Motswiri Lodge

Herman Charles Bosman's description of the Marico Valley quoted:

"There is no other place that is so heavy with atmosphere, strangely and darkly impregnated with that stuff of life that bears the authentic stamp of Africa. Sometimes at night when the world is very still, a soft wind comes sweeping across the veld. Then, if you are outside and listen very carefully, you can hear the story it has to tell."

Motswiri Lodge is situated in the beautiful Marico Valley. It is a secluded, privately owned lodge on 900 hectares of prime, malaria-free bushveld.

The Marico Valley is located in the Northwest Province of South Africa, about 3 and a half hours’ drive from Johannesburg airport. With the Enselsberg Mountains in the south, the Dwarsberg Mountains in the north and the Marico River in the east, nature has created an area with breathtaking views and a habitat suitable for most of Africa’s animal and bird species. The northwest corner of the valley is now the home of the newly established Madikwe National Park where a large variety of game animals including Africa's big five have been successfully reintroduced.

"Motswiri" is the Tswana name for the rare and protected Leadwood tree that can be found on the farm.

Motswiri Lodge is located on 900 hectares of fenced private bushveld. Five protected tree species, abundant bird life, impala, kudu, eland, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hartebeest, waterbuck, njala, blesbuck, jackal and the odd resident leopard of the area make the land their home. Here, the real sights and sounds of untamed Africa still exist under the dazzling Milky Way.

The farm is characterised by open plains, koppies and mixed bushveld. It was officially transferred into private ownership in 1877 and was awarded to Jan Albert Faber by deed of grant 1160 of 1877, not long after the Great Trek of 1836.

Motswiri Lodge can accommodate about 30 visitors. Accommodation includes the original farm house that has recently been upgraded, two 4-8 sleeper chalets and a bush camp where camping is allowed. All the accommodation has private bomas where nights around a campfire can be spent.

Directions

• Take the N4 toward Rustenburg, pass through Swartruggens. Follow N4 to Zeerust.
• In Zeerust turn right at President street onto R47 to Gaborone.
• Approximately 60km from Zeerust there is a “Zwartfontein” signboard to the left. Turn left on the dirt road.
• Follow the dirt road for 6km. The "Motswiri Lodge" signboard is on the right.
• Turn right and travel for 1.2km to the main entrance.