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Tswalu Private Desert Reserve Location

In the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, on the southern tip of the Kalahari desert lies Tswalu, which at over 1 000 sq.kms. (270 000 acres) is the largest privately owned game reserve in South Africa. Tswalu, which means 'New Beginning', is a unique triumph of conservation, the vision of an experienced team dedicated to turning back the clock and giving the Kalahari back to the Kalahari. In the 20th Century man claimed this area of the Kalahari for agriculture, an ecological catastrophe which decimated the wildlife as farmers changed the land.  The team at Tswalu set about tearing down fences, demolishing farms and taking on the most ambitious wildlife restocking programmes the world has yet witnessed.     After several years of work, the job is now complete.  The Tswalu landscape looks as it must have done a thousand years ago and supports a greater diversity of animal species than any other game reserve on the African continent.  The vision is now a reality.  The 'New Beginning' has begun. Situated 650 km from Johannesburg and 380 km from Kimberley. Tswalu boasts its own private CAA licensed tarred runway which can accommodate most aircraft. Travellers therefore have the option of direct flights (daily air charter service from Johannesburg's Lanseria Airport by Speed Air, to Tswalu), a fly-drive option, flying to either Upington/Kimberley and driving from there, or driving directly from one of the destinations on your SA itinerary.

Fly-In Safari Lodge Desert Wildlife Game Drives Safari Self Drive Walking Honeymoon Rock Art Conference Facility Photography Birding Swimming Pool Horse Riding Price Range - Southern Africa: $800 plus Child Friendly

BREEDING & CONSERVATION The real challenge was the plan to resettle a breeding herd of one of Africa's most endangered species, the Desert Black Rhino. Three years ago, eight Desert Black Rhinos were successftdly translocated to Tswalu and in the last three months, three calves were born on the estate, which are the first ever born in Southern Africa outside a national park. There are only approximately 400 of this rare species in the world today, of which approximately 35 are in South Africa. The breeding programme also comprises, the Roan Antelope, of which there are approximately 1000-1500 worldwide and Tswalu began with 20 in 1996 - this number is now over 50. Of the Sable Antelope, Tswalu has now bred a staggering 101 and the Cape Buffalo, (Syncerus Caffer) "disease free", of which there are only 1000 Cape Buffalo (disease free) worldwide and over the past 3 years Tswalu has bred 60. The building up of viable numbers of all these species will result in them being reintroduced in the rest of the continent. All of these animals have had a growth rate of 40% over a three year period. BIRDS There are over 250 different species of birds at Tswalu. Some of the most interesting and rare that can been seen are the Martial Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, Black Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Black Breasted Snake Eagle, Booted Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Lanner Falcon, Pygmy Falcon, Kori Bustard, Stanley's Bustard, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Burchell's Sandgrouse, Spotted Eagle Owl, Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Red Lark, Crimson-breasted Shrike and Secretary bird.

Set against the foothills of the Korannaberg Maintains, the Tswalu Game Lodge combines the rustic character of a traditional African settlement with the comforts and facilities of a luxury hotel. The magnificent, air-conditioned central lodge is one of the largest thatched buildings in Southern Africa. It houses the main lounge and dining areas and gives access to the boma, the barbecue deck and the year-round heated swimming pool.  Surrounding it are eight individual air-conditioned lodges accommodating a maximum of 20 guests. Each of these has a lounge, with open fire, bedroom, bathroom with inside and outside showers, telephone and a private sun deck with an uninterrupted view across the Kalahari dunes to the spectacular Tswalu sunset.  Two of the lodges have been designed with families in mind and have an additional bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Absolutely everything is tailored to ensure that guests enjoy the highest standards.    Staff are always on hand to answer every need.  Tswalu has earned membership of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux Association. Tswalu, an oasis of luxury in a breathtaking setting.

Horse riding and game walking trails are available amongst the animals. The game drives are taken by qualified Rangers and Trackers in Land Rovers with canopies for protection from the sun, all equipped with cool boxes crammed full with drinks and snacks and if you are going out for the whole day, a picnic lunch is supplied. You can have Sundowners on the crest of a dune, dinner under the stars in an open air Boma filled with lanterns or in the dining room with views stretching from horizon to horizon. We are constantly looking to improve the viewing experience for our guests and with that in mind we have now completed the renovation of the Helderberg Mountain Platform. This aerial viewing site, built into the mountains, overlooks one of 100 waterholes on Tswalu, where the lions are often seen resting. We have incorporated dining, cooking and washroom facilities, as well as a stone fireplace. Now, all year round viewing is possible in comfortable surroundings where we provide breakfasts, dinners or sundowners. This has proved to be an extremely popular feature within our predator area, as its stunning panoramic views oveflook an area of land as far as the eye can see, incorporating Kalahari Plains and mountain ranges. GAME CAPTURE Through sound game management, foresight and owner/staff dedication, Tswalu is now in a unique position to offer interested guests and parties the opportunity to experience the art of game capture first hand. At Tswalu's inception, it was decided to control the animal population growth so as to prevent habitat over-utilisation. Excess animals are now caught live and then relocated or sold at game auctions. To this end, Tswalu has invested in experienced personnel and a complete game capture unit. Guests visiting Tswalu, during the game capture season, have shown tremendous interest in this highly specialised form of wild life management and have requested to be involved or just to simply observe. As a result, since 1999 we have proposed to make available specific dates during the game capture season for Tswalu guests who wish to partake in or observe this highly unique expenence.

Tswalu Private Desert Reserve Children Policy
Under 12 yrs sharing with Parents - Complimentary. Children not sharing with parents up to 17 yrs old pay 50% of the rate.

Nearest City: KIMBERLEY

Check In Time: 02:00:00 PM

Check Out Time: 11:00:00 AM