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Lodge · Timbavati
Motswari Private Game Reserve
Motswari Private Game Reserve, a family-owned and operated luxury safari lodge. Here, majestic creatures, including the Big Five, offer incredible viewing opportunities as they bask in their natural habitat.
From R 9 900 per person sharing, per night
Lodge · Timbavati
Motswari Private Game Reserve
From R 9 900 per person sharing, per night
Enquire nowMotswari Private Game Reserve, a family-owned and operated luxury safari lodge. Here, majestic creatures, including the Big Five, offer incredible viewing opportunities as they bask in their natural habitat.
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Motswari Private Game Reserve
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Motswari Private Game Reserve
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About the lodge
An overview of Motswari Private Game Reserve .
Motswari Private Game Reserve, a family-owned and operated luxury safari lodge. Here, majestic creatures, including the Big Five, offer incredible viewing opportunities as they bask in their natural habitat.
Highlights
- Expect warm hospitality, extraordinary scenery, and unforgettable viewing opportunities, including the chance to spot the Big Five.
- Motswari means “to conserve and protect” in Tswana, which is exactly what the team is committed to doing.
- At this family-owned and operated luxury safari lodge, you’ll experience just the right level of personal attention and privacy.
You Should Know
- Children under the age of six are only permitted to stay at Motswari when the camp is booked for exclusive use.
- Children six years and older may join game drives at the guide’s discretion; no children under the age of six may go on game drives.
- Persons must be 16 years or older to go on bush walks.
- Persons must be 18 years or older to stay at Giraffe’s Nest Hide.
The Detail
An African dream beckons – one that is defined by extraordinary scenery, an authentic atmosphere, and warm hospitality. Guests arrive as visitors and leave as friends.
Motswari Private Game Reserve, located within the Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, stretches out over 150 square kilometers. It has been in existence for over four decades, and its friendly staff members are intrinsic to its success. Great emphasis is placed on personal attention, ensuring that each guest instantly feels at home in this stunning setting. Artworks by owner Marion Geiger-Orengo additionally bring the lodge to life and add to its visual appeal.
Motswari's character is all about expansive views, scenic drives and walks through game-rich areas, and the ever-present identity of the African bush.
Popular for its family-friendly ambiance, an atmosphere of friendship, and lighthearted exploration, Motswari Private Game Reserve's motto of "Come as a visitor - leave as a friend" stands as a true testament to its character.
Accommodation at Motswari Lodge includes fifteen luxury bungalows, complete with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, air-conditioning, overhead fans, mini-bars, and captivating views of the surrounding vegetation and wandering wildlife.
Guests to Motswari Game Reserve can indulge in exciting morning and evening game drives, in open Land Rovers, out into the rough and untamed bush of the Limpopo Province bushveld. These drives are conducted and guided by a team of informative and experienced guides, all of whom are eager to answer questions and make the experience as complete and authentic as possible. For the more adventurous, a close-up encounter with the diverse bush of the area is available via the guided bush walk. For a more relaxed experience, visits are arranged around bird watching or simply a trip to the nearby bird hide to enjoy the area's huge bird population.
Facilities at Motswari Reserve include an open-air boma, a permanent wildlife-art gallery exhibition, a fully equipped conference room for meetings and team gatherings, a charming bar overlooking the dam, and a swimming pool.
Timbavati Game Reserve is the proud home of a group of indigenous white lions, which were reintroduced into the area in 2006. In addition, there are extensive populations of all members of the Big Five, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, zebra, and giraffe, more than 120 listed species of reptiles and fish, as well as the gigantic bird population, all of which are put at your fingertips by the resident guides during your stay here.
Price Includes
- All meals, local beers, house wines, and soft drinks
- Two game drives daily
- Guided safari walks with refreshments
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup.
The same as booking direct
Rates and dates.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 5 Jan 2027
Green season
1 Mar 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local spirits, local beers, teas & coffees & refreshments on game drives and two game drives daily
R 9 900
per person · night
Shoulder
1 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local spirits, local beers, teas & coffees & refreshments on game drives and two game drives daily
R 10 890
per person · night
Festive
1 Dec 2026 – 19 Dec 2026
All Inclusive - All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local spirits, local beers, teas & coffees & refreshments on game drives and two game drives daily
R 8 040
per person · night
Festive
20 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027
All Inclusive - All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local spirits, local beers, teas & coffees & refreshments on game drives and two game drives daily
R 10 890
per person · night
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Current offers
Special offer available.
Stay & Pay
At Motswari African Retreat and Walking Safaris, stay three nights and pay for two for arrivals from now until 22 December 2026, and from 6 January 2027 to 28 February 2027, with a maximum of two free nights; both bands must be booked by 31 October 2026. For stays from 1 March 2027 to 22 December 2027, stay four nights and pay for three, again to a maximum of two free nights, booked by 30 September 2027. The offer applies to the entry-level Luxury Bungalows only, is subject to limited availability and may be closed out, and is not available to group bookings, existing reservations or in conjunction with any other offer.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
What our safari specialists know about bringing children to Motswari Private Game Reserve, current as of May 2026. They plan family trips here all the time, so anything below that needs arranging, they will sort. For the bigger picture, see our guide to safari with children .
- Minimum ages
- Stay 10+ · Game drives 10+ · Walking safari 12+
- Child rates
- Infant under 2; Child 2–11; Adults 12+. Up to two children accommodated in an inter-leading room at the single occupancy rate. Extra bed for a 3rd child aged 10–11 subject to availability (one extra bed per room). Child sharing with two adults pays 50% of the per person sharing rate. Only certain Bungalows can accommodate an extra bed.
- Family rooms
- Family unit available.
- Care
- No dedicated kids' programme
- Exceptions
-
Motswari Main Camp: children 0–9 are not permitted due to safety regulations; minimum age 10 applies. No on-site child-minding facilities at Motswari (babysitting is only available at sister property Qwabi – Letamo). Geiger's Camp (within Motswari Private Game Reserve): children aged 10–16 are only permitted on exclusive-use bookings; the Modjadji Master Suite can accommodate only 2 adults and 1 child aged 16–18 at additional cost. Motswari African Retreat & Walking Safaris: minimum age 12 for wellness, game drives and guided bush walks. Giraffe's Nest Overnight Experience: 18+ only.
Walking safari
Built for walking.
Documented walking safari options at Motswari Game Lodge. Distinguishes short bush walks from dedicated walking trails and overnight wilderness journeys.
Half-day walk
Morning Walking Safari
A guided morning walking safari departing at sunrise, lasting between 4 and 5 hours through the Timbavati bush. This activity is included in Motswari African Retreat & Walking Safaris rates. Guests over 65 who wish to participate must provide a medical certificate confirming fitness.
Duration: 4–5 hours, starting at sunrise. Age/fitness requirement: guests over 65 must submit a medical certificate confirming fitness. Included in the full-board per-room-per-night rate for Motswari African Retreat & Walking Safaris.
- Cost
- complimentary
- Availability
- Included in nightly rate; subject to fitness requirements for guests over 65
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Imagery
A closer look.
Your specialist for this lodge
Safari Specialist - Southern Africa
Knows Motswari Private Game Reserve backwards. Your direct contact from first enquiry to the day you come home.
With Pascal and Jolene across the team.
"Sara Van Coillie was an absolute pleasure to work with. Our trip to Hoedspruit and Timbavati was fantastic and everything she organized went seamlessly. I would 💯 recommend her and the company. Thank you Sara!"
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's design your stay.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Motswari Private Game Reserve : multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
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