Tswalu Kalahari

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest privately owned game reserve, situated in the heart of the Northern Cape Province. A trip to Tswalu Kalahari promises a breathtaking, exclusive Kalahari experience. Tswalu’s luxury belies a serious mission, and appropriately Tswalu means “a new beginning” in the Tswana language, as this conservation undertaking has a clear mission to restore the Kalahari to itself.

Property Details

The Motse is Tswalu’s main game reserve accommodation, nestled at the foot of the Korannaberg mountain range, facing westward across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Designed to blend inconspicuously into the mountain range surrounding the game reserve, the Motse consists of eight spacious legae (a Tswana word for small house/suite), all designed with a distinct African feel while remaining elegant and stylish. Above all, Tswalu’s exclusive game reserve accommodation achieves a rustic feel without compromising its private and luxurious facilities.

The legaes are built of local stone, rich red clay and typical Kalahari thatch roofs, and altogether can accommodate a maximum of 20 people. Six of the legaes are for two guests each, while two legaes were designed with families in mind, each accommodating four people. Each suite comprises a spacious bedroom, an en suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor walk-in shower, large private lounge with an open fireplace, private sun deck overlooking a waterhole, direct dial telephone, safe and mini bar. This is luxury game reserve accommodation at its best.

Dining at Tswalu offers guests many choices: meals can be enjoyed either in the dining room at the main building or in the privacy of the lounge contained in each suite. Of course, some would argue that luxury African safaris are simply not complete without a dining experience under the stars in Tswalu’s traditional African boma. Picnic breakfasts and lunches are available for guests wishing to dine off the beaten path, and exciting desert dune dinners are also available. As an added bonus for any game reserve in South Africa, the main deck overlooks a game watering hole and features two swimming pools, one of which is heated.

For those guests looking for privacy that extends even further, consider staying in Tarkuni. This is a separate, freestanding African dwelling that is ideal for a small party or family. With accommodation for nannies, as well as its own private sundeck, Tarkuni is the ultimate in luxury game reserve accommodation with its unparalleled exclusivity and personal service. Tarkuni’s surroundings are elegantly simple with a luxury swimming pool opening to the remarkable scene of animals drinking at a nearby watering hole.

Guests at Tarkuni luxury game reserve can find calm and contemplation at the sala , sun themselves at the pool, or retire to lofty bedrooms with vistas that beguile the most jaded traveler. Private game viewing vehicles are included as well as a dedicated chef to allow the luxury of flexibility. In short, Tarkuni is game reserve accommodation that is completely self-contained.

There are a variety of safari options to choose from at Tswalu with exclusive access to the over 380 square miles of the reserve. Aside from traditional game drives in one of six vehicles, the resident donkeys Pedro and Don Juan ferry guests about in a traditional Kalahari cart. Tracking on horseback and on foot is also possible in the vast bush, with the Kalihari lion, cheetah, desert black rhinoceros, aardvark, honey badger, lynx, wild dog, a variety of antelope and the ever-popular meerkats among some 80 species of game you may see.

Another tempting activity is spending time in the Tswalu Kalahari Spa, with indoor treatments rooms and a unique open-air sala that enjoys a stunning view of the Kalahari grasslands and Korannaberg Mountains. Guests may also wish to visit the staff village which houses a community wellness clinic, preschool and adult literacy center. Arrange a hot air balloon ride over the plain, participate in educational talks with resident ecologists or trek to nearby archaeological sites where ancient Bushmen rock carvings have been discovered.

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