Tswalu Kalahari

Tswalu Kalahari is a conservation success story. One of South Africa's largest private game reserves, Tswalu was lovingly restored by its original owner, the late Stephen Boler, and now maintained by the Oppenheimer family. What was once many disparate and over-grazed farms is now 100,000 hectares of natural semi-arid Kalahari grasslands, appreciated for its diversity of habitats and 80 species of mammals. 

Wildlife - from meerkats to black-maned lions

Wildlife highlights include meerkat encounters with the local colony, cheetah, wild dog, black-maned Kalahari lions, Hartmann's mountain zebra, the elusive aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin and many rare antelope such as roan, sable and tsessebe. Unlike its more northerly neighbour, Madikwe Wildlife Reserve, there are no elephants here. here Daily game drives in open-sided, canopied safari vehicels are tailored to suit your specific interests . Bush walks and horseback safaris are offered as well as tracking desert black rhino on foot .

Accommodation

Motse Lodge has eight thatched suites, two of which are designed with families in mind, comprising of two separate bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and shared living space. The spacious main lodge includes lounge and dining areas as well as a library, well-equipped gym, wine cellar, boma and a spa. Two pools, one solar-heated, give great views of the near by water hole, frequented by a significant range of the local wildlife.

Tarkuni Private Villa 

Tarkuni Private Villa is the Oppenheimer family retreat at Tswalu and it is perfect for families and small groups. The villa has five fabulous bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms, a huge open-plan lounge and dining room, a sala and private swimming pool. Add in a private vehicle, dedicated guide and tracker, as well as a personal chef, and you really do have something quite special. 

Children

Tswala welcomes children and positively encourages all the family to become involved in their conservation vision. There are special children’s activities and the reserve is malaria-free. Ask us about reduced rates for children  and for information on the family suites.

Honeymoons

A gorgeous place to honeymoon, Tswalu has an attractive package of extras that include: spouse stays free, private dedicated safari vehicle, complimentary spa treatments, private horse back ride with sundowners and a private five course meal. 

Conservation & community support

Tswalu Kalahari's conservation and community upliftment ethic are at the heart of everything they do. Not only has it supported many wildlife preservation projects in the Kalahari, the lodge has played a significant part in providing crèche and health facilities for both its staff and the remote, local population.

In 2008 the Tswalu Foundation was set up so that local and international visitors could get actively involved in these conservation and environmental research projects, and help to make them self-financing and sustainable. The foundation is registered as a NPO (non- profit organisation) which supports species, ecological and applied research in the Kalahari system. It also provides grants for the development of social and community projects.

Tswalu Kalahari is certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa and was in the National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s Top 50 Eco-Lodges 2009.