If safaring in comfort is more your style then I can
recommend Tswalu Game Reserve in the Northern Cape
province in South Africa.
Here all the mod cons are available from
air-conditioned chalets to wifi and broadband.
The attention to detail in the furnishings of the
lodge and the comfort of the guests is
extraordinary. A cigar humidor, a shop that
stocks genuine pashminas (for those cold Kalahari
nights) and bed linen that is made of, well … linen,
are merely a few of the fine points that spring to
mind.
The reserve is the largest privately owned reserve
in South Africa. Its 110,000 hectares covers a
section of the Korannaberg mountain range and is
divided into two main sections. One section on
the east of the Hotazel road is fully electric
fenced and contains the predators. The
other, larger, section holds plains game with
several camps for breeding of the highly endangered
desert black rhino.
The Oppenheimer family owns
Tswalu and the raison d’etre of the property is
primarily conservation. Tourism helps pay the
bills for the important scientific work
being conducted on the reserve. At the time of
my visit there were 26 research projects being
conducted by scientists from all over the world.
Apart from game drives (day and night) and game
walks other activities available include horseriding
(I was impressed with the enthusiasm and passion
displayed by Leonie who looks runs this side of the
operation) and a visit to a meerkat colony,an
entertainment all on its own.
And, if you’re into celebrity spotting, Tswalu may
be up your street. Richard Gere and family
were guests just prior to my visit.
