The Swirl

Intro

The Swirl is our luxury treehouse. As with all our other treehouses, it fits its tree structure naturally — never harming the tree during or after construction — and is also designed so you can see the sun rise between your toes as you lie in bed.

That is how the relationship between man and our trees began. Nature is our host, and The Swirl is the facilitator that enables guests to enjoy all its splendour.

Architecture

We used local thatch and reeds but imported all the poles and planking from South Africa, where the timber is commercially grown, so as to spare our indigenous trees. All workers who helped to build the treehouses are local; they excelled and approached the project with as much enthusiasm and love as we did.

We used the tin basin and pitcher to represent the older cultures of Africa, and the newer faucets and lighting to represent the more modern western world. Their integration with this wonderful unspoiled nature forges three realities together to form our life — symbiotically.

Sustainability

In true symbiotic spirit, all water and waste is re-directed back to the tree so it gets the benefit of fertilizer and water. Each person who appreciates the wonder of living here contributes to the aura of peacefulness that surrounds the treehouses. We hope that when they leave, their smiles rub off on the environment elsewhere.

In keeping with our philosophy, we use only solar-powered electricity to avoid having to import power from a coal-burning station. We also use energy from the river itself and pump some of our water needs using a water wheel. Water is solar-heated — backed up by a well-insulated storage facility for cold or cloudy conditions. The solar system is highly visible to promote the benefits of solar energy and encourage guests to use it when they get back home.

Okavango River, Ngepi

The Okavango River around Ngepi, in north-eastern Namibia, is one of the country’s most scenic and serene natural landscapes. Flowing year-round, this permanent river creates a lush green corridor of reeds, riverine forest and palm-lined islands that contrast beautifully with Namibia’s drier regions. The area is rich in wildlife — frequent sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife — making it ideal for nature lovers and photographers.

Unlike the busier Okavango Delta in Botswana, this stretch of the river remains peaceful and uncrowded. Activities such as kayaking, mokoro excursions, fishing and sunset cruises let visitors experience the river at a slow, immersive pace.