Elephants amble down to drink in the dry riverbed below the decks at Motswari Private Game Reserve, a family-owned lodge in the Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves. No fences stand between here and the Kruger National Park, so the Big Five roam freely across the border.
Long family ownership gives Motswari a personal, unhurried feel. Paintings by owner Marion Geiger-Orengo hang throughout the lodge, and the library and art gallery invite you to settle in with a book by the fire on cooler days. Out in the reserve, morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers are led by field guides and trackers. Guided walks reveal the smaller details of the bush, and rangers share their knowledge at relaxed talks over high tea.
Meals move around the camp. Brunch may be served at a scenic spot out on the trail, and drumming signals the start of dinner in the open-air boma, where tables circle a crackling fire. Award-winning Southern African wines accompany the menus. Between drives, the pool overlooking the Sohobele River and an in-room massage make for easy afternoons.
ACCOMMODATION
Thatched bungalows are scattered through the bush, each decorated in a traditional style with neutral tones, a king-size bed and Egyptian cotton bedding. All have air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom and a private deck. River Facing Bungalows look out over the riverbed, where elephants often come to drink, while Bush Bungalows feel more secluded among the trees. Some rooms also have an outdoor shower. After dark, a ranger walks you between your bungalow and the main lodge. For a night to remember, couples can sleep out at Giraffe’s Nest, an open-air treehouse above Xanatsi Dam, at extra cost.
Motswari lies in the Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves, part of the Greater Kruger, which share an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. Wildlife moves freely across this open landscape, and the Timbavati is one of the few places where white lions occur naturally, although sightings are never guaranteed. The lodge is around 70 km by road from Hoedspruit, with the final stretch on a dirt road through the reserve. There is no direct access from the Kruger National Park.
Speak to a specialist for availability and pricing.
