Motswiri Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve

Motswiri Private Safari Lodge lies hidden in the bush, an exclusive lodge offering a maximum of 10 people a bush experience which is impossible to replicate in larger concerns. Our lodge offers some of the best views in Madikwe as well as the feeling of tranquility given by the mature trees (mostly leadwoods) under which the main building and 5 luxury bush villas nestle. An intimate homely setting offering complete privacy.

The exquisitely appointed main lodge overlooks a waterhole frequented by elephant families and other big game. Motswiri offers the option of either individual bookings or exclusive use of the lodge. The lodge is ideal for corporate, family/friend groups of up to 10 who do not wish to share the facilities with outsiders. Itinerary’s & daily events can be tailored to meet your or your groups specific needs. Special arrangements can be made for up to 8 guests to be accommodated in separate rooms should this be more acceptable for corporate groups.

Short description
- Exclusive and private bush villas located within the malaria free Madikwe game reserve.
- Five luxury villas with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, fireplace, en suite bathrooms, outdoor rock showers and private decks.
- The main lodge building with indoor and outdoor lounges, rim flow pool on the wrap around deck overlooking the waterhole.
- All meals (high tea, Dinner & brunch) 2 game drives per day dawn & dusk(includes sundowners)
- Outside dinners in the boma around a blazing camp fire
- Experienced hosts & staff on hand
- Fully knowledgeable & professional game rangers in open game rangers
- Daily return air shuttle services from Johannesburg with madikwe air charters
- By road a 3½ hour drive from Johannesburg

Main Lodge
All Motswiri bush lodge villas have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, gas fireplaces, bathrooms en suite, beautifully appointed bathrooms, outdoor rock showers and private wrap around wooden decks, the design has been to blend the interiors creating the blend of space and the bush utilising the retractable doors and windows.

About Madikwe Game Reserve
The 75 000-hectare Madikwe Game Reserve is located in the North West Province of South Africa. Prior to its establishment in 1991, most of the land consisted of cattle farms. Since 1991, the park has undergone an intensive phase of development as a premier game reserve, and this included an extensive restocking programme with game species that historically occurred in the region. Madikwe is managed by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB), which was formerly the Bophuthatswana National Parks, a conservation organisation that is world-renowned for its pioneering approach to people-based wildlife conservation which it has practised since the late 1970s. Unlike almost all state-owned game reserves in Africa, the approach towards conservation that has been adopted at Madikwe puts the needs of people before that of wildlife and conservation. It is believed by the Board that if conservation is to succeed in developing countries such as South Africa, then local communities and individuals must benefit significantly from wildlife conservation and related activities. If local communities and the region as a whole can benefit through jobs and business opportunities that are created or generated, then firm support for protected areas will be achieved and important conservation objectives will be met almost as a secondary or spin-off benefit. Madikwe is run as a three-way partnership between the state (represented by the Board), local communities and the private sector. Without doubt, it is the private sector on which the entire project ultimately depends. The private sector develops and manages a variety of tourism developments and activities in the park. A portion of the revenue generated is paid to the Board in concession fees. These concession fees are used partly to maintain the conservation infrastructure and game stocks in the park, which underpin the private sector's investments and operations. A portion of the concession fees is also paid to local communities to help finance a variety of community-based development projects. In addition to community projects, communities also benefit from jobs and business opportunities that are created both within and outside the park. This in turn further stimulates the local and regional economy. This partnership, therefore, is of benefit to all parties involved. Conservation objectives are met, the private sector generates profits, jobs and businesses are created, communities are developed and valuable foreign exchange is brought into the country. Madikwe, therefore, should not be viewed solely as a protected area or tourism destination, in reality the park acts as a major social and economic core and engine around which the development of the entire region can be based. It is strongly believed that the approach being practised in Madikwe will have significant beneficial impacts on both local and regional economies, as well as greatly contribute towards the overall improvement in the quality of life of largely disadvantaged, rural communities. People-based wildlife conservation, therefore, should be considered as a viable development option elsewhere in South Africa and in developing countries in general. It is particularly relevant in rural areas where development options are often very limited. In this respect, it is believed that people-based conservation offers the only long-term successful approach to wildlife conservation in South and southern Africa, and the continent of Africa as a whole.

Game Drives and Walks
Morning and evening drives are performed in 4x4 Landrovers conducted by highly experienced rangers. Traversing through the reserve, the wildlife is sometimes staggering in its diversity. Enthralling sightings of elephants, a sea of buffalo horns rising from the grass as they lie resting in the growing heat as well as prides of lions, awaits one. At dusk, a vantage point is chosen overlooking one of the many breathtaking vistas of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Sundowners are enjoyed while tales of the bush are told and a glimpse of what this unique wilderness has to offer is seen while being entranced by the ever changing colours of the sky as the sun slips into the timeslot of tomorrow. En route back to the lodge, nocturnal animals such as leopard, hyena and lion are often seen.