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Motse Lodge
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Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
The Motse Lodge 
The Motse is Tswalu's main game reserve accommodation, and nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg mountain range, facing westward across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Motse' is a Tswana word meaning 'village' - Tswana is one of South Africas 11 official languages and is spoken in Southern Africa including the Northern Cape. Designed to blend inconspicuously into the mountain range surrounding the game reserve. The Motse consists of eight spacious legae (a Tswana word for small house/suite), all designed with a distinct African feel while remaining elegant and stylish.
Accommodation at Motse Lodge
The legaes are built of local stone, rich red clay and typical Kalahari thatch roofs, and altogether can accommodate a maximum of 20 people. Six of the legaes are for two guests each, while two legaes were designed with families in mind, each accommodating four people. As an added bonus for any game reserve in South Africa, each legae overlooks a game watering hole.
Each suite comprises a spacious bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor walk-in shower, large private lounge with an open fireplace, private sun deck overlooking a waterhole, direct dial telephone, safe, mini bar and outdoor heated swimming pool. This is luxury game reserve accommodation at its best.
Dining at Tswalu offers guests many choices: meals can be enjoyed either in the dining room or in the privacy of the lounge contained in each suite. Of course, some would argue that luxury African safaris are simply not complete without a dining experience under the stars, in Tswalu's traditional African boma.
At the main house in The Motse, guests can relax in the spacious lounge leading onto a patio overlooking the outdoor heated swimming pool and pool terrace. Other facilities include a walk-in wine cellar stocked with South African wines, a mezzanine library with TV/satellite, Dimpho (a gift shop) and Jwa Bana (children's room).
Inclusions / Exclusions
Rates Include:
Accommodation, two daily game drives in open safari vehicles, walking safaris led by experienced rangers and trackers, all drinks (except from The Oppenheimer Collection), local telephone calls, laundry, valet services and VAT @ 14%.
Rates Exclude:
Transfers to and from Tswalu, international telephone calls, Tswalu gift shop purchases, private safari vehicle hire with personal field guide and tracker, horse riding accompanied by a qualified riding guide, transfer to and from Sishen Golf Course plus green fees, baby sitting service.
Extra information
Activities
- Game drives in open-sided, canopied safari vehicles.
- Horse riding accompanied by a qualified equestrian.
- One to six hour rides, day rides, mountain rides and sunset dune rides available.
- Tuition offered in an enclosed post and rail arena. Riding equipment available.
- Bush walks led by experienced field guides who give guests an insight into the local vegetation, bush medicines, cosmetics and hunting skills of the San People.
- Sundowners on Namakwari’s lantern-lit dunes, Boma dining and Lekgaba Lookout offer a variety of eating experiences; and bush dining is a relaxing interlude during a game drive, horse ride or walk.
- Watering holes provide wonderful bird and game viewing opportunities.
- Lekgaba lookout offers breathtaking landscapes for both artists and photographers.
- The Kalahari region is regarded as the finest area in Africa for stargazing and Tswalu has a high- powered telescope with which to explore the night sky.
- Sishen Golf Club, one hour from Tswalu and rated in the top 20 best courses in South Africa.
- Archaeology sites can be visited on request.
Special interest packages available on request.
- Meerkats at Tswalu Reserve. No children under the age of 6 years.
- Rock engravings at Nchwaneng
- Moffat Mission & The Kuruman eye
- Wonderwerk Cave
Weddings
Tswalu, where time is measured in the shifting colours of an infinite sky - where better to embark on a new life with your soul mate to celebrate the event that must forever stand out in your memory.
Tswalu game reserve has designed some exceptional wedding choices for the special bridal couple, which will enable you to brand your celebration with unique touches. Whether you are seeking that special corner away from the fuss and stress of guests and the fanfare of a big wedding or a couple who seek that special intimacy, but want a touch more pizzazz and flamboyance, Tswalu offers the intimacy and serenity of the stark landscape that is the Kalahari desert, while ensuring that luxury and excellent service are paramount.
What to pack
During summer, light weight comfortable clothing is recommended. If you are going on safari, make sure you pack a warm jacket for the evenings, as it can get quite chilly on the back of an open vehicle when the sun sets, even in the summer months. Comfortable walking shoes arealso advisable.
The idea at game reserves is to relax and enjoy your time under the African sky, and listen to the calls of the wild all around you! Dinner dress is therefore casual and comfortable.
Don't forget to bring along your camera. A pair of binoculars will also come in handy on game drives and for spotting game from your lodge.
Climate
Tswalu has an annual rainfall of approximately 250mm. The summer rain occurs from November to April, with March being the wettest month. Dry months are from June to September, with August being the driest month. Maximum temperature for the summer averages at 35ºC (January) and maximum temperature during winter 21ºC (July). Absolute minimum temperature for these months are 16ºC and minus 5ºC respectively. For up to date weather information, click here. Be sure to search under the Upington region for Tswalu weather.
Children are welcome
Unlike many other luxury African game reserves, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is a place where children are gladly welcomed. With a range of fun activities and accommodation especially suited to kids, this is a place where your children will feel stimulated, happy and above all, at home.
A visit to Tswalu is one that is highly educational, but without the boredom of sitting in a stuffy classroom. While on game drives and bush walks, children will be able to learn fascinating lessons about wildlife, birdlife and vegetation from our knowledgeable rangers. However, we know that mom and dad are bound to need some solitude during long and languid Tswalu afternoons, so to keep the tiny tots occupied, children will have access to a wealth of colouring-in books and crayons.
Because Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is in a malaria-free area, there is no need to worry about preventative malaria medication for yourself or your little ones.
Children aged 12 and under sharing with adults stay free.
Children aged 12 and under not sharing with adults pay 50% of the rack rate.
