Location
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
No.of Rooms
5 guest tents (twins and doubles)
Dates Open
All year around
At Polentswa, you’re not just a guest—you become part of the land. Deep in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, this lodge invites you into one of Africa’s last true wildernesses, where golden dunes stretch for miles and black-maned lions rule the silence.
Polentswa is located 222 km from Two Rivers along the predator rich Nossob Valley on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The camp is nestled amongst tall trees and dwarf scrubs overlooking the Polentswa Pan with its waterhole and exciting game.
Through Ta Shebube’s range of expert and personalised desert interpretation and game activities, guests learn about the area’s fascinating and specially adapted flora and fauna. They will also be able to experience the Kgalagadi’s stark beauty and remote desert and solitude feel.
The dry riverbeds show predators and antelopes off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Sixty species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the majestic gemsbok, blue wildebeest, springbok, red hartebeest, eland (the world’s largest antelope) and steenbok. Predators are the area’s big attraction and include the black maned Kgalagadi lions, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, jackal and wildcat. The area is one of Africa’s best parks for the cheetah, which thrive by hunting in its fossil river valleys and the surrounding Kgalagadi dunes.
Eighty well established water holes along the Auob and Nossob Rivers attract large numbers of desert plains game and predators and their proximity to the game drive roads make them an ideal close-up vantage point for photography.
The optimal time to visit Polentswa Tented Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is during the dry season, from May to September. This period offers cooler daytime temperatures and crisp, clear skies, enhancing wildlife viewing opportunities. Animals congregate around waterholes, making sightings more frequent and accessible. However, nights can be cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing, so warm clothing is essential.
Polentswa offers classic tented accommodation that captures the romance of a bygone era. The camp features five safari tents all elevated on wooden platforms with private verandas offering sweeping views of the Polentswa Pan and its spectacular sunsets. Each tent includes a sleeping area, desk and an open-air shower under the stars. The main building houses a spacious lounge with panoramic views, a bar, dining room, reading area and a stargazing deck. Guests can enjoy exclusive game drives in a private concession, though most wildlife is seen along the nearby Nossob Valley.
Polentswa offers a true sense of seclusion in the heart of the Kgalagadi. Overlooking vast red dunes and open plains, the camp provides an intimate connection with nature where wildlife roams freely and sunsets paint the sky in unforgettable colors.
Polentswa offers a peaceful escape deep in the Kgalagadi dunes, perfect for those seeking solitude and a true connection with nature away from crowds.
The lodge is a haven for bird watchers and night sky lovers, with clear, unpolluted skies and diverse bird species right on your doorstep.
With comfortable, tented chalets and personalized service, Polentswa delivers an intimate and genuine Kgalagadi wilderness adventure.
Polentswa offers authentic Kgalagadi wildlife encounters, from lions, gemsbok, and springbok to hyenas, jackals, and rich birdlife, creating a raw and untamed wilderness experience.
At Polentswa, we offer full board accommodation, ensuring guests enjoy a seamless and fulfilling stay with all meals included. Guests can delight in breakfast before morning game drives, high tea, and three-course dinners set beneath the vast Kgalagadi sky.
Guests can enjoy romantic dinners on the stargazing deck, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the desert night
Dining at Polentswa is more than just a meal — it’s an unforgettable experience. Enjoy flavorful cuisine served under the open sky on our stargazing deck, where the vastness of the desert and twinkling stars create the perfect backdrop. It’s an intimate and magical way to conclude your day in the heart of the Kgalagadi.
Polentswa offers an authentic safari experience where wholesome, freshly prepared meals are at the heart of your stay. Our dishes blend local flavours with hearty, home-style cooking, crafted with care by our kitchen team. Whether enjoyed under the stars or in the cozy dining area, every bite complements the serene beauty of the Kgalagadi.
Early mornings at Polentswa start with fresh coffee and light bites as the sun rises over the endless dunes — the perfect start before an exciting game drive. Evenings are equally special, with sundowners served in the wilderness, followed by a beautifully prepared dinner on the stargazing deck or the dining area. Each moment is designed to harmonize the tastes of the Kgalagadi with the rhythm of the land.
Polentswa is a classic tented camp capturing the romance of this nostalgic bygone era. Nestled on top of a valley with far reaching views over Polentswa Pan known for its magnificent sunsets, the main building is on an elevated deck to catch the breeze and positioned under a canvas roof. Here guests can either recline with a sundowner and a book, watch the game visiting the camp’s waterhole or merely contemplate the desert.
∙ Lounge area, a bar, dining room
∙ Reading area,
∙ Stargazing deck
∙Waterhole
∙ Game drives: morning, afternoon/ sunset game drives OR full day game drive with picnic lunch; minimum 4 guests and subject to availability
∙ Birding safari
∙ Star gazing with camp telescope
Children over the age of eight (8) years old are welcome to the lodge and a family friendly chalet is available for parents and children under twelve (12) years old. However, parents must be aware of the danger posed by wild animals and the children must be under strict supervision all the time.
What wildlife can guests expect to see at Polentswa?
Guests at Polentswa can expect sightings of a variety of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, oryx, springbok, and a rich diversity of birdlife, especially near the waterholes. The lodge’s remote location offers excellent opportunities for quiet wildlife viewing.
How do guests access Polentswa Lodge?
Guests typically enter the park via Twee Rivieren (South Africa) or Mata-Mata (Namibia) gates and can be transferred to the lodge by the lodge’s team at a request. Detailed information on immigration formalities is provided upon booking.
