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 African wildlife conservation and environmental management, 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 are conscious of our Motswari carbon footprint and continue to strive to ensure the preservation of our natural resources and environment.
Motswari has incorporated Responsible Tourism as a key principle in our operating philosophy by further providing employment and opportunities for locals in the region since its inception. 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.

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. Please download our detailed road map, plus directions from Durban, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

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.

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.

Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries regarding your travel requirements prior to your stay.

Motswari Road Map

Road Directions Phalaborwa - Motswari

Road Directions Durban - Motswari

Road Directions Johannesburg - Motswari

MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

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 house a fully-equipped conference facility for executives making use of the lodge for team-building, product launches and corporate getaways. 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 at a scenic location out on the trail with one of our highly-trained guides or in our lounge and, depending on the season, evenings can be spent dining in the bush or inside the Boma, a traditional meeting-place. Meals are accompanied by an award-winning selection of Southern African wines.

GEIGER'S CAMP

Geiger’s Camp embodies African beauty, style and comfort. This camp on the reserve has recently been renovated, and now stands as a true place of reflection and tranquillity, quietly nestled a few kilometres from the main game lodge.

Geiger’s Camp is an exclusive lodge for a single group of people looking for an intimate experience with nature, while still enjoying the comfort of modern accommodation. The lodge comprises two stone houses boasting a total of five spacious en-suite bedrooms, a communal lounge area and a swimming pool. Views of the Nhlaralumi River are breathtaking, and the wrap-around patio is the perfect place for a cold gin and tonic.

Our team will make sure that all you need to do on your holiday is sit back, relax and have a great time. A professional game ranger will accompany you on two daily game drives in your own luxury Land Rover. You could also decide to take a Motswari trail walk with a ranger for an unmatched African wildlife experience.

If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere, peaceful communion with nature and a private experience on a traditional African game farm, this holiday location is for you!

Motswari Game Lodge / Geiger's Camp

Morning and evening game drives in open Land Rovers with professional field guides and trackers
Mid morning bush walks * Safari walks in lieu of morning game drives guided by armed field guides
Overnight bush hiking and camping sleep-out experience for groups of 4 with experienced guides

*Hide sleep-outs in the Motswari Game Reserve
*Swimming pool
*Boma & bush dinners
*Pre-lunch safari interest talks
*Curio shop at Motswari Game Lodge
*Brunch, high tea (late lunch) and dinner
*Library and Art Gallery with 24-hour internet facility at Motswari Game Lodge
*Fully equipped air-conditioned conference room for 20 delegates at Motswari Game Lodge
*An additional vehicle plus guide can be arranged for an extra cost per day and covers 2 game drives per day

Wildlife & 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 their surrounds.

We encourage visitors to make the most of the time that they have in this setting by offering extended game drives of three-and-a-half hours each in open Land Rovers at sunrise and sunset to ensure an unforgettable game viewing experience. We also offer guided walking safaris 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 give talks on 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.