Southern Africa Sojourn

With access to two of the best private concessions in Hwange, game drives in open 4x4 vehicles at Wilderness Linkwasha are particularly exciting – taking in herds of plains game, as well as the carnivores that call the area home.

Evening drives can yield many less-frequently-seen species, such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyaena, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, springhare, scrub hare, Selous mongoose and even honey badger.

Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot with one of our highly experienced safari guides. There is something remarkable about being so very close to nature … and one couldn’t get much closer than this!

Hide Out In The Wild – There is something incredibly thrilling about being hidden out of sight while animals like elephant go about their day, splashing in the waters and drinking, completely oblivious to your presence. The sunken hide in front of camp, is the ideal place to set up for an afternoon, a secret spot to watch the comings and goings of wildlife. Have your bird books, camera and binoculars ready …

Sleep out on a romantically-lit platform under the crystal clear African skies – an evening of enchantment as you lie safely tucked up in your raised sleep out, covered in a blanket of a billion of stars, dreaming in the ‘middle-of-nowhere’ ...

* Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.

An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. It is led by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, and often includes a guided tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman, as well sharing cultural exchanges with the community.

* The school is closed over the weekend and during school holidays.

A guided tour of “the Victoria Falls”, situated merely 7km from Old Drift Lodge, is included in the nightly rate, but excludes park fees, which are payable direct. This excursion can be booked in conjunction with a lunch at the Lookout Café.

Africa has an air of romance that sets her apart from anywhere else in the world. However, it is upon stepping into the Victoria Falls rainforest that guests are truly swept off their feet. There is no finer ambience than the gentle roar of the waterfall. The trees grow so closely together that their branches entwine, and their soft, wet drip across the stone path that weaves through this natural wonder. Submerge yourself in the fragrance of the fauna and the playful fauna in this enchanting and awe-inspiring space. A guided tour is included in the nightly rate, excluding park fees. Satisfy your wanderlust by visiting the more beautiful of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Morning and afternoon game drives in 4 x 4 game viewing vehicles will take you along the Zambezi River through the Zambezi National Park. Game that can be seen include elephants, buffalo, kudu, giraffe, zebra, eland, impala, warthogs, lion, wild dog and on occasions, cheetah. Tea baskets and snacks will be taken on the morning drives and Sundowners and snacks on the afternoon game drives.

Old Drift has two luxury 10 seater pontoon boats which will be used for morning and afternoon river safaris. Drinks and snacks will be provided on both safaris.

Morning and afternoon walking safaris will take place along the river but also in the spring lines of Zambezi National Park. Guests will be accompanied by a Professional Guide. Please note that children U 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris.

Guests have the option to enjoy a lunch at the Lookout Café, inclusive of drinks.

This can be booked in conjunction with the Tour of the Falls or for the adrenalin lovers, after they have taken part in any of the high wire activities that take place at the “Lookout”.

The Aroma Boma at Ulusaba is the perfect antidote to all the excitement of being out on the game
drives. Book in for a relaxing treatment, from facial rituals to massage to essential grooming.

The Aroma Boma at Rock Lodge is located 800 feet above the African Savannah with truly stunning views over the Bush and offers complete privacy.

Ulusaba uses a range of products from ‘Africology’. ‘Africology’ prides itself on its African roots, taking inspiration from home and using local active ingredients including Rooibos, Aloe, Marula and African Potato. Spa treatment are available for an additional charge.

There is a wine cellar at Rock Lodge which offers a comfortable location to enjoy a night of wine tasting.

Guests can enjoy a star gazing evening as part of their game viewing experience at our observatory in the Bush. Our Rangers will teach all about the constellations you can see from points in the southern hemisphere!

The daily Safari walk usually commences after breakfast. This is a fascinating activity as it allows

you to observe the smaller animals that you would usually not see while out on the game vehicles. Our knowledgeable Rangers and Trackers will enthral you with stories about the medicinal properties of plants, local beliefs regarding the wildlife and fascinating facts.

Fancy a spot of tennis? We have two floodlit tennis courts for you to play on during your stay. Don’t worry about tennis racquets and tennis balls - we have everything you need as well as a fully stocked bar!

There is an outdoor heated swimming pool, perfect for rest and relxation. The pool is solar heated in the winter months (May to September).

There is a gym for guests use which is available 24 hours.

The Community Tours and Excursions are organized by Pride ‘n Purpose, Ulusaba’s charitable
arm. The basic philosophy behind its work is the principle of empowering people to help themselves while promoting sustainable development.

The different types of tours available are:
• Day in the life:
The Day in a Life village tour looks into some of the charitable projects and schemes Ulusaba is actively involved with. We tailor this tour’s itinerary according to your interests.
• It's Child's Play:
The It’s Child’s Play tour has more hands on activities. You will have the opportunity to share your skills and teach children anything from new songs to the school numbers and alphabet.
• Justicia Village Tour:
The Justicia Village tour has more of a cultural emphasis

All of Pride’n Purposes’s expenses are funded by Ulusaba and Virgin Unite, the group’s entrepreneurial foundation, so 100% of donations can be put into the much needed projects to
improve living conditions for the local population. All money raised through those tours goes to the
local communities.

Canyons, Cultures and Contrasts
A day out on the famed ‘Panorama Route’ along the Drakensberg Escarpment: this tour features
visits to the Victorian Town of Pilgrims Rest, the infamous Robber’s Grave, Blyde River Canyon, The
Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Lisbon Waterfalls. You’ll get up close
and personal with some of the region’s natural beauty, and we’ll tell you about the history of the
area’s hardy pioneers. Lunch is enjoyed at Harries Original Pancake Restaurant in Graskop, where
sweet, freshly prepared, pancakes and fresh salads and other country fare are served.
This is a full day excursion.

Cascades and Canyons Spectacular
Take an exhilarating helicopter flight that swoops over deep and mysterious gorges and through
lush valleys bursting with vegetation and colour. Linger above cascading waterfalls for some
brilliant photo opportunities. The flight will continue to God’s Window, which offers awesome panoramic views of the bushveld below. Then it’s on to the fascinating and dramatic rock
formations of the 1 000-metre-deep, 30-kilometrelong Blyde River Canyon, (the third deepest and
greenest Canyon in the World). You will have a bird’s eye view of the curious Three Rondavels!
We will then land at a site with magnificent views of the Mpumalanga Lowveld, while you tuck into a delicious picnic.

With a guaranteed private vehicle and guiding team assigned to each booking, days on the reserve are entirely your own and unfold at your own pace. Sightings of cheetah, Kalahari black-maned lion, desert black rhino and other rare and endangered species are often a highlight here. Tswalu is also one of the best places in South Africa to photograph elusive species, such as aardvark, pangolin, bat-eared fox, brown hyena and aardwolf.

Guided bush walks are encouraged at Tswalu. We want people to get even closer to the land. To touch the unique vegetation (and learn about some plants’ extraordinary properties). To inspect nests and burrows. To examine the smallest insect.

A morning can begin by walking to a meerkat colony and watching these engaging mammals warm themselves in the sunshine before they scamper off to forage.

Night walks are now also possible, offering the chance of exceptional sightings such as aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine or brown hyena at even closer range.

Another exciting game viewing option at Tswalu is a horseback safari.

Horseback safaris allow guests to explore the dunes and savannahs on our well-schooled and well-mannered horses, which are suitable for all ages and all levels of experience.

There is no better way to get close to nature and the wildlife. On a horse safari in at Tswalu, you become part of the landscape and many of the animals react differently to your presence. No-one who experiences this kind of closeness with wildlife ever forgets it.

Our equestrian guides are well trained in the Kalahari ecology, and will lead you on a true safari where you can ride alongside antelope, buffalo, zebra and giraffe, or watch them from a distance without detection.

Children are welcome on horseback safaris. Both trail and English saddles are available and every piece of necessary equipment is provided, in every imaginable size.

Children are welcome at Tswalu and the reserve is well equipped to cater for them. Tswalu believes that they too can be part of the conservation vision.

The youngsters will be introduced to the Junior Ranger programme and given a backpack with guides and tools to help them learn about the Kalahari. During their stay they will make their own bow and arrow for archery, learn how to identify spoor, and track game on foot.

In between game walks and drives there are activities at The Motse specially designed to occupy the kids while mom and dad relax. Tswalu’s stables will create a special “pony camp” for any child who shares their passion for horses. There is no malaria in this part of the Kalahari and the pool is a big attraction. They can chat to the rangers, decorate cup cakes and even cook their own bush dinner in the special children’s boma. A separate children’s menu caters for their individual tastes.

Babysitters can be arranged for younger children if parents want time alone.

Tswalu's Spa is a combination of sensual spaces which combine to create one of the most unusual spa experiences in Africa.

Designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Kalahari and take advantage of the superb climate, the outdoor treatment area is within an indigenous spa garden where guests may find the occasional antelope grazing alongside them and be lulled into a deep state of relaxation by the sound of birdsong.

The indoor spa area is a natural extension of the earth, inspired by nature and the splendour of the Kalahari, with natural finishes and fabrics and simple spaces which together create a sense of tranquility and barefoot elegance.

Guests may also choose to have their treatments at an outdoor tsala, where a rustic structure protects one from the elements and is positioned to give a bird’s eye view of the open grasslands of the reserve against the backdrop of the Korannaberg Mountain range.

Treatments at Tswalu Spa include exfoliation treatments using fine red Kalahari dune sand or desert mineral crystals from the natural mineral rich salt pans of the Kalahari, infused with plant-based emollient rich aromatic oils. Authentic signature massages are performed by local therapists.

Join your guide in trying to puzzle out the hidden meanings in millennia-old rock engravings of animals, birds and abstract shapes. Today, no one knows whether they were created as memories, prayers or maps, but their beauty and mystery endure

Watching thousands of stars slowly spin through a black velvet sky as you fall asleep makes a night spent on our Malori sleep-out deck an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a glowing Kalahari sunset as you eat dinner, then see the world anew as birdsong and the strengthening light awaken you at dawn.

Naledi, which means ‘star’ in the local Tswana language, is Tswalu’s back-to-nature star bed experience in the Korannaberg mountains. Elevated above a valley with wraparound views, Naledi is for the true adventurer who yearns to sleep beneath the southern Kalahari’s brilliant blanket of stars in safety and seclusion. Spending a night in a star bed, with nothing between you and the night sky, has become increasingly sought after as travellers search for authentic, unfiltered experiences immersed in nature. Naledi has purposely been kept very simple so as not to detract from its private and remote setting in the southern reaches of the reserve. Sleeping in the open, under the stars, is as old as time.

Join a group of habituated meerkats as they emerge from their burrows and warm themselves in the rising sun or meet up with them as they return home at the end of the day and groom and play at dusk.

Spending time with one of the many researchers whose studies are supported by the Tswalu Foundation provides additional insights into the finely balanced Kalahari ecosystem, and lets you see cutting-edge conservation at work.