Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa

Royal Malewane

Royal Malewane

Insider’s Review of Royal Malewane

Royal Malewane boasts some of the best safari game rangers in all of Southern Africa. All of their rangers hold the highest FGASA qualifications (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa), including SKS-DG (Special Knowledge and Skills—Dangerous Game) as well as advanced rifle handling certificates. These qualifications mean that guests are ensured an exceptional and safe game experience, whether in a vehicle or on foot. All the guides at Royal Malewane are also avid photographers, with numerous awards among them, so they’re invaluable at assisting guests with their photographic requirements. The guiding staff here is so excellent that Royal Malewane has partnered with Louis Liebenberg (world-renowned tracker and teacher) to start the Wilson Masiya Tracking School — an education facility for trackers right on the Royal Malewane property.

Accommodating guests in the utmost colonial splendour, Royal Malewane is an exclusive safari getaway for those who value luxury, privacy, personalised service and the best game viewing Africa has to offer. Set on the private concession of Thornybush Game Reserve—13,000 hectares of Africa’s finest bushveld—this place is home to elephant, lion, leopard, endangered black and white rhino, and many more, as well as over 250 bird species. Spectacular game, extensive flora and never-ending African skies…it’s all here.

Accommodations at Royal Malewane

Each of the eight freestanding luxury suites combines all the most modern comforts with traditional extravagances, like Victorian claw-foot tubs and cozy fireplaces. The piece de resistance? Unmatched views. The caring and experienced staff know what you want even before you do, and they’ll make you feel wonderfully at home. Elevated walkways link the suites to the main camp, below which animals cavort and graze. Privacy is paramount here, and the only neighbors within sight of your private veranda are the elephant and giraffe herds that amble around the property.

And for families and groups of friends, Royal Malewane’s Africa House is absolutely ideal. Situated just a few minutes drive from the main lodge, this fully-staffed house provides all the comforts of home for up to 12 people, including a courtyard and veranda, generous living and dining area, large pool, boma for dinners under the stars, and a private chef, butler, ranger and tracker.

A note for families & children

Children over 10 are welcome in the Luxury Suites, unless all 6 Luxury Suites are booked for exclusive use in which case children of all ages are welcome. Children of all ages are welcome in the Royal Suites and at Africa House.

Amenities at Royal Malewane

  • Laundry services
  • Spa
  • Fitness room/gym
  • Shared pool
  • Butler service
  • Gift shop
  • 24-hour electricity

In-Room Amenities at Royal Malewane

  • WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Private deck/veranda
  • Private pool
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • Fireplace

Activities at Royal Malewane

Wildlife is so abundant here that we may wish to spend all of our time on action-packed safari drives, snapping photos of cavorting elephants, lion stalking kudu, and giraffe fighting by hitting each other with their necks. It’s a fantastic and enthralling world.

To view wildlife from a different angle, we might visit the Cheetah Project, learning how they rehabilitate these stately and rare predators and return them to the wild. While there, why not experience the thrill of petting a cheetah, too? Or view animals from above, on a hot air balloon safari, watching the drama of the wilderness unfold below us and touching down for a decadent champagne breakfast.

Perhaps we explore the Reserve on horseback, eye-to-eye with the wildlife we pass. We may even go golfing—not your average golf trip, the unique bushveldt atmosphere of the surrounding area’s three golf courses means that it’s not uncommon for visitors to share their tee-time with resident giraffe, hippo, crocodile and more—making this experience a golf safari in a very literal sense! If you prefer to simply relax, then the Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa fits the bill perfectly.

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