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Motswari Private Game Reserve

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Traveller (1638)
Room & Suite (159)
Dining (86)
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About

#3 of 3 guest houses in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
An African dream beckons – one that is defined by extraordinary scenery, an authentic atmosphere and warm hospitality. This is Motswari Private Game Reserve, a family-owned and operated luxury safari lodge. Here, majestic creatures, including the Big Five, offer incredible viewing opportunities as they bask in their natural habitat. Motswari means “to conserve and protect” in Tswana and that is what the reserve aims to do. Motswari Private Game Reserve, located within the Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, stretches out over 150 square kilometres. It has been in existence for over four decades and its friendly staff members are intrinsic to its success. Great emphasis is placed on personal attention, ensuring that each guest instantly feels at home in this stunning setting. Artworks by owner, Marion Geiger-Orengo, additionally bring the lodge to life and add to its visual appeal. "Arrive as visitor, leave as a friend."
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Entertainment staff
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Full body massage
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Poolside bar
Massage
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Coffee / tea maker
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Seating area
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
4.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Great View
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans

Location

Argyle Road Enkhulu Gate, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
Motswari Private Game Reserve
Getting there
Ngala Airfield
14.6 mi
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Phalaborwa Airport
22.7 mi
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1,009Review95Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Jessica wrote a review 7 Mar
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania3 contributions3 helpful votes
Motswari was incredible! Our guide Owen, and tracker Elly, were the best. We were so bummed to have missed our connecting flight and therefore missed 1 out of our 3 nights here- however we were able to see the big 5 in just our first 2 game drives! On top of helping us see the best of the bush, they made us feel safe. The game drives were so amazing, as was our time back at the lodge. All of the food was delicious, and the presentation of meals was such a great experience. The accommodations were clean, spacious, and safe. Would recommend to couples and families alike!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
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Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: There is only wifi/ cell service at the dining areas/ lobby- not in your personal lodge/ room,...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Ken B wrote a review 4 Mar
6 contributions3 helpful votes
Absolutely fantastic place to have your Safari Experience, we were there for 3 days in February 2024, our guide and tracker was Eden and Lot, they were brilliant, did everything they could possibly do to ensure we had a great safari, we saw the big five a few times whilst we were there, these two guys wouldn't rest until they got us to where we needed to be. The support teams at Motswari were also fantastic, again nothing too much trouble, food and accommodation were great. Would highly recommend***********
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Ask for Eden and Lot as your Guide and Tracker, they were great.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Dream797137 wrote a review Feb 2024
Tetbury, United Kingdom43 contributions48 helpful votes
The Big 5 are there waiting to show you their world and the trackers and drivers will guide you to jaw-dropping up-close sights and experiences. You will be fed and watered with quality food served with charm. The GM and his team make you feel very much at home. You will not want to leave - we didn’t!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Immerse yourself!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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bartonzip wrote a review Feb 2024
England8 contributions8 helpful votes
+1
My husband and I went to Motswari Lodge in February 2024 for four nights. What a truly amazing experience. We went on all the morning and afternoon drives. We captured the big five and many more animals, that goes out to the expertise of Paul and Release. We'll done guys. The whole team at Motswari Lodge make your stay one that you will never forget. A big thank you to all and we will be back. Robert and Anne Barton
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Don't forget the suncream, hat and a few layers. Most of all get a great camera.
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Trefor D wrote a review Feb 2024
Lincoln, United Kingdom195 contributions57 helpful votes
+1
I find it difficult to truly express how fantastic an experience was our four night stay in the Motswari lodge. We arrived shortly before 3pm, had lunch and by four were off on our first game drive. In the first couple of hours we had already seen a leopard up a tree with its kill, a mother and calf rhino and a male lion. By the end of the fourth day we had added multiple sightings of all the big five including three different prides of lions, a very rare pack of African wild dogs (only 450 left in the Kruger National Park, a place the size of Wales, Hippos, crocs, zebras, hyenas, various types of antelopes, a family of warthogs trotting along in front of the verandah of the lodge, a troupe of elephants in a column just to the right of the lodge, African wild cat, a honey badger. Most of these sightings were at a range of between five and ten metres. Just mind blowing. We came across a pride of ten lions eating a recently killed buffalo - we were less than 10m away from them. At one stage we found ourselves slap bang in the middle of a herd of elephants chomping away at the foliage. We just sat there watching. I'm missed out lots of sightings. So many it really was fantastic. On our last evening we even stopped by the grassless football pitch to watch the Motswari staff football team the "Zebras" playing a game against a visiting team. Two of the visitors shared a pair of trainers - one wearing the left show and the other the right. Even the evening where we had to abandon the drive because of a thunderstorm and rain of biblical proportions turned out ot be great as we got to the bar early, the staff lit a fire and we sat watching England v Wales rugby match before dinner. Oh and that was the night the elephant strolled by across the lawn in front of us! The whole stay was made better by the knowledge and friendliness of our guide Jeremy and tracker Hendry and indeed by all the other staff in the lodge. They were all great. The lodge facilities themselves were perfect for the purpose. They even have an infinity pool where you can just sit watching the animals stroll by. I didn't think I'd use it much thinking there would be a lot of insects around it, this being "the jungle" and all. If there was one area they could improve on I can't think of it. It was one of the best holidays of my life and I'm already looking at when we might be able to return. Thank you Motswari
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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calajoncols wrote a review Feb 2024
Roses, Spain2 contributions
I was in that paradise 5 days in the last February and it was very nice!!!!!! You feel at your home from the first minute, staff very attentive and good people. Special attention with the food you find the love which they put to cook......at the end all the staff " chapeau ", one night a Elefant break the boiler from the shower and in the same early morning they repare. I was going to the safari game with Henry and Jeremy and they have an incredible knowledge and passion for the Nature!!!incredible trips and you saw many animals of course the big five....... No words for the experience in Motswari!!! I hardly recomen if you like the peace and love!!!!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Pathfinder388193 wrote a review Jan 2024
2 contributions
We spent two nights at Motswari, and I must say, it would have been even better to stay for at least one more. My wife and I traveled to Motswari after a research meeting in Cape Town. We flew to JNB airport and rented a car; it was quite easy to reach the lodge. Although I was a bit worried about arriving in time for the evening game drive, we made it 45 minutes before the 4 PM deadline. The staff assured us that they would wait for us to start the game drive and suggested we have lunch before heading out. The food and accommodation were fantastic. We stayed in the Roan bungalow, considered one of the top accommodations, very close to the pool and bar. For 24 hours, we had the entire lodge at our disposal since we were the only guests in the entire lodge during the low season. We had three fantastic game drives with a very skilled tracker, Hendrik, and guide, Paul. My wife wanted to see lions, and they tracked a lion pride within 5 minutes of starting the game drive. I had a list of animals to see, and Paul and Hendrik managed to find almost all of them, including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, wild dogs, etc., despite the rainy weather. We missed the leopard, and the entire fourth game drive was dedicated to finding it. Paul and Hendrik located it and saw it on foot, but it was tricky to reach with the car. I asked to see it on foot too, but they explained it was very dangerous. Regardless, I understand that it's not a zoo. I'm sure that with an extra day (and better weather), we would have seen the leopard. It was really hard to leave such a nice place with fantastic people! On the way back from the lodge to the airport, we had an additional game drive as we saw buffalos, kudus, and other animals. Finally, 5-10 km before exiting the Timbavati reserve, a huge herd of elephants crossed the road, and one even came close to our car (2-3m). In summary, this was the best trip I have ever taken! Hopefully, we will manage to come back. Thanks to all Motswari staff, and special thanks to Paul and Hendrik.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Alan A wrote a review Jan 2024
Nottingham, United Kingdom13 contributions25 helpful votes
I stayed for seven nights in January 2024 - longer than any of the other guests I met - so I had an opportunity to get a good feel for the place. The Good :- The game reserve is very large compared to some other private reserves, so the chances of seeing everything you want to see are really very high. We only had two leopard sightings, so if you were only there for 3 or 4 nights you might miss out. The guides were hard working and gave everything to make sure you saw as much as possible. The Not So Good :- The rooms are looking quite tired and ready for an overhaul. I can only echo what some others have said .... the rooms are very dark with poor lighting. The fitments and decor also need an overhaul - my mosquito net had a number of holes in it. The 'deck' area outside my room (Zebra) was dreadful, very small, partly overgrown and with poor seating. And, yes, as others have commented, everything smells musty. The emergency procedure during the night is to blow a whistle until someone comes (!). One fellow guest was stung by a scorpion in her room and blew the whistle but still no one came so she gave up. I have stayed in other lodges that provide you with an emergency radio handset. The meals were very average, mainly due to limited choice, though the chef did turn out some delights. Don't expect a swimming pool in the true sense, its very small (about 5m along its longest side) and too deep in the centre for small folks to touch the floor. Lastly, WiFi. A huge downside, for me at least, why do you have to go to the bar area to access WiFi?? I came to Motswari from a sprawling hotel in Mauritius that didn't seem to have any problems in providing WiFi access in even its most remote rooms. Going to the lobby to get WiFi is an anachronism.
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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buttonduck wrote a review Jan 2024
London, United Kingdom25 contributions15 helpful votes
We had 3 and a half days at Mostwari - as a family of 4 including our son and daughter who are in their early 20s. It was a brilliant experience. This is a family owned lodge, well managed with a close knit team - who I can’t speak highly enough of. The quality of accommodation, food and facilities exceeded our expectations. The extra touches - like unique meal events - made it special. The highlights were the game drives - which were really well done - with super friendly and knowledgeable guides and spotters. Well done Motwari - I recommend without hesitation!
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Roger B wrote a review Jan 2024
Nice, France1 contribution
We have been to four of the expensive lodges in Sabi Sands and were concerned that this would not be up to that standard. We spent 4 nights at Motswari and it was fantastic. . The staff were so incredibly friendly, our guide Noel and his tracker Patrick were amazing. We saw the big 5 - several groups of lion, several leopard including twice seeing them up a tree with an impala kill, right up close to rhino on 4 occasions and large herds of elephant and cape buffalo. The staff at the lodge were great and the food was better than we had enjoyed at some of the other lodges. Each evening we ate outdoors at a different location and it was quite magical Well done Motswari i hope to bring my whole family back next year
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
£485 - £677 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
motswari private game reserve hotel timbavati private nature reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkTimbavati Private Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - Updated 2024 (South Africa/Kruger National Park)

Frequently Asked Questions about Motswari Private Game Reserve
What are some of the property amenities at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a desk, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Motswari Private Game Reserve have airport transportation?
Yes, Motswari Private Game Reserve offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are pets allowed at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Motswari Private Game Reserve?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.
Is Motswari Private Game Reserve accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.