Tswalu Kalahari

At over 270,000 acres, Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game reserve. With a maximum of 40 people in three camps, guests have a truly exclusive experience of the vast Kalahari Desert. Tswalu is an ecotourism-funded conservation project that seeks to restore the overgrazed landscape to its original state. The reserve includes a vast arid savannah crossed by both dunes and mountains. The landscape supports a diversity of Kalahari wildlife including black-maned lions, giraffes, and meerkats. However, the more elusive species like pangolin, brown hyena, aardwolf, aardvark, and oryx make this place truly special. Tracking wildlife in such a vast area can be difficult, but the space in between sightings lets you take in the beauty. Tswalu’s experienced trackers ensure that guests will ultimately find animals in the desert.

The Motse is the main camp at Tswalu Kalahari. It includes nine large suites known as legae that are ideal for families or couples looking for privacy. The main lodge overlooks a waterhole that attracts a variety of wildlife and includes two swimming pools, a library, a spa, a gym, and a photographic studio. Evenings can be spent around the fire pit for sundowners or dining in the boma under the stars. Other accommodations at Tswalu include the Tarkuni Homestead, a five-suite property for private use, and the Loapi Tented Camp, a collection of tented homes opening in 2023.