Motswari Private Game Reserve

From the moment we arrived at Motswari we were made to feel welcome. All staff members introduced themselves with a warm handshake...and it wasn't long until those handshakes turned into hugs! Ofenste made sure that our group of 13 were comfortable, entertained and that every need was accommodated. He could not have been more attentive, flexible and communicative. Motswari is perfect for those who seek time in the bush disconnected from the day-to-day distraction of their regular lives. Initially I felt a little uncomfortable - no wifi except in 'the gallery', not being able to walk at night without a guide (the lodge is not fenced) dark yet beautiful bungalows. But it didn't take me long to appreciate the opportunity to rest and reset in a place that soon came to feel like home. The lodge and bungalows reflect the mission, philosophy and personal attention that is the hallmark of Motswari. Each bungalow is unique and interesting; each piece of furniture has been lovingly chosen by the owner. She is an artist and her art adorns many public areas. While the bungalows may be described as rustic, they are wonderfully comfortable and have every amenity one could need. We loved that our bungalow (Buffalo) had an outdoor shower, an indoor shower, a luxurious bathtub, and hanging basket chair on our patio. As others have mentioned, the rooms are dark and could be enhanced with a little more light for those who prefer. As I prefer an environment with natural light, I did not spend much time in the bungalow between the game rides, but rather chose to enjoy my down time at the pool or at the outdoor patios with other guests. The public spaces are comfortable and welcoming, and there is always a friendly face (such as Trust) nearby to offer drinks or conversation. Our group enjoyed delicious meals and many laughs together in various settings - a private room, the outdoor patio, the serene breakfast area, a boma and even a spectacular breakfast in the bush! While all the food (lovingly prepared by the team led by Head Chef Eugenia Mtungwa) was delicious, we especially enjoyed the variety of dishes served at lunch. And we eagerly anticipated the lunch presentation parade every day from the kitchen - multiple dishes of food presented joyfully with song and dance! The catering team were very attentive to our dietary needs and made sure that the celiac members of our group were treated to delicious gluten-free alternatives when needed. And there were ample choices for the vegetarians! Our game drives were a highlight. We had three knowledgable and personable guides (Jeremy, Owen, and Lola), and two masterful trackers (George and Hendry) who made sure that we saw the big five and lots more! As anyone who has been on game drives knows, part of the excitement and enjoyment is the chase and anticipation of coming across a 'find'. Owen, Jeremy and Lola used this time to teach us about the birds, the vegetation, the insects, and a plethora of other fascinating tidbits about the Timbavati. And they certainly were not scared to go off road and 'bundu bash' to offer us the best views and opportunities for sightings. I have been lucky to visit many lodges and parks (the KNP, the Klasserie, Kapama, Mjejane, Shamwari), and I found Timbavavati to be one of the most beautiful. I highly, highly recommend Motswari for those who are seeking an authentic bush experience. I read some of the three star reviews on Tripadvisor,and realized that some of those who wrote the reviews went with misguided expectations and, as a result, missed the true magic of Motswari. Yes, there may be ants and spiders in the natural environment...yes, there may be a hyena bellowing at night somewhat close by....yes, there is limited wifi...yes, the bungalows are more rustic than modern - but this is exactly why we chose Motswari, and why the people who work there, who are passionate about their jobs and mission, are able to create such a special experience for those who visit. Read less

We spent 3 nights at Motswari & couldnt have been happier with our choice. From the moment we arrived until we left we treated like royalty. The staff were outstanding, remembering our names, the food superb & more than ample, the rooms spacious & very comfortable. The game drives were informative & we saw the Big 5 along with a lot of other animals & birds. I must make special mention of our ranger Eden & Tracker Elly who were a pleasure to spend 7 hours a day with. I cannot recommend Motswari highly enough Read less

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! Read less

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*********** Read less