Tswalu Private Game Reserve sits in the heart of the Northern Cape province of South Africa, within easy driving distance of both the southern border of Botswana, as well as of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Covering an area of over 1000 square kilometres (100,000 hectares), Tswalu, owned by the Oppenheimer family, is South Africa’s largest private game reserve, and is Malaria-free.

Set in the Kalahari Desert, which rather understandably, has a reputation of being desolate, the reality is that this semi-arid grassland with wide-open savannahs has a rich diversity of habitats.

Tswalu is a vast, magical land of infinite possibility, with sweeping vistas and a liberating sense of space

What makes Tswalu unique is that it combines the typical Kalahari savannahs and sand dunes with the Korannaberg Mountains, this enriches the biodiversity of the area, and additionally offers a spectacular backdrop to the reserve.

Spend time with iconic Kalahari species. Tswalu is the ideal habitat for the precious Pangolin

Tswalu is expansive with only a few traversing vehicles, guests literally have the entire reserve to themselves; there is a great diversity of wildlife and bird species, and the open habitat allows for relatively easy game spotting, ensuring an excellent and exclusive wildlife-viewing experience.

Tswalu does not have the full Big Five, but the presence of species like the Roan, Sable and Tsessebe antelope, the Desert black rhino, the rare Spotted hyaena, along with the majestic Black-maned Kalahari lions, makes a visit more than worthwhile.

There are also some rather unusual carnivore and small cats like the Silver fox and Bat-eared fox, Aardwolf, Lynx, Honey Badger, and Small-spotted genet on the reserve. And of course the well loved Pangolin!

Meerkats at Tswalu Game Reserve
Tswalu is renowned for its playful families of meerkats

Tswalu is well known for it’s colonies of Meerkats, and most days it is possible to get relatively close to these captivating little creatures.

At Tswalu, very rightly so, emphasis is placed on the great African outdoors, with guest activities including game drives, walking safaris, sleep-outs under the stars, and horse trails, making it an active family safari destination.

Private dining at Tarkuni

Accommodation at Tswalu Private Game Reserve is in one of two beautiful lodges, the Motse, or Tarkuni, the latter being a sole-use lodge for up to ten guests.

Suites are luxurious, dining is innovative and modern, with an African touch. Game rangers and lodge staff offer un-paralleled service and unobtrusive professionalism.

With a maximum capacity of 30 guests at any one time on the reserve, accent here is on privacy and exclusivity, a truly intimate affair … your very own enchanting Kalahari.