Tswalu Kalahari Reserve at any time can host up to 34 visitors at this private retreat to traverse the scenic landscape, its abundant wildlife and the expanse of one of the country's last significant untouched territories.

Tswalu is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel association which demands the highest standards of hospitality on an international level. As one of the most significant private nature reserves in Africa, it covers over two hundred and fifty thousand acres of pristine wilderness in the Northern Cape. The Oppenheimer family gives priority to preserving nature for future generations.

Tswalu guests have the choice of two different types of accommodation options. The camp features 6 Standard Suites and 3 Family Suites with indoor and outdoor showers. From the private sundecks, one can enjoy views of the waterhole which is frequented by wildlife. The Tarkuni Camps is an exclusive private home featuring five individual Suites accommodating a maximum of ten guests.

Visitors have the unique opportunity to sleep in a luxury king-size bed in the middle of the game reserve on a raised deck. Listing to the calls of nocturnal animals, with nothing between them and the bright stars of the Kalahari night sky, this sleep-out deck is a truly memorable experience. Guests can choose to sleep under the thatch or further along the deck where it is entirely open.

The Malori Sleep Out Deck:

• Deck with a thatched roof
• King-size bed, Robes and slippers
• Open-air toilet and shower
• Table and chairs
• Couch

During their stay Tswalu, guests may choose which events they would like to include in their daily itinerary. For safari drive enthusiasts, the entire day can be spent in the bush with a delicious picnic. Thrilling bush hikes provide the opportunity to admire the smaller creatures and to track desert black rhino on foot. Riders of all abilities may enjoy horseback rides through the reserve accompanied by guides.

Photographers will find Tswalu a paradise where shots of wildlife with scenic panoramas can be combined. Walking tours to the ancient archaeological sites reveal rock carvings which were created by the Bushmen up to 380,000 years ago.

The Green Kalahari region of South Africa provides some food never see anywhere else such as the rare venison and the Kalahari truffle. Sundowners in a beautiful setting is followed by sunsets and incredible dune dinners. The meals are complemented by the award-winning wine list from which guests can choose some of the most beautiful South African wines.

The exclusive spa, which has received several awards in the past, features a welcome lounge, two therapy suites with en-suite sensation showers, as well as a private garden. On arrival, guests enjoy home-made smoothies, fruit and lemon flavoured water before their selected spa treatments which are performed by the individual or dual therapy suites.

South Africa's Kalahari is a semi-arid grassland which is characterised by its diversity of habitats and wide-open savannahs. What makes this Lodge unique is the combination of the Kalahari dunes, savannahs with the combination of the Korannaberg Mountains.

The retreats vehicles have exclusive access to the entire Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, which covers more than 1000 square kilometres. One also stands a chance to admire the rare species such as Roan and Sable antelope, Tsessebe, Hartmann's mountain zebra and, of course, the desert black rhino. Larger predators in Tswalu reserve include the leopard, wild dogs and cheetahs. While the spotted hyena cannot be seen so frequently, the brown hyena is reasonably standard. The famous Kalahari lions are known for their sheer size and beautiful manes.

Quick facts:

• Owned by Oppenheimer Trust
• South Africa’s largest private game reserve on over 1000 SQ km
• Guests enjoy exceptional flexibility in the personal, daily itinerary
• Dedicated field guides and butlers
• Malaria-free
• Great wildlife sightings (desert black rhino, Kalahari lions, meerkats, cheetah, rare antelope, etc.)
• Over 70 species of mammal and 230 species of birds
• Emphasis is on privacy and exclusivity
• Families are welcome, and kids are encouraged to participate fully in the safari experience
• Sleep out the deck for an ultimate experience.

The Camp

• Six standard suites
• Three family suites each accommodating four guests
• Indoor & outdoor showers
• Open fireplace
• Private sun deck overlooking a waterhole
• Separate dressing area
• Broadband Wi-Fi access
• Direct-dial telephone.

The Main House features:

• The Outdoor heated pool is in the garden of the Tswalu main house
• Sizable Spa & Gym
• Well stocked Wine cellar
• Comprehensive Library
• The Gift Shop

The Tarkuni Camp

• Exclusive private home with five individual suites
• Accommodates 1-10 guests
• Dedicated chef
• Tranquil poolside deck
• Private wildlife viewing vehicle
• Outdoor walk-in showers
• Two lounges with open fireplaces
• Outdoor swimming pool

Location and Access

Tswalu is set in the heart of the beautiful Northern Cape Province of South Africa about 305 kilometres north-west of Kimberley and about 274 km north-east of Upington. The city of Johannesburg in Gauteng lies approximately 563 km to the east and Cape Town 855 km to the south of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.

The retreats closest town is Kuruman, which is well known for the Kuruman Eye and the Moffat Mission. It is from here where the explorer and adventurer Dr Livingstone set off into deepest Africa. The Lodge is located close to the border of Botswana and lies within an easy driving distance of South Africa's Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

• Tswalu in the Northern Cape offers daily scheduled flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg. The aircraft is a Pilatus PC 12, which is pressurised providing a journey in luxury and comfort. In Johannesburg.
• The flying time between Cape Town and Tswalu is about 2 hours with the Johannesburg flight taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. A minimum of 2 passengers is required for the flights to take place and passengers are kindly requested to be at the hangar one hour before the trip.
• Furthermore, it is also accessible by private or charter plane. The CAA licensed tar runway is 2,030 meters long and can accommodate most corporate jets. The runway lights are calibrated and approved by CAA for night landings also to take place.

Flight schedule (subject to change):

• 0750: DEPART CAPE TOWN (CTI - Signature hangar) TO TSWALU
• 0950: ARRIVE TSWALU
• 1020: DEPART TSWALU TO JOHANNESBURG (ORT)

1150: ARRIVE JOHANNESBURG (ORT - Fireblade Aviation) – This allows guests ample time to take connecting flights to Kruger / Sabi Sand / Madikwe. Fireblade provides a shuttle service for guests joining via FedAir or SA Airlink.

1300: DEPART JOHANNESBURG (ORT - Fireblade Aviation) TO TSWALU – Guests can now connect seamlessly from Kruger / Sabi Sand / Madikwe. Fireblade provides the collection service from both FedAir and ORT main terminal.

• 1430: ARRIVE TSWALU
• 1450: DEPART TSWALU TO CAPE TOWN (CTI)
• 1650: ARRIVE in CAPE TOWN (CTI - Signature hangar).

Accolades and Awards

• The Continent’s Best Luxury Safari Spa, and The Continents Best Luxury Beauty Spa
• Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Safari Spa
• Relais & Chateaux Member
• National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s Top 50 Eco Lodges
• Gold Achiever nominee in AA Travel Guides Awards
• Conde Nast Traveler World Saver Award
• First Choice Responsible Tourism; Best Conservation of Endangered Species
• Winner of prestigious Relais & Chateaux Global Environmental Trophy
• A previous winner of the Andrew Harper Grand Annual Award
• Fair Trade in Tourism accredited