Royal Malewane

We took Africa House for our family of eleven and whilst this was our 5th visit over 15 years, the standard of comfort, service, food, ambience and safari experience was exceptional and 5 nights were nowhere near enough. Our rangers, Ryan and Conrad were at another level to the other 20 plus safari's we have experienced. The Africa House team was incredible and ensured everything was a “pleasure” to deliver and the level of 6 star consistency never wavered. Of course, we will return at some stage and experience one of the few properties that really delivers World Class Customer Care. Any room to improve…..only some free weights in the fitness room ❤️.

Wow. This team knows exactly how to make you “homesick” from your time at their lodge. My husband and I are missing everything about our stay and experience as we make the long journey home. The team here makes you feel cared for and certainly well fed, and our guide and tracker did everything they could to deliver wild animals and animal experiences, stunning sunsets, and personal comfort. These 2, Conrad and Kevin, are the stars of the show. We are experiencing a bit of separation anxiety after leaving these two today. :) Our suite (2) was well stocked with drinks and food, had a generous outdoor space and dipping pool, a nicely sized closet, bed and bathroom. We used the gym almost every day. It has a cable machine, free weights, a rower, treadmill and elliptical. There are also some kettlebells too. We enjoyed lazy days otherwise in between the game drives mostly being fed by the talented chefs and the excellent wait staff who remembered all of my food sensitivities. The gift shop was a great place to find some long sleeve shifts, light coats and gifts to take home. We had a small mishap while staying there and we have never seen an entire team work so quickly to make sure our stay was flawless. It is easy to understand while so many people make this a repeat stay. We are already planning our next trip with friends and family.

The Royal Portfolio can trace its roots to 1999, when we converted our family holiday home into what is now the Royal Malewane. The Royal Portfolio showcases the very best of the Rainbow Nation and offers perfect stays in pristine national parks, along rugged coastlines, in lush winelands, and in the heart of the vibrant, multicultural Mother City of Cape Town. Choose to stay in one of the iconic luxury lodges, boutique hotels, or private residences, or ask our journey specialists about combining them for the complete experience.

This was one the BEST traveling experiences I have ever had. The lodge sits in Kruger National Park with wild animals just outside your deck. An elephant drank out of my deck pool while I was reading! Constant wildlife outside my room. It was surreal staring at it all for hours at a time. The food was exceptional. The staff SUPER accommodating; friendly, assertive. My guide/naturalist Juan is the smartest man I’ve ever met. So incredibly knowledgeable about ALL of nature. These safaris make you feel so small I saw all of the big 5. This is the place to stay!

Royal Malewane is a true luxury bush experience. We stayed at the newest property, Waterside Lodge, and had a fantastic 3 night stay. Arrival: We flew from Cape Town to Hoedspruit on a non-stop flight and were greeted at the small airport by our guide Matt. The airport is small but efficient and all the greeters are clustered by the baggage claim. We enjoyed a beautiful scenic drive to the camp and as we arrived to the entrance, received another warm welcome from the staff while we sipped a cocktail, got the logistics of the camp, and went over preferences. Room: We had luxury suite #2, a spacious room, beautifully decorated and curated with incredible art. The design mixes African and colonial elements with contemporary luxury and adds a healthy splash of color. We had a fireplace, sitting area, dressing room, indoor and outdoor shower, plunge pool and patio. Between game drives we loved the various areas of the room we could leverage to read a book, enjoy a coffee or catch up on a couple emails. The room featured a well stocked mini bar that is all included with your stay. Game Drives: You will meet your guide and tracker on your first day and they will be with you for the duration of your stay. They will customize the drives to ensure you are spending the time tracking the animals and experiences you are seeking. Luxury lodges obviously provide 5 star hospitality, but they also differentiate themselves with the quality, experience and knowledge of their guides and trackers. The learning and knowledge that you absorb through asking questions and getting to know the bush is part of the experience - be sure to soak it up! We had Matt and Stanley and gave them free reign to do what they do best - we saw everything - the Big Five plus so much more. We saw two leopard kills and lots of babies, very unique and special moments to see in the bush. Matt and Stanley were truly experts - you cannot believe how they pick up on sounds/calls and tracks to find the animals in the vastness of the park. Food: The lodge's chef, Chippy, came to greet us on arrival and asked about preferences and allergies/restrictions. From that meeting, we received personalized menus at each meal. You can order off the menu or whatever you want off menu. The food is wonderful - the perfect balance of fine dining and local flair - exactly the type of food you want in the bush. We love local South African food and made a point to try the local meats and flavors that Chippy incorporated into the menu. Breakfast was always a number of beautifully plated pastries, charcuterie and fruits - all before ordering a la carte - you will be incredibly well fed with the quality is top notch. The staff picks up on your preferences and even starts to make recommendations based on what you ordered and enjoyed previously - truly impressive and personalized service. Spa/Gym: The lodge has a small but well equipped gym that is perfect for a mid day workout. We used it twice and were th

During my stay at the Farmstead Lodge Royal Malewane from 6th to 10th July 2023, I encountered an unfortunate incident that significantly affected my holiday experience. On the 7th of July, I embarked on a safari ride into the wilderness. Our vehicle travelling along the unpaved road, operated by a tracker and guide employed by the lodge, inadvertently kicked up a large wooden branch (see attached pic) with its right front tyre. Regrettably, this branch struck me on the side of my face, near my ear, causing a deep cut that bled heavily. It took us at least 35 minutes to get back to the lodge, followed by at least another 30 minutes wait for medical assistance. The first responder had to refer me to the nearest hospital for further professional treatment including stitching (see attached pic). The lodge arranged for a complimentary transportation that arrived some 20 minutes later. Subsequently, I had to endure a painful 3-hour drive to a hospital, constantly applying pressure on the wound due to the bleeding. As this injury occurred only on the second day of my stay, it considerably marred my holiday experience. Even more concerning, I experienced bleeding in my eardrums, which compromised my hearing for a full two weeks after the incident. Now, a month after the incident, I'm left with a permanent 4-5cm scar on my right face, a lasting reminder of that day. The lodge informed that an investigation is ongoing on the incident. I can only hope that it will include a review of the operational protocols to avoid any similar unpleasant experience for visiting guests.