Luxury Africa Travel’s Blog

Tswalu Kalahari Spa has won the “Best Safari Spa Award” in the 2011 Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Spa Awards. Tswalu Spa Manager Corli Schoeman was named runner up in the “Spa Management Excellence Award”.
Russel Binks, MD of Tswalu Kalahari, said that the awards are a huge boost to South Africa’s biggest privately-owned game reserve.

“It’s wonderful to receive such positive recognition for what we are doing at Tswalu,” he said.  “We completed a refurbishment of the spa last year and appointed Corli as the new spa manager shortly afterwards. She immediately revamped the treatment menu and has done wonders in training a local therapist, as well as ensuring the spa is an integral part of the Tswalu experience.”
Managing Editor of Les Nouvelles Esthétiques, Dr Nadine de Freitas, said that the Spa Awards, now in their 7th year, are flourishing in an internationally growing market place.
“The stature of the awards means that we can provide South African and international spa visitors and media with a comprehensive choice of award-winning spas and a reliable source and spa information and recommendations, within South Africa,” she explains.
“In judging the spas, we look for the personalised aspects in the spa visit, in addition to absolute attention to detail, impeccable spa standards and faultless service excellence, which all adds up to a spa experience which is beyond the client’s expectations.”
The 2011 Spa Awards consists of five categories, namely Boutique Hotel Spas, Day Spa, Resort/Hotel Spa, Unique Spa Concept and Safari Spa categories.

Says Dr de Freitas: “The Safari Spa Category is our international flagship category as it represents the essence of Africa, through the combination of safari and spas. Tswalu Spa sets a benchmark for safari spas in South Africa.”
The Spa Management Excellence Award is a new award this year, introduced to recognise excellence in spa management, and managers who go beyond the call of duty.
“Corli has reformed the Tswalu Kalahari Spa completely. She delights her clients through her knowledge and care, and is constantly praised for being quite magical at what she does.  Not only is she exceptional at her chosen profession, but her enthusiasm and experience is something she likes to share with others - she has successfully trained and mentored Betty Ntaolong, a 33-year old waitress, so that she was able to qualify in Holistic Massage, and is now working as a spa therapist at Tswalu” says Binks.

Tswalu Kalahari Spa is a combination of sensual spaces which combine to create an inspirational venue for what must be 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.

Surrounded by endless blue skies and the unique vegetation of the Green Kalahari, guests who indulge in the authentic signature massages performed by local therapists, will discover the Spa’s ethos of “closer to the land, closer to the people.”

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.

For more information or to book contact us.

June and July are perfect months to visit the Green Kalahari. To prove that point, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu Kalahari has launched an exciting seven night package, which offers four nights at Tswalu and three complimentary nights in Cape Town at Kensington Place, during the winter months.

Managing Director of Tswalu, Russel Binks says that in June and July the days are warm and sunny, and the nights cold.  “This makes it ideal for lazy evenings around a log fire, sipping South Africa’s finest red wines,” says Binks.
“In winter, in addition to typical big game viewing, sightings of rarer, smaller mammals, such as aardvark, aardwolf and pangolin increase. These shy nocturnal animals emerge in daylight for respite from the cold nights and to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.”

To assist travellers to take advantage of this magnificent bush experience, Tswalu offers guests full board luxury accommodation for four nights at Motse or Tarkuni, which together accommodate a maximum of 30 guests in over 100 000 hectares.
Says Binks: “This vast and magical malaria-free landscape takes conservation as its first priority, with Nicky Oppenheimer’s vision to ‘restore the Kalahari to itself’. We have over 80 game species (including the Desert Black Rhino, blackmaned Kalahari lions and cheetah), and with its unique landscape and unparalleled service delivery, Tswalu is the ultimate game retreat.  Our daily rate includes a private vehicle, a personal guide and tracker, all meals, beverages and selected wines as well as game drives, and walking and horseback safaris.  We’ll also throw in laundry and valet services.”

The package includes three nights in Cape Town at Kensington Place – known as one of the coolest boutique hotels in the world. Set amidst fruit trees, a herb garden and intimate pool deck, the flowing levels of this urban residence do justice to a sensational setting between mountain and city. Defined by sensuous textures, indulgent moments and impeccable service, it is small wonder that Tatler magazine calls this hotel “perfect”.

Guests can choose whether they want to stay at Tswalu before or after their stay in Cape Town. The package includes transfers to or from the Execujet Hanger in Cape Town to Kensington Place, and complimentary return flights to Tswalu.

The package is valid for June and July 2011 and includes one child over six sharing with parents. For reservations and enquiries email vip@luxuryafricatravel.com call +27 (0)21 556 9437.

Motse Bedroom at Tswalu Kalahari

Kensington Place Boutique Hotel