10 October 2024
Mashatu in Botswana’s Northern Tuli Game Reserve officially launched its brand-new luxury overnight photographic experience, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide on 1st October 2024. In this hot off the press launch video, C4’s photographic guide and safari host Danielle Carstens walks you through the hide and highlights why this hide makes for the ultimate wildlife photography experience!
Designed by professional photographers at C4 Photo Safaris, Lala Limpopo is sunk into the ground to blend into the landscape and offers photography enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike 180-degree views over a busy waterhole, to enjoy in absolute privacy from dusk till dawn.
The waterhole, previously known and loved by many as Pete’s Pond, is a hive of wildlife activity as Mashatu’s many herds of elephants and other animals and birds come down to drink and wallow in the waterhole – making for some the most thrilling wildlife encounters imaginable, right at eye level, just metres away.
Innovative, non-intrusive lighting has been installed around the waterhole for both daytime and nocturnal photography which can be adjusted to suit for side, front and back lighting, as well as colour temperature and angle. Movement sensors alert guests to activity during the night in case you take a nap.
Photographers are advised to bring all their equipment … from wide angle to ultra-zoom lenses: 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm and up to a 500/600 lens. They can expect to be photographing elephants up close with a wide angle. A 400mm will be rewarded with tight images of an elephant trunk spraying water or perhaps a portrait of a leopard. For night and low light photography, the faster the lenses (low f-stop value), the better.
Lala (meaning sleep) Limpopo can be booked for exclusive use and sleeps up to four photographers or guests at a time. There is also a small kitchen and lounge/dining area, full bathroom with shower facilities and a separate bedroom for the tour leader, Mashatu ranger or C4 guide who is always available for safety, advice and tips.
There is an editing station to use between filming and shooting. A small outdoor courtyard is available to the rear should guests wish to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors without disturbing the wildlife.
An opening special of 50% is available for October and November 2024 for those eagerly awaiting, lenses at the ready. Lala Limpopo, as with the other hides in Mashatu, will then close over the rainy season from 1 December 2024 until 1 March 2025.
Lala Limpopo is booked as an additional activity for guests staying at one of Mashatu’s camps including Euphorbia Mashatu, Kolokolo Safari Home, Mashatu Lodge, Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu, Mashatu Tent Camp and Shalimpo Safari Home. This activity costs $450 per person sharing per night. To book the whole hide for exclusive costs $1,600.
Words: Claire Roadley
Image credit: C4 Photo Safaris
YouTube video credit: C4 Photo Safaris
