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 collection of 5-star luxury boutique safari lodges and part of The Royal Portfolio: a collection of boutique hotels, luxury lodges, private villas and private residences located in South Africa’s most iconic destinations.
ROYAL MALEWANE
History & Story
Royal Malewane is located in the western part of the Greater Kruger, in Limpopo Province, South Africa and was opened in 1999 by Liz and Phil Biden. There are no fences between Royal Malewane and the Kruger National Park, and guests can enjoy traversing the entire 14,000-hectare (35,000-acre) Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
Today, some 25 years later, guests have a choice of four luxury safari lodges at Royal Malewane – in addition to the classic safari styling of Malewane Lodge, Farmstead, Waterside and Masiya’s Camp offer a more contemporary feel – typical of Liz’s iconoclastic approach to design, yet still blending in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Acacia and Combretum trees dot the savanna, while the seasonal rivers provide a vital lifeline.
There’s a sense of freedom that comes from being out in the bush with your Field Guide and Tracker, with all your senses attuned to the sights, sounds and even scents of nature. Each day brings unforgettable moments, like the dramatic summer cloudbursts when thunder and lightning sweep across the landscape.
Grand in scale, Malewane Lodge speaks to classic safari style. Additional visual interest is provided by pops of colour and contemporary African artworks. The lodge sleeps up to 32 guests across six Luxury Suites, two Royal Suites, and Africa House – an exclusive-use, six-bedroom villa.
Royal Malewane also features three additional luxury safari lodges, two of which have an exclusive-use villa close by. Intimate and more contemporary in feel, Farmstead offers three Luxury Farm Suites, plus the Farmhouse private villa.
Opened in 2022, the award-winning Waterside is already a design icon thanks to its bold use of colour and sense of place. Featuring four Luxury Suites, the Baobab Suite, two Aloe Rooms and a private villa, Waterside House. Liz has once again raised the bar in terms of luxury safari accommodation.
Masiya’s Camp, the latest addition to Royal Malewane in the Greater Kruger National Park, is an under canvas experience which combines world-class luxury with the untamed beauty of the African wilderness. While breaking tradition with the predictable safari aesthetic by introducing colour into the earth-toned landscape, this camp is an elegant sanctuary where ultra-modern style meets every creature comfort. Six canvas-draped tented suites offer spacious interior and exterior lounge areas with floor-to-ceiling views. Each suite features a private wooden deck with a heated plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor shower and a private sala providing a place for contemplation where the textures of the natural world add layers of delight to the experience.
Date Renewal
Masiya’s Camp, the latest addition to Royal Malewane, launched in June 2025.
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Visitors experience meaningful and often life-changing encounters with wildlife, replacing bustling city life with the tranquil sounds and of untamed nature. Time slows down as your body adjusts to the natural rhythms of the African bush. The Greater Kruger Nationl Park refers to the Kruger National Park as well as the private game reserves on its Western border such as the Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Manyeleti and Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa and one of the world’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries. Approximately the same size as Israel or Wales, it covers some 19,485 square kilometres offering a rich diversity of ecosystems that support over 145 mammal species including lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and black rhinos that make up Africa’s Big 5 and over 500 bird species.
Royal Malewane’s guiding team has earned the right to be called the best qualified guiding team in Africa thanks to their impressive collection of high-level FGASA qualifications. Together, our guiding team has over 350 years of experience in the African bush. That’s a testament to their passion, knowledge, and skill. You’re in the most capable hands for a complete safari experience at Royal Malewane.
When you choose a safari destination, it’s the guides and trackers that make the difference. A great guiding team will show you the full wonders of the bush, from iconic species to the smallest details. The way they personalise your experience to match your particular interests, the focus on your safety, and the amazing variety of knowledge they will share. Ultimately, you’ll appreciate the difference it makes to the memories you’ll take home with you.
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
Fun Facts
N/A
Children’s Corner
We welcome families with children aged 10 and older at all our lodges. Children under 10 years are welcome at Waterside, Waterside House, Farmhouse, Africa House and the Royal Suites at Malewane Lodge.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Malewane Lodge
• 6 Luxury Suites:
Private swimming pool, sun gazebo, outdoor shower
• 2 Royal Suites:
Two-bedroom suites with private entrance
Dedicated safari vehicle, chef & butler services
• 2 Aloe Rooms (interconnected):
• Waterside House:
Restaurants & Bars
Wellness
Each of the Royal Malewane lodges offers its own unique wellness experience, thoughtfully designed to complement its setting in the Greater Kruger wilderness. Whether you’re staying at Malewane Lodge or Waterside (each with a full spa), the intimate Farmstead (with a double treatment room), or Masiya’s Camp (where treatments are available in your suite), you’ll find spaces dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation.
Corporate & Celebration Events
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.
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
N/A