Family Hotels & Resorts in Timbavati Game Reserve

"Perfect from the moment we touched down at Hoedspruit airport . Waiting for us was Sandy who collected our luggage and whisked us off through the wildlife ( giraffes and warthogs meandering around the roads) and straight to Elandela where we we received a very warm welcome from Francisco and Sindy. We were shown around the spotlessly clean facilities , greeted by the staff and taken to our beautiful lodge facing the lake. Amazing large room with extra large bathroom with separate toilet, indoor and outdoor shower, large whirlpool bath , sun terrace front and back. Tea and coffee making facilities and well stocked fridge. First class restaurant serving excellent choice of food throughout our stay. Attentive staff ensuring we had an amazing stay. Excellent first class guides on the game drives who would find the impossible possible. So friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend Elandela. Cannot fault it. Everything absolutely first class all the way. "

"This is the kind of place that you need to visit at least once in your life. Everything is designed to make you feel comfortable; the staff always has a friendly face and assists you as much as they can. The game drives are unforgettable. It is apparently expensive, but you will receive more than the money can pay for. Michael is the guy for your game drives; he is absolutely fantastic!"

"We had the most amazing time at Motswari — truly unforgettable! Every moment was special. All the meals were excellent, with breakfast and dinner set in different beautiful locations each day, which kept things exciting. Our guide and tracker, Owen and George, were outstanding — incredibly knowledgeable and made sure each drive felt unique. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 within our first two drives, and got incredibly close to the animals. Elephants and giraffes even wandered right past our room, which was surreal. I’d recommend at least 3 nights to really soak it all in. The lodge’s location is also a big plus — close to Hoedspruit airport, so no need for a private plane. The only small downside is that there’s no phone in the rooms. Once escorted back at night, there’s no way to call staff for something simple like water. On our first night, a short circuit knocked out the lights and hot water, and while it wasn’t serious enough to blow the emergency whistle, it would’ve been nice to contact staff more easily. That aside, Motswari is an incredible place, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience."

"Super welcoming, friendly and safe. Very attentive to details. "

"I cannot express how amazing this place was. I've been all over the world, and every aspect of the AM Lodge is by far the most superior. The unique daily game drives had our Bush Bar (best bar in South Africa, thanks to Benjamin and Penwey) interrupted by a Nyala being chased by a wild dog. Literally chasing Lions led to our fantastic guides helping another group get out of a ditch. Even seeing zebras and wild buffalo ended up being so hilarious, it brought tears to our eyes! For the millennials reading this, imagine the perfect mix between Steve Irwin and Wild Boyz. Shepherd is the definition of what a proper host looks like. We had a strange request of being shuttled to a nearby tattoo shop, and they happily obliged. Our chefs made amazing food, with our only request being to show us the local cuisine. That kota sandwich and African buffet was exactly what we were talking about! Way to deliver! At no point did I ever think I was anything less than royalty thanks to the amazing staff, treatment, and accomodations. I don't know how they managed to do it, but they also made it seem like me and my father were the only ones there! As if the entire safari grounds were just for us (even though, they obviously had other guests). I hope to have the chance to visit again. If any guest is considering a safari, the search ends here. "

"Do you want to see the big five while being treated as a royalty? Book the Elephant Plains Game Lodge. Their facility is excellent, location is great, and the level of service is awesome. They will be waiting for you when you arrive because they know that you’re coming and they will pamper you on every step of the way: from the room personalized for your visit to the dining options tailored to your diet to sundowners and welcome back drinks. They make you feel like a family and you would not want to leave. Ever. "