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Reviews of Motswari Private Game Reserve by NEWMARK 4 stars

Enkhulu Gate, Argyle Road, 0001 Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa

#2 of 11 hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 258 hotel reviews

9.5

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.7

  • Comfort

    9.7

  • Location

    9.7

  • Facilities

    9.4

  • Staff

    9.9

  • Value for money

    9.3

  • Free WiFi

    7.3

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 17 March 2024

    10
    Magnificent from start to finish
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing at all - everything was perfect.

    Amazing food, friendly and knowledgeable guides (Hayden and Patrick were exceptional), beautiful property and accommodation. We loved being disconnected from WiFi in the bedrooms, to truly switch off.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 March 2024

    10
    Perfect!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The information regarding being collected from your lodge is confusing. Waiting to be collected is restrictive

    Food was amazing. Staff friendly and efficient. Nothing too much trouble. Our driver and tracker were brilliant

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 March 2024

    10
    Amazing experience, saw big 5 multiple times
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was an amazing experience, not only the safari itself but also the staff that created an immersive experience. We were there for 4 nights and we had dinner on different locations within the camp with great (and healthy) food and we were taken care of from a-z.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 February 2024

    10
    Luxury safari with gourmet food and the best team!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Having to leave!

    Mostwari is a dream! Our room was absolutely gorgeous, with two showers (one inside and one outside), a super comfy large bed, fluffy towels and great toiletry kits. FOOD IS INSANE! The best I had during my time in SA. Meals were often served in different places: bush breakfast, boma dinner, candlelight dinner… The team is fantastic: friendly and super professional. Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable and fun. I had the time of our lives at Mostwari and will definitely come back.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 2 February 2024

    10
    Stunning location, fantastic food and great choice and our driver Haydon and tracker David were great fun.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only fault we could find was that it would be great to have some slippers and dressing gowns to use. And a pair of binoculars to use from the stoop. Otherwise perfect

    The location, food and very friendly staff

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 January 2024

    10
    Luxury Experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights

    One thing to improve - more vegetarian options would be preferred.

    The overall experience staying here was just amazing. we had booked a full board with Safari's included twice a day. Our guide and tracker were very knowledgeful about the area and helped us spot big 5 in safaris. The food was good, specially the dinner.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 19 January 2024

    10
    Delicious Food, amazing animal sightings and relaxing place to stay!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 4 nights

    We had an absolutely fabulous time at Motswari! It exceeding our expectations! Every day we had incredible meals, which were made with great attention to detail. It was fabulous having each meal, game drive and activities organised for us so we were able to unwind and enjoy our stay. The staff were exceptional and I'd like to specifically thank Eden, Lot and Phaswane. Eden and Lot, our guide and tracker were friendly, professional and ensured we had a great time on the game drives. They are clearly very good at what they do and have a pride in their jobs. Phaswane helped me when the airline lost my bags. She went above and beyond to help me get them back. There's too many things to list that were great. Thank you everyone in the Motswari team!

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 21 December 2023

    9.0
    Excellent
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Some of the appliances in the room could do with a refresh - small things like a new hairdryer could make a massive difference. Some more flexibility around mealtimes (having a 15 min turnaround time between return and buffet dinner) would be welcomed.

    Room was great, our guide hugely knowledgeable (Owen) and the tracker absolutely superb (Lot) tracking a whole pride of lions on our last morning. Loved being in a private reserve adjoining Kruger.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 2 December 2023

    9.0
    Great lodge with fantastic staff and excellent game driving
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Lunch is served at 3pm, we found that a little later after eating breakfast at 8:30am. Our bathroom also wasn’t attached to our room so we walked past our private outdoor shower (which was lovely) to get to it - that was fine but the bathroom didn’t have aircon so that was a bit difficult in 40 degree heat!

    Lovely lodge in a fantastic setting - we were lucky enough to see 6 elephants all grazing near the pool area for hours one day! It was very clean and the staff were so friendly. We also saw all of the big 5 within 3 drives.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 November 2023

    10
    Amazing experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Once in a life experience! An amazing rustic lodge right in the bush and well integrated with nature. The staff is very nice and makes you feel at home. Food is eccellent and different every day. Everything is well organized. Our riders Josh and David made our trip unforgettable. Josh has a lot of knowledge of animals and nature and David is great in following animals footprints.We wish we could have stayed even more! Thanks for everything Valentina&Jhonny

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 18 November 2023

    10
    Amazing stay at Motswari!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Everybody from the staff to the ranger/tracker were really nice. Food was delicious with different dinner setting every night which was a nice touch. We also saw many animals from the lodge. And lastly, the game drives were also great with big 5 sightings and many more. We hope to come back to Motswari :)

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 November 2023

    10
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful lodge, amazing game drives (saw all the big 5), delicious food and the most nicest people. Definitely recommended!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 November 2023

    10
    A wonderfully luxurious stay in the bushveld with delicious food and personal service.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Fantastic food, dining under the stars, in the bush, for both nights we were there, wonderful breakfasts, our own game drive vehicle with driver and spotter (both friendly and knowledgeable) and super comfortable rooms made this a wonderful stay. We also saw 2 leopards, which we'd really hoped to see (my wife's birthday wish), which made for a perfect stay.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 October 2023

    10
    A magical experience in the African bush
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Our luxury hut was set deep in the Timbavati private game reserve. The drive to Motswari itself is lined with all the wildlife you’d hope to see on a trip to Africa. We had a magical stay here (2 nights). From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you are really looked after. The service from the staff was next level, they made you feel so welcome and clearly wanted you to have a special experience. Our game driver Godfrey and tracker Elly were charismatic and so informative about the African bush and wildlife. We saw all the big 5 and more, with the most special experience of spotting a leopard in the tree protecting its kill - something we’ll never forget. When not on a game drive you get to enjoy the beautiful views of the reserve from the pool or restaurant where elephants, giraffes and hyenas regularly stroll past. The food and drink was exceptional, they ensured each meal was different and set in a new location, from bush breakfasts to dinners around a log fire and braai. It was a once in a lifetime experience, we certainly hope we'll return some day!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 October 2023

    10
    Unforgettable!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Never have we felt as welcomed by the resort staff as in Motswari. They made us feel like friends from the minute we arrived. The game drives were amazing and the guides did everything to find the animals we wanted to see, with great success. The food was amazing and so was the surprise barbecue. Although it’s the most expensive resort we ever booked we found it well worth the money. Thank you to all the staff for this unforgettable experience!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 September 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    My wife and I stayed at Motswari to celebrate our honeymoon and it exceeded every single one of our expectations. All of the staff were fantastic, the food and accomodation was great and the safari was excellent - we saw the big 5 and our guide Godfrey and tracker George were so friendly and knowledgeable. We will be back!

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 6 September 2023

    10
    Best Safari experience ever
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The tour guides were amazing & the staff was so friendly and welcoming

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No wifi in our room (however i heard that some guests had wifi from their room)

    Incredible landscape. Staff was very friendly, available and professional. The guides of the safari we very good and made us see all the big fives multiple times

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 July 2023

    10
    Amazing honeymoon safari experience!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    This place was everything we imagined and hoped it would be! You get what you pay for in the best possible way at Motswari. We celebrated our honeymoon here for 3 nights and even despite rain in winter- they made it the best experience. The staff were incredible and this place operates like a well oiled machine. Our guide Meghan and tracker lot helped us see ALL the animals we wanted on our game drives. I was able to book a relaxing massage on a rainy day. They also helped us arrange a hotel transport from Hoedspruit. They do have their own airstrip so I think we would look into that next time. I would love to come back- the timbavati private nature reserve was excellent for viewing animals! Highly recommend to anyone wanting an inclusive safari adventure!!!

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 July 2023

    10
    Once in a lifetime experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything was great, there’s really nothing to dislike.

    The hotel is unfenced, meaning the animals can be around anytime. The game drive was the best experience of all, the guides/trackers really make an effort to make sure everyone sees the big 5 at least once. The staff was incredibly friendly, the food was amazing (breakfast,lunch and dinner - every time it was prepared fresh and different menu every day) and they make sure it’s a unique experience for all guests. Wi-Fi was available only at reception, but no one expects to have signal in the middle of a natural reserve in South Africa. In general the facilities, quality of the rooms and the services provided were beyond expectations considering the location of this place.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 30 June 2023

    9.0
    We had a excellent stay with amazing staff and rangers
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The food was mediocre for the price you pay.

    Staff and the rangers are excellent. Room were clean and comfortable

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 June 2023

    10
    Amazing experience from start to finish!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything was amazing at Motswari. From the safari guide Megan and tracker Lot to all the fabulous staff. Excellent customer service. Beautiful location.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 June 2023

    10
    Amazing stay out guide and tracker Josh/David did a great job, we ended up extending another day. if you’re thinkin
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location is great, right in the South African bush. Staff were very attentive and make you feel welcome.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 June 2023

    8.0
    a magical experience with magnificent animals
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Luxury Bungalow with 2 Game Drives
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    room (nyala) was smaller and more basic than in pictures

    great game drive, spotted the big 5 which was awesome

    Stayed in June 2023

Showing 1 – 25

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