FROST Photo Tours - Mashatu Photo Safari
FROST Mashatu Hide & Seek Wildlife Photo safari 2026

18-24 June 2026 (7 Days/6 Nights)

Limited to only 4 guests

Botswana, Southern Africa

Wildlife

FROST photo tour leader Kirsten Frost

FROST Photo Tours is proud to present a carefully crafted expedition to Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve with Photo Tour Leader and Mashatu expert Kirsten Frost.

“Having previously been based at Mashatu as a photographic guide, on this safari I team up with the very best local guides to get access to perfect locations ensuring guests are truly at the right place at the right time. Together we know the ins and outs of the reserve, the secret spots, the latest animal movements and best timing and strategies for hide photography.”

Embark on the ultimate wildlife photography adventure at Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana with our FROST Mashatu Hide & Seek Wildlife Photo Safari. This exclusive safari offers an unparalleled experience for photographers, bringing you up close to Africa’s most iconic animals in ways you’ve never imagined.

Picture yourself at the Matebole Underground Hide, strategically sunken into the ground at a bustling waterhole. From this unique, ground-level perspective, you’ll capture extraordinary images of elephants, kudu, zebra, and a wide variety of birds, all just meters away. With no glass between you and the wildlife, you’ll feel truly immersed in the natural environment, experiencing the sights, sounds, and even the scent of the African wilderness. Imagine photographing a massive elephant as it drinks at eye level—an intimate moment that will elevate your portfolio to new heights.

The Lala Limpopo Overnight Hide offers a thrilling opportunity to capture incredible nighttime wildlife action. This one-of-a-kind, underground hide is positioned at an active waterhole, allowing you to photograph and observe Africa’s nocturnal creatures under the stars. Equipped with specialized lighting for perfect night photography, you’ll spend the evening in comfort while being surrounded by the raw energy of the bush. From leopards and hyenas to elusive nocturnal species, this experience offers once-in-a-lifetime photographic moments. Wake up to the mesmerizing sight of elephants or other wildlife visiting the waterhole at dawn, just a few meters from your lens.

In addition to the hides, Mashatu Game Reserve is renowned for its superb predator sightings. With frequent opportunities to photograph lion, leopard, and cheetah, the reserve’s diverse landscapes—from open plains to riverine forests—provide the ideal backdrop for capturing these majestic animals in action. Imagine the thrill of tracking a leopard through the bush and positioning yourself for the perfect shot as it emerges into the light. The small group size ensures you’ll always have the best view, and with expert guidance from award-winning photographer Kirsten Frost, you’ll receive one-on-one tuition to refine your skills and take your photography to the next level.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Day of Arrival

    Your adventure begins with a short flight from Johannesburg to Polokwane, where you will be transferred to the Mashatu Game Reserve. After a scenic two-hour drive, you’ll arrive at Mashatu Main Lodge where your Mashatu photo safari begins. Settle into the tranquil surroundings of Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve, where you’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive, offering a first glimpse of the wildlife-rich landscape. Expect to encounter elephants, giraffes, and perhaps a lion or two as you explore this magnificent reserve. As the sun sets, you’ll return to the lodge for a relaxing evening, preparing for the days of photographic wonders ahead.

  • Days 2-6: Mashatu Game Reserve

    During days 2 to 6 of your Mashatu photo safari, you'll immerse yourself in the rich wildlife of Mashatu Game Reserve.

    This is a land where huge herds of Elephants roam free, where the roar of a Lion punctuates the night, and where ancient and mighty Baobab trees tower like swollen sentinels over the wild savanna. Your Mashatu photo safari experience is sure to be unique to anything you have previously experienced in Africa. Mashatu offers amazing hide photography with alluring waterholes attracting mighty beasts to quench their thirst, offering close-ups difficult to imagine, but a joy to photograph! Hides are sunken into the ground, allowing you to photograph from ground level. Your time in the hides will be as much a sensory experience as it is a photographic one. No glass separating you from the wild allows you to see, smell, feel and hear the wonders of nature from a worms-eye perspective. Game drives offer superb predator photography (Lion, Leopard and Cheetah). Mashatu provides access to varied habitats and diverse wildlife viewing opportunities within this biodiverse region and guarantees a superb photo safari experience!

    For the first three nights, you’ll settle in at the Mashatu Main Lodge, where luxury meets nature, providing comfort after thrilling game drives and photographic sessions. On the fourth night, you'll switch to the more intimate Mashatu Tented Camp, perfect for soaking in the wild sounds of the night. Your fifth night takes you to the unique Lala Limpopo overnight hide, offering an unparalleled overnight hide experience, where nocturnal wildlife photography becomes your focus. Finally, you'll return to Mashatu Tented Camp for a memorable last night, completing your unforgettable journey with nature at its finest​.

  • Day 7: Day of Departure

    Your final morning at Mashatu begins with an early game drive, one last chance to photograph the incredible wildlife that calls this region home. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Polokwane for your flight to Johannesburg, bidding farewell to the unforgettable Mashatu experience.

FROST Botswana Tour Map
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Tour Cost

From US$12,995 per person based on a small group size limited to 4 participants. hosted by FROST photo tour leader Kirsten Frost.

  • List of Inclusions

    We pride ourselves on offering top-tier travel experiences with extensive lists of inclusions for all our tours to mitigate surprise costs so you can focus on the experience while we handle the rest. This tour includes:

    • ♦  6-nights’ accommodation at Mashatu;
    • ♦  Return road transfer Polokwane to Mashatu;
    • ♦  Private safari vehicle;
    • ♦  All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7;
    • ♦  All drinks at Mashatu;
    • ♦  3 x sessions at the famous Matebole Hide;
    • ♦  1-night at the new Lala Limpopo Overnight hide;
    • ♦  Mashatu daily conservation levy;
    • ♦  Experienced local guide/tracker; and
    • ♦  Hands-on Photographic tutoring by Photo Tour Leader Kirsten Frost.
  • List of Exclusions
    • ♦  Any international flights;
    • ♦  Domestic flights Johannesberg - Polokwane return (+-US$350);
    • ♦  Laundry & any items of a personal nature;
    • ♦  Visa fees;
    • ♦  Travel and medical insurance;
    • ♦  All statutory increases beyond our control;
    • ♦  Any unforeseen tax increases; and
    • ♦  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
  • BOOK NOW!

    To confirm your reservation, we require a signed booking form and a 40% deposit of the tour fee.

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Why Travel with FROST?

  • Trusted ground teams in remote destinations

  • Responsible Travel Code of Ethics

  • Exclusive Small-groups Only

  • SATIB Insured & Global Rescue Partner

  • Extensive Tour Inclusions

  • Dedicated Private Photographic Guides

  • Ethnographic & Wildlife Photography Specialists

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