Motswari is a luxury family-owned lodge situated within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Nicole
United States
Our stay at Motswari was fantastic - to start off, the property itself is absolutely stunning, the rooms are spacious and beautiful, and you are surrounded by wildlife 24/7 due to the open air fence. The food for all three meals was delicious - they just kept feeding us and it got better each time! The safari's themselves were amazing - I've been on many safari's before, mostly in national parks where an animal sighting is reported and 20 cars race and crowd the animal and it feels very uncomfortable. This did not happen here - all of the guides are in contact with one another and the surrounding private lodges and have a 1-2 car rule where you are only ever around one another car while doing your animal sighting. This made it an incredibly intimate experience with each animal and felt like we were respecting the wildlife while still being able to get up close. The guides were also fantastic - we had Paul and Magic who were the best duo we could have asked for. We saw the big 5 in one day in addition to wild dog sightings every day, hyena dens and pups, several leopards and lion prides, and elephants and giraffes everywhere! Motswari offered everything you could want in a safari and more, and it's true when they say leave as a friend. We visited for our honeymoon and are already planning our next trip back! 11/10 recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
In the heart of the Timbavati Game Reserve, the Simbavati River Lodge offers the chance of a face-to- face encounter with Africa’s incredibly varied wildlife from the lodge’s private viewing decks.
Sophie
United Arab Emirates
The lodge was stunning. So tranquil and nestled away in nature. The rooms and main lodge dining area faced the watering hole so we were spoilt for choice with elephants, giraffes, warthog and kudu right in front of our eyes at all times.
The staff were the most welcoming, friendly and professional group of people. They could not help us enough. The game drivers and trackers (shoutout to Dennis and Daniel) were incredible. We saw every animal we could have ever hoped for including 2 leopards and we got so close! Obi was our butler and cared for us from start to finish. The cleaning staff left our room so beautiful every day.
Honestly the most astounding and outstanding place.
Shindzela is a tented safari camp, set in a traversing area within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Coyote08
Australia
Good basic camp style and reasonable comfort.excellent guides.
Umlani Bushcamp is a classic African safari camp in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park. Game drives, bush walks and meals are included in the rate.
Klaus-Dieter
Germany
If you are looking for a luxury lodge you should check twice. If you are looking for a bush camp it is the place to be. max. 17 guests in beautyful bush-houses - they are like family - clean, super food, very nice people - wonderful game drives - we won`t forget
Located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kings Camp offers luxury accommodation in a secluded bush setting, with an outdoor pool.
Jeremy
United Kingdom
We stayed 3 nights at King's Camp out of a total of 11 nights in South Africa and this was by far the best part of our entire trip. The place is immaculate - very large and comfortable rooms, extremely friendly staff and a beautiful location in the TImbavati game reserve.
We were taken out for dawn and dusk game drives by our own dedicated ranger Cynet and spotter Sunnyboy, in vehicle we had to ourselves most of the time. All the seats were next to the side (so there were no obstructed views), there were warm blankets in the car for the cold and we stopped for sundowners every evening and watched the stars come out - and what stars - amazing views of the milky way.
The game was excellent too - lions including cubs, leopard + kill, and all the rest of the big five (if that's what you're into), hyena and cubs. A big highlight was following a leopard through the bush in the car - simply unforgettable! Plus a multitude of birds from eagles to wax-bills - and our extremely knowledgeable ranger Cynet could identify them all!
Our room was enormous and luxurious - private secluded pool and veranda area, carefully designed so that it was not overlooked but looked out into the bush with animals traipsing past!
There's also a wonderful hide by the waterhole so you can watch the animals coming down to drink and mud-bathe - including a whole herd of elephants! The staff still have a sense of wonder about the animals they see and are just as excited as the guests. And there are steenboks and kudu who visit the grounds and wander around the rooms - and a lovely night-watchman who escorts you to and from your room after dark.
The trouble with the food was that it was too good and too plentiful - hard not to gain weight! Well cooked, well presented and served by lovely, attentive staff. Every other night we had a buffet in the traditional "boma" around a fire with our guide.
Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Simbavati Hilltop Lodge is located in Timbavati Game Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Free WiFi access is available in this lodge.
Rachel
United Kingdom
Our time at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge was outstanding! The staff was exceptionally polite, and our guide and tracker worked tirelessly to show us as much as they could while providing detailed information. The butler was sweet and attentive, accommodating to our food restrictions. Our room was consistently spotless and cozy. We had a wonderful time and would love to come back!
Perched on a ridge within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Geiger's Camp is an exclusive family-owned lodge with panoramic views of the Nhlaralumi River and surrounds.
Julie
United Kingdom
Amazing setting, fabulous game drives, staff super attentive, ranger and tracker very knowledgeable.
Featuring mountain views, Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp in Timbavati Game Reserve features accommodation, an outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, a terrace and a bar.
mark
United Kingdom
Stunning location in front of a large dam/pool populated by hippos, not a puddle of a waterhole like many lodges. The camp is simple, 2 tented rooms either side of an open main lodge building leading onto a terrace with small swimming pool and overlooking the water. But what else do you need ? Small, intimate, and stamped with understated luxury the camp is exclusive. As a family we occupied 3 of the rooms and had the lodge to ourselves for 3 of our 6 nights. The 4 tented rooms were a perfect size and beautifully decorated. The food was delicious, great attention was paid to portion sizes, presentation and all our dietary needs and requests carefully addressed (peanut allergy) The staff are lovely, approachable, always on hand and very attentive. Charlie and Mish, the managing couple along with Courtney make you feel as though you this is your home. The guiding experience was probably my best ever, and thats after 25 years of safari, we had started going on courses as we had heard it all so many times before, but Charlies breadth of knowlege is astounding, he is a master of timing, keeps you engaged and doesn't overload you, I was learning information that I had never heard before. Needless to say the sightings were amazing; leopard, lion, wild dog, many birds and some fascinating small stuff as well. The traversing rights mean that there are very few vehicles in your area and some drives we didn't see any other vehicles at all. The game viewer seats 8. The middle seat is converted for storage so no one ever has to sit in the middle. We absolutely loved it and will return.
With Timbavati Private Nature & Game Reserve reachable in 8.5 km, Simbavati Trails Camp offers accommodation, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace and a bar.
Tjaart
South Africa
Location: right in the middle of the African bush. Very peacefull.
Food: Top notch. Typical African cuisine.
Staff: Extremely friendly and catering to every need. Chef, butler, camp hand, guide, cleaner
Activities: Twice daily walks in the veld with the armed guide, who is extremely knowledgeable. Very educational. The highlight undoubtedly was the elephants comeing to drink from the camp pool (dry season), literally metres away - hugely thrilling.
Makumu Private Game Lodge is situated in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, 36 km from Kapama Game Reserve. Hoedspruit is 32 km away. Free WiFi is available. The accommodation has a seating area.
Pia
Switzerland
This place is truly special. It feels like a family home, a luxurious one in the middle of the African bush. The interior is truly African and very tasteful. Everything is spotlessly clean. The food is very good. The service excellent. The safari tours (happening twice a day) are well organised and professional. The ranger can literally answer any questions you might have about flora and fauna. Their expertise makes you feel very safe, and the vehicles are in top shape. All in all it could not have been any better. Recommend a stay of at least 4 nights.
This is an "eco-camp" so facilities are fairly basic but...
This is an "eco-camp" so facilities are fairly basic but completely adequate. Setting is wonderful with views over a waterhole from the sitting room and a remote tree-house that can be used for the night. Great staff and plenty of animals - highly recommended if you really want to see game rather than enjoy a luxury bush stay.
Dr Michael Gammage
United Kingdom
Scored 10
10
Motswari is on the border between the Umbabat and the...
Motswari is on the border between the Umbabat and the Timbavati. The game sightings vary depending on where you are, for example in thick Mopane you will see Elephant and on the grassy plains you will see plains-game. The diversity gives you a choice for each and every game drive. This is a good place for game diversity.
Ian
South Africa
Scored 10
10
Highly recommend! Incredible staff and location.
Highly recommend! Incredible staff and location. Luxurious with relative privacy (only three bungalows on site). Our game drives were unforgettable - so much incredible wildlife! Would recommend staying at least 3 nights, if possible. Four nights was perfect for us.
Nicole
United States
Explore guest reviews of hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve
The stay at the Motswari Hotel was amazing! We had the guide and tracker Sean and Brian and they made us live a just exceptional adventure. Very professional, with a good mood it was great! If you come to Motswari ask for these guides you will not be disappointed!
The food was excellent, and the kitchen and room staff were just perfect! The cleaning is done several times a day.
It was just perfect thank you very much!
This was our first safari experience and Geiger’s made it unforgettable. Our stay was magical. We saw so many animals including the big 5 and wild dogs. Every game drive we saw something new. Our room at Camp was big and nice and the hotel has a nice African safari feel and decor. It’s only 4 rooms which creates a nice intimate feel where you get to know the other people on safari with you.
We had an amazing stay at Motswari! The are and the hotel are just perfect! You got everything you need in the hotel and the crew is super friendly and makes always sure you are doing good! We never experienced this kind of service - it’s really amazing! Thank you for making our stay in South Africa unforgettable! You Rock!
The drives were exceptional, the tent is very well built, big bathroom. The meals were very tasteful. The Road is unpaved but if you go very slow you can reach the hotel with a normal car. The staff is very polite and helpful.
We absolutely loved simbavati river lodge and could not imagine a better safari experience for our family of 4. Special shoutout to our fantastic guide CJ for incredible sightings including the elusive white lion.
Sarah
Canada
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