge and activity. |
| Lodge stay (per night, double occupancy) | US$200–400 | night | Typical range for mid‑range to upscale lodges. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BWP 30–50
- US$200–400
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Northern Tuli Game Reserve – Notugre before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for off‑road drives and hikes beyond the main trail.
- Camping
- Only in designated lodge areas; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided braais only.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve.
- Drones
- Prohibited without explicit permit.
Where to stay
In the park
Mashatu Game Reserve lodges
Upscale tents and chalets within the reserve.
Near the park
Kasane town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~45 km (28 mi) away.Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~28 mi (45 km) away.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters medium
Road accidents on unpaved tracks low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate reachable by standard vehicle; short walks to visitor centre.
- Longer hikes and off‑road drives not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at lodges that support community projects and anti‑poaching efforts.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; use refillable bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Northern Tuli Game Reserve?
Day entry is roughly BWP 30–50 per person; lodges charge about US$200‑400 per night for accommodation and meals.
What are the best hikes in Northern Tuli Game Reserve?
Solomon's Wall (2–3 h moderate) and the guided walk to Mapungubwe Hill are the most popular; both offer views of sandstone formations and wildlife.
When is the best time to visit Northern Tuli Game Reserve?
The dry season June‑October gives the best game viewing and clear roads; wildlife is visible year‑round, but crowds are lower in the dry months.
Do I need a guide for day hikes?
Guides are required for any trail beyond the main Solomon's Wall route; they provide safety and wildlife spotting.
Are there camping facilities?
Camping is only allowed in designated lodge areas; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Northern Tuli Game Reserve
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