Motswari Private Game Reserve by Newmark

Motswari, what can I say! This was definitely one of my favourite places to stay. I love the fact that there are no fences around the Lodge. Sean our guide, Edan our training guide & Elly our tracker. You guys made our time great. The wealth of knowledge that Sean shared with us was fantastic and Elly, what a tracker, spotting chameleons as we are racing to get back to camp, in the dark, flicking a light from side to side, then telling Sean to stop as he spotted one. We couldn't believe it. We just had the best time. Brillant people, brillant staff, brillant accommodation, brillant sightings! What more can one say, We will definitely be back. We highly recommend this place and will continue to do so.

We had stayed at another lodge Arathusa for 3 days and this was very different, more relaxed and spread out, villas smaller but staff more friendly, very European establishment, safari staff were exemplary, best we had, helpful, chatty and friendly, we saw all you needed to see including the buffalo which had eluded us, dinners good and breakfast sensational, really recommend it as great value/place, staff great

From the moment we arrived at Motswari we were made to feel welcome. All staff members introduced themselves with a warm handshake...and it wasn't long until those handshakes turned into hugs! Ofenste made sure that our group of 13 were comfortable, entertained and that every need was accommodated. He could not have been more attentive, flexible and communicative. Motswari is perfect for those who seek time in the bush disconnected from the day-to-day distraction of their regular lives. Initially I felt a little uncomfortable - no wifi except in 'the gallery', not being able to walk at night without a guide (the lodge is not fenced) dark yet beautiful bungalows. But it didn't take me long to appreciate the opportunity to rest and reset in a place that soon came to feel like home. The lodge and bungalows reflect the mission, philosophy and personal attention that is the hallmark of Motswari. Each bungalow is unique and interesting; each piece of furniture has been lovingly chosen by the owner. She is an artist and her art adorns many public areas. While the bungalows may be described as rustic, they are wonderfully comfortable and have every amenity one could need. We loved that our bungalow (Buffalo) had an outdoor shower, an indoor shower, a luxurious bathtub, and hanging basket chair on our patio. As others have mentioned, the rooms are dark and could be enhanced with a little more light for those who prefer. As I prefer an environment with natural light, I did not spend much time in the bungalow between the game rides, but rather chose to enjoy my down time at the pool or at the outdoor patios with other guests. The public spaces are comfortable and welcoming, and there is always a friendly face (such as Trust) nearby to offer drinks or conversation. Our group enjoyed delicious meals and many laughs together in various settings - a private room, the outdoor patio, the serene breakfast area, a boma and even a spectacular breakfast in the bush! While all the food (lovingly prepared by the team led by Head Chef Eugenia Mtungwa) was delicious, we especially enjoyed the variety of dishes served at lunch. And we eagerly anticipated the lunch presentation parade every day from the kitchen - multiple dishes of food presented joyfully with song and dance! The catering team were very attentive to our dietary needs and made sure that the celiac members of our group were treated to delicious gluten-free alternatives when needed. And there were ample choices for the vegetarians! Our game drives were a highlight. We had three knowledgable and personable guides (Jeremy, Owen, and Lola), and two masterful trackers (George and Hendry) who made sure that we saw the big five and lots more! As anyone who has been on game drives knows, part of the excitement and enjoyment is the chase and anticipation of coming across a 'find'. Owen, Jeremy and Lola used this time to teach us about the birds, the vegetation, the insects, and a plethora of

Amazingly friendly people, incredible diversity of wildlife, absolutely fantastic food, and just an all around wonderful experience. Big thanks to Owen and George for helping spot all the big 5 and much, much more! We would go back in a second!