Settled on the southernmost edge of the Kalahari, Tswalu offers an incredible wilderness experience for couples and families. With luxury, sustainable lodges as your base, enjoy exclusive access to the largest privately protected area in South Africa. Sight some of the world’s most wonderful creatures and make long-lasting memories.
Why you'll love it here
- Stay in a highly sustainable hotel with the lowest guest footprint in South Africa
- Relax with a range of soothing treatments at the award-winning spa
- Relish high-end cuisine from Michelin chef Jan Henrik van der Westhuizen
- Experience some of the rarest and most extraordinary wildlife sightings
Mari
Travel Specialist
Included in your holiday
- Lounge passes and meet & greet service in UK airports
- Transfers to and from your hotel
- All flight luggage allowances
- Personal concierge service
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- Full ATOL protection
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
These cosy lodges mark the spot where the indigenous hunter-gatherer cultures of South Africa, the San people, once lived. You’ll find pieces of their past in the beautiful artwork scattered across the camp. This authentic South African spirit also lives on in Tswalu’s food, hospitality and general approach to life, and your stay here helps the camp’s mission to protect the Earth and its biodiversity.
In support of the local environment, your getaway to the Tswalu Kalahari game reserve promises plenty of time out in the wilderness. Across the three camps, each suite is assigned an expert guide, a private safari vehicle and an experienced tracker to assist your adventures. Choose from game drives, game tracking, nature walks, horse riding and so much more to fill your days out on the savannah. With a private safari vehicle, you have the freedom to explore the farthest reaches of the reserve at your own pace.
Back at base, you’ll remain connected to nature in your luxury lodge, which boasts beautiful views of the plains and beyond. The lodges also incorporate the plain’s distinct patterns and colours into their interiors to create a rich sense of place. Alongside spacious bedrooms and communal living areas, you’ll also be indulged with 24/7 butler service, in-room dining options and spa treatments.
The dining options are numerous, from a romantic meal under the stars to a three-course fare in the world-renowned Klein JAN Restaurant, which is headed by Michelin star chef, Jan Henrik van der Westhuizen. Pair your delicious, sustainably sourced cuisine with local wines to complete the South African dining experience as you gaze over Tswalu’s acacia trees.
Activities & Entertainment
Safari Experiences
Each suite is assigned a private safari vehicle, field guide and experienced tracker upon arrival, the necessities for all your immersive safari adventures to come. Every day you can choose from a range of activities that let you explore your surroundings. Beyond your exciting game drives, you can also enjoy nature walks, tracking, horse riding, stargazing, sleeping under the stars and meetings with scientific researchers and resident artists.
Wildlife Sightings
On your game drives, and even from the comfort of your verandas, you can spot some extraordinary creatures stalking the savannah. Keep your eyes peeled for black-maned lions, cheetah, black rhino, oryx, wild dogs and brown hyena. Early birds can watch Tswalu’s habituated meerkats arising from their burrows at daybreak – an incredible experience that is completely exclusive to Tswalu guests.
Wellness
Indulge in soothing spa sessions at one of two treatment suites at Motse or Tarkuni. Under the care of an expert spa therapist, at any time of day, you can choose from a range of calming treatments, including massages, manicures, and pedicures. The spa uses two locally sourced, eco-conscious product ranges across all treatments, in line with the resort’s values. The spa can travel to you, too, if you request in-room treatments.
For a more active pass-time, head to the fully equipped modern gym at Motse, where you’ll find Technogym apparatus, free weights, and a mat area for Pilates or yoga.
South Africa travel information
- Time zone: +2 GMT
- Flight time: 11-12 hours
- Recommended airlines: Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Qatar Airways
- Currency: South African Rand
- Tipping guideline: 10-15%
- Health considerations: There is a risk of malaria in certain areas of South Africa, including the Kruger National Park. However, transmission occurs typically between the months of September and May only. In June, July and August, the risk is considered to be very low. There is a low to very low risk of malaria in the rest of South Africa throughout the year.There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Capital: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein
- Population: 61,020,221
- National languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, and Xhosa
- Electricity and plugs: Type C, D, M, N, 230V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for South Africa if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
Want to know more?
Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our South-africa experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Mari
Travel Specialist
South Africa travel guides
Want some more help planning your holiday to South Africa? Read our expert guides to find out everything you need to know about where to stay, dine and explore on your Inspiring Travel escape.
Would you like to speak to an South Africa expert?
Contact our Travel Specialists for a bespoke quote or some first-hand knowledge.
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware