Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, Tarkuni is the Oppenheimer family’s own personal home here at Tswalu and the ultimate private sanctuary.
Tarkuni Tswalu
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All you need to know
Intro
Highlights
Tarkuni creates an oasis of serenity in the desert. The home 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.
Need To Know
The word ‘Tswalu’ means ‘a new beginning’ and Tswalu Kalahari is driven by two ambitions: to create an inspirational experience for its guests; and a conservation vision, to restore the Kalahari to itself. These two goals sit in perfect equilibrium with each guest contributing directly to the sustainability of the reserve in a true model of eco-tourism.
Tswalu guests are in search of rarity, adventure, privacy, and inspirational travel, and this extraordinary property provides all of these and more.
Safaris
Guests are encouraged to experience a variety of game-viewing opportunities over and above the regular game drives in a 4X4 vehicle - from guided bush walks, leisurely horseback safaris, to spending time with our habituated meerkats
Wildlife
While Tswalu is home to most of the "charismatic" African big game species such as lion, cheetah, wild dog, desert black rhino and buffalo, Tswalu has developed into a vast area of unique biodiversity and natural beauty which offers safe haven to a number of rare and endangered species, including pangolin, aardvark, aardwolf, African wild dog, rare antelope such as roan, sable and tsessebe and endangered raptors.
Quick Facts
Region
Africa
Safari Operators
Safari House / Villa
Average Stay
4 nights
Average Price
ZAR 115 500 exclusive use (maximum 10 people)
Child Policy
CHILDREN AT TSWALU
Part of our mission is to involve the whole family in our conservation vision, and Tswalu Kalahari is an extraordinary place for children.
·Tswalu is located in a malaria-free area
·There are child-friendly swimming pools at both camps
·Children under 12 stay absolutely free with their parents in a suite at The Motse (maximum two)
·Three specially designed family suites easily accommodate larger families with younger children
·There is a children's menu, and any individual meal preferences are catered for
·Flexible dining times and venues for families
·Complimentary babysitting to allow parents to enjoy more formal or private evenings
·On arrival children receive a backpack which includes Tswalu's Junior Ranger training guide
·An exciting programme of special activities for children includes:
o Archery and making bows and arrows
o Spoor identification and casting
o Children's bush walks
o Tracking wildlife on foot and with technology
o Picnics, special children's boma meals,
o Baking
·Guided horse trails
·Unlike many reserves, we happily include younger children on private game drives
Accommodation
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.
Accolades
- 2016: We Are Africa Innovation Awards - Conserve Africa award
- 2016: Trending African Safari Camps (selected by Leora Rothschild)
- 2016: British Airways Highlife - 5 of the Best Safari Lodges
- 2016: Nominated for the Virtuoso Best of the Best Award - Sustainable Tourism Leadership
- 2016: 2015, 2014, 2013 & 2012: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
- 2015: Town&Country – The T&C Travel 100: The Best Hotels in the World
- 2015: Andrew Harper - Readers' Choice 2015: Top 20 Safari Lodges and Camps
- 2015: Safari Awards - Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property: Best Location
- 2014 & 2011: Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Spa Awards - Best Safari Spa Award
Season
WHEN TO VISIT – THE SEASONS
Spring: September – October
The weather starts to warm up and days are very pleasant with some cool evenings in Septemb.er
·Some cold fronts can still sweep through and it is best to pack some warm clothing just in case
·In the bush, blackthorn and honeybush are in blossom, scenting the evening air
·“Dry storms” may start forming on the horizon, heralding the approach of the rainy season
·Barking geckos start calling for mates with a cacophony unique to the Kalahari
·The three thorn thickets blossom with soft tissue-like flowers
·Meerkat pups begin emerging from their dens in anticipation of the rain
Summer: November – March
Days are hot and evenings mild with occasional afternoon thunderstorms.
·Migrant birds arrive making birding rewarding and exciting
·Many of the antelope calve early in summer and signs of new life abound
·Jackals and foxes bring their pups above ground after the first rains to enjoy the suddenly prolific insect life
·Rain is always unpredictable in the Kalahari, and if you are fortunate enough to experience it, the rapid transformation will astound you as the desert turns into a lush green spectacle with carpets of golden flowers
Autumn: April – May
Mild days and cooler evenings. There may even be some late season rain.
·This is the greenest time of the year. The savannahs take on a beautifully silky appearance as the grass produces seeds which are blown away by the gentle autumn breeze
·May is the season where most of Tswalu's hands-on wildlife work is done (such as translocations)
·Autumn is the time of the rut; a frenzied time when antelope are in their best physical condition. They begin fighting to establish territories and seek mates
·Animals which hibernate through the short winter (such as leguaans and tortoises) become very active, eating as much as they can before the first frost
·Many of the Kalahari fruits ripen and provide food for birds departing on their long migrations
Winter: June– August
Daytime temperatures are cool and evenings become cold
·The first frost falls and night-time temperatures can drop below freezing
·Conditions become very dry as humidity falls
·As the grass and bushes dry, sightings of rarer, smaller mammals, such as aardvark, aardwolf and pangolin increase. These shy nocturnal animals emerge in the daylight to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine
·Raptors begin building nests
·Large flocks of sandgrouse begin accumulating around the dwindling waterholes in the mornings
·The clear evening skies offer a star-gazing spectacle
·Dust devils (small swirling dust storms) drift across the sand dunes
Region
Africa
Safari Operators
Safari House / Villa
