'As a food and wildlife lover, I was really excited about our stay at Tswalu. Recently, Tswalu started a collaboration with Jan Hendrik, who has not only opened his exciting new restaurant KLEIN JAN on the reserve, but also works closely with Tswalu's executive chef Marnus Scholly. Together they implemented a Tswalu food philosophy, where locally grown and sourced produce and ingredients are being used in innovative ways to create inspirational and delicious menus.'
'Klein Jan was amazing and surprising in so many ways! We were totally overwhelmed with the whole concept. I had of course heard about everything and had seen pictures, but the food creations at Tswalu totally surpassed my expectations.
We traveled in April; myself, my husband and our two kids. The game viewing was incredible, and the night viewing was spectacular! We saw Cape Fox, Bat Eared Fox, Springhare, Spotted Eagle Owl, we also tracked a Pangolin on foot after dinner! Other sightings include Cape Cobra, wild dogs (our alpha female is currently heavily pregnant and she has found a den so I don’t think it will be long till her babies arrive), African Wild Cat, Sable, Eland, Gemsbok, Black Rhino, Lioness with four cubs, Scrubhare, Spotted Hyena, Giraffe, Springbok, Black Wildebeest, Steenbok, Red-necked Falcon, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Ground Agama Lizard, Leopard Tortoise, Spotted Thick-knee, Helmeted Guineafowl, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Slender Mongoose, Black-backed Jackal. We also saw Brown Hyaena but it was from a distance as they have a den up in the hills – we saw them with the binoculars as they were lying outside the den in the sun.
It has been said before, but a safari at Tswalu is a completely different experience than any other safari. Since you have your own vehicle, there is no time limit on viewings or on spending time out in the bush. If you want to spend more time with, for example, the funny and curious meerkats; you can! They just make sure to bring lunch to your spot or keep it till you get back. We loved spending time with the meerkats, especially the kids loved this activity! There are so many things to see and do for kids, it's amazing.'
On arrival, every child is welcomed with a backpack full of guides and tools; they get their own opportunity to chat with our hospitality staff about what they would like to do. Our Tswalu Junior Ranger programme has been carefully designed to meet the enthusiasms of a broad age range.
Activities include archery (beginning by making your own bow and arrow), spoor identification and casting as well as tracking on foot. Children’s bush walks are hugely educational and often end with a fantastic picnic – parents can come too. And here at Tswalu, we are very happy to include younger children in private game drives.
"On our last night we enjoyed a dune dinner, which was such a special experience. Some clients even rode their horses to dinner, they were on honeymoon from Spain and had an incredible time.
We really were blown away by the whole Tswalu experience; from the incredible safari's to the amazing hospitality and we can't wait to go back!
If you want to know more about the seasons at Tswalu, you can have a look here
And if you want to enquire about a tailored stay at Tswalu for your own family, please contact Evelyn for more information! Evelyn@Talisman.nl"