Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain can turn the Kalahari green.
Summer rain can bring green growth and new life.
Motse
Kalahari, South Africa · Private reserve
Lodge describes itself as: Luxury. Self-declared by the lodge, not an official grade.Lodge
Ultra-luxury · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Tswalu · Source ↗
All inclusive (AI)
All meals, snacks and drinks, Private 4x4 vehicle with guide and tracker and 11 more
9 rooms
Legae, Family Legae · Sleeps up to 18 guests
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
via Tswalu private airstrip
Wi-Fi in rooms
From about A$4,020
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Motse
Motse is Tswalu’s original camp in the southern Kalahari, with nine private legae set among indigenous gardens near the Korannaberg mountains. Six suites are designed for two guests and three family legae have two en-suite bedrooms. Days centre on a private vehicle, guide and tracker, with game drives, nature walks, meerkat encounters and time at the camp waterhole. Back at camp, shared spaces include two pools, a lounge with a library and wine cellar, a boma, spa and gym. Children of all ages are welcome.
“A strong choice for families and couples who want private guiding, generous suite space and the facilities of Tswalu’s original camp.”
Best for
FamiliesChildrenLuxury seekersPhotographersBirders
Known for
What you can expect to see
LionRhinoCheetahGiraffeBuffaloMeerkatBirdlife
Motse pairs private Kalahari safaris with a waterhole that draws wildlife and a choice of guided wildlife, tracking and rock-art experiences.
Your stay
What's included
Board: All inclusive (AI)
Special offer: Selected 2027 multi-night offers reduce the cost of a qualifying stay. Travel windows and booking conditions apply.
Included
- All meals, snacks and drinks
- Private 4x4 vehicle with guide and tracker
- Game drives
- Nature walks
- Animal tracking
- Birding
- Stargazing
- Meerkat encounter
- Horse riding
- Laundry
- WiFi
- Photographic Studio
- Gallery
Not included
- Gratuities
Travel to and from Tswalu, gratuities, spa treatments and gift shop and gallery purchases are not included.
Optional extras (at a cost)
A private photographic guide and the Malori sleep-out experience are optional extras and require advance booking.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Library
- Wine cellar
- Boma
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Private deck
- Mini bar
- Tea/coffee station
- In-room WiFi
- Safe
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 18 guests
- Legae6 at the property · sleeps 2 adults · En-suite bathroom, Indoor and outdoor showers, Freestanding bath, Sitting area with wood-burning stove, Study area, Private shaded veranda
- Family Legae3 at the property · Two en-suite bedrooms, Living room, Private shaded veranda, Indoor and outdoor showers, Freestanding bath
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Tswalu private airstrip
- Transfer
- Motse
- How you arrive
- By air · via Tswalu private airstrip
- Luggage
- 20 kg per person in soft bags
Good to know
Before you book
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Malaria
- Malaria-free area
- Minimum stay
- 2 nights
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
South Africa
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for South Africa (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Green season
- March: Green season
- April: Green season
- May: Green season
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- Good
- Green season
Month-by-month notes
Feb
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain can turn the Kalahari green.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Summer rain can turn the Kalahari green.
Apr
Green seasonWildlife: The savanna remains at its greenest.
The savanna remains at its greenest after the summer rains.
May
Green seasonWildlife: The savanna remains at its greenest.
Jun
GoodWildlife: Dry conditions can bring elusive nocturnal species out in afternoon sunshine.
Dry winter conditions can make elusive nocturnal species easier to spot in afternoon sunshine.
Jul
GoodWildlife: Dry conditions can bring elusive nocturnal species out in afternoon sunshine.
Aug
GoodWildlife: Dry conditions can bring elusive nocturnal species out in afternoon sunshine.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Rates and availability are confirmed by the lodge when you contact them.