By creating an account, I agree to the
Terms of service and Privacy policy
Choose your country and language:
Africa
Americas
Asia Pacific
Europe
Bordering Namibia and Botswana, the Northern Cape Province is defined by the Kalahari Desert. Though the vast, open landscapes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park may appear to be desolate at first glance, it is home to a vibrant array of desert-adapted creatures and semi-arid vegetation that thrives in its harsh wilderness.
This is also where you’ll find !Xaus Lodge, pronounced ‘kaus’, which means ‘heart’ in the Nama language. This rustic, 4-Star hotel is a tranquil oasis in this sun-baked northern corner of South Africa. It is defined by its peaceful solitude, while its remote location boasts unparalleled stargazing opportunities. To prevent any unnecessary little light pollution, all the lodge lights are covered and directed to the ground.
A community-first approach to sustainable tourism
Beyond its breathtaking setting, !Xaus Lodge is renowned for its unwavering commitment to community engagement and a sustainable tourism model. The lodge is co-owned by the local Khomani San and Mier communities, the indigenous people of the region. It is managed by Transfrontier Parks Destinations (TFPD), a black-empowered Lodge Management Company, with the aim to empower, upskill and employ these local communities.
!Xaus Lodge is built on 50 000 hectares of land that was returned to the communities by the South African government. The two communities lease the land to South African National Parks (SANParks), ensuring each community member gets a share of profits from the tourism business.
The lodge, which comprises of 12 en-suite chalets and a family unit, offers numerous jobs from hotel management and housekeeping to kitchen staff and guiding. It also supports local craftspeople from across the . The astounding wall-hanging in the lodge’s reception is made by hand by the ladies of Vezokhule – a sewing co-operative in Upington, some 300km south. At the same time, the Transfrontier Parks Destinations (TFPD) Foundation works on special projects that include fundraising and volunteering.
For all its efforts to support sustainable tourism, !Xaus Lodge won the Silver Award for ‘Poverty Reduction and Inclusion’ at the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards. Four years later, it won the ‘Most Compelling Sustainability Story’ at the WTM Africa Awards 2020. Since then, it’s only strengthening its support of local communities.
For the people, by the people
!Xaus Lodge is a Fair Trade in Tourism Southern Africa (FTTSA) partner. All the desert activities at the lodge – from sunset and night game drives to guided dune walks, bird watching and stargazing – are led by local community members who are trained in guiding, tourism and hospitality.
Guests can also take a gentle walk to a recreated cultural village, where they can watch
skilled craftspeople in traditional dress work their magic. It’s not only a way to preserve Bushman culture and heritage, but these traditional hand-made crafts are sold at the lodge’s art and craft shop, alongside one-of-a-kind souvenirs from the entire Kalahari region.
Powered by the sun
!Xaus Lodge is not simply about helping people, but the planet too. It’s environmentally conscious in every way that is possible in this remote part of the Kalahari Desert. While the lodge has a generator, it only runs for a short amount of time during the day and is turned off at 10pm daily. The solar electricity in each room allows guests to run their ceiling fans and charge batteries. Because the lodge is in a water-scare region of South Africa, the water in the bathrooms come from a natural borehole water and the toilets use a short-flush mechanism.
!Xaus Lodge proudly wears the red sand of the Kalahari, even though during times of limited water it seems to get everywhere. “It’s a badge of honour that the lodge accepts as part of the Kalahari life.”
Visit www.xauslodge.co.za
Useful links
Explore
