Tswalu The Motse

With only 2 camps, Tswalu prides itself on providing guests with privacy and exclusivity which define the contemporary luxury experience that the Kalahari has to offer.

Tswalu The Motse is a secluded village of nine legae (dwellings), each to its own boasting an open viewing deck and fireplace. Each legae is a calm haven as the beds are orientated to maximize the views of the incredible Kalahari and the bathrooms have been created with a private garden and outdoor showers which are open to the exceptional and vast night skies of this African treasure. Each legae has an open fireplace, separate dressing and study area, telephone, safe, Wi-Fi and private sun decks with magnificent views.

Three of the nine legae’s have been specifically designed for families and comprise of two separate bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms as well as a spacious shared living area.

The main lodge is equipped with all that you may need for a comfortable stay. Enjoy a drink whilst relaxing on the elevated decks or the spacious lounge area. On-site there is a beautiful dining area and for those seeking some reading, there is a library. The main lodge also has a fully equipped gym and adjacent spa, perfect for those looking to get pampered or stay fit. Other features include an impressive wine cellar, a traditional boma, a large outdoor pool as well as a smaller solar heated pool with views of the waterhole.

The Malori Sleep-out Deck

Guests staying at Tswalu have the option of booking a classic safari sleep-out at the Malori where you can spend the night surrounded by the calls of nature with nothing between you and the brilliant views of the Kalahari night sky.

The Malori Sleep-Out Deck boasts a king-size bed with Aldona linen, luxury towelling robes and slippers. There is an adjacent outdoor toilet, basin and shower which are a short distance away along a lighted walkway. Upon arrival guests can enjoy drinks and snacks set up by a guide and take in the spectacular views, followed by a delicious meal. There are children’s camping beds available, making it an enjoyable experience for families.

The Tswalu Kalahari Spa

The spa at Tswalu is a combination of sensual spaces and treatments which combine to create one of the most unusual spa experiences in Africa. Surrounded by endless blue skies and the unique vegetation of the Green Kalahari, guests who indulge in the authentic signature massages will discover the Spa's philosophy of “nature above man”.

Activities at Tswalu

All game drives are conducted in open-sided canopied safari vehicles and each game drive is tailored to the guests’ needs. With expert rangers and trackers, who are trained in the unique Kalahari ecology, guests are ensured a superb game experience.

Bushwalks allow guests to get a closer look at the land of the Kalahari. For adult guests, nighttime bush walks can be arranged allowing one to uncover the magic of this wonderful land after sunset.

There are horseback safaris for all ages and are led by experienced guides and accompanied by grooms. The breeds of horses include Boerperd cross, Quarter Horse cross, Thoroughbred, Shire, Appaloosa cross, Arab cross and Saddler cross. An experienced horse guide and back up rider accompany all rides and are equipped with a radio and comprehensive first aid kit.

About the Kalahari Nature Reserve

The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is a privately owned game reserve in the Northern Cape, South Africa. It is South Africa's largest private game reserve, covering an area of over 111,000 hectares.

There are countless San Engraving sites at Tswalu that testify to the importance of earlier inhabitants that regarded the green Kalahari. During the 20^th century, the link between people and their surroundings were disrupted by attempts at cattle farming and hunting.

Tswalu is a labour of love for the Oppenheimer family, who took responsibility for this remarkable reserve in 1998 – continuing the vision of the late Stephen Boler, from Manchester in the United Kingdom, whose dream it was to return this land which had been farmed, to its former state. Since then, their commitment to conservation has seen indigenous species re-introduced, and real strides made towards the restoration of the Kalahari, and the undoing of years of neglect.

In its new incarnation as a private nature reserve and conservation success story, Tswalu is bringing this ultimate ambition a little closer each day: To leave the world better than how it was found. One of the very few mountain ranges in the southern Kalahari – the Korannaberg – casts a benevolent shadow over the rolling dunes and expansive grasslands of Tswalu. Tswalu also receives more rainfall than many other parts of the Kalahari.

In the shelter of the mountains, you can encounter Tswalu’s 240 bird and 80 mammal species, including Hartmann’s mountain zebra and wild dog. To date, more butterfly species have been recorded here than in the entire British Isles. By way of confounding stereotypes, Tswalu is even home to three species of amphibian.