Tswalu Private Game Reserve lies in the arid Northern Cape, and is one of South Africa’s largest private reserves. Tarkuni is an elegant small camp, with just five suites, and perfect for families or groups of friends travelling together. The lodge was formerly the private residence of the Oppenheimer family, and has since been transformed into a fabulous oasis of luxury in the Kalahari Desert. This area is known for its unusual wildlife and vast stretches of rugged wilderness, and as this is one of only two lodges on the reserve, it has a true feeling of isolation and exclusivity.
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The main area has an open-plan lounge, dining room and bar featuring natural timber, rough clay and curving stone walls under thatch. It leads through to the sun deck and swimming pool, with a circular seating area around a sunken fire pit. Upstairs is a second lounge with satellite television, and a secluded spa treatment room. Freeform stone walls, desert-inspired decor and organic textures throughout give a beautiful sense of homely luxury which flows easily into the surrounding rugged landscape.
Five beautifully appointed suites fan out on either side of the main lodge. Constructed from stone, rich red clay and traditional Kalahari thatch, they exude chic and a restful natural style. Interiors are spacious, with huge beds under mosquito nets, organic textures in muted desert tones, and an all-round feel of quiet luxury. Each has a vast en-suite bathroom with outdoor shower. A private deck faces onto the surrounding bush, with a star bed for those wishing to sleep outside.
Guided game drives offer the chance to encounter several unusual and rare mammal species, such as pangolin, desert-adapted black rhino, and the seldom-seen aardvark. Black-maned Kalahari lions are a highlight, together with herds of endangered roan and sable antelope, eland, and varied plains game. Guests have the opportunity to spend time with meerkats – a delightful experience. Bush walks and horse riding offer the chance to get some exercise and explore this incredible desert landscape in a different way.
The morning meerkat experience. Sitting with a habituated family as they emerge from their burrows at sunrise, clambering over each other (and occasionally you) to warm up in the first light – it's equal parts adorable and mesmerising.
Ask your guide to arrange a night drive specifically for aardvark and pangolin sightings: the trackers here are some of the best in Africa, and this is one of few reserves in the world where you'll have a genuine shot at seeing both.
The Kalahari isn't game-dense in the Kruger sense. This is a slower, more immersive safari where tracking and landscape are as much a part of the experience as the sightings themselves.
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve prioritizes ambitious conservation efforts aimed at restoring the natural environment, protecting biodiversity, and preserving ecological processes in the southern Kalahari. The Tswalu Foundation supports scientific research, facilitating collaborations with academic institutions and conservationists. Successful conservation initiatives include the reintroduction of iconic species like brown hyena and wild dogs. Tswalu adopts a holistic approach, ensuring long-term ecological and economic sustainability through ecotourism.
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A private game reserve and exclusive desert wilderness with superb activities and wildlife to boot.
