Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa: Tswalu is proud to announce that it has been awarded Global Ecosphere Retreat (GER) status by The Long Run, achieving the organisation’s most advanced sustainability standard. Since becoming a fellow member of The Long Run in 2020, Tswalu has been dedicated to accelerating its positive impact and its commitment to sustainability best practices.
Following the exciting announcement at The Long Run’s annual meeting, which was hosted this year on the reserve, Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, Executive Director of The Long Run, commented: “Achieving GER certification is a critical milestone in Tswalu’s sustainability journey. Tswalu’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and research to protect the region’s most endangered species is truly inspiring and vital for preserving this important biodiversity for future generations. Well done to everyone involved!”
GER recognition is earned rather than granted, following a rigorous assessment process. Tswalu is one of only 12 properties worldwide to have met the standards set by The Long Run’s comprehensive audit, underwritten by Preferred by Nature and endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Travelyst. As a Global Ecosphere Retreat, Tswalu will continue to inspire, learn and collaborate as part of a community of like-minded properties and travel partners harnessing tourism as a force for good.
Much more than a compliance assessment, GER status is a vehicle to support Tswalu’s journey of continuous improvement, not only mitigating negative environmental impact but positively impacting the planet’s and people’s well-being. GER status is granted for six years, which includes a compulsory review after three years to ensure compliance.
“Applying for GER accreditation has helped build momentum, laid new foundations and changed the mindset of the entire Tswalu community. The influence of this conscious, disciplined approach to sustainability will be felt for generations to come,” commented LW van der Merwe, Property Operations Manager on the reserve.
About Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
At its core, Tswalu is a bold regeneration project with a 30-year track record of conserving 118,000 hectares (292,000 acres) of arid savannah in the southern Kalahari. Tswalu has been certified as a Global Ecosphere Retreat®, demonstrating excellence across The Long Run’s 4Cs of Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. As the largest private game reserve in South Africa, Tswalu’s successful legacy of ecological restoration safeguards diverse habitats for fauna and flora to thrive. The reserve is dedicated to research-led conservation, cultural preservation, and the socio-economic development of a remote, under-resourced region of South Africa. Tswalu offers a privately guided safari experience for 40 guests across three small luxury camps. By choosing Tswalu, guests become part of the Oppenheimer family’s bold vision to harness the net-positive impact of nature-based tourism to protect and regenerate the fragile Kalahari ecosystem for the benefit of all.