Rates

Accommodation

Motswari is exclusive in that we never have more than 30 guests present at any one time, providing a more serene environment for our visitor’s African experience. With 15 luxury-appointed en-suite bungalows, each with air-conditioning, and all offering unrivalled bush views, guests enjoy a high level of comfort which complements our level of service excellence. The naturally-furnished interiors of each bungalow reflect the wonders of nature that exist just outside the windows.

There are no spas or gyms here at Motswari. Instead we provide the serenity and relaxation that comes from exploring the intricacies of the living ecosystem that will surround you and the exercise that comes from walking the untamed trails that abound in the pristine environment you will find yourself in. We house a fully-equipped conference facility for executives making use of the lodge for team-building, product launches and corporate getaways. There is also an internet hotspot available for those wishing to conduct business during their time with us. Our conference room can be configured according to your specific needs by prior arrangement with your hosts. Also in evidence are two fully licensed bars, a swimming pool and a shop which promotes and sells carefully selected curios from the region. In addition we have a library available as well as an art gallery. Meals are taken either at a scenic location out on the trail with one of our highly-trained guides or in our lounge and, depending on the season, evenings can be spent dining in the bush or inside the Boma, a traditional meeting-place. Meals are accompanied by an award-winning selection of Southern African wines.

Over Night Safari

An overnight walking safari has now been added to the Motswari experience for avid bush lovers. You can engage all five of your senses as you become one with nature on a footpath through untouched wilderness with one of our experienced and knowledgeable guides as they lead you through majestic scenery to come up close and personal with the Big (and small) Five. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge whilst using their experience to give a wonderfully natural insight that will further your own appreciation of the African bush.

Guests who choose to experience the overnight walking safari will leave the main lodge after lunch to a chosen destination from where they will walk with a guide, stopping to enjoy nature. On foot, life slows down and our senses are sharpened to absorb the smaller things that surround us and make up this incredibly diverse ecosystem. You will enjoy every moment of this walk in the wild until you spot a tented campsite tucked under trees, deep in the bush. Here your guide will prepare a delicious meal on a warming fire. The tents are equipped with proper beds and all luxuries you may need including a bush bathroom. After an exciting night surrounded by the many aural sounds of the African bush, you will be awakened with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. Soon after you will then set-off from the camp, meandering through the bush for another walk filled with adventure, before returning to the lodge for brunch.

Wildlife and Safari

Getting close to the untouched wildlife that South Africa is famed for on an African wildlife safari, is what Motswari is really all about. All of Africa’s Big Five are abundant in the area, as are countless numbers of other naturally-occuring African Plains Game which traverse the open boundary between Motswari and the Kruger National Park. Our guides are residents of the area and have, in addition to the scientific knowledge that we encourage them to attain, an intimate knowledge of the location and wildlife that comes from a lifetime of co-existence with their surrounds.

We encourage visitors to make the most of the time that they have in this setting by offering extended game drives of three-and-a-half hours each in open Land Rovers at sunrise and sunset to ensure an unforgettable game viewing experience. We also offer guided walking safaris with one of our highly experienced and armed trail-guides for those who wish to get the most from their African experience. Our knowledgeable staff members give talks on wildlife and bushveld topics and will gladly answer any related questions for our guests. We offer a daily total of up to nine hours of interaction and exploration within the veld itself.

Supporting the Big Five are several other species of wildlife, including cheetah and wild dogs and naturally occurring herbivores from the antelope and gazelle family. There are a variety of nocturnal animals which make our sunset drives completely different from their daytime equivalent which include, but are not limited to, hyena, honey-badger, civet, the bush-baby and owls. The avian population is unrivalled for the avid birdwatcher, with well over 350 different species to be spotted year-round. Taken all together this is an unmatched chance to view the splendour of all manner of creatures unique to the continent.

Facilities

• Morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers with professional field guides and trackers.
• Mid-morning bush walks.
• Overnight Walking Safari with experienced guides.
• Giraffe’s Nest Hide sleep-outs in the Motswari Game Reserve.
• Swimming pool.
• Boma & bush dinners.
• Pre-lunch safari interest talks.
• Curio shop at Motswari Game Lodge.
• Brunch, high tea (late lunch) and dinner.
• Library and Art Gallery with 24-hour internet facility at Motswari Game Lodge.
• Fully equipped air-conditioned conference room for 20 delegates at Motswari Game Lodge.
• An additional vehicle plus guide can be arranged for an extra cost per day and covers 2 game drives per day.

Location

Motswari is situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, itself part of the Greater Kruger National Park Conservancy, some six hours drive from Johannesburg. It can easily be reached by road from the Durban, Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – KMIA) and Phalaborwa centres as well as from Johannesburg itself. Please download our detailed road map, plus directions from Durban, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, Johannesburg and Pretoria. In addition there are a variety of flight solutions into Motswari, some of which will land at our private airstrip where guests will be given a VIP welcome, while others will set visitors down in nearby Hoedspruit or at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. From Hoedspruit it is a 50-minute drive to Motswari on the Timbavati Road through the Greater Kruger National Park where you may very well catch your first glimpses of African wildlife. Road transfers from Hoedspruit, and both road and air transfers from KMIA, can be arranged with us here at Motswari and you will find details of these transitions here. Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries regarding your travel requirements prior to your stay.

Motswari Private Game Reserve Gallery

Motswari Private Game Reserve Reviews

“The whole experience at Motswari was simply Fantastic. The location, facilities and especially the people who work at Motswari were first-class. We were there for 3 nights and managed to fit in 6 ‘game drives’ and during that time we saw all the ‘Big 5’ and so many more animals. All the food and drink is provided and beautifully prepared and presented. It was my birthday while there (part of the reason for the trip to South Africa) and there team there made a cake for me which was then served after the evening meal. The Guide & Tracker made every game drive an adventure and tried their hardest to ensure our expectations were managed and met. Over-all, an experience we will not forget.” –cathc973

“After visiting in September 2014, we vowed we would return. In October 2015 we did just that. It was just as wonderful as before. It was so nice to see many of the same faces, each one welcoming and ensuring we had everything we needed. This time we did a walk & camped out overnight. It was a wonderful experience to sit in starlight, listening to the sounds of the creatures around us, having enjoyed a fabulous meal cooked over the fire. Henry looked after us very well & at no time did we feel unsafe – even 3 minutes from camp, when we saw a rhino & then sleeping buffalo! He explained about the ‘small stuff’ – spiders, poo & the plants, things that can be missed from the vehicles. Our room was extremely comfortable, the food varied and perfectly cooked. I love sitting on the terrace chatting to other guests about what they have seen. Maybe we have been lucky, but on all the drives, our fellow truck buddies have all been lovely & enhanced the experiences. Chad & Difference were superstars, showing us the big five plus a honey badger and fire flies – two personal highlights. Sadly the wild dogs hid out of sight until the morning after we left. Third time lucky…next year I hope! Thanks Motswari family, we heart you! ” –Lulubelle12

“This was our first stay in a game reserve what a fantastic place. Everything from early morning game drive to evening game drive was great and well organised. The food was great and plenty of it the wine superb. The setting magical accommodation excellent and the staff could not do enough for you. Would recommend it to friends and will definitely go again.”-Barry F

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