Royal Malewane South Africa
Royal Malewane
Avoca Road, Thornybush Private Game Reserve,
Hoedspruit, 1380
South Africa
www.theroyalportfolio.com/royal-malewane/overview/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
The Royal Portfolio
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
1999
Hotel General Manager
N/A
Hotel Positioning
A 5-star luxury boutique safari lodge, and a proud member of The Royal Portfolio.
ROYAL MALEWANE
History & Story
Royal Malewane opened in 1999 and was The Royal Portfolio’s first property. Royal Malewane is a luxury safari lodge in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park that exudes the romance and beauty of a bygone age while offering every modern comfort and convenience. The classic safari experience is unsurpassed with unrivalled game viewing and the most qualified guiding team in Africa. Your exclusive adventure will provide detailed insights into the complex and fascinating ecosystems of the South African bushveld. The lodge the perfect balance of luxury and nature with deep routed connections to the local communities.
Date Renewal
2018. Liz & Phil Biden.
Date added extensions
Royal Malewane underwent a large refurbishment which included the new Masiya Bar. The lodge had new softs added and the arrivals to both Royal Suites were amended. The kosher kitchen was expanded. A separate entity called The Farmstead at Royal Malewane will open in 2019 and will have 3 Luxury Farm Suits and a 6 person Farm House villa.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
The game viewing experience at Royal Malewane is unparalleled due to the most qualified guiding team operating in Africa. Our guides and trackers will bring you thrillingly close to the Big Five; indulge in sensual treatments at our tranquil Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa and let the passion of our chefs delight you with nightly feasts under the African stars, including fresh meals from the kosher kitchen. The lodge is easily accessible by road or air. The conservation and community initiatives are connected guests to a higher purpose of sustainable travel.
Location
The Kruger National Park is the ultimate place to go on safari in search of Africa’s Big 5. The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and one of the world’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries. The Kruger National Park is about a 6-hour drive from Johannesburg with numerous flights to Hoedspruit or Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport). It covers some 19,485 square kilometres offering a rich diversity of ecosystems that support over 145 mammal species including the Big 5 and over 500 bird species.
Key sites/activities in the area
Game drives and game viewing from the lodge. Bush Walks with one of our professional guides. Relaxing in The Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa.
Helicopter flights through the Blyde River Canyon.
Golf at the exclusive Leopard Creek Golf Course on the southern border of the Kruger National Park.
A visit to one of two local creches in the area.
Experience with the counter poaching K9 unit.
Fun Facts
75% of the maintenance costs at Royal Malewane are caused by Elephants.
The new bush bar is named after Royal Malewane’s first Master Tracker – Wilson Masiya.
The lodge has over 40 gins and 40 whiskeys to sample during your stay.
There is a hair salon the spa.
Children’s Corner
We have a number of goodies and activities designed for kids such as a kiddies’ amenities range, bush backpack (with sun cream, a chap stick and a water bottle), activity booklets, The Royal Cubs Spa Menu, kitchen activities (baking and homemade play-dough) and an animal checklist with pictures.
Children under 10 are only allowed at Africa House, our Royal Suites, and soon to open Farm House.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Royal Malewane:
6 Luxury Suites, 2 Royal Suites, Africa House
The 6 Luxury Suites all have their own private swimming pools, sun gazebos and outdoor showers. Each suite has wifi, a television, a minibar, log burning fire places, air-conditioners and ceiling fans. There is a safe and yoga matts for guest use as well.
The 2 Royal Suites have two bedrooms and include the private services of chefs and butlers as well as your own vehicle. The Royal Suites have their own entrance as well as 4 complementary massages in the spa.
Africa House is a 6 bedroom Villa away from the main lodge. This was the home of the owners and come with all the private services of the Royal Suites.
• The Farmstead at Royal Malewane (Opening May 1st):
3 Luxury Suites and The Farm House
The Luxury Suites facilities are the same as the Luxury Suites at Royal Malewane.
The Farm House has the same facilities and private services as Africa House.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 13 (From May 1st)
Restaurants & Bars
The safari experience is synonymous with exceptional food and wine. Dining at Royal Malewane is a unique and indulgent experience with a constantly changing menu and a wide variety of beautiful settings in which to savor the contemporary cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, Brandon Souris and his dedicated team.
The cuisine is complemented by the well-established Royal Portfolio wine program showcasing the finest expressions of South Africa’s terroir from small garagistes producers to the icon estates.
Royal Malewane is an all-inclusive experience with a small range of champagne and small production wines at a surcharge.
Wellness
The Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa is an award winning spa in the heart of the African bush in complete harmony with its natural surroundings. World-renowned for its beautiful setting and the sheer luxuriousness of its treatments, many of which make inspired use of indigenous ingredients. The spa at Royal Malewane is an oasis of a very special sort – a chance to refresh and restore mind, body and spirit amid the serenity and peace of the bush. Facilities at the safari spa are comprehensive and include a fully-equipped gym, a heated lap pool, steam room, hot and cold African baths, private casitas for relaxation or treatments, changing facilities and a hair salon.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Royal Malewane is an intimate wedding venue that can sleep up to 32 guests in the Luxury Suites, Royal Suites and Africa House, with 12 more guests at The Farmstead from May 2019. Weddings at Royal Malewane are a rare and special occurrence that require meticulous planning to overcome the challenges of a wedding in the African wilderness. As such, each event is individually planned and priced in consultation with our experienced team. We do not have any set wedding packages and we do not charge a venue fee when accommodation is booked as part of the wedding. Each wedding is bespoke.
Extra Notable Features
• The team at Royal Malewane can assist guests in hiring photographic equipment, and accompany them on a photographic game drives.
• There are various community upliftment and conservation initiatives that guests can visit and support. Our team can tell you more about these and accompany you during visits to the surrounding areas.
Hotel and Restaurant Awards
2018
Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards 2018: #6 Top Resort in Africa
Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards 2018: #13 Top Resort in the World
2017/2016
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017: #10 Top Resorts in Africa
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017: #28 in the 50 Best Resorts in the World
Best Safari Cuisine | The Safari Awards 2017
Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2017
The 50 Best Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Traveler Readers 2016
Condé Nast Traveler Top Resorts in Africa: Readers’ Choice Awards 2016
Number of employees
142