Tuli Block: Botswana’s Hidden Safari Secret

Tucked away in Botswana’s remote eastern corner lies a region unlike anywhere else in the country—the Tuli Block. Often overshadowed by Botswana’s more famous safari destinations like the Okavango Delta or Chobe, the Tuli Block is a land of dramatic contrasts and quiet surprises. Here, time seems to slow down, and the rhythms of nature take center stage.

This is Botswana’s best-kept secret—a place where ancient geology, rich wildlife, and cultural history converge in a landscape that feels both wild and sacred.

The Tuli Block in Botswana

Where Three Countries Meet

The Tuli Block is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between Zimbabwe to the north and South Africa to the south, stretching along the Limpopo River. Its strategic location near the tri-border makes it geographically unique—but what makes it truly extraordinary is the landscape.

Unlike the flat, sandy terrain that defines much of Botswana, the Tuli Block is rugged and rocky. It’s a land of giant granite outcrops, red sandstone cliffs, and baobab-dotted hills. The terrain feels almost prehistoric, like a scene from an ancient storybook.

The centerpiece of the region is the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, a collection of privately managed reserves covering over 70,000 hectares of pristine bushland. It’s one of the largest privately conserved areas in southern Africa—and also one of the least crowded.

The Northern Tuli Game Reserve

A Land of Giants

The wildlife of the Tuli Block is every bit as impressive as its scenery. Known as the “Land of Giants”, the region is famed for its large herds of elephants, some of the biggest in southern Africa. These majestic animals move silently across the landscape, often appearing suddenly in the mopane woodland or along the riverbanks.

But elephants are only the beginning. The Tuli Block is home to lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, and even African wild dogs. Herds of kudu, eland, zebra, wildebeest, and impala roam the plains, while vervet monkeys and baboons chatter in the trees.

Birdlife is spectacular too, with over 350 recorded species. Raptors are particularly abundant thanks to the cliffs and open landscapes—look out for martial eagles, lanner falcons, and Verreaux’s eagle owls.

African Wild Dogs in The Tuli

The Limpopo River Lifeline

Flowing through the heart of the Tuli Block is the legendary Limpopo River, immortalized in literature and folklore. The river is a vital lifeline in the dry season, attracting wildlife in large numbers. Its shady banks are home to hippos, crocodiles, and an array of waterbirds.

Game drives along the riverbanks often yield dramatic sightings, while walking safaris offer a more intimate look at the ecology of the area—tracks, droppings, birdsong, and medicinal plants that would be missed from a vehicle.

Adventure in the Wild

Unlike some of Botswana’s more controlled parks, the Tuli Block offers a more adventurous safari. The terrain is rougher, the wildlife wilder, and the experience more hands-on.

It’s one of the few regions in Botswana where activities like walking safaris, horseback safaris, and mountain biking are regularly offered. These immersive activities bring you closer to the land and its inhabitants in ways that feel personal and unfiltered.

Night drives are another highlight, giving you a chance to spot nocturnal creatures like aardvark, civet, genet, and porcupine—animals that are seldom seen elsewhere.

Exciting Night Drives in The Tuli

A Place of Stories

The Tuli Block is steeped in history. This land has long been a crossroads for ancient peoples, colonial settlers, and wildlife migrations. Rock art sites, Stone Age tools, and old trading routes still mark the landscape.

Local legends and oral histories add layers of meaning to the baobab trees and caves scattered throughout the area. To visit the Tuli Block is not just to see animals—it’s to step into a living storybook written in rock, soil, and silence

When to Visit

The Tuli Block is a year-round destination, but the dry season (May to October) is best for game viewing, as animals gather around the river and waterholes. The wet season (November to April) transforms the land into a green paradise, with baby animals, dramatic thunderstorms, and exceptional birdwatching.

Each season has its own beauty—and with such low visitor numbers, you’re guaranteed an uncrowded, peaceful experience whenever you go.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a safari that breaks from the ordinary—one with soul, solitude, and scenery that stirs something deep within—the Tuli Block is calling.

Here, in Botswana’s eastern frontier, nature still whispers in the wind, animals still roam free across ancient paths, and travelers are reminded what it means to truly be in the wild.