Search hotels in Timbavati Game Reserve

I am South African and I was bringing my family to see where I came from and experience the bush. This place was perfect for a family . They rooms for families are excellent, giving everyone enough space and the beds where very comfy. There is no TV - but there is bush TV - each day elephants, warthogs, various species of buck, zebra etc came and spent time out the front of our deck. We sat 1m away reading a book. We go so close it was wonderful and the kids got to experience the beauty of watching an animal relaxed and happy in their own environment. Andre and Nicholas were amazing guides who were patient and funny and taught us a lot about the animals and the environment. The food was amazing and you never felt like you wanted or needed more. Pretty much everything was made onsite. The breakfast was beautiful and the Boma experience was lovely! Thank you to all the team at Simbevati River lodge for making my family’s introduction to Africa such a wonderful memorable experience! And the animals - well we saw the big 5 in less than 24 hours and because the guides know their stuff we had plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with many of Africas famous and less famous animals. The highlights were the Lion and Leopards and of course the dear family of elephants with tiny babies and also the baby hyenas! You will not be disappointed at all !

This is truly a unique place. We had up closing viewing of animals each day but it didn’t feel like we had encroached on their space because the guides know the animals species so well. There are no fences and we only saw one other car of people. The lodges give one another space but communicate where they see animals so everyone can experience it. It’s one of the last places you can see horned rhinos which felt sincerely special.

Best safari experience of them all! This was the best safari experience of all we had while in Africa for a month during December to January when we visited South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Our guide Hayden was amazing, taking us off-road into the bush to catch some incredible animal sightings. He and the 2 trackers, Patrick and David, had a skill that others we experienced did not at finding the Big Five up close and often during our 3 days at Motswari. The twice a day schedule was a bit crazy especially the 5:00 am game drives, but missing a bit of sleep was worth it over and over as we had incredible success catching so many animals at this preserve. The accommodations and the meals were also first class considered being out in the wild, and the entire staff was attentive and friendly, particularly in the restaurant and bar. If there is one safari experience not to miss in Africa, Motswari is it!

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.

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.