The unique Tswalu Kalahari offers a memorable experience owing to its extraordinary landscape and nothing-is-too much philosophy. This isn’t a traditional safari destination, but Tswalu Kalahari will not fail to deliver a unique safari experience. Here are the top five remarkable experiences from my most recent trip.
Due to late summer rains, the area was lush with green grasses and flowers and this is what attracts thousands of zebra from over 300 miles away to trek from as far away as the Okavango Delta and Namibia. As soon as the grasses die and the water evaporates they will trek back to where they came from. This is the African bush that I have come to love and in this remote corner of Botswana I felt connected to the wonderful web of life.
Rain was predicted during my entire trip to Leadwood Lodge in the Sabi Sands (a private concession adjacent to the Kruger National Park). Normally this would elicit a bit of dread, but given that South Africa is gripped by the worst drought in over 100 years, rain was a welcome prediction. A few drops of rain in no way impacted our leopard sightings and leopards were the reason why I was here.
With a conservation mission to restore the Kalahari Desert to itself, the land at Tswalu is being converted from cattle farms to a place teeming with wildlife. And, Tswalu delivered exceptional wildlife moments as if they were safari norm, instead of the exception. But the remarkable did not stop at wildlife sightings, but extended to the food, nothing is too much service, and range of activities.
Upon arrival at Rocktail Camp, the general manager detailed all the available activities – snorkeling, nature walks, scuba diving, and turtle drives to see loggerheads and leatherbacks laying eggs along the stretch of protected South African coastline in KwaZulu Natal. This is why we were here. My previous attempt to see turtles the year before was a comedy of errors, but this time I was feeling lucky.
I have written about Phinda Private Game Reserve extensively on my blog because it is one of my go to destinations in South Africa. The game viewing is excellent, the guiding is superb, and being an & Beyond property, the service is warm and friendly