Tswalu Kalahari

The Tswalu Foundation

The Kalahari is a vast, unique but under-studied area. So in 2008, the Oppenheimer family created the Tswalu Foundation to develop and fund programmes of original research which will increase our understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary part of Africa. The more we know, the more effective our conservation will be.

Since it began, the Tswalu Foundation has already supported 26 separate, major academic studies. Recent projects include;

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  Investigating predator and prey relationships, range use and the social dynamics of Kalahari lions at Tswalu to determine the optimal population size. This research is being done by the University of Pretoria.
• Studying the role of burrowing mammals and their burrows in the Kalahari ecology. You will see many holes at Tswalu; this project aims to describe the richness and diversity of fauna which use the burrows created by larger mammals. Rhodes University is undertaking this work.
• A definitive study of all the spiders of the southern Kalahari and the best conservation strategies for them. We hope this project will also lead to a book which can be shared with local schoolchildren and farmers, to transform their appreciation of the spider and its vital role in our ecosystem. Professor Ansie Dippennar is in charge of this programme.

Many equally fascinating and important studies are taking place across the reserve. For example, recent archaeological research on rock art at Tswalu suggests that some of the Bushmen carvings may be up to 380,000 years old. As such, they would be some of the oldest art on Earth.

Historic rock art of the San people

Guests can become involved in this work in a variety of ways. Firstly, just by showing interest; a full list of live projects, together with future applications can be obtained directly from the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Secondly, any visitor can make a direct donation to a particular field of research or individual study. In this way, you know that you will have made a personal contribution to the world’s understanding of the Kalahari ecosystem. Details of how to support research are also available from the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Finally, Tswalu’s own gift shop now entirely supports the Tswalu Foundation. We take no profit whatsoever on any sales there; all proceeds go directly to fund more academic research and conservation initiatives. So when you leave with a memento of your visit, you also leave something behind.