A new luxury hideout specially designed to hide wildlife photographers from their subjects is due to open in Mashatu, in Botswana’s North Tuli Game Reserve, in October.
Described as a “one-of-a-kind” safari suite, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide (Lala means sleep) is a joint project between Mashatu and C4 Photo Safaris. Built on the ground at a watering hole formerly known as Pete’s Pond, the hide allows you to watch the animals come in to drink from above – sometimes just a few feet away.
Lara Limpopo can be booked exclusively and can accommodate up to four photographers or guests at a time, and has a small kitchen and lounge/dining area, a full bathroom with shower and a separate bedroom for your tour leader, Mashatu ranger or C4 guide, who are always available to assist with safety, advice and tips.
It also introduces innovative, unobtrusive lighting around the water feature to ensure optimal conditions for both daytime and night-time photography, with sensors that alert you to nighttime activity and a full control panel that allows you to adjust the side, front and rear lighting, colour temperature and angle.
Suite Add-ons
Lala Limposo has facilities for editing photos between shoots, and there is even a small outdoor courtyard at the back entrance for guests who want to sunbathe and enjoy the outdoors without disturbing the wildlife.
Another of C4 PhotoMashatu’s underground hideaways, Matebore is renowned for the award-winning work that has been shot there, including Greg du Toit’s “Essence of Elephants” portraits, which won him Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2013.
There is an opening special rate of 50% off for bookings in October and November. Rara Limpopo, like all Mashatu hideouts, is closed for the rainy season from December until the end of February. This additional activity costs $450 per person per night, or $650 if you book a room. If you book the whole hideout exclusively, it will cost you $1,600.
Rara Limpopo is booked as an additional activity for guests staying at camps in Mashatu such as Euphorbia Mashatu, Kolokolo Safari Home, Mashatu Lodge, Thuli Safari Lodge Mashatu, Mashatu Tented Camp and Sharimpo Safari Home.
