Experience Tswalu Kalahari

Tswalu Kalahari is a very special place… located on the southernmost edge of the Kalahari, a privately protected area home to a fascinating variety of wildlife.

Why should you experience this wild and wonderful place?

Vast in extent:

Tswalu is the largest private protected conservation area in South Africa, with exclusive access to one of the continent’s remaining wild places. There are no other camps or safari vehicles sharing the property – an enormous reserve with dramatic landscapes all for yourself.

Diverse habitats:

Tswalu is regarded as one of the continent’s largest, relatively undisturbed, remaining arid savannahs. Often referred to as the Green Kalahari, it receives more rain than the rest of the Kalahari. This semi-arid wonderland is characterized by extreme temperatures and an incredible biodiversity.

Easy air access:

Tswalu has a scheduled charter flight from Johannesburg, 90 minutes flight, or Cape Town, 2 hours flight, providing a seamless connection for guests directly into the reserve. From Tswalu’s private runway, guests are transferred by private vehicle to camp, a 20-minute transfer, unless there is an epic wildlife sighting along the way.

Private safari:

The greatest advantage of choosing Tswalu is the guarantee of a private vehicle, guide and tracker with each booking, offering guests the freedom and flexibility to explore the reserve at their own pace.

Iconic wildlife:

Throughout the year, sightings are influenced by the seasonal changes to the environment and the presence or absence of water, however very unique wildlife can be seen, elusive elsewhere in Africa. Aardvark, pangolin, brown hyena, aardwolf, the bat-eared fox area a few of these. This area is also known for black-maned Kalahari lion, desert black rhino, wild dog, oryx and cheetah. Tswalu also offers bush walk focusing on birding, horse riding alongside oryx, giraffe or zebra, and a morning in the company of habituated meerkats.

A foundation dedicated to research:

Scientific research, supported by the Tswalu Foundation, informs conservation and is a vital part of what Tswalu is all about. Throughout the year, the Dedeben research center hosts scientists and students from all over the world, sharing knowledge while gathering data for different projects. From reptiles and small mammals to butterflies and pygmy falcons, guests are invited to learn more about a particular project alongside researchers when they are in the field.

Sustainably focused:

Tswalu strives to restore, conserve and enhance the Kalahari ecosystem while preserving and promoting cultural and historical heritage in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. As part of this sustainability journey, Tswalu is a fellow member of The Long Run, an internationally recognized conservation organization that holds privately protected areas to account in the areas of conservation, community, commerce and culture when it comes to sustainable and regenerative practices.

Family Safaris:

The southern Kalahari is a place to unplug from the world and tune into nature’s wisdom and rhythms. Better still, it is malaria free. Tswalu’s guides and trackers are primed to gauge children’s interests and energy levels, and know exactly when to time a hot chocolate stop. Three of the Motse’s nine suites have two bedrooms and a shared living room, while the exclusive-use Tarkuni homestead is ideal for multi generational families.

Image by Caitlin Smit Image by Caitlin Smit

Sleeping under the stars:

The much-loved Malori sleep-out has been reinvented with every imaginable comfort for an unforgettable night under canvas in the middle of the reserve. The more adventurous now have the option of spending a night at Naledi, an unfiltered, back-to-nature star bed in the Korannaberg mountains.

Three ultra spacious luxurious safari camps:

Motse (9 spacious suites), Tarkuni homestead (5 bedrooms), and Loapi tented camp (opening April 2023 with 6 tented safari homes)

Home to Klein Jan Restaurant:

A culinary journey through the traditions, ingredients and regional produce of the Northern Cape. Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen was the first South African chef to achieve a Michelin star for his namesake restaurant in Nice, France.

Photography:

Whether photographing the southern Kalahari’s iconic landscapes or its wildlife, taking the shot of a lifetime requires patience and time. The undivided attention of a guide, who combines a deep understanding of animal behavior with slick photography skills, and who knows just how to maneuver the vehicle into the right position for the perfect capture, is highly advantageous. Those who are really serious about taking wildlife photos will appreciate the introduction of a fully equipped photographic safari vehicle and specialist guide. Guests can learn to edit, tweak and print their best images in The Motse’s Photographic Studio.

Wellness:

Skilled spa therapists are available to work their magic with reviving face and body treatments in the cool, calm sanctuary of one of two treatment suites at the Motse or in Tarkuni’s private, upstairs spa suite. At both camps, massages, manicures and pedicures can also be arranged in the privacy of your bedroom or outdoors on the veranda. The spa uses two proudly South African, Eco-conscious product ranges, Katavi and Just Pure, in line with Tswalu’s ethic of sustainability and vision to leave the world better than how we found it.