It’s almost certainly one of the most popular bucket list aspirations – taking part in a safari.
The opportunities to get up close and personal with African wildlife, for many years the exclusive domain of our TV sets (does anyone remember the pioneering deliveries from
Armand and Michaela Denis?), are now many and varied.
And Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana, recognised as the “Best Game Reserve in Southern Africa” at the 2025 World Luxury Travel Awards, is on the A-list.
The accolade celebrates excellence in luxury travel and hospitality, celebrating Mashatu as a destinationand a commitment to responsible tourism and authentic guest experiences.
As majority shareholders of Mashatu Game Reserve, the Lansdown family champions conservation and community projects that make a tangible difference — from employment and education initiatives to health and wildlife protection programmes that sustain the region.
“Mashatu’s success lies in protecting what makes this land extraordinary — vast open space, thriving wildlife corridors, and a community that grows alongside it.
“Sustainable tourism allows us to do that — to preserve, to share, and to keep this pristine wilderness alive for generations,” said Steve Lansdown CBE, who, alongside his wife Maggie, has been dedicated to conservation work in Botswana for more than a decade.
Set within the country’s Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Mashatu offers guests an unforgettable journey through one of Africa’s last great wildernesses.
Four luxury lodges and two exclusive-use safari homes beautifully immerse travellers in nature – complemented by experiences such as cycling safaris, guided bush walks, horseback safaris and photographic hides that bring you closer to the wild, respectfully and authentically.
This award comes at the same time as sister beach property, Pambele in Mozambique has been named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the “Best Places to Go in 2026.”
For more information please visit www.mashatu.com and lodge videos can be viewed on YouTube
