Santhatha Game Lodge
- In The Northern Tuli Game Reserve Of Botswana -

WildNet Africa No. WNET0601

LOCATION
The property is known as Santhatha and is located in the South-East Tuli Block with the Limpopo River forming the southern boundary of the farm. It is approximately 2 226 hectares in extent and is one of about sixteen game farms which together total approximately 77 000ha to form the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The boundaries of Tuli are the Shashe River in the east, the Tuli Circle in the north (a proclaimed Zimbabwe reserve), a veterinary fence in the east and the Limpopo River in the south. It is similar in size to the Sabi-Sands. The two best known game lodges are Mashatu which is owned by Rattray Reserves and Tuli Lodge.

HISTORY
The confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers was home to the earliest social inhabitants of Africa. The "Leopard Man" civilization which colonised South Zimbabwe had a major settlement in this area. Due to the availability of mopani in the area, Iron Age smelting occurred in the Pitsane River some 12km away. More recently, in the 1890Æs, the Sederburg Trail to Bulawayo passed through the area. There was much Boer War activity in the area. A skirmish at BryceÆs store is well recorded.

VEGETATION
The vegetation is a mixture of riverine forest, riverine bush, semi-arid bush, grasslands and mopani veld. All four of these ecotones exist on Santhatha and the adjacent farm Shalimpo over which we currently have traversing rights. The riverine where the camp is situated is normally green and lush, whilst the middle section of the farm is characterised by semi-arid bush. Further north, mopani veld takes over and then changes into grassland. The wild flowers that come out after the summer rains are quite spectacular. Some of the largest nyala, fever, sycamore fig, leadwood and acasia albida trees in southern Africa are to be found on Santhatha and Shalimpo.

The area has an average rainfall of between 12 and 14". The mid-summer temperatures are in the late 30Æs and the winters are mild and not freezing.

WILDLIFE
Santhatha is home to the following game species: crocodile, porcupine, klipspringer, Sharpe's grysbok, hyena, leopard, hippo, black-backed jackal, baboon, vervet monkey, waterbuck, elephant (in abundance), cheetah, eland, lion, kudu, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, zebra, bushbuck, warthog, duiker, steenbuck, bat-eared fox, bushpig, genet, civet, aardwolf, pangolin, mongoose and suricate (meerkat).

Tuli is home to the largest herd of elephant outside a proclaimed national reserve in the world. Santhatha offers some of the best elephant viewing in southern Africa as there is permanent water at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers during the winter months. During summer the elephant tend to move to the central area of the Tuli Block after the first rains and when the mopani trees are budding. Herds of up to 200 at a time are not uncommon.

The AdamsonÆs lions from Kenya were relocated to the Tuli area after the death of George Adamson. With the riverine frontage birding is great fun and can be very rewarding. On Santhatha, all common types with rarities such as Pel's fishing owl and barred cuckoo in the riverine. Raptors are well represented. Over 350 species of bird occur in the area.

SANTHATHA CAMP
The Santhatha camp is located on the Limpopo River and is a beautiful and well-shaded camp. It includes the following:

• Four thatched cottages, three with en-suite bathrooms, one with a basin.
• A large thatched stoep and two additional bedrooms and two separate WCÆs and a bathroom.
• Kitchen and store room.
• A pool (not filtered).
• There is a good solar system for hot water, fluorescent lighting and overhead cooling fan system in each room.
• Boma.
• The camp is fully equipped with deep-freezers, fridges and gas stoves.
• Electric fence around the camp to keep out elephants.

TRAVERSING
Approximately 2500 morgen on Santhatha. Additional traversing on Shalimpo next door which is a wonderful farm in the Tuli Block with its boundary on the Shashe and Limpopo rivers and its unique riverine forests. The Limpopo and Shashe rivers in flood are quite spectacular. Shalimpo also has two islands at the confluence of the rivers.

AIRFIELD
Santhatha has a well-maintained grass airstrip. It is 2 640 feet long with an overrun of 150 feet. The elevation is 1 605 feet (22 10Æ40öS - 29 16Æ37öE). You clear customs and immigration at Tuli Lodge which is 1 850 feet (22 11ÆS - 29 7ÆE).

COMMUNICATIONS
The Land Rover and camp are equipped with intercom radios which are also interconnected with the other camps in the Tuli Block.

ROUTE
The route runs through Johannesburg, Pietersburg, Dendron, Vivo, Alldays and Pontdrift which is the entry station into Botswana. You clear customs at Pontdrift. The trip from Johannesburg lasts approximately 4 to 4½ hours. At Pontdrift you are met by the game viewing vehicle and the camp is an approximate 45 minute game drive from the border.

SALE PRICE:
R6,600,000 (Price excludes land transfer tax if applicable)
R8,600,000 including land transfer tax - if foreign national.Currency table.
Part share in the above also available.