Tswalu Tarkuni / Tswalu Kalahari

Tarkuni - Exclusive private villa - A World Apart

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest private game reserve, covering an area of over 100,000 hectares. Owned by the Oppenheimer family, Tswalu takes conservation as its absolute priority; our vision is simply ‘to restore the Kalahari to itself’. No more than thirty guests at a time can discover the beauty of this landscape, its diverse wildlife, and the serenity of what may well be South Africa’s last great wilderness.

Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, Tarkuni is the Oppenheimer family’s own personal villa here at Tswalu and the ultimate private sanctuary. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families or groups of great friends. Its five luxurious suites, each with a magnificent en-suite bathroom, accommodate a maximum of 10 guests.

Tarkuni creates an oasis of serenity in the desert. The lodge has its own dedicated team including a host and private chef to ensure a completely personal service. A private vehicle, personal field guide and tracker ensure an equally bespoke safari experience. Tarkuni’s quiet pool and shady salas offer calm and contemplation. Its own traditional boma has seen many celebrations.

And its beguiling charm has led many guests to return to what becomes their home in the Kalahari. The Kalahari is the ancestral home of the San people (Bushman). Some of their ancient engravings can be seen at Tswalu; current research suggests these may be amongst the oldest art on Earth. At maximum capacity Tswalu will take only 30 guests in total.

This represents the lowest imaginable density of visitors. The emphasis here is on privacy and exclusivity – your own private Kalahari. Tswalu is located in a malaria-free area, welcomes families and actively encourages children to participate fully in the safari experience. Because of its unique landscape, wildlife and experience, Tswalu combines perfectly into any itinerary and provides the ideal partnership with both the intensity of the Lowveld or the glamour of Cape Town.

DINING
The Executive Chef has a style which defines modern South African cuisine. Tswalu is proud to be a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and to meet its exacting standards. But here you will enjoy food you will never see anywhere else in the world. With an emphasis on the qualities of individual ingredients, Theresa creates new interpretations of classic South African dishes such as charkalaka or koeksisters. Elsewhere inspiration comes directly from the Kalahari and treasures such as the rare Kalahari truffle. Sometimes local colour creates a simple accent, such as a hollandaise made with inkomasi, the traditional buttermilk of the Tswana.

As menus change, so do venues. Sundowners are followed by dune dinners and spectacular sunsets. Tswalu’s Kalahari Feast is a modern reworking of the traditional “boma” braai. Breakfasts may take place with panoramic views of the waterhole where our Southern Pride of black-maned lions may also start their day. At any time, you may choose a romantic supper in the privacy of your own deck, with a vintage wine and a telescope to gaze at a thousand stars.The service aims to be gentle yet meticulous. As Justin Cartwright wrote in Conde Nast Traveller, “this unobtrusive professionalism is the special quality of Tswalu.”