Kalahari Desert, South Africa
Tswalu Kalahari for Families
Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape. Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape.
Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape. Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape.
Location
South Africa’s northern region is home to the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve – a thrilling landscape of valleys, mountains and forests where spectacular wildlife roam. More than 300 species of birds can be found in Waterberg, along with African pythons and Nile crocodile.
The Tswalu Game Reserve, on the edge of the Kalahari, is another of our favourites thanks to its luxurious lodges and commitment to wildlife conservation. Tswalu only permits 40 guests at any one time, ensuring an exclusive experience with minimal impact to the reserve’s incredible biodiversity.
The Tswalu Game Reserve, on the edge of the Kalahari, is another of our favourites thanks to its luxurious lodges and commitment to wildlife conservation. Tswalu only permits 40 guests at any one time, ensuring an exclusive experience with minimal impact to the reserve’s incredible biodiversity.
Family Suites at the Motse
Accommodation has been designed to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance. The Motse is a collection of nine villas, three of which offer a second bedroom for families.
You’ll feel the intimate privacy from the moment you arrive, while the design is authentic, but also exquisite. Beds face floor-to-ceiling windows, maximising your waking view of the wilderness outside.
The main lodge features a large and glittering pool, indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a photographic studio to edit your photos between safaris.
You’ll feel the intimate privacy from the moment you arrive, while the design is authentic, but also exquisite. Beds face floor-to-ceiling windows, maximising your waking view of the wilderness outside.
The main lodge features a large and glittering pool, indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a photographic studio to edit your photos between safaris.
Exclusive Use in the Tarkuni House
There is a spectacular second option for larger groups seeking a more intimate stay. The Tarkuni House has an expansive central lounge and dining area with an open fireplace and sun deck.
It's five luxurious suites each have a magnificent en suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers and private veranda, taking a maximum of 10 guests.
There’s a private pool at Tarkuni and shady salas offer calm and contemplation, opening to the remarkable scene of animals drinking at a nearby watering hole. 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.
It's five luxurious suites each have a magnificent en suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers and private veranda, taking a maximum of 10 guests.
There’s a private pool at Tarkuni and shady salas offer calm and contemplation, opening to the remarkable scene of animals drinking at a nearby watering hole. 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.
Explore Historic Lands
The Kalahari is the ancestral home of the San Bushmen and some of their ancient engravings can be seen at Tswalu; current research suggests these may be amongst the oldest art on Earth.
You can learn a great deal about San culture and traditions before heading out into the wilds to learn bushcraft, animal dropping identification and how to track wildlife on foot.
The Kalahari’s semi-desert landscape is a unique ecosystem and hosts a great number of rare species, including cheetah, pangolin, wild dog and caracal.
You can learn a great deal about San culture and traditions before heading out into the wilds to learn bushcraft, animal dropping identification and how to track wildlife on foot.
The Kalahari’s semi-desert landscape is a unique ecosystem and hosts a great number of rare species, including cheetah, pangolin, wild dog and caracal.
Tswalu Junior Rangers
Tswalu welcomes families and the ‘Junior Ranger’ programme ensures that everyone will come away with rich and exciting safari memories.
One morning your youngsters may wake to find that the day begins with an archery lesson, before heading out around the lodge on foot with expert guides.
Game drives, horseback and quad bike rides, sleep outs under the stars, or perhaps just a splash in the swimming pool are some of the other activities available.
Of course, ‘Junior Rangers’ cannot operate without equipment—on arrival every child is given a backpack full of special guides and tools to aid them on their adventures.
One morning your youngsters may wake to find that the day begins with an archery lesson, before heading out around the lodge on foot with expert guides.
Game drives, horseback and quad bike rides, sleep outs under the stars, or perhaps just a splash in the swimming pool are some of the other activities available.
Of course, ‘Junior Rangers’ cannot operate without equipment—on arrival every child is given a backpack full of special guides and tools to aid them on their adventures.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Conservation
As a leader in the field of biodiversity conservation, Tswalu has several notable conservation success stories to share about iconic Kalahari species, including brown hyena, cheetah and ground pangolin. Other animal species indigenous to the Kalahari, including black-maned lions, black rhinos and wild dogs, have been successfully reintroduced and are thriving.
Community
Tswalu provides a number of services and facilities, including a health care centre that provides free primary health care and health education not only to all staff and their families on the reserve but to anyone in need in the remote, rural communities surrounding the property.
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