South Africa's Largest Private Reserve
In Setswana, Tswalu means ‘a new beginning’
Tswalu is the largest private reserve in South Africa, covering 1200 square kilometres (over 460 square miles). Located on the edge of the southern Kalahari, this vast and remote reserve is a destination in itself, offering the only safari of its kind in an ecologically significant and unique landscape rich in biodiversity. Our luxury safari camps provide the backdrop to privately guided encounters with diverse wildlife in one of Africa’s last remaining semi-arid wildernesses.
Tswalu’s story is one of restoration, regeneration and hope. Protecting biodiversity and securing habitat for wildlife to thrive has been at the core of this ambitious conservation project for over 25 years. Our mission has always been to restore the Kalahari to itself. Every night a guest spends with us helps to offset the cost of conservation in a privately protected area while positively impacting those who call the Kalahari home.
LUXURY CAMPS
Tswalu has the lowest guest footprint in South Africa, which equates to very few guests sharing access to its vast landscapes. Three luxury safari camps, Loapi, Motse and Tarkuni, are defined by quiet luxury, generous South African hospitality and an authentic sense of place. Whichever camp you choose, Tswalu is a place that deserves to be experienced at a slower, more immersive pace.
EXPERIENCES
Our guests have the freedom and flexibility to experience everything in their own time and at their own pace, thanks to the guarantee of a private vehicle and a dedicated guide and tracker. Defining Tswalu moments include tracking one of the elusive species, like a pangolin or aardvark, horse riding, up-close encounters with habituated meerkats, rock art walks, dinner on the dunes under the stars, a night under canvas at Malori, and Restaurant Klein JAN.
WILDLIFE
Tswalu offers unrivalled access to diverse sightings, from big predators to some of Africa’s most elusive species. The reserve is well-known for up-close encounters with iconic animals like black-maned lions, cheetahs, African wild dogs, and brown hyenas, as well as white and desert black rhinos. Along with familiar savannah species, such as giraffe, kudu, buffalo, and zebra, Tswalu’s dramatic landscapes are synonymous with oryx, springbuck, red hartebeest and elusive species, including the aardvark, pangolin, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, and Cape fox.
TSWALU FOUNDATION
The Tswalu Foundation actively supports environmental research, with a special focus on biodiversity and regenerative land management projects. Throughout the year, scientists from top academic institutions spend time at Dedeben Research Centre collecting data and samples to further their research. From puff adder ecology and lichen diversity to the impact of climate change on butterfly migrations, guests can engage with subject experts to gain insight into the relationship between research and conservation.
Tswalu is a member of The Long Run, a global community of purpose-driven businesses dedicated to accelerating positive change through nature-based tourism. Our regenerative journey is guided by the four key benchmarks of conservation, community, commerce and culture — the 4Cs. In 2024, Tswalu earned Global Ecosphere Resort® (GER) status, The Long Run’s most advanced sustainability standard. By choosing Tswalu, guests become part of our vision to leave the world better than we found it.
The Long RunTswalu Kalahari is a member of Oppenheimer Generations, a diverse community of commercial ventures and not-for-profit organisations representing the global interests of the Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer family.
