!Xaus Lodge is situated in a large stretch of land along the southern border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park that originally belonged to the "Mier" and "Khomani San" communities, before it was incorporated into what was then Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.

Descendents of the original inhabitants of South Africa, the ancient "San" people - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari
copyright © South African tourism
The "Mier" and "Khomani San" people are descendants of the original inhabitants, the "San" people. In a land settlement between the South African Government and South African National Parks their land has been returned to them.

In their traditional spirit of community sharing, they are now again able to welcome visitors to their own land and to share with them the magic aura of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The arid wilderness of the Kalahari desert - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
copyright © South African tourism
For this purpose they established the beautiful !Xaus Lodge. The name of the lodge, !Xaus, meaning "Heart" in the language of the "San" people and phonetically pronounced as "Kaus" with a click sound, is derived from the shape of the enormous saltpan that lies below the Lodge, symbolising a spirit of reconciliation.

The 24 bed four star thatched luxury lodge has been crafted to blend into the landscape of this remote wilderness area. Situated on the red dunes of the Kalahari it overlooks an enormous salt pan where, from the privacy of the deck of your own chalet , you can observe the animals drinking at the waterhole below.

Accommodation units at the Lodge - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari
copyright © SANparks
Here, from the privacy of your own chalet, you can observe the animals drinking at the waterhole below. Experience an African sunset, the sounds of silence and touch the stars from the Boma, while enjoying the tastes of the Mier’s unique culinary offerings.

Game drives provide the opportunity to see the Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Bat-eared fox, Springbok, Wildebeest and Jackal in their Kgalagadi environment. An abundance of birdlife including two-thirds of the raptor species found in Southern Africa, as well as rodents, caracal and the honey badger are but just a handful of the resident wildlife.

A true descendent of the ancient hunter-gatherer "San" people - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari
copyright © South African tourism
Accompany the Bushmen, legendary hunter-gatherers and learn their secrets of survival as they track through the desert. Listen to the San people’s story-telling of their legends and their interpretation of the stars and learn about their health secrets handed down over centuries.

Gain an appreciation of the sacred artworks of Vetkat Regopstaan Kruiper and his fellow Bushmen. Gather around the camp-fire with them at night and let them share with you their legends of the night sky, their health secrets and the history of their culture and existence. Capture something of the essence of Africa.


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