Motswari Private Game Reserve
Motswari Private Game Reserve is located in the pristine, untouched wilderness of the Timbavati Game Reserve. 15 unique and luxurious bungalows await guests who wish to experience a traditional safari camp and all the adventures that come with it. The bungalows are comfortable and warm, each comes with their own ensuite and sheltered verandah area, perfect for relaxing in the evenings and watching the sun set over the lush bushveld. During the day spend your time exploring the reserve, either on an exciting game drive or intimate guided walk. Professional, friendly, and knowledgeable rangers will accompany you on these journeys and will be more than willing to share their expert knowledge.
Meals can be served in the heart of the bush, or in the Boma around a crackling fire – wherever you dine be assured that the food will be a delicious feast for your senses, created with fresh, local ingredients and inspired by African flavours. Perhaps the most unique experience at Motswari is the opportunity to sleep out under the stars in the purpose-built treehouse, where you can fall into a gentle sleep while gazing at the stars and hearing nothing but the gentle breeze rustling through the surrounding bush.
Motswari Private Game Reserve, 1380, South Africa
The Timbavati Game Reserve is located in the northeast of South Africa. 53,000 acres of untouched wilderness – Timbavati lies on the western border of the Kruger National Park and makes up part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The name ‘Timbavati’ in Xitsonga means ‘the place where something sacred came down to earth from heaven’, which many believe to be in reference to the unique and rare white lions which can be found here. The reserve was founded in 1956, and its unfenced borders with the surrounding reserves and parks means wildlife has roamed free throughout the area since it was founded.
The reserve is relatively flat, slightly elevated above sea level, and includes vast areas of mopane and acacia woodland, thick and lush grasses, winding waterways, and sparkling watering holes. The reserve is incredibly biodiverse and is home to lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, hyenas, impalas, and wild dogs. There are also a few lone rhinos which wander through the area meaning the Big Five are present here. The reserve is also filled with a diverse species of birds including Chinspoon batis, Grey-headed Kingfisher and African spoonbill as well as many more.
Guests can access Motswari Private Game Reserve by flying into Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and then catching a connecting flight to Hoedspruit Airport, followed by a road transfer to camp which will take approximately 50 minutes. Directions can be given to guests who wish to self-drive to the lodge from Johannesburg, which will take roughly 6-7 hours.
- Located in the biodiverse Timbavati Game Reserve
- Opportunity to see the Big Five
- 15 bungalows are private and comfortable
- All bungalows come with ensuite bathrooms
- Meals are inspired by African flavours, made with fresh ingredients
- Meals can be enjoyed in the heart of nature
- Explore the lush surroundings on a game drive or guided walk
- Question and Answer style safari talk available with a knowledgeable ranger
- Sleep out under the stars in the unique treehouse
The 15 luxury bungalows offer exclusivity and privacy for guests, with the option of 2 sets of bungalows to become interleading for families. The bungalows themselves are built with the surrounding nature in mind, and the grey plaster walls, wooden wardrobes and chests and exposed thatch ceilings blend in perfectly with the surrounding bushveld.
The interiors are luxuriously moody, with a stunning grand bed sat in the centre of the room, covered in crisp white bed linen, and romantically swathed in mosquito netting. The bungalow is filled with traditional explorer style furniture such as zebra print ottomans, travellers chests and striped armchairs.
All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom and an intimate verandah area where guests will find two armchairs which are perfect for unwinding and enjoying a complimentary coffee or tea and watching the sunset over the horizon.
Guests of Motswari Private Game Reserve can enjoy a fine dining experience with food that is freshly prepared and created to celebrate unique African flavours. Meals can be eaten in the comfortable main lounge, can be enjoyed in the heart of the bush out on the trail, or can be taken in the traditional open-air Boma where guests will dine by the light of a roaring fire underneath the wide starry sky. All meals will come with the option of being paired with award-winning South African wines.
Adventure through the wilderness of Timbavati in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. This is a traditional safari experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. A friendly and professional guide will impart their wisdom on the surrounding nature and will take you to all the best spots where you will be able to see wild animals such as elephants and lions largely undisturbed and in their natural habitat.
Guests can choose to go out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, this is recommended as every game drive is a unique experience.
For a slower, more intimate exploration of the bush then set out on your own two feet and truly immerse yourself within the bush. Accompanied by a knowledgeable and friendly ranger, marvel at the smaller life of the reserve. Keep an eye out for small colourful birds, insects, and animal tracks, which your range will be able to track to their origin.
This is the perfect activity for guests who wish to reconnect to nature; wander through the bush breathing in the smells, marvelling at the sights, and listening to the sounds.
If guests wish, over high tea, then a safari talk can be arranged. This is a great way to learn more about the bush from a ranger who has all the answers. They can answer any questions you might have about your surroundings and will cover various topics within their talk. This is a more relaxed environment to answer questions than on a game drive, and you can ask away with a selection of delicious eats available for you.
After a short game drive guests can find themselves at the Giraffe’s Nest Hide. This is a romantic decked tree-house bedroom, which overlooks the glistening Xanatsi Dam. Before snuggling down in the cosy bed, enjoy a delicious dinner which will be provided while the sun sets. Once the sun has set, the treehouse will be lit by the romantic glow of lantern light.
When your head hits the pillow, look to the wide starry sky and drift off to sleep under the light of a thousand stars. If the weather turns there is a canvas roof which can be pulled over to keep you dry.
Motswari Private Game Reserve is part of Newmark Collection, which is a ‘South African based hospitality management company.’ Throughout all their properties they have a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Working with each hotel/lodge/retreat they come up with sustainable management plans and they work closely with the property managers to make sure the initiates are ‘implemented across the property’ as well as being ‘monitored on a constant basis.’
Various strategies are employed which work to constantly reuse, recycle, and reduce any waste produced, as well as making sure they procure purchases sustainably, such as supporting responsible farms by buying their products and working with green vendors. All amenities are eco friendly, and they are working towards phasing out environmentally damaging cleaning products. Plastic straws have been banned from all Newmark Collection properties, and every property has a ‘strong focus on water and energy conservation.’
Children aged six years and older are welcomed at Motswari Private Game Reserve