Euphorbia Mashatu

Euphorbia Mashatu sits above the Majale River within the Mashatu Game Reserve in eastern Botswana, surrounded by giant succulents, sandstone ridges, baobabs and dry riverbeds. The camp takes its name from the euphorbia trees that dominate this landscape, while its architecture draws directly from another local species: the curved seedpods of the mopane tree. The villas take their shape, giving the camp a silhouette unlike anywhere else in southern Africa. Positioned within Mashatu’s ‘Land of Giants’, the reserve is particularly known for elephant herds and leopard sightings in the open bushland where Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa meet.

There are only eight villas at Euphorbia Mashatu, each built for privacy with uninterrupted views across the Majale ravine. Inside, curved walls and rounded wood details echo the mopane pod, with the earthy colours of the surrounding terrain. Each villa includes a private plunge pool, viewing deck, indoor and outdoor showers and a freestanding bath facing the bush. Large sliding doors allow elephants and other wildlife to remain visible from the bed or bath.

Euphorbia specialises in active Botswana safari experiences, including game drives and beyond. Alongside morning and evening safaris with a maximum of four guests per vehicle, you can opt to explore the reserve on horseback, search for elephants by mountain bike or photograph wildlife from Mashatu’s two photographic hides – including one underground hide designed for sleep-outs to observe nocturnal wildlife. Walking safaris and overnight fly-camping trips let you stargaze deep in the reserve, and the area’s high predator density offers strong chances of spotting lions, leopards and cheetahs. At camp, meals are served on the open terraces overlooking the river, and evenings often centre on the fire pit as elephants tramp through the bush just beyond.