• Tswalu Kalahari Motse, South Africa

About Tswalu Kalahari

At the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains, within the largest privately owned game reserve in South Africa, Tswalu Kalahari is in a place where natural beauty reigns supreme. Explore a spectacular wilderness in the heart of the Northern Cape in search of endangered game and enjoy the elegant, yet simple surroundings of the lodge.

Unique in many ways, your experience here is much more than the accommodation. Share your environment with springbok, buffalo, black-maned lion, the elusive black desert rhino and kudu and explore by Landrover, foot or horseback. 

The highlight has to be the meerkats which due to regular contact with humans, are very relaxed in your presence.

Lodge Details

Style

Elegant ‘bush style’ barefoot luxury

Setting

Located in the heart of the Northern Cape Province, set within the Kalahari Desert, near the town of Kuruman. There are daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Accommodation & Facilities

The main property is the Motse (meaning village in Tswana), nestled right into the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains. Here there are just 8 ‘legae’ (meaning ‘little house’) or suites built from local stone and traditional Kalahari thatch. Accommodation is stylish, elegant and chic – an evolved traditional safari that prides itself in barefoot luxury. Suites are spacious and each have an open fire, indoor and outdoor shower and a private sun deck with views over the waterhole. Two of the suites have been designed especially for families and have two separate bedrooms with private bathrooms, separated a large living area. In the main area of the Motse you’ll find expansive decks and elegant furnishings, as well as a beautiful infinity pool with stunning views over the savannah. There is also a spa, mezzanine library and museum. Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Tarkuni is a great option for large groups or families with uncompromising standards of style and comfort, with just 5 luxurious suites sleeping up to 10 guests. This is the home of the Oppenheimer family, with its own dedicated team including a vehicle, field guide, host and private chef for the ultimate exclusive safari experience. There is a quiet pool and shady sala in which you can relax.

Dining

The cuisine here is excellent and different to anything you will see anywhere else, including exceptional venison and the seasonal Kalahari truffle.

Activities

There is a range of wonderful activities and things to do here. Enjoy early morning game drives with a sumptuous picnic breakfast, spend time with 2 meerkat families, track desert black rhino, track the elusive aardvark and pangolin or get up close and personal with the wildlife on horseback. Here you can sleep out under the stars or have a lie in with a champagne breakfast or visit the community health, children’s school and adult learning centre. Specialist talks can be organised if you have particular interests or you can indulge in a spa treatment. For the children, the Motse and Tarkuni provide wonderfully stimulating environments. There is also a Tswalu Ranger Programme which has been carefully arranged to inspire a broad range of ages, activities include archery (making your own bow and arrow) and tracking animals on foot. Each child is welcomed with a backpack full of ‘expedition gear’ so they can enjoy the safari experience as much as you.

Child Policy

Children are very welcome and catered for with a variety of activities, care and even a child menu.

Want to stay here?

Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to include a stay here. Please note we recommend a budget of from £7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination.

Get in touch