Motswari Private Game Reserve

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.’