We had three wonderful days at Motswiri Private Safari Lodge. It was our first experience of going on safari and we were not disappointed - the day we arrived and drove our car from the Wonderboom Gate entrance into the Madikwe Game Reserve we saw elephants, zebra and kudu - all before arriving at the lodge! As we settled into our bush villa cheeky monkeys scampered in the trees outside. Lions, giraffe, wildebeest and African wild dogs were some of the game seen on the early morning and evening drives. Three hours driving around twice a day seems a lot, and although the tracks give a bumpy ride, the time flew as we were so enthralled with sighting all the different animals - thanks to the expertise of Zede, our guide and lodge manager.
The hospitality, friendliness of the staff, the good food, the peaceful setting - all part of a wonderful holiday. We will never forget the extra effort made by the staff to ensure we saw the elephant drinking from the lodge swimming pool. Thanks to everyone.
A minor quibble, could the red dust track to our villa be paved like the other tracks? Would make it just that bit more comfortable for guests.
And for some folk, the outdoor shower may get a bit chilly at times when it is windy - we loved it though.

Last month I had the priviledge of traveling to South Africa and going on a wonderful Safari with Go Safari. unfortunately we only got to stay for one evening as our stay was a short one. I was traveling with a group of travel agents all in South Africa for a conference, and we all just had such a great time! This lodge is drop dead gorgeous!! Out in the middle of nowhere, they make sure you feel like no one else is around. We walked in and were greeted with drinks and hot towels for our hands and faces. Then we were shown around and went to each of our own private huts. We had a large patio outside with two lounge chairs and a small table, the bed was surrounded by mosquito netting, and there was a large outdoor shower!! Also a two-way fireplace, large tub and a small closet with a safe.

It was just as I had always imagined it. Going out in the early morning and evening game drives, coming back to a hot meal and great conversation over what we all just witnessed, or sitting around the campfire at night under the South African stars. Then going back to the room and the bed was turned down with all the netting down around it and it was just fantastic. Everything I dreamed of and more!

As the lodge is located in Madikwe Game Reserve, it is very private and just the perfect place for game drives. The guides actually take you right into the bush after the animals, so you can get an up close and personal encounter with them! Wonderful people, I hope one day to return to this beautiful place.

This place is absolutely gorgeous and a perfect place to stay if you're looking for a luxury African safari adventure.

The lodge is located in the great Madikwe Game Reserve, about 3-4 hours drive northwest of Johannesburg along the Botswanan border. This is a private reserve so the only way you can get in is if you're staying at one of the lodges. We found this really made our safari experience truly personal because you don't see a whole lot of other people on your drives.

The moment we pulled up to the property, we were greeted with cold drinks and warm towels to refresh ourselves. The place only has 5 rooms and each one is a private hut or villa so it feels very exclusive and the staff pamper you silly. The rooms themselves are beautifully decorated with a four-poster bed, gas fireplace, deep soaking tub, outdoor rock shower and a private deck facing a watering hole so you can view animals from your room. The rate is pretty expensive but included in your rate are all your game drives and all your food (drinks are extra).

You go out on 2 game drives per day, at dawn and dusk, and each drive lasts about 3 hours. Our ranger/host Kevin was amazing at tracking down animals during our safaris and, if you ask nicely, he might even make you one of his special Amarula hot chocolates! The food served at the lodge was 5-stars all the way. We were travelling with our 1 -1/2 year old daughter and the staff went out of their way to make us all comfortable...providing us with a crib, specially prepared food and a great babysitter (Hilda) to watch our child while we went out on the safaris.

The only downside about Motswiri was having to leave!