Tswalu Lodge

Tswalu offers unrivalled privacy in a vast, pristine wilderness, where a maximum of six vehicles in over 100,000 hectares shows guests the incredible landscape and the promise of a sight of rare and endangered wildlife in nigh on complete seclusion.

Tswalu’s expert Field Guides have been specially trained in Kalahari wildlife and each contributes personally to the constant programme of research and conservation on the reserve. Game drives at Tswalu Kalahari will be completely tailored to guests’ own interests with a personal consultation under taken on arrival. This personal touch is taken further for anyone spending three nights or more will get their own private guide, tracker and vehicle to explore Tswalu at their own pace and in utter privacy. Tswalu is fantastic for wildlife viewing and some of the species include South Africa’s largest population of desert black rhino, as well as white rhino, black-manned Kalahari lion, buffalo, cheetah and rare species such as sable, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, and wild dog.

The game drives at Tswalu are never standard; if, at a moment’s notice, guests want to spend an entire day in the bush, then a delicious picnic will be packed and guests will be taken off. Bush walks offer the chance to get closer to the land and the guides at Tswalu encourage these opportunities to touch the vegetation and observe a meerkat colony at close quarters. Night drives are also possible, offering the chance of exceptional sightings such as aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine or brown hyena at even closer range.

Guests can explore the Kalahari from every possible angle. Tswalu’s two donkeys, Pedro and Don Juan, pull a traditional Kalahari cart, which is especially popular with families – still a main form of transport for many in the area today. Top quality horses are available to accommodate all levels of riding abilities and few moments can rival gently walking through a herd of sable antelope on horseback, sharing the magical stillness that defines the Kalahari. Hot-air balloon trips over this vast wilderness can be booked in advance. Or guests can simply sleep out under the thousands of stars in the Kalahari’s “diamond skies”, in the luxurious Malori Sleepout deck located on top of a red sand dune.

For anyone with a particular passion, special talks can be arranged with the reserve’s ecologists whilst photographers will find unending possibilities at Tswalu, combining shots of unique wildlife with dazzling panoramas. Walks to ancient archaeological sites will reveal rock carvings created by the Bushmen up to 380,000 years ago, some of the oldest art on Earth. At other times, the pools or shaded salas beckon.

The exclusive Tswalu Kalahari Spa completes the relaxation on offer at Tswalu; its range of soothing and revitalising treatments celebrates the natural heritage of Africa. Designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Kalahari and take advantage of the superb climate, the outdoor treatment area is within an indigenous spa garden where guests may find the occasional antelope grazing alongside them and be lulled into a deep state of relaxation by the sound of birdsong. Guests may also choose to have their treatments at an outdoor sala, where a rustic structure protects one from the elements and is positioned to give a bird’s eye view of the open grasslands of the reserve against the backdrop of the Korannaberg Mountain range.

Motse, nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg mountains, facing westwards across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Motse means ‘village’ in Tswana and it consists of just eight spacious and secluded legae (another Tswana word, for “little house”) or suites. These legaes are built of local stone, rich red clay and traditional Kalahari thatch. Recently redesigned by world-renowned Boyd Ferguson, the suites define an elegant, barefoot luxury.

Each suite comprises a spacious bedroom with an open fire, a sumptuous en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower, and a large dressing and study area. The private sun deck overlooks a waterhole and the changing Kalahari animals it attracts.

Two legae have been designed especially for families and each offer two separate bedroom suites with their own en-suite bathrooms, separated by an expansive living room again leading on to a shady, private terrace. These legae are each over 170 square metres in size and create the perfect environment for any family group.

The main house is a spectacular space in which to meet, with its elevated decks and elegant lounges. An infinity pool offers an endless view over the savannahs and a secluded spa is designed to complete guests’ total relaxation. The mezzanine library is equipped with satellite TV and full broadband Wi-Fi access throughout, and its museum cases display rare artefacts from the area. The Motse accommodates no more than 18 adults.

Tarkuni is the owners, the Oppenheimer family, own personal home 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 and 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.

In terms of social responsibility guests are encouraged to enjoy a tour of our new staff village (built on environmental principles); the healthcare clinic; the registered pre-school; and the adult literacy centre.

Sometimes the most exhilarating activity is no activity at all. Watch in silence as the sun slips below an endless horizon. Your own private Kalahari.

THE MOTSE
The Motse has been completely reimagined in 2019. It is a secluded ‘village’ of nine legae (dwellings), each with an open viewing deck and open fireplace. Tswalu’s overall purpose is to leave our world better that how we found it, and we do this through restoring the Kalahari landscape and bringing it back to its own natural beauty. Fittingly, the Motse is casually elegant with a focus on simplicity and comfort. It evokes a mood of peace, authenticity and intimacy and it delivers a new world of luxury and privacy.

Each legae is a calm haven. Beds are orientated to maximise the views and the bathrooms have been created with private gardens with outdoor showers which are open to the exceptional and vast night skies of the Kalahari.

LEGAE
6 luxury legae & 3 luxury family (2-bedroom suites) legae
(maximum 18 adults and children welcome):

TARKUNI HOMESTEAD

Once the Oppenheimer family home at Tswalu, Tarkuni Homestead offers a natural, home from home bush camp feel with understated elegance and, a sense of luxury, relaxation and tranquillity. With your own private chef and guide, guests experience comfort and an incredible sense of space in their own secluded piece of the Kalahari.


The private suites include a spacious bedroom with king-size or twin beds, a luxurious bathroom with a bath and outdoor shower, and comfortable seating and study areas. The suites embrace the natural outdoor experience with organic-shaped flowing outdoor decks off the bedrooms and the addition of natural Kalahari stone walls to add privacy and seclusion to each deck space. The sunny decks lead onto private terraces with day-beds which can be made up as evening star-beds for guests who would like to experience the thrill of sleeping under the vast Kalahari skies.

LEGAE
Exclusive homestead with 5 individual suites
(maximum 10 guests, including children):