Meaning ‘the space below the clouds’ in Setswana, the sculptural glass, steel and canvas pavilions of Loapi float lightly on the arid savannah grasslands of the Kalahari, in the foothills of the Korannaberg mountains. Evoking an ancient nomadic lifestyle yet utterly luxurious, it’s the newest camp at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.
Taking his cue from nature’s palette and the truly breathtaking landscape here, Greg Mellor’s interior design is wonderfully tactile, bold and refreshing. Organic shapes echo the sculptural interiors with their carved wood-panelled walls, cork detailing, curvaceous boucle sofas and especially commissioned Coral Stephens mohair weaving, yet everything seamlessly transitions outdoors. The result is perfection. This is your ‘legae’, Setswana for ‘home’.
It’s the experience of absolute privacy and solitude, of being able to completely disconnect from the world in this vast wilderness of rolling dune fields, rocky hills and calcrete pans that makes a stay at Loapi so different – yet in this raw, harsh landscape, the experience is one of true luxury. You will not mingle with other guests as you have your own homathi or manager, own private game vehicle, guide and tracker, own chef who prepares meals in your interactive kitchen.
A world apart
The game experience is entirely personal: not only is Loapi close to several waterholes for rewarding game sightings, but you can shape your days exactly as you wish. If you’re hoping to see black-maned lions, meerkats, a rare pangolin or experience night drives – hopefully you’ll spot the elusive aardvark – everything is planned around your interests. Stars? Like you’ve never seen before. Twitcher? You’ll love the sociable weaver nests. Even rock engravings or petroglyphs reveal a whole new world of fascinating myths and storytelling passed down through generations.
That said, dinner at Klein JAN restaurant is likely to be the only planned event during your stay… a food journey that begins in the old farmhouse beneath the windmill, and ends in a subterranean dining room. ‘It is a breathtaking, carefully created and curated theatrical performance – and a non-stop extravaganza of sensory pleasures,’ says Anji Connell in her blog. If you’re coming to Africa for a safari of a lifetime, this is the ultimate way to end your journey. Recent Perfect Hideaways guests summed it up: ‘Loved the meal and experience. Extraordinary, on a trip that was already extraordinary!’
Written by Michelle Snaddon
Edited by Colleen Ogilvie