Loapi Tented Camp

OVERVIEW:

Loapi Tented Camp is an ultra-exclusive property that offers total seclusion and privacy in one of the most beautiful reserves in South Africa. Designed by the wonderful Tswalu and owned by the Oppenheimers of the diamond world, little expense has been spared to make this immediately one of the finest properties on the continent! The camp is located in a valley between the Korannaberg mountains in an absolutely vast private reserve.

The game here is excellent, with good chances of seeing the elusive aardvark and pangolin being reason alone to visit, likewise its famous colonies of inquisitive and friendly meerkats. There are endless plains and stunning views from camp, and you will barely see another soul. The luxurious safari homes themselves are enormous, elegantly designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, and completely self-contained with your own private chef, guide, vehicle, and spotter. Big arid landscapes, the endless plains of the Kalahari (Loapi means ‘the space below the clouds’ in Setswana), and your own immaculate home with total seclusion… it doesn’t get much better than this.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

The setting for this beautiful new property is the vast expanse of the Kalahari, with the Korannaberg mountains providing a magnificent backdrop. The sunsets here are immense, as the mountains are lit up! Each of the six safari homes is at least 50 metres from its neighbour, to ensure complete privacy and solitude for guests. And with Loapi being only the third property to open within this enormous private reserve, you really do have the place to yourself! The camp is amazing for honeymooners in search of their own little slice of safari heaven, but it’s worth noting that Tswalu is also a malaria-free zone, so the location is also excellent for families with younger children. For these travellers, we recommend the 2-bedroom homes, and childminding is available.

To access Loapi, you would usually fly from either Jo’Burg or Cape Town into the camp’s local airstrip, from where it’s a short game drive to camp. If you are elsewhere on safari before this, one of our experts can work out your best route to camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LOAPI TENTED CAMP:

There’s no shared space or amenities at Loapi, and this is very much the point. All you could ever need is in your own private safari home. Each unit operates like a mini-camp, complete with firepit, plunge pool, and lots of space for relaxing in the heat of the day. There is an on-site house manager to cater for your every whim and a study area with Wi-Fi.

The four 1-bedroom homes and two 2-bedroom homes span over 300 square metres and 400 square metres respectively. The structures are contemporary glass-and-steel pavilions, with the living and dining areas forming the hub of your safari home. Here the chef cooks up wondrous delights from the interactive kitchen and there’s an extensive wine list, with SA wines forming the backbone, of course! The firepit is excellent for sundowners, and an environmentally friendly plunge pool and shaded daybeds provide respite from the extreme temperatures that the Kalahari is famed for. The bedrooms are beautifully appointed, feature a choice of indoor or outdoor showers, and are supremely comfortable while still connecting you to the sights and sounds of the savanna that surrounds you. They also have a wonderful in-room spa service should you feel like a massage to relax after a long day on safari!

ACTIVITIES AT LOAPI TENTED CAMP:

Guests have their own private vehicle here. You’ll have a private guide and spotter too, and you can decide with them exactly how you would like to spend your time. They will have great advice about what exciting things are happening in the neighbourhood! There’s plenty to do, and because Tswalu is a private reserve this adds the fantastic options of walking safari, horseback safari, and night drives. Please note, some activities need to be pre-booked and come at extra cost.

• Expertly guided game drives

  - Usually, you’ll have two game sessions daily, in the morning and in the late afternoon. However, it’s possible to do a full-day trip and go farther into the park with a picnic on the way. Loapi prides itself on the level of service and flexibility it offers its guests – game drives can be taken at nearly any time and tailored to your requirements. Among the wildlife highlights here are desert black rhino, black-maned Kalahari lion, and many other rare creatures such as aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin, and porcupine.

• Walking safaris

  - Why not head out into the bush with an armed guide? As well as enjoying some animal tracking, you’ll take a closer look at the reserve’s insects, plant life, and the smaller creatures of the park that sometimes get missed while in a vehicle. Different levels and distances are available, depending on the ages of your group. Classic walking safari has a minimum age requirement of 12 years.

• Night drives

  - You can also head out at night, when all the big predators come alive. It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush-babies… and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.

• Meerkat experience

  - An early morning trip to see the meerkats is an unforgettable ‘must-do’ while in Tswalu. There are habituated populations, so you can get within metres without them being afraid. Watch them pop in and out of their burrows first thing as the sun comes up, stand sentry, groom and play with each other, and forage in the sand for their breakfast.
  

• Cultural trips

  - Trips can be arranged to visit a local community and meet the people who live in this stunning part of the world. There are also a number of San Bushmen carvings, which archaeologists believe may be up to 380,000 years old, some of the oldest on the planet.

• Horseback Safaris

  - This is a great way to get close to some animals, as the game tends to be more relaxed around horses than 4x4s. The camp can cater for all levels, from beginner to advanced. It really is a special experience; and even for those who think they’ve done a lot of safari, it can offer something unique.

• Photographic guide

  - Tswalu can offer private photographic tuition for all levels, whether you’re a novice or hoping to hone your skill. Their photographic guide, Trevor Kleyn, combines his extensive bush knowledge and experience as an FGASA-qualified nature and lead trails guide to provide expert advice and hands-on tuition to guests who want to learn more (additional cost, needs to be pre-booked).

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.