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Tswalu Kalahari

Overview

South Africa’s largest privately-owned game reserve covers more than 100,000 hectares and is the model of a serious conservation policy.

The desire to ‘restore the Kalahari to itself’ is a motto for the owners, the Oppenheimer family, and to this end no more than 30 guests can visit at any one time. This allows maximum privacy and exclusivity as guests can organise their own daily timetable for excursions, game drives, meals and spa treatments.

Tswalu is malaria-free and is home to some superlative game from desert black rhino and cheetah to black-maned Kalahari lion and semi-habituated meerkat. It is also the ancestral home to the San people and some of their engravings can be seen here.

Highlights

Our Thoughts

A stunning and unique property in a unique location which offers unique activities. Particularly good are the dune picnics, star-gazing and visits to view the semi-habituated meerkats. The spa is also worth a visit.

  • Pool
  • Spa

Group meals are served for guests staying in Motse.  Guests staying in Tarkuni will enjoy private meals served by their own personal chef.

The Motse - The main property, the Motse, nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg mountains, facing westwards across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Motse means “village” in Tswana and the village consists of just eight spacious and secluded “legae” (another Tswana word, for “little house”) or suites.

Tarkuni - Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, Tarkuni is the Oppenheimer family’s own personal home here at Tswalu and the ultimate private sanctuary.

Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families or groups of great friends. Its five luxurious suites, each with a magnificent en-suite bathroom, accommodate a maximum of 10 guests.

Tarkuni creates an oasis of serenity in the desert. The home has its own dedicated team including a host and private chef to ensure a completely personal service. A private vehicle, personal field guide and tracker ensure an equally bespoke safari experience.

Tarkuni’s quiet pool and shady salas offer calm and contemplation. Its own traditional boma has seen many celebrations. And its beguiling charm has led many guests to return to what becomes their home in the Kalahari.

  • Game drives
  • Bush walks
  • Horse back safaris
  • Guided tours of rock art
  • Dune picnics
  • Star gazing
  • Spa treatments

Tswalu welcomes families and does it’s best to educate and entertain and educate children. The Motse has two specially designed family suites to accommodate both larger families and families with older children. 

Tswalu also has a Junior Ranger Programme which features activities such as archery, spoor identification as well as tracking. Bush walks are a regular occurrence, giving the little ones a chance to interact with the landscape, and each child will be welcomed with a special backpack of goodies. 

There is a children's menu on offer, as well as a special kids boma area where they can cook their own dinner (with help from the very capable Tswalu staff), and finally free babysitting is available at all hours. 

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