Swain-selected stayTswalu Kalahari Private Reserve, South AfricaThe Motse Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Private ReserveA distinctive base for a journey designed around you.Selected by our Destination ExpertsExploreThe storyGalleryExperiencesPlan your stayThe stayWhat to know about this stay.Tswalu Kalahari Private Reserve offers a privately guided safari experience on the southernmost edge of the Kalahari, a vast arid savannah recognized as South Africa’s last great wilderness. The ancient Korannaberg mountain range cuts through remarkably diverse habitats within a privately protected conservation area that spans 114,000 hectares (282,000 acres). Tswalu is a year-round destination with three secluded safari camps designed for couples, families and small groups. Every guest who stays here becomes part of the Oppenheimer family’s bold, regenerative conservation vision to restore biodiversity to the fragile Kalahari ecosystem and contribute to the socio-economic development of a remote, marginalized region of South Africa. Every booking is assured of a private 4x4 vehicle, guide and tracker, setting the scene for a safari of unparalleled exclusivity and flexibility. Sightings of iconic Kalahari species, including magnificent black-maned lions and endangered desert black rhinos, are matched by tracking the elusive, nocturnal species that find sanctuary here, including the brown hyena, aardvark, aardwolf and pangolin. Habituated meerkat encounters, horse riding across grassy red dunes, rock art walks, and an introduction to the Tswalu Foundation’s scientific research projects are some of the guest activities that are unique to this reserve. The main property, the Motse, nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains, facing westwards across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Motse means “village” in Tswana and the village consists of just nine spacious and secluded “legae” (another Tswana word, for “little house”) or suites. A closer lookThe Motse Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Private Reserve, in detail.View all 9 photosBeyond the stayExperiences nearbyMust Do's at Tswalu • Take an early morning game drive and don’t rush back for breakfast. Request a delicious gourmet picnic - breakfast in the bush is a memory to savor• Bond with the meerkats before they go foraging for the day• Spend the morning tracking the Desert Black rhino with arguably the best trackers in Africa• Witness the sheer size and power of the Kalahari black maned lion - and enjoy the playful innocence of their cubs• Enjoy an early evening safari tracking the elusive Aardvark and Pangolin - probably one of the best places in the world to view these rare animals• Be pampered in the spa – from a massage to a facial – because you deserve it• Get up close to the animals on horseback, and experience nature at its best• Sleep out under the stars – just you and the expanse of the Kalahari …star gazing was never like this• Explore the authentic flavors, heritage foods and cultures of the Northern Cape in a culinary journey of flavors and culture overlooking the bushveld• Take a trip to the wine cellar and let the wine director assist in choosing something perfect for your palate• Visit the community health center, children’s school, and adult learning center• Sip a sun-downer cocktail on the dunes, and experience the real Africa• See the immense benefit of the Tswalu Foundation in action - talk to the researchers about their studies• Wonder at the rock art… recent archaeological research at Tswalu suggests that some of the Bushmen carvings may be up to 380,000 years old, which would make them some of the oldest art on Earth Plan with SwainAdd The Motse Camp, Tswalu Kalahari Private Reserve to your journey.Tell us where you want to go and how you like to travel. We will recommend the right route, length of stay, and experiences.Start planning →
