The Green Kalahari

A True Kalahari Wilderness Experience

On the southernmost edge of the Kalahari is a sprawling expanse of private wilderness… The largest privately protected area in South Africa, Tswalu extends from the Korannaberg mountains to the southern Kalahari’s famous savannah, with its iconic rolling dunes and endless horizons.

With 111 000 hectares and a limit of 40 people on the property at a time, you can truly experience the luxuriousness of space with at least 2775 hectares per person.

Flexibility & Freedom

All Tswalu guests have access to a private safari vehicle, and the opportunity to explore the remote reaches of the reserve in their own time.

Other unrivalled safari experiences on offer include guided walks, horseback safaris, unique encounters with habituated meerkats, stargazing, star bed evenings, and even meeting and learning from visiting researchers and resident artists.

Horseriding at Tswalu
Private Vehicle, Guide _ Tracker at Tswalu
Tswalu Walking Safari
Conservation Research at Tswalu
Pangolin at Tswalu
Tswalu Wildlife

Conservation is Key

Tswalu is, at its heart, a conservation project – and an ambitious one, at that. Its primary aim is to sustainably safeguard vital habitat and restore biodiversity through its low footprint, sustainable model of nature-based tourism.

The super-exclusive safari experience on the over 111 000 hectare reserve is available to just 40 guests at a time, with the ratio of guests to wilderness one of the lowest in South Africa.

Wondrous Wildlife

As South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including many rare and critically endangered species.

No fewer than 85 mammals and 264 bird species call it home, along with a plethora of reptiles and insects.

Common sightings as you venture along the dune roads include oryx, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, warthog and ostrich, with black-maned lion, desert black rhino and African wild dog making majestic appearances, too.

You may even encounter a leopard or rare Hartmann’s mountain zebra in the foothills of the Korannaberg, along with other large predators like cheetah, hyena, and black-backed jackal.

Lion at Tswalu
Meerkats at Tswalu
Tortoise at Tswalu
Wild Dogs at Tswalu
The Motse Private Spaces
The Motse Fire Pit
The Motse Pool Deck
Tarkuni Tsala
Tarkuni Pool
Tarkuni Homestead
Tarkuni Lounge
The Loapi Private Spaces
Dine at Loapi

Exclusive Luxury

The private reserve is home to three luxurious safari camps.

The original lodge, The Motse, offers nine spacious ‘legae’ (Setswana for ‘home’) – private retreats for two to four guests that are ideal for couples or families.

Tucked away in a secluded valley is Tarkuni, a thatched exclusive-use homestead that can accommodate up to 10 guests in five bedrooms, and is perfect for large families or groups of friends.

Last but certainly not least is Loapi, a luxury tented camp with six individual tented safari homes for the ultimate private wilderness experience.

Regardless of which camp you choose, each includes luxurious fittings and finishes, and a private safari vehicle, guide and tracker are included in every booking.

A Feast for All Senses

The culinary experience at Tswalu is arguably as unforgettable as the safari. It’s rooted in the local heritage and cultural diversity, with an award-winning touch my Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.

At Restaurant Klein JAN, sustainable food culture meets world-class cuisine in the renowned seasonal tasting menu in an extraordinary setting.

To access the restaurant and accompanying cellar, guests are invited to start by stepping back in time on the stoep of a 100-year-old farmhouse. What follows is a truly unique restored subterranean design – an unlikely and theatrical scene for the modern, multi-sensory dining extravaganza.

Restaurant Klein JAN Disguised
The Landscape Surrounding Restaurant Klein JAN
The Landscape Outside of Restaurant Klein JAN
Dine at Restaurant Klein JAN
Restaurant Klein JAN's Scullery

Images © Tswalu Kalahari & Restaurant Klein Jan