Motswari

Accommodation

Accommodation

Motswari is exclusive in that we never have more than 30 guests present at any one time, providing a more serene environment for our visitor's African experience. With 15 luxury-appointed en-suite bungalows, each with air-conditioning, and all offering unrivalled bush views, guests enjoy a high level of comfort which complements our level of service excellence. The naturally-furnished interiors of each bungalow reflect the wonders of nature that exist just outside the windows.
There are no spas or gyms here at Motswari. Instead we provide the serenity and relaxation that comes from exploring the intricacies of the living ecosystem that will surround you and the exercise that comes from walking the untamed trails that abound in the pristine environment you will find yourself in.

We also house a fully-equipped conference facility for executives making use of the lodge for team-building, product launches and corporate getaways. By placing our air-conditioned facilities at your disposal we ensure memorable conclusions for any company retreat. There is also an internet hotspot available for those wishing to conduct business during their time with us. Our conference room can be configured according to your specific needs by prior arrangement with your hosts.

Also in evidence are two fully licensed bars, a swimming pool and a shop which promotes and sells carefully selected curios from the region. In addition we have a library available as well as an art gallery. Meals are taken either in a scenic location out on the trail with one of our highly-trained guides, indulging in succulent morsels in our lounge or, depending on the season, spending the evenings dining in the bush or inside the Boma, a traditional meeting-place for those staying in the African wilds. You will also enjoy your meals with an award-winning selection of wines native to Southern Africa which set off the sumptuous and perfectly prepared repast we provide to perfection.

Activities

Wildlife And Safaris

Getting close to the untouched wildlife that South Africa is famed for on an African Wildlife Safari, is what Motswari is really all about. All of Africa's Big Five are abundant in the area, as are countless numbers of other naturally-occuring African Plains Game which traverse the open boundary between Motswari and the Kruger National Park. Our guides are residents of the area and have, in addition to the scientific knowledge that we encourage them to attain, an intimate knowledge of the location and wildlife that comes from a lifetime of co-existence with the surrounds.

We encourage visitors to make the most of the time that they have in this setting by offering Game Drive Safaris, such as extended game drives (of three-and-a-half hours each) in open Land Rovers both at sunrise and during sunset to ensure that most, if not all, of the inhabitants of the bush are appreciated by our guests on their African Wildlife Safari, and provide them with an unforgettable game viewing experience. We also offer Guided Walking Safaris such as optional bush walks with one of our highly experienced and armed trail-guides, for those who wish to get the most from their African experience. Our knowledgeable staff members also give talks on the wildlife and bushveld topics and will gladly answer any related questions for our guests. We offer a daily total of up to nine hours of interaction and exploration within the veld itself.

Supporting the Big Five are several other species of wildlife, including cheetah and wild dogs and naturally occurring herbivores from the antelope and gazelle family. There are a variety of nocturnal animals which make our sunset drives completely different from their daytime equivalent which include, but are not limited to, hyena, honey-badger, civet, the bush-baby and owls. The avian population is unrivalled for the avid birdwatcher, with well over 350 different species to be spotted year-round. Taken all together this is an unmatched chance to view the splendour of all manner of creatures unique to the continent.

Directions

Location

Motswari is situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, itself part of the Greater Kruger National Park Conservancy, some six hours drive from Johannesburg. It can easily be reached by road from the Durban, Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - KMIA) and Phalaborwa centres as well as from Johannesburg itself.

In addition there are a variety of flight solutions into Motswari, some of which will land at our private airstrip where guests will be given a VIP welcome, while others will set visitors down in nearby Hoedspruit or at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. From Hoedspruit it is a 50-minute drive to Motswari on the Timbavati Road through the Greater Kruger National Park where you may very well catch your first glimpses of African wildlife as you enter our pristine location.
Road transfers from Hoedspruit, and both road and air transfers from KMIA, can be arranged with us here at Motswari and you will find details of these transitions here.

Road transfers
Road transfers to Motswari are contracted locally and are per person each way. Children under 3 years old travel free of charge.
Please note that transfers from KMIA require 2-3 hours travelling in the heat of the day. We therefore recommend that guests make use of the air transfers offered

Please advise at the time of reservation if you would like us to arrange that the transfer company pay the conservation levy to the Timbavati Reserve. The rate is R100 per person (subject to change). Children under 10 years old are exempt from the conservation levy.

Motswari by air

Scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit/Eastgate Airport take approximately 50 minutes, followed by a road transfer of approximately 50 minutes. Scheduled flights from Cape Town to KMIA (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) take approximately 2.5 hours, followed by a road transfer of approximately 2.5 hours.

Airlines flying to local airports:

Airlink
Scheduled services from Cape Town to KMIA. Air and road transfers available on request.

General Airways Charter Lowveld
Daily inter-lodge and airport to lodge hops.

Federal Air
Flights and packages from various cities to local airports and directly to Motswari. Details available on request.

South African Express Airways (www.flysax.com)
Daily flights from O R Tambo Airport to Hoedspruit. This requires a 50 minute road transfer to and from Motswari.

We recommend air transfers to Motswari from KMIA to save travelling time and to offer guests the opportunity to see this beautiful region from the air.

Motswari private airstrip
Runway details: Gravel strip with concrete run-up pads.
Length: 1350m 01/19. Co-ordinates: 24 11.522´ South 031 232.188´ East.

Map / GPS

General Information

Art And Nature

The owners of Motswari believe strongly that art and nature are interlinked and the construction of the lodge is evidence of this belief. Natural artefacts are used in the construction of the Lodge (including the interiors of the bungalows) and artwork constructed of wood, bone and stone is evident throughout. The art gallery at Motswari sells examples of such artwork and there is also a local sculptor who practises his art and sells sculpture inside the reserve.

Visiting artists are encouraged to contribute to the growing sculpture garden; where they leave their work for other visitors to view and perhaps be inspired by, as the artists themselves are inspired by their time at Motswari.
The atmosphere of calm, rugged beauty draws out the creative instinct in many of the visitors to one of the finest private game reserves in Southern Africa and while some of them leave their artwork behind, they carry with them the experience provided by Motswari forever.

Introduction

"Arrive as a visitor and leave as a friend.”
Set deep in the Timbavati, Motswari Private Game Reserve promises rich game viewing as our boundary with Kruger is open.

In operation for more than 30 years and an original, traditional game lodge, Motswari offers bush as far as the eye can see and simple luxuries that don’t intrude on your experience. Nature is unaffected by man’s need to shape his environment yet our family-owned reserve prides itself on our conservation values, exquisite cuisine, award-winning wines and luxurious accommodation.

With 150 square kilometres of wide horizons and untamed wilderness, Motswari is an unforgettable experience.

Welcome to Motswari

Open to the Kruger National Park and playing host to Africa's Big Five is Motswari Private Game Reserve. One of South Africa's jewels nestled within the Timbavati Nature Reserve, this family-owned and operated four-star luxury safari lodge prides itself on its warm atmosphere.
The name Motswari means "to conserve and protect" in Tswana and the owners have held the name to be a promise to each of their future friends who arrive to share in the splendour of an African sunset.

The understated luxury of this traditional, vintage lodge promises an authentic African safari experience and accommodation to all of its visitors from the world over. The 150 square kilometres that make up the reserve are part of the greater Kruger Park and guests will be treated to wildlife in their natural habitats as part of their unforgettable view of Southern Africa. Ideally situated and exclusive, Motswari Private Game Reserve and African safari lodge accommodation holds the best of everything for the traveller to the untamed majesty that is Africa.

Ethos

The driving force behind our establishment lies within our outlook. The owners and operators of Motswari, the Geiger family, are committed to service excellence in all aspects of day-to-day running of the lodge. From the conservation of the wilderness to the high quality of the cuisine served to our guests and our attention to detail in making your experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey, we here at Motswari are committed to maintaining life at the lodge at the high standards that our guests have come to expect from us.

Motswari has been providing employment and opportunities for locals in the region since its inception and we are constantly on the lookout for ways in which we can assist the community surrounding our fair slice of Africa. Our employees are much more than simply workers as here at Motswari everyone is treated as a member of the family. This shows in the tight-knit way that we all interact with each other and with our visitors who always leave us reluctantly, having come to relish the friendships they have forged during their stay.

Motswari Private Game Reserve is accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism, South Africa (FTTSA), although we have upheld these ideals since before the founding of this organisation. We are also proudly dedicated to the preservation of all forms of natural Southern African flora and fauna.

Info

Daily schedule

Activities at Motswari are planned with the guest´s comfort and enjoyment in mind. The following daily schedule is designed to allow our guests time to relax, enjoy the hospitality and safari activities and of course savour the delicious fare on offer.

• 05h00 / 05h30 A gentle bush style wake up call.
• 05h30 / 06h00 Guests are met by their guide on the verandah for early morning refreshments. This includes tea, coffee, rusks, fruit and fruit juice.
• 06h00 / 06h30 Depart for an early morning game drive.
• 08h00 / 08h30 Coffee break! Your guide will find a scenic spot at sunrise to enjoy tea, coffee or juice with freshly baked muffins.
• 10h00 / 10h30 Brunch. An extensive and delicious South African brunch is served including hot and cold platters, cereals, freshly baked breads and preserves.
• At leisure. Guests have the option of joining their guide on an exciting bush walk. Alternatively they can relax at the pool, browse the Art Gallery and Curio Shop or take a traditional siesta.
• 14h30 / 14h00 Optional educational talk by one of the Motswari guides on relevant bush topics eg. Transfrontier Parks.
• 15h00 / 14h30 Guests meet in the veranda for a late lunch. The buffet table includes an inviting and delicious selection of sweet and savoury eats, fruit juices, teas and coffee.
• 16h00 / 15h30 Depart for a sunset game drive. Once again the guide will stop for a rest break where guests can enjoy a sundowner drink and snacks in another magnificent setting.
• 19h30 / 19h00 Pre-dinner drinks at the Boma Cocktail Bar.
• 20h00 / 19h30 Dinner under the sparkling African sky.
Seasons and climates

Summer, from September to April, is when the bush is at its most lush due to it being the rainy season. This is also the lambing season for many of our antelope species and when numerous species of migratory birds arrive in the area. Temperatures at this time are generally warm to very hot, with rain falling in the late afternoons, if at all. Neutral-coloured, light fabrics are recommended, and you shouldn´t forget to bring a sweater or windbreaker in case it gets chilly or rains.
Winter (May to August) is perhaps the optimum time for game viewing in that it is the dry season and the vegetation is less dense and game tends to concentrate around permanent water sources. Temperatures are relatively mild but should not be under-estimated. Days are fairly warm although the temperature drops considerably after sunset and takes a while to increase in the early morning. Please note that with the wind-chill factor, it can be very cold on open vehicles, and while blankets are provided on the drives, you are advised to dress in layers. A scarf, woollen hat and gloves will also help keep out the chill.

At any time of year, please bring clothing of light, breathable materials, a sweater or windbreaker, rain gear, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, walking shoes and sandles.

Rates

Pricing

Rates

Tariffs include the following:
• Accommodation
• All meals
• Two daily game drives with refreshments
• Guided daily safari walk

Tariffs exclude the following:
• Transfers to/from local airports/other lodges
• Vehicle toll fee for self-drives
• Conservation levy to the Timbavati Reserve
• Tourism levy
• Telephone calls, bar, laundry and curio purchases

Children:
Regret no children under 6 years old.
6 - 12 years old — 50% of above rates when sharing with two adults.
Children in their own room pay adult rates.
Two sets of inter-leading rooms are available on request.

Terms and conditions

Reservations, deposits and amendments
All bookings must be confirmed in writing, either by fax or e-mail within 24 hours

Amendments must be confirmed in writing.

Transfers or special dietary requirements must be advised at time of reservation. Seven days notice is required for kosher and halaal meals.

Motswari do not hold provisional bookings for the Christmas/New Year period (16 Dec 08 - 06 Jan 09). Bookings for this period must be paid at time of reservation.

Group provisional bookings will be cancelled 8 weeks prior to arrival if a deposit of 25% has not been received. Should Motswari receive a confirmed booking for the same period, we may require the group to pay a non-refundable deposit of between 25% and 75% at the discretion of Motswari.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in 12 noon.
Check-out 11am.

Cancelations
Cancellation fees as listed below will apply if numbers vary by more than 10%.

N.B. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing.

Cancellation fee:

29 to 22 days prior to arrival — 50%

21 to 15 days prior to arrival — 65%

14 to 7 days prior to arrival — 70%

6 to 1 days prior to arrival — 80%

No show — 100%

Payments
Internet transfers and direct deposits.

Credit card payments: We accept Mastercard and Visa card payments.

Full payment is required 30 days prior to arrival (except for Christmas and New Year period - see above) unless credit facilities are in place.

Payment for transfers and entrance fees must be included with accommodation payments.