       |
||
Tswalu Kalahari
At its southern-most reaches, the Kalahari is not a true desert but a semi-arid grassland featuring wide-open savannas and a range of habitats. This so-called “Green Kalahari” is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, and Tswalu hosts roughly 80 species of mammal and 240 bird species. While many are common to other savanna ecosystems across southern Africa, one of the primary strengths of Tswalu is the opportunity to view unique Kalahari species that are rare or non-existent elsewhere, such as oryx, springbuck, eland, meerkats, and aardvark; other wildlife highlights include endangered species such as black rhino, sable, and roan antelope.
Set within this 250,000 acre wilderness paradise are just two elegant and luxurious lodges, accommodating a maximum of 30 guests, hosted by nearly 150 staff.
The Motse’s main lodge building is dominated by a giant fireplace, and includes a central living and raised dining area, a split-level library, and wine cellar. An expansive deck allows for dining under the stars, and leads to an infinity pool overlooking the watering hole. Cuisine is a priority at Tswalu, and guests can expect to enjoy some of the finest dining available in South Africa.
Set in a valley between two rolling mountain ranges, Tarkuni is the Oppenheimer family’s personal home at Tswalu, and a marvelous private sanctuary for families and/or friends. Similar in design and décor to The Motse, Tarkuni’s main lodge area is built around a colossal fireplace, with five en-suite bedrooms leading off the central rotunda. The home has its own dedicated team, including a host and private chef, ensuring exclusivity, and the type of quality that is a hallmark of the Tswalu experience.
Tswalu is the jewel of the “Green Kalahari”, and offers one of South Africa's most exceptional travel experiences. While Tswalu is an outstanding destination in its own right, it comes into its own as a complement to South Africa's other “Big Five” safari areas, most notably the Private Game Reserves adjoining the Kruger National Park. The quality and attention to detail in every facet of the Tswalu experience place it firmly in the top tier of Africa’s luxury safari lodges.
Conservation Dimension
or email us for Information 
|
||
|
Activities offered at Tswalu range from daily game-drives across the dunes, to stargazing, to tracing the ancient footsteps of the Bushmen, to horseback riding and desert rhino tracking. All guests spending three or more nights at Tswalu enjoy the services of a private vehicle and guide. The Tswalu Kalahari Spa and Gym is inspired by the beauty of the desert, with natural finishes and fabrics and simple spaces which together create a sense of tranquility and barefoot elegance. Guests at Tswalu are also encouraged to meet with researchers and ecologists on the reserve, and to visit the reserve’s staff village, healthcare clinic, pre-school, and adult literacy center. 
“Tswalu” means “a new beginning” and Tswalu Kalahari is driven by the twin ambitions of creating an inspirational safari experience for its guests, and the conservation ethos of “restoring the Kalahari to itself”. To these ends, the vision and commitment of the Oppenheimer family are evident in the enormous investments that have been made into acquiring and improving the land, creating infrastructure, and reintroducing endangered species. Their contribution to conservation in southern Africa was recently recognized in the form of the World Wildlife Fund’s Lonmin Award for Environmental Conservation. 
