Marakele: Motswere Guest Cottage

[zeedoc]

Does anybody have more info on this unit (photos, standard of accomdation, location etc.)

Stumbled upon this on the Sanparks website:

Motswere Guest Cottage (GC8)

Base Rate (no. people) 4
Max (no. beds/people) 8
Features:
2 bathrooms, each with w/c and shower
2 bedrooms, each with 1 double bed
2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds
27km distance from gate
Accessed with 4x4 or 2x4(diff lock) vehicles
Braai Area
DSTV (Limited Channels)
Fan
Fully equipped Kitchen
Lounge
No Smoking
Veranda

[Imberbe]

I know very little about it, but I know that it is brand new.

It is an old farm house which has been upgraded and it is situated in the mountainous section of the park.

[mh_baer]

Hi,

does anybody know anything about the Nari Guest House in Marakele NP? When I took this photo the road leading to it was closed.



Regards, Baer

[Divhani]

Dear mh_baer,

Trust you are well this morning

The guests house is no longer called Nari but Motswere guest house(we need to change our signage). It has been revamped and can accommodate 8 people (4 bed rooms).

Regards,
Divhani
Communications Manager: Northern Region

[forestgump]

Motswere means Leadwood

[MATTHYS]

From the SANParks Times :

Nestled in Waterberg Mountains

Divhani Maremba
SANParks communications

For a very long time Marakele National Park only offered accommodation to people who love camping.

Those who are not camp enthusiasts had to either be day visitors or book themselves a place outside of the park, which often gave them little time to explore the scenic beauty of the Waterberg Mountains.

That situation is now a thing of the past since Motswere guest house is up and running.

In December 2012, Morswere, a farm house turned guest house was opened to the public and welcomed families (big and small) and couples who wanted to experience the mountainous area in the comfort of a home away from home.

The facility was converted into a guest house in 2012 and was re-named Motswere (a Setswana name referring to leadwood tree species) in appreciation of the indigenous tree that are found in the area.

It boasts four fully furnished bedrooms and two bathrooms, which offers visitors the magnificent view of the Waterberg Mountains and the ambiance of the area without feeling that they have actually left their home.

It is beautifully furnished and offers TV with selected DStv channels and aircon.
With a fully fledged kitchen which has a fridge, microwave, cutlery and crockery, the only thing that guests need to bring is their clothes and food to last them during their stay.

Braai facilities and benches with spectacular views offer a more relaxed and well-rounded experience of Marakele.

A family with children can let the little ones run around and enjoy themselves in this secured (fenced) environment without the fear of a predator coming close.

The guest house is about 10 minutes from the main gate and during rainy seasons requires a high-rise or 4x4 vehicle since the road becomes muddy.

The facility is serviced on a daily basis with fresh linen provided.
Enquiries : Central Reservation on 012-426-9111 or Marakele National Park on 014-777-6928/29/30/31.

[Hippotragus]

We stayed in the Motsweri Guest House (previously called Nari Guest House) at the beginning of February. It is very well-equipped - good quality kitchen equipment, lovely white bed linen etc. There is a provincial dirt road nearby, but not too noisy. We heard lion close by one night and saw fresh tracks in the morning, just outside the house's fence. From the garden, there is a great view of part of the Waterberg range.

We had problems with the TV, but the camp staff from Tlopi Camp came and eventually fixed it (we do not normally like/need TV in the bush, but my husband wanted to watch some sport!!).

Comments on the above press release - there was no air conditioning when we were there - only lovely portable fans in the lounge and bedrooms.

Secondly, it is not just 10 minutes drive from the Main Gate - more like 1 hour through the park (it is quite a long way past Tlopi Camp) and, yes, the last bit really does need high clearance 4x4 when the track is wet.

There were only the 2 of us (our other family members dropped out at the last minute) but it would be a lovely place for a family/group of 8 to be together.

The staff at Marakele really went out of their way to make sure our stay went well. Thank you!

[Inekemorris]

We have just returned from Motswere Guesthouse at Marakele and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We do feel there are wonderful opportunities to give the place more character but besides the access road which was appalling to say the least (and we had a 4x4), it is a lovely getaway for a group of people. You can visit it with a happy heart.

[MNEL]

We stayed at Motswere for the past weekend and fell in love with not only Marakele but also the cottage! It was in immaculate condition and had everything that we needed. My 2 year old son had a ball riding his little plastic motorbike up to the main gate and back for hours on end and we spend most of the day sitting on the big stoep enjoying the fantastic view of the mountains and bush. We even had an elephant bull come greet us during our first evening braai....10m away from where we were standing (luckily behind the fence!) and also heard lions and saw prints around the camp.
We will definitily visit again...thanks to SANPARKS for keeping this place so neat and really impressing us this weekend. PS -the road to the cottage is not that bad anymore either.

[Moesa]

Hi Everone

My family and I will be going to Motswere Guest Cottage on Saturday. I just want to know if there is furniture available for the veranda, such as camping tables and chairs, or do we have to bring our own? I also want to know if there is air-con in the bedrooms?

Thanks

[Hippotragus]

Hi Moesa. You will love Marakele and Motswere Guest Cottage.

We were there last year, so I assume it will be the same now.

There were comfortable camp (canvas) chairs and tables on the veranda. I don't remember air-con, but do remember large free-standing fans (I think in the bedrooms - my memory not so good). Maybe phone the park, just to make sure it is still the same. The kitchen was very well-equipped.

I hope you have a great trip.

[Moesa]

Thank you very much Hippotragus

I'm really looking forward to my trip. Marekele just phoned me to confirm that there is air-con available.

Last Question: Is the fenced property big enough to have a walk around? Explore on foot?

[Hippotragus]

The property is quite big but the grass is only mowed near the house. There is a driveway from the gate to the house and you can walk along there. Early one morning the last time we were there a huge male lion was lying just outside the fence - roaring! There are nice birds in the area, too. The private track to the house has also yielded good sightings - ***, elephant, general game etc.

[Elsa]

Have a look here GS Jesscan1's Marakela Trip report
She has some super pics of the Guest Cottage and of the park.

[Lemmy]

Hi all, was thinking Motswere would be a good option for going with elderly parents in Dec (for them the longer drive to Kruger is too far for just a few nights). Does anyone have up to date info on the road to the guesthouse? I've seen 4x4 needed but wondered if high clearance vehicle would be alright..
Thanks in advance