With architecture that reflects the surrounding landscape, TSWALU The Motse is one of two camps in South Africa’s largest privately owned game reserve. Going almost unnoticed within its vast desert surrounds, the camp offers contemporary luxury, sweeping vistas and activities which are entirely suited to each guests interests and desires.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
TSWALU The Motse lies at the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains on the edge of the 1000km² Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve. Motse is one of only two camps in Tswalu and the size of the reserve means game drives are peaceful and uninterrupted. As it shares the land with no other camp’s, no areas are off-limits to guests and exploration can go on throughout the day and evening. With its mountain range, rolling dunes and vast grasslands, Tswalu is home to 240 bird species and 80 mammal species including Hatmann’s Mountain Zebra.
Rooms
There are eight rooms at the camp including six one-bedroom suites and two two-bedroom family suites. Each has a private deck facing the mountains and interiors boast soft, earthy tones, high ceilings, stone fireplaces and African-style décor. En-suites have outdoor showers overlooking the waterhole and the family suites have the addition of separate, comfortable lounge areas.
Communal Areas
The split-level indoor lounge is an elegant space with high ceilings, sofas, a roaring stone fireplace and plenty of unique furnishings. Guests can relax on wicker furniture on the shaded deck adorned with succulents, which leads to two swimming pools surrounded by loungers and endless views of the savannah. The Tswalu Kalahari Spa offers soothing outdoor treatments in the spa garden where guests may find antelope roaming.
Activities
Guests have the benefit of a private consultation upon their arrival to tailor activities to suit their interests. Take game drives through the large reserve with each drive focused on a particular species, visit ancient archaeological sites and take guided walks across the breathtaking red dunes. Guests can visit the two habituated meerkat dens, venture out on horseback with guides and even take scenic flights in the camp’s own helicopter. For a unique experience, sleep out on The Malori, an elevated and isolated deck underneath the stars.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread-out. A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.
Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can often rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F. Occasionally mornings can be cold, so do pack a light fleece.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread-out A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.
Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can often rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F. Occasionally mornings can be cold, so do pack a light fleece.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out. A season of change as the landscape transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.
Midday temperatures have cooled slightly, averaging 33°C/91°F, but temperatures can still occasionally climb over 40°C/104°F. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 17°C/62°F. Occasionally mornings can be very cold, so do pack a warm fleece.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
WET SEASON
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out. A season of change as the landscape transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.
Midday temperatures have cooled slightly, averaging 33°C/91°F, but temperatures can still occasionally climb over 40°C/104°F. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 17°C/62°F. Occasionally mornings can be very cold, so do pack a warm fleece.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Whilst the occasional shower is still possible, May is the beginning of the dry season. The landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains, with great game viewing opportunities! Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings are cold, with an average minimum low of 6°C/42°F. Sub-zero mornings are very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Whilst the occasional shower is still possible, May is the beginning of the dry season. The landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains, with great game viewing opportunities! Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings are cold, with an average minimum low of 6°C/42°F. Sub-zero mornings are very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Whilst the occasional shower is still possible, May is the beginning of the dry season. The landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains, with great game viewing opportunities! Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings are cold, with an average minimum low of 6°C/42°F. Sub-zero mornings are very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Whilst the occasional shower is still possible, May is the beginning of the dry season. The landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains, with great game viewing opportunities! Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings are cold, with an average minimum low of 6°C/42°F. Sub-zero mornings are very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies still dominate, the landscape is rapidly returning to a semi-arid desert. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.
Midday temperatures are pleasant, averaging around 31°C/88°F. The mornings are cold, with a minimum low of 8°C/46°F. Sub-zero mornings are still very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies still dominate. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.
Temperatures begin to climb, especially towards the end of the month. Midday temperatures average around 29°C/84°F, but occasionally temperatures can climb over 40°C/104°F. Mornings remain cool to cold, with an average minimum low of 12°C/54°F – so do pack a warm fleece!
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
WET SEASON
A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. This great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.
Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
WET SEASON
A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. This great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.
Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kgalagadi offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape! Temperatures during the summer months (November – February) can however be very hot, so we could recommend visiting shortly after, when midday temperatures are more pleasant.
Explore The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Properties
You have created no properties for this region.
What People Say
-
The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
-
We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
-
Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
-
Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
-
Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
-
Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
-
Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
-
We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
-
Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
