Tswalu- The Motse
Tswalu offers a vision of hope that brings together conservation, research and an unrivalled safari experience. Everything at Tswalu is centred around it’s creed: To leave our world better than how we found it.
No two Tswalu experiences are the same. That’s because the way you see and touch this magical place will be shaped by your particular interests and will happen at your own pace. Tswalu is a generous landscape and as the sun rises above the Korannaberg mountains each morning, new opportunities to learn, play and explore come to life.
With your own dedicated guide and vehicle, you can experience Tswalu exactly the way you want to. There are no fixed schedules or time limits at special sightings – during your stay, the dunes and grasslands are yours to explore the way you want to, and each wildlife encounter can unfold at its own pace.
At Tswalu, there are only two camps and you’ll be one of just 28 or fewer guests. Enjoy the privacy and exclusivity that define contemporary luxury and experience the Kalahari at your own pace.
The Motse has been completely reimagined as a secluded ‘village’ of nine legae (dwellings), each with an open viewing deck and open fireplace. The Motse is casually elegant with a focus on simplicity and comfort. It evokes a mood of peace, authenticity and intimacy and it delivers a new world of luxury and privacy. Enjoy NEW Star Bed Sleep-Out experiences at Malori (luxury) or Naledi (comfort).
Luxury is a given when you are on safari at Tswalu. At The Motse, just 18 adults are accommodated in nine individual legae (suites) made from desert sand, rock and thatch, with every comfort imaginable – open fireplaces, outdoor showers, private sun decks, spacious living areas, separate dressing and study areas and wireless internet.
Each legae is a calm haven. Beds are orientated to maximise the views and the bathrooms have been created with private gardens with outdoor showers which are open to the exceptional and vast night skies of the Kalahari.
Motse Legae
Each of the six legae has an en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, outside shower with views of the surrounding bush and wildlife, an open fireplace, separate dressing and study area, telephone, safe, wireless internet, and private sun deck with stunningviews of the Kalahari.
Motse Family Suite
There are three family legae (suites) which have been designed especially for families and are comprised of two separate bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a spacious, shared living area
Discover Tswalu's Star Beds
Sleeping under the stars is as old as time but will undoubtedly add an exciting dimension to a safari at Tswalu. Tswalu has two sleep-out experiences, Malori and Naledi.
The Malori sleep-out is under canvas and situated in the middle of the reserve. The more adventurous have the option of spending a night at Naledi, a back-to-nature star bed in the Korannaberg mountains. Malori sleep-out looks out onto a breathtaking view of the reserve and night sky. It is about soaking up the silence, tuning into the sounds of nature and counting shooting stars. The tent comes with comfortable beds, a spacious deck for starlight dining and an open-air bathroom. This additional offering at Tsawlu is great for families or couples that need a little protection under canvas between them and the stars.
The more adventurous will no doubt love the simple Naledi sleep-out experience. Naledi (meaning "star" in Tswana) is literal for this sleep-out as the experience requires you to sleep under the stars, out in the open! Camping stretchers with warm, luxurious blankets and linen, picnic-style food and warming mugs of hot chocolate are all one needs to fully immerse in this raw and unfiltered "camping" experience. It is experiences like these that make for transformational travel for both children and adults. 
At Tswalu, itineraries are planned around our guests' individual needs and a personal consultation on arrival allows guests to choose their daily activities, which include:
Private Game Drives in open-sided, canopied vehicles
Each booking receives their own private vehicle, guide and tracker for the duration of their stay. Game drives are never standard and are tailored to guests' interest. Expert rangers and trackers are specially trained in the unique Kalahari ecology.
Bush Walks
For adult guests, we can also arrange night walks which uncover the magic of the Kalahari after sunset.
Encounters with Meerkat colonies
Spend time viewing these enchanting animals at close range.
Horseback Safaris for all ages
We have a variety of horses ranging from 14.2HH to 17.1HH. The breeds include Boerperd cross, Quarter Horse cross, Thoroughbred, Shire, Appaloosa cross, Arab cross and Saddler cross breeds. An experienced horse guide and backup rider accompany all rides, equipped with radio and comprehensive first aid kit. We accommodate from first time riders to experienced equestrians. We also accommodate children on the rides. Younger and nervous children, depending on riding experience, may be put on lead ropes. The weight limit is 100kg. We use Trail saddles, but also have a few English saddles available for those guests that prefer them.
Stargazing under the Kalahari’s “diamond skies”
Certainly one of the best places to stargaze in South Africa.
Exploring extraordinary archaeological sites
Pack a picnic and explore the Korannaberg hills where the San rock art dates back 380,000 years.
Tswalu Kalahari Spa
The award-winning spa offers a welcome lounge, two beautiful therapy suites with adjacent sensation showers with a private garden. In keeping with Tswalu’s philosophy, the spa is crafted from natural materials with reed ceilings and dry-stone walls in the indoor and outdoor showers.
Tswalu Helicopter Experiences
See Tswalu from above with the Agusta Westland 119, a versatile single-engine helicopter ideally suited to VIP transport. Based at Tswalu, the Augusta is available for private helicopter flips on Tswalu, excursions to nearby points of interest and historical landmarks, and a shuttle service to Upington airport.
The Malori Sleep-out
Spend the night surrounded by the calls of nocturnal animals, with nothing between you and the brilliant stars of the Kalahari night sky…
• There is no compromise on luxury
• An adjacent outdoor toilet, basin and shower are just a short distance away along a lighted walkway
• On arrival, the guide sets up drinks and snacks while guests enjoy the spectacular views
• Enjoy sundowners followed by a delicious meal
• Wake at sunrise to birdsong and the sounds of the early morning in the Kalahari
• Children's camping beds are available, so the whole family can enjoy a Kalahari sleep-out
Junior Ranger's Programme
Children are welcome at Tswalu and the reserve is well equipped to cater for them. Tswalu believes that they too can be part of the conservation vision.
The youngsters will be introduced to the Junior Ranger programme and given a backpack with guides and tools to help them learn about the Kalahari. During their stay they will make their own bow and arrow for archery, learn how to identify spoor, and track game on foot.
In between game walks and drives there are activities at The Motse specially designed to occupy the kids while mom and dad relax. Tswalu’s stables will create a special “pony camp” for any child who shares their passion for horses. There is no malaria in this part of the Kalahari and the pool is a big attraction. They can chat to the rangers, decorate cup cakes and even cook their own bush dinner in the special children’s boma. A separate children’s menu caters for their individual tastes.
Babysitters can be arranged for younger children if parents want time alone.
Community
As well as being an incredible community of flora and fauna, Tswalu is also an extended human family of people from the Kalahari and beyond. We find strength in our diversity, and because we all share the same vision for the future of Tswalu, we can combine our energies and passion to make Tswalu’s vision a reality.
The Tswalu community consists of our staff members and their families, researchers, visiting doctors that support the healthcare centre, visiting artists in residence, and each of our guests, alongside a wider community of neighbours, conservationists and everyone who cares about the restoration of the Kalahari.
The Tswalu Foundation
The Tswalu Foundation exists primarily to support ecological research at Tswalu. Through accumulating a growing body of quality output on the fauna, flora and the unique habitat of the southern Kalahari we have been able to make informed conservation management decisions to better support our shared vision.
This information has been made freely available to our neighbours and other interested parties so that, as we seek to add to our shared understanding of this rich and diverse landscape, they too can care for their land in the best long-term interests of the wildlife and people of the Kalahari.
During your stay at Tswalu, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with researchers studying both iconic and more obscure species and witness scientific conservation in progress.
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