The Tswalu Kalahari is located just south of the border with Botswana, close to Namibia and is one of those rare places that offers a true wilderness experience within South Africa.

When to go to Tswalu Kalahari

Best Time to Go

South Africa’s largest private game reserve

Remote and secluded

Baby Meerkats, Tswalu The Motse, Kalahari, South Africa

Three colonies of habituated meerkats

Malaria-free

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Spectaular Remote Wilderness

2black maned male tswalu kalahari south africa yellow zebra safaris

Frequently referred to as the ‘Green Kalahari’, Tswalu is a unique place that supports a diverse range of very interesting species within a magnificent setting. With just two lodges (Tswalu Motse and Tswalu Tarkuni) accommodating only 30 guests and six safari vehicles, it provides a very personalised and private safari experience.

Malaria-free and with great accommodation and game viewing, Tswalu is a fantastic safari destination and offers great flexibility not found in too many reserves. Guests have the service and amenities found in a modern luxury hotel, while at the same time enjoying an authentic African safari environment. Tswalu prides itself on the level of service and flexibility it offers its guests – game drives can be taken at nearly any time and tailored to your requirements.

Tswalu Kalahari Trips

Activities & Wildlife

Tswalu is home to unique landscapes and a diverse range of species that can be seen on game drives, walks and by horseback.

Unique wildlife

Explore the striking scenery

Cultural visits

  • Tswalu has over 70 species of animals, but of particular note are its desert black rhino, black-maned Kalahari lion, and many other elusive creatures such as aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin and porcupine. It’s home to some very interesting and rare species that are difficult to find in many other parts of Africa.

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  • As well as a choice of drives, there are options to go out on horseback, on foot, or even sleep out under the desert night skies for some amazing stargazing.

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  • Trips can be arranged to visit a local community and there are a number of San Bushmen carvings to visit that recent archaeologists believe may be up to 380,000 years old, some of the oldest on the planet!

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Where to Stay

Tswalu is one of the largest and most unique private reserves in South Africa. It is all about the rarer and more unique wildlife, including black-maned Kalahari lion, pangolin, habituated meerkat, black rhino, aardvark, aardwolf, and wild dog, to name a few.
Kirsten Jonker Training Director

Good to Know

01.

When is the best time to travel to Tswalu Kalahari?

While Tswalu can be visited year-round, our top recommendation is between May and October (winter and spring), as the days are cooler and sightings of smaller, rarer animals increase. During the summer (November to March), the days are warmer with the occasional thunderstorm and many of the animals calve. The arrival of many migrant birds makes this a great time for birdwatching too. Autumn (April to May) is the greenest time of year in the Kalahari with mild days and cool evenings. It is also rutting time for many of the antelope species. We would recommend a three or four night stay to make the most of a visit to Tswalu.

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