Destinations / South Africa / The Kalahari

The Kalahari (Tswalu)

Vast landscape, Big Skies & Rare Wildlife

On the southern edge of the Kalahari, red sands, golden grasslands and the Korannaberg mountains stretch beneath some of the clearest skies in Africa. Here, in South Africa's largest private game reserve, a handful of guests share almost 292,000 acres with black-maned lions, desert black rhino and some of the continent's most elusive creatures.

EXPLORE THE KALAHARI

Africa's Great Desert Wilderness

Rare & Remarkable Wildlife

The Kalahari is one of the best places in Africa to see pangolin and aardvark, alongside habituated meerkats, brown hyenas and black-maned lions.

Space & Exclusivity

On safari here, every guest has a private vehicle, guide and tracker, and no other safari vehicles operate on the reserve.

Malaria-Free & Family-Friendly

The Kalahari is free of malaria and welcomes children of all ages, with junior ranger programs and family-sized homes.

Unforgettable Experiences

Silence, space and the extraordinary.

  • Meerkat Encounters

    Sit among a habituated meerkat colony as they emerge to sun themselves at dawn.

  • Pangolin & Aardvark Tracking

    Search for two of Africa's most elusive animals with researchers and expert trackers.

  • Private Game Drives

    Track black-maned lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and desert black rhino in your own vehicle.

  • Star-Bed Sleep-Outs

    Spend a night on an open-air deck beneath the Kalahari's vast, star-filled sky.

  • Horseback Safaris

    Ride across vast low-scrub landscapes among springbok, zebra and giraffe (for experienced riders).

  • Rock Art Walks

    Walk to ancient petroglyph sites engraved into the rocks of the Korannaberg.

  • Conservation Experiences

    Learn about the pangolin, aardvark and rhino research supported by the reserve.

  • Farm-to-Table Dining

    Dine on produce from the reserve's own gardens, in the heart of the desert.

  • Family Fun & Adventure

    Junior ranger programs teach children to track, identify birds and discover desert life.

  • Romance in the Desert

    Toast the sunset from the crest of a red dune, then spend a night for two beneath the stars at a secluded sleep-out deck.

  • Wellness & Spa

    Restore body and mind with spa treatments and a fully equipped gym, surrounded by the deep silence of the Kalahari.

When to visit

The Kalahari is rewarding year-round, with two distinct seasons.

  • The dry winter brings clear blue skies, crisp mornings and cold nights. Sparse vegetation makes wildlife easier to find.s.

  • Warm summer days bring dramatic thunderstorms, green grasslands and newborn animals. Nights are warm, which is ideal for sleep-outs.

Premier Stays

Stay in a vast private reserve, each with its own vehicle, guide and tracker.

Classic Safari Lodge

Intimate suites with earthy, nature-inspired interiors and views across the reserve to the Korannaberg mountains, welcoming to couples and families alike.

Private Safari Homes

Exclusive-use homes of canvas, glass and steel, each with its own house manager and chef, overlooking the open savannah.

Exclusive Use Homestead

A thatched private homestead for up to 10 guests in a secluded valley, with its own chef, spa room, plunge pool and fire pit.

Pairs Perfectly with…

Because the best safaris rarely stop at one destination.

  • Cape Town

    Begin or end among mountains and ocean, a two-hour direct flight away.

  • Greater Kruger

    Contrast the desert with the classic Big Five bushveld of the Greater Kruger.

  • Okavango Delta

    Trade the red sands for Botswana's lush water wilderness.

  • The Cape Winelands

    Unwind among historic estates and vineyards of the Cape.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Scheduled direct flights connect Tswalu with Johannesburg in about 90 minutes and Cape Town in about two hours. Private charters are also available.

  • Yes. No anti-malarial medication is needed, making it ideal for families and those who prefer to avoid it.

  • Yes. Children of all ages are welcome, with family suites, private homes and junior ranger programs.

  • The Kalahari offers one of Africa's best chances of seeing pangolin, but sightings are never guaranteed. The privately guided tracking experience offered here will greatly improve your chances.

  • We recommend at least four nights, to allow time for meerkats, sleep-outs and searching for rarer species.

  • "Beyond our expectations. Weeks later everyone is still talking about not just everything we saw and did – all of which were truly wonderful – but how everything went off without a single hitch"

    R. FISHMAN, USA

  • "African Safari nailed it! They created a once-in-a-lifetime first-class experience that wowed us. We can't stop talking about this amazing trip and sharing the photos with friends."

    NORMAN ALESI, USA

  • "This was a trip that we will remember forever and go into our memories for a lifetime. Thank you for putting this bucket list trip of a lifetime together for us! It was exceptional."

    WAYNE & DENISE RICCI, USA

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