Motswari Private Game Reserve

Robyn

We recently stayed at Motswari Game Reserve as a family for three nights, and we truly could not have had a better experience. Our rooms were absolutely beautiful, spacious, and spotless. The entire property was stunning, and the food far exceeded our expectations. You can really feel the “family” atmosphere throughout the lodge — from the staff singing before lunch to the incredible send-offs performed after dinner for guests on their last night. Every single staff member was so friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Housekeeping was also excellent. A special highlight of our stay was our guide, Josh, and tracker, David. Josh’s passion for wildlife — especially birds — was contagious and added so much excitement to every drive. He even inspired us to start bird watching ourselves (we’ve already bought bird books back home!). Both Josh and David worked so hard to make each drive memorable and helped us see an amazing variety of wildlife. It was such a nice touch having Josh join us for dinner on our last night as well. If I ever return for another safari, Motswari will absolutely be my first choice and we will recommend it to friends and family.

Esta Lessing

We spent 2 nights in Motswari Private Game Reserve and it was an unforgettable experience! Wonderful food, service, exclusivity and personal attention. Our ranger, Marius was exceptional and made every game drive and our walking safari unforgettable. His trackers, Elvis and Misha was just as amazing with their knowledge of the animals and the bush. We saw 3 of the 5 "big five" in just 1.5 days of being there, thanks to these guys. The food and service at the lodge was beyond our expectations in every way. I was a vegetarian and they catered for me with exceptional skill and charm. The food was really outstanding, thank you Glenda and team! Our other hosts, Desmond and MJ looked after every detail and made our stay wonderful. Our room was large, luxurious and comfortable. We each had a great massage too (thank you Lerato), in a space where you can watch giraffes walk by... The setting of this private lodge is amazing, you overlook a river with giraffes and elephants walking by. We even had a hyena come close to us while sitting around the camp fire - so special. This was a once in a life time experience and we hope to be back again soon!

H C

We had the most amazing time at Motswari — truly unforgettable! Every moment was special. All the meals were excellent, with breakfast and dinner set in different beautiful locations each day, which kept things exciting. Our guide and tracker, Owen and George, were outstanding — incredibly knowledgeable and made sure each drive felt unique. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 within our first two drives, and got incredibly close to the animals. Elephants and giraffes even wandered right past our room, which was surreal. I’d recommend at least 3 nights to really soak it all in. The lodge’s location is also a big plus — close to Hoedspruit airport, so no need for a private plane. The only small downside is that there’s no phone in the rooms. Once escorted back at night, there’s no way to call staff for something simple like water. On our first night, a short circuit knocked out the lights and hot water, and while it wasn’t serious enough to blow the emergency whistle, it would’ve been nice to contact staff more easily. That aside, Motswari is an incredible place, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.

Irina Shalajeva

Absolutely brilliant. Small open game reserve. With very welcoming staff. Our ranger Eden was brilliant. We saw some of the most amazing things just by sitting and waiting for a bit because he was anticipated things to happen. Like hyena chasing a leopard up the tree. And we didn’t miss on the big 5. Rooms are comfortable and food is diverse and tasty. We spent 3 nights and it was unforgettable experience. Made some great friends as well. Would definitely go back

Christina Bruno

Incredible place! The staff are amazing! So much care taken to make your time there extra special. The Safari Guides and Trackers have a wealth of knowledge and help create an unforgettable experience. We had Josh and Hayden, who made sure our group saw all the animals, learned a ton, were safe, and had the most fun possible! Food is delicious, lots of fun surprises throughout our stay. We were quite sad to leave!