Tswalu Kalahari Luxury Private Game Reserve is South Africa's largest private game reserve, covering an area of over 100,000 hectares. Owned by the Oppenheimer family, Tswalu takes conservation as its absolute priority; our vision is simply 'to restore the Kalahari to itself'. No more than thirty guests at a time can discover the beauty of this landscape, its diverse wildlife, and the serenity of what may well be South Africa's last great wilderness.

Accommodation is available in 2 private sanctuaries. Tswalu Kalahari is exceptionally child friendly, free of malaria and other tropical diseases, and can be easily accessed by both road and air. Tswalu is situated in the heart of the Northern Cape Province, some 300 kilometres north-west of Kimberley and 270 kilometres north-east of Upington. Johannesburg lies 560 kilometres to the east and Cape Town some 850 kilometres to the south.

Tswalu is close to the border with Botswana and within easy driving distance of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. As such, Tswalu represents the gateway to the splendour of the Kalahari.

THE MOTSE

Our 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 our village consists of just eight spacious and secluded 'legae' (another Tswana word, for 'little house') or suites.

These legaes are built of local stone, rich red clay and traditional Kalahari thatch. Recently redesigned by world-renowned Boyd Ferguson, our suites define an elegant, barefoot luxury.

Each suite comprises a spacious bedroom with an open fire, a sumptuous en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower, and a large dressing and study area. Your private sun deck overlooks a waterhole and the changing game it attracts.

Two legae have been designed especially for families. Each offers two separate bedroom suites with their own en-suite bathrooms, separated by an expansive living room again leading on to a shady, private terrace. These legae are each over 170 square metres in size and create the perfect environment for any family group.

The Motse accommodates no more than 20 guests at any one time. The main house is a spectacular space in which to meet, with its elevated decks and elegant lounges. An infinity pool offers an endless view over the savannahs and a secluded spa is designed to complete your total relaxation. The mezzanine library is equipped with satellite TV (the Motse also has full broadband Wi-Fi access throughout) and its museum cases display rare artefacts from the area. All profits from our exclusive Foundation Gift Shop go directly to fund important new research on the reserve.

TARKUNI

Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, Tarkuni is the Oppenheimer family's own personal home here at Tswalu and the ultimate private sanctuary.

Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families or groups of great friends. Its five luxurious suites, each with a magnificent en-suite bathroom, accommodate a maximum of 10 guests.

Tarkuni creates an oasis of serenity in the desert. The home has its own dedicated team including a host and private chef to ensure a completely personal service. A private vehicle, personal field guide and tracker ensure an equally bespoke safari experience.

Tarkuni's quiet pool and shady salas offer calm and contemplation. Its own traditional boma has seen many celebrations. And its beguiling charm has led many guests to return to what becomes their home in the Kalahari.

Our Executive Chef, Theresa Fehrsen, has a style which defines modern South African cuisine. Tswalu is proud to be a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and to meet its exacting standards. Here you will enjoy food you will never see anywhere else in the world.

With an emphasis on the qualities of individual ingredients, Theresa creates new interpretations of classic South African dishes such as charkalaka or koeksisters. Elsewhere inspiration comes directly from the Kalahari and treasures such as the rare Kalahari truffle. Sometimes local colour creates a simple accent, such as a hollandaise made with inkomasi, the traditional buttermilk of the Tswana.

As our menus change, so do our venues. Sundowners are followed by dune dinners and spectacular sunsets. Tswalu's Kalahari Feast is a modern reworking of the traditional 'boma' braai. Breakfasts may take place with panoramic views of the waterhole where our Southern Pride of black-maned lions may also start their day. At any time, you may choose a romantic supper in the privacy of your own deck, with a vintage wine and a telescope to gaze at a thousand stars.

Our service aims to be gentle yet meticulous. As Justin Cartwright wrote in Conde Nast Traveller, 'this unobtrusive professionalism is the special quality of Tswalu.'

Tswalu has superlative game and offers sightings of some of Southern Africa's rarest and most extraordinary wildlife. In particular, our population of desert black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) now represents one third of South Africa's remaining population. Kalahari lions, with their celebrated black manes, are huge and gorgeous. Frequent cheetah sightings are possible in the open savannah and meerkats, with their enchanting antics, can be viewed at close range here.

Tswalu's 90 species of mammals include rare antelope such as roan, sable and tsessebe. Giraffe browse upon thorny acacias. Burchell's zebra wander across the grasslands whilst the rarer Hartmann's mountain zebra scale the Korannaberg. In the dunes, the sharpest eyes might spot a desert pygmy mouse. And in the evening, the Kalahari comes alive with more elusive creatures such as aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared foxes and brown hyaena.

Over 230 species of birds have been seen here at Tswalu. And every bush or dune crest has its own secrets to reveal; in the last ten years, four separate new species of insect have been discovered and identified here for the very first time.

The diversity of life here is spectacular. Yet sometimes the most beautiful sight can be as simple as the sun's last rays falling over the silken bushman?s grass.

Our safari experience is very different. Tswalu offers unrivalled privacy in a vast, pristine wilderness. We have a maximum of six vehicles in over 100,000 hectares. As Nicky Oppenheimer says, 'If you see another Land Rover, complain!'

Our expert Field Guides have been specially trained in Kalahari wildlife and each contributes personally to the constant programme of research and conservation on our reserve. Game drives will be completely tailored to your own interests. As well as discovering many rare and endangered species for the first time, every guest leaves with a deep appreciation of the beauty of this entire eco-system.

Bush walks are encouraged at Tswalu. We want people to get even closer to the land. To touch the unique vegetation (and learn about some plants' extraordinary properties). To inspect nests and burrows. To examine the smallest insect. A morning can begin by walking to a meerkat colony and watching these engaging mammals warm themselves in the sunshine before they scamper off to forage. Night walks are now also possible, offering the chance of exceptional sightings such as aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine or brown hyena at even closer range.

And for an experience unlike any other, our guests can explore the dunes and savannahs on Horseback Safari. Few moments can rival gently walking through a herd of sable antelope on horseback, sharing the magical stillness that defines the Kalahari.

Other activities on offer include:

• Hot-air balloon trips
• Traditional Kalahari cart ride
• Special talks
• Visits to archeological sites
• Sanctuary Spa experience
• Junior Ranger programme for children.

Children's policy

Children under 12 yrs sharing with parents in a standard suite, stay FREE of charge.

Accommodation rates include:

• Luxury full board accommodation
• Two daily game drives in open safari vehicles
• Walking safaris led by experienced Field Guides and Trackers
• All local beverages
• Horse riding accompanied by an equestrian guide
• Baby-sitting service
• Laundry and valet services.

Rates exclude:

• Private vehicle with personal Field Guide and Tracker
• Transfers to and from Tswalu
• Telephone calls
• Tswalu gift shop purchases
• Any additional transfers and activities
• Spa and Massage treatments
• Selected premier wines and all cigars
• Hot air ballooning.