Hidden Gems Travel Co.

30/10/2024

It’s almost baby season in the Lower Zambezi National Park!

November brings a surge of new life as the much needed rains approach.

During this time of the year, impala, kudu and waterbuck start to give birth to their young–an incredible sight to witness as their numbers increase dramatically!

23/10/2024

Have you ever seen one of these of safari?

This is a ground pangolin, a fascinating mammal covered in scales, giving it a reptilian look. With 8 species of pangolin worldwide—4 in Asia (critically endangered) and 4 in Africa (endangered)—they are some of the most heavily trafficked animals on earth.

Every species plays a crucial role in maintaining our ecosystems balance, and raising awareness about these incredible creatures is key to their survival.

22/10/2024

An image that truly captures the grandeur and vastness of the Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu landscapes. The striking contrast between the open plains, towering sandstone outcrops, and the iconic green Mashatu trees perfectly showcases the uniqueness of this incredible wildlife area. The safari vehicle and its guests appear as mere specks in the distance, emphasizing the breathtaking scale and vastness of the Tuli area in Mashatu Game Reserve.

📸: Hidden Gems Travel Co.

Book your stay with us to experience safari magic:
📧 [email protected] (SA) / [email protected] (BW)
☎️ + 27 31 761 3440 (SA) / +267 74 988 822 (BW)
🌐 https://mashatu.com/

15/10/2024

One of the most magical and underrated parts of being in the bush is the African night sky. 🌌✨

Under this blankets of stars, the bush comes alive with the calls and movements of nocturnal animals. Owls hooting, leopards rasping and lions roaring in the distance, it’s a peaceful chaos that you have to experience. 🌙

10/10/2024

Mashatu Game Reserve 🐘

Last week, we had the pleasure of exploring the breathtaking Mashatu Game Reserve.
Covering a vast 70,000 hectares of untamed wilderness, we truly believe it offers some of the best remote game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa. Whether you’re up for adventurous overnight fly-camping, prefer a laidback luxury tented camp, or want to indulge in a premium villa experience, Mashatu’s got something for every type of traveller.

One of the highlights for us was definitely the photographic hides. We spent an incredible morning at the Matobele Hide with the talented guide, Ronald. He not only shared some hidden camera features with our group (who knew our phone cameras could do that?!) but also took the time to tutor an amateur like me, making it easy to capture that perfect shot. The hide is all about patience and perspective, letting you get creative and snap some truly unique shots—all from eye level!

Our personal highlight? Watching a Pearl Spotted Owlet hunting Quelea. Simply unforgettable!

Mashatu is a destination that stands on its own. From the lush Limpopo Riverine forests to the rugged rocky outcrops stretching out from the ancient Mapungubwe National Park, the reserve’s diverse landscapes are a photographer’s dream.

A lot of people think venturing into remote wilderness areas means sacrificing top-tier game viewing and comfort, Mashatu is flipping that narrative, and we can’t wait for you to experience it firsthand.

Feel free to reach out if you want to know more!

Georgie x

07/10/2024

From game drives in the iconic Serengeti, chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale Mountains to relaxing on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania has it all! 🌍

This country remains one of the most diverse travel destinations and should be on everyone’s “to-do list”. 🐘

03/10/2024

The Congo: the world’s most exclusive destination for gorilla trekking. 🦍

Step into the heart of the world’s 2nd largest tropical rainforest, home to over 125,000 critically endangered western lowland gorillas.

This pristine wilderness offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to view these incredible creatures in their home.

Is this on your bucket list? 🦍

30/09/2024

Reserve your seat at the table and “dine out” in the African bush on your next holiday! Disclaimer: Every meal comes with a side of adventure! 🐘

16/09/2024

Tanzania, but make it off the beaten track. 🌿

Far from the crowds, Katavi National Park is an untouched corner of Tanzania. With dramatic landscapes, sensational wildlife viewing and vast open spaces, Katavi offers a glimpse into a world that few have seen.

28/08/2024

Zimbabwe is a top spot in Africa for incredible game viewing. 🇿🇼

Known for expert guides, incredible landscapes, diverse activities and rugged charm - this region has so much to offer its visitors! 🐘

21/08/2024

Hide photography: New perspectives. 📸

Hides are a dream come true for wildlife photographers! Capturing intimate, undisturbed moments that only this unique vantage point can offer.

in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe offers this unique experience. Taking you underground with a 10 meter walk, you emerge into a “window to the waterhole” where you can sit and watch the myriad of species that come to this water source (one of the only water sources within a large area) and capture some truly unique and up-close images. 🐘📸

15/08/2024

We love to support and bring awareness to small businesses making a difference in the safari industry. 🐘 is one such brand, founded by Tarryn Thackwell, who grew up exploring the wild beauty of KwaZulu-Natal.

Her passion for sustainability and love for the African bush inspired the creation of the durable and reusable “What did You See” activity book. 📖

With children being the future custodians of our wild spaces, this book sparks curiosity and teaches our young explorers a sense of responsibility towards our plant. 🌍

12/08/2024

Wondering where to get the best elephant sightings this World Elephant Day? 🌍🐘

With over 120,000 individuals, Botswana’s Chobe National Park is the ideal place to get your fill!

30/07/2024

Sun•down•er (noun) ☀️ | Informal • British |
1. Sunset cocktails that make you feel posh.
2. Non-negotiable safari tradition. 🥂

26/07/2024

Exciting news from the Kafue National Park!

🦌 A herd of 400 lechwe has been released around Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, giving boost to this vulnerable species.

🐘 Two elephants have been translocated from Lusaka National Park and are now roaming free in the Kafue!

🐆 More cheetah and wild dog sightings reported on the Busanga Plains!

The Kafue is bursting with new life, and we can’t wait to see how these conservation efforts will continue to help this National Park flourish for years to come. 🐾

19/07/2024

Anyone else wish their Friday night looked a bit more like this? 👀

08/07/2024

Botswana, specifically the Okavango Delta, hosts about 30% of the world’s remaining African wild dogs. This region supports one of the most stable populations of these unique animals on the continent.

04/07/2024

Before the existence of the Okavango Delta the Okavango River flowed straight through Botswana. Its path was later blocked due to a large earthquake in Southern Africa causing trillions of litres of water to spill into the desert. This twist of fate created the stunning Okavango Delta that we know and see today. 🐘

02/07/2024

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve. 🌿

Home to black-maned lions and desert-adapted elephants to name a few, this vast expanse strays off the typical tourist paths and rewards its visitors with surreal natural scenery and wildlife.

A visit here is truly unforgettable- and we highly recommend it! 🐘

25/06/2024

Dreaming of a holiday like this?

Allow us to organize the perfect Botswana expedition just for you! From breathtaking safaris to luxurious accommodations, we’ll tailor every detail to ensure your adventure is unforgettable!

20/06/2024

Take your Botswana safari to new heights with a helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. Soar above the stunning landscapes and gain a whole new perspective on this beautiful country.

14/06/2024

This one is for all the twitchers! 🪶

Botswana stands out as one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, thanks to its diverse habitats and protected areas.

With over 600 bird species recorded, it’s the perfect place to surpass your personal best for species spotted in a single day and add some “lifers” to your list! 🐦‍⬛

12/06/2024

Discover a new gem in the Okavango Delta! 🌿

Located on the North-eastern arm, where the Okavango waters meet the vast Northern woodlands, Karangoma has access to diverse habitats creating spectacular game-viewing. Ready for brand new Botswana adventure?

📩 Contact us at [email protected]

16/08/2023

02/03/2022

Meet The Smiths 👋

For those of you that don’t know these lovely people, The Smith family own and manage Nanzhila Safaris.

Steve and Cindy begun there journey in the Kafue 15 years ago at Plains Camp. At the end of 2020 their son Sean joined the team to build Lake Camp and has since stayed on in a management role!

Steve is responsible for all of the operations at Nanzhila and has been a fundamental source of information for African Parks as they implement a support plan alongside the government to protect the park.

Cindy is a machine in the bush kitchen. This is not your average kitchen, it comes with many a challenge such as stock shortages caused by midnight honey badger raids. Cindy always seems to make it work and the meals which emerge are consistently delicious.

You will often find Sean sitting quietly behind his binoculars, peering off into the bush. More often than not, he will alert guests to the most interesting sightings in front of Lake Camp.

These are a few reasons why you should visit Nanzhila Safaris! You are assured of warm hospitality and a personalised safari experience.

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