Royal
Malewane
Royal Malewane is set in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve which shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. Known for its expansive 14 000 hectares of wild natural territory, its exceptional Big 5 habitat offers some of the best game viewing in the country. Within the reserve, a full Big 5 sighting is not unlikely within the first 2 days of your safari. You can be assured of uncrowded safari encounters and noteworthy photographic opportunities with limited lodges and guests in the private reserve.
Royal Malewane offers game viewing opportunities from private viewing decks in the comfort of your suite. When it’s time to head into the bush passionate guides and trackers at Royal Malewane offer insightful information on each game drive, explaining the ecosystem and how the smallest of creatures interact with and relate to the largest mammals. This offers an extraordinary glimpse into the wild and makes every sighting even more spectacular. Thornybush Game Reserve offers a range of exciting safari experiences and wildlife activities including bushwalks and night drives to explore the nocturnal animals of Africa.
The Royal Malewane Bush Spa offers a 25m heated lap pool, three treatment rooms, fitness centre, steam room, African baths, and casitas. If you aren’t being served by a private chef and butler in the exclusive villas, enjoy feasts around glowing lanterns in the romantic Bush Tent or relax by the waterside Masiya Bar with a selection of gins and whiskies.
The bush lodge offers accommodation at the Main Lodge which comprises 6 Luxury Suites, two Royal Suites, and the Africa House’s exclusive use 6-bedroom villa. The Farmstead is a 12-minute drive from the Main Lodge offering 3 Luxury Farm Suites, and a 3.5 bedroom exclusive villa. The latest addition to Royal Malewane is Masiya’s Camp, this luxurious camp offers guests accommodation in 6 luxury canvas tents.
Gallery
Wildlife
- High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as large lion prides.
- Large number of White lions live in the reserve.
- Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, African wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
- Large antelope herds support the populations of predators in the reserve.
- Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region. Many can be seen in the reserve.
Game Drives
- Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
- Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
- Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
- Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
- Night drives and guided bushwalks are permitted.
Activities & Facilities
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Stargazing
- Birdwatching
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Open-air African Boma
- Spa & Gym
- Viewing deck
- Bar & lounges
Highlights
- Four ultra-luxurious lodges, under the prestigious, award-winning Royal Malewane brand.
- Malewane Lodge is a traditional bush style lodge with 6 luxury suites, 2 Royal suite and the four-bedroom exclusive-use Africa House.
- Farmstead is an intimate lodge with only 3 Luxury Farm suites and the exclusive-use three-and-a-half bedroom Farmhouse.
- Waterside lodge is built next to a waterhole with 4 Luxury suites, 2 Aloe suite and 1 two-bedroom Baobab suite.
- Masiya’s Camp is a luxury camp offering accommodation in 6 ultra-luxurious tents, strategically positioned around the reserve.
- All of the Royal Malewane lodges exceed expeditions with meticulous attention to detail and exceptional hospitality.
- All accommodation options have unique décor and feature private viewing decks and plunge pools.
- Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.
Location
- Situated on the western boundary of the Greater Kruger and Kapama Game Reserve. It is located close to the Timbavati Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park.
- The Kruger National Park is almost 2 million hectares and lies in the north-eastern corner of South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Getting There
- Thonrybush private airstrip is the closet airstrip, two daily chartered flights from Johannesburg are operated by Federal Airlines.
- Hoedspruit (HDS) is the closet commercial airport to Royal Malewane, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit or private airstrip: 60 minutes.
- Flight time from Cape Town to Hoedspruit: 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Road transfers from Hoedspruit to Royal Malewane lodges take 45 minutes.
Child Policy
- Malewane lodge welcomes children from 10 years (Royal suite and Africa House accommodates all ages).
- Farmstead welcomes children from 10 years (Farmhouse accommodates all ages).
- Masiya’s Camp welcomes children from 10 years.
- Waterside lodge welcomes children of all ages.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Included: 2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, and private airstrip transfers. Th exclusive use units included private safari vehicles.
- Excluded: Premium branded drinks, conservation levies, commercial airport transfers, and anything of personal nature.
Rates
- The updated rates are displayed for each room category below.
- Rates are charged per person, per night.
- Single supplement of 50% applicable.
- Exclusive-use villa are priced per villa.
- Africa House is priced for 1-8 guests. An additional 9-12 guest option is available with a surcharge.
- Rates displayed are valid until 05 January 2027.
Seasons
- Peak season: 20 December – 05 January
- High season: 01 June – 31 August
- Mid season: 01 March – 31 May & 01 September – 19 December
- Low season: 06 January – 28 February
Can't Find What You Looking For?
Visiting such a diverse country necessitates some expertise to determine which area, lodge and transport will suit you best. Whether you are a family, couple or traveling solo, we’ll guide you to the perfect place for an incredible safari experience
Masiya’s Camp Luxury Tent
Six air-conditioned Luxury Tents each feature a heated pool, and wooden deck. Rooms offer a king bed, Read more and luxurious bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers as well as a Victorian-style bathtub for the ultimate haven of relaxation. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 4,224per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 3,826per person per night |
| Mid Season | $ 3,459per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 3,398per person per night |
Malewane Luxury Suite
The air-conditioned Luxury Suites each feature a private rim-flow pool, deck, and thatched gazebo. Rooms offer Read more a fireplace, canopied king bed, and luxurious bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers as well as a Victorian-style bathtub for the ultimate haven of relaxation. Walkways link suites to the main lodge. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 4,224per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 3,826per person per night |
| Mid Season | $ 3,459per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 3,398per person per night |
Royal Suite
Royal Suites comprise 2 luxurious bedrooms on either side of a spacious living and dining area. Read more The en-suite bathrooms feature luxury bathtubs, showers, and double vanities. The thatch suites open out onto an expansive deck with private pool, outdoor lounge, and dining area. Royal Suites include private services. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 19,285per suite per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 17,632per suite per night |
| Mid Season | $ 16,101per suite per night |
| Low Season | $ 15,734per suite per night |
Africa House
Africa House is an exclusive six-bedroom villa exuding antique and elegant luxury. En-suite bedrooms feature Read more four-poster beds, bathtubs, a private alfresco shower and deck. The expansive villa deck is the perfect setting to relax beside the private pool, lounge, and dining area. Africa House includes private services. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 34,835per villa per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 31,774per villa per night |
| Mid Season | $ 28,927per villa per night |
| Low Season | $ 28,407per villa per night |
Luxury Farm Suite
Set 12-minutes from the Main Lodge, the Luxury Farm Suites offer spacious en-suites with a Victorian bathtub, Read more double vanities, and a shower. Soak in the surrounding nature from your private suite deck and exclusive-use pool. All units are air-conditioned and have a minibar, coffee facilities, and heating. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 4,224per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 3,826per person per night |
| Mid Season | $ 3,459per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 3,398per person per night |
The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse is a private villa featuring three main bedrooms with a smaller children’s room. The villa Read more comes with a full staff compliment including a private chef, butler, safari vehicle, and ranger- tracker team. Enjoy expansive indoor and outdoor living areas with a large deck and rim-flow swimming pool. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 25,652per villa per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 24,488per villa per night |
| Mid Season | $ 22,284per villa per night |
| Low Season | $ 21,856per villa per night |
Waterside Aloe Room
Aloe Rooms have private decks and plunge pools overlooking the reserve. Rooms boast colourful chic décor Read more and offer luxurious bathrooms with indoor showers as well as a Victorian-style bathtub for the ultimate haven of relaxation. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 2,522per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 2,277per person per night |
| Mid Season | $ 2,033per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 2,033per person per night |
Waterside Luxury Suite
The luxury suites at Waterside are super spacious and boast 100m2 of pure luxury and exquisite decor. Read more The suites have large private decks and plunge pools overlooking the reserve. The rooms feature ensuite bathrooms with shower and victoria bathtub. Colourful chic decor and furnishings are complimented with the finest luxury amenities. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 4,224per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 3,826per person per night |
| Mid Season | $ 3,459per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 3,398per person per night |
Waterside Baobab Suite
The Baobab Suite is a spacious 2 bedroom unit and boasts wide open plan spaces with a large private deck Read more and plunge pool overlooking the reserve. The suite offers an exclusive experience with your own private guide, tracker and safari vehicle. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 15,917per suite per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 14,540per suite per night |
| Mid Season | $ 13,316per suite per night |
| Low Season | $ 13,009per suite per night |
Waterside House
Waterside house is a 4-bedroom unit in a truly beautiful setting in the reserve. The villa features wide open spaces, Read more a large deck, swimming pool and stunning views over the surrounding bush. 4 luxury bedrooms open onto private decks. Waterside house offers an exclusive experience with your own private guide, tracker and safari vehicle. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 25,346per villa per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 22,958per villa per night |
| Mid Season | $ 20,754per villa per night |
| Low Season | $ 20,387per villa per night |
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