|
Personal Impression
This is a little slice of heaven in the African bush. A very
personal experience where a person feels more like a part of a
family than a guest. Luxurious surroundings, incredible rooms and
expansive decks. The service is friendly, warm and you feel at home
immediately. Royal Malewane has a lot of repeat guests, one couple had been there 10 times. They had been all
over South Africa, Botswana and Kenya and this lodge is where they
always return. There is a special ambiance here that is hard to put
into words. I can highly recommend Royal Malewane.
Accommodations
Truly incredible standard rooms. Oriental rugs adorn the floor
throughout the suite. Very large bedroom with king size bed with
Ralph Lauren linens, couch and sitting area at the huge windows that
look out onto the bush. On entering our room there was a giraffe
standing right in front of our deck. Not more than 3 feet away. A
nice desk, fireplace and elegant dark wood décor give a person a
feeling of “no expense” spared to make these rooms an oasis in the
bush. The bathroom is also large with two sinks, bathtub (with a
view) and two large showers, one indoors and one outdoors. Outside
is a large deck with a private plunge pool and recliners to lay,
relax and look out at the bush and watch the monkeys at play.
The rooms are connected by elevated wood
walkways. These walkways I find much more appealing in Africa. No
worry about looking at the ground and where you step. No room is
too far as the lodge is located in the middle of the complex.
Two big suites, the Malewane and the Royal
suite have two bedrooms and a huge living area, dining room and
full kitchen with all appliances. These are like a lodge in a
lodge. These are 220sqm and larger than many peoples homes. Both are
decorated differently and both are really beautiful, you will not
want to leave.
These suites come with a private butler, private chef, private game
driver vehicle with a private ranger and tracker. Dinner can be
served in your suite with the finest china and silver.
|
 |
 |
|
The bathroom in a standard
suites. |
The bedroom in a standard suite. |
Spa
The spa is a short walk from the
main lodge. There is a workout room a variety of treatments are
offered. There is an indoor and outdoor treatment facility.
Internet
There is one computer available
for guests use free of charge. This is located in the spa facility.
Game Drives
The area around Royal Malewane is dense and full of thorn bushes.
It is not as diverse or as attractive as the Sabi Sands private
reserve. It is also not open to a large park like Kruger but a
private fenced reserve. However, that being said we got the most
incredible up close and personal experiences during our game drives
at Royal Malewane. It think the quality of the rangers here and
their knowledge of the terrain offer an opportunity for rare
insights into animal behavior. Our ranger and tracker really
“tracked” a group of lions. Following tracks that lead off into the
bush they jumped out of the vehicle and tracked the lions. At first
I have to admit I thought it was all show. Then they came and said
we found them! We need heading through the thick bush and the
tension was mounting. We came SO close to these lions you could have
reached out and touched them. Large males with females. Our shots
of these lions are truly breathtaking. They lions moved off and we
followed them in our vehicle as they headed for the water hole..
Then the next day we witnessed a remarkable event with the
Elephants. They were climbing on and destroying a huge termite
mound. Those large animals kneeling as they literally crawled to the
top. Then they started to move off the mound and down the road. One big bull elephant was “checking
out” all the female elephants as they passed. Even the tiniest
female was backing into the male to be “checked”. Later on another
male turned up and we had the classic standoff by the two bulls. I
felt like I had experienced something truly special and will never
forget this herd going through their normal social behaviors.
(Pictures below - a little hard to see but the big bull in the front
of the picture has his trunk straight up in the air) Both
experiences felt like they were off a TV wildlife show. We also saw
all other types of animals of course, giraffe, cape buffalo, zebra,
antelope of may types. Monkeys are all over Royal Malewane and play
on the decks of the lodge and in the trees. Another interesting
sight was two male lions right on the airstrip at Royal Malewane. A
welcoming committee for incoming guests.
|
Below are our personal
pictures all taken at Royal Malewane. |
|
 |
 |
 |
The guides
The guides at Royal Malewane have been there since the lodge opened.
There seems to be a real family like atmosphere here. On our game
drives they seemed to be very aware of the animals, the behaviors
and how to give each guest the best possible experience. .
Dining and wines.
Dinner is served on the large decks at the lodge. It is open air.
On our night the food was incredible. It was a set menu with no
choices. We had about five courses with the main course being rack
of lamb, which was truly outstanding. However, you can order pretty
much what ever you want that morning and have it served to you that
night. So the entire dinner experience is very personal. Very good
South African wines accompanied dinner. Lunch on arrival was also
quite an experience. The smoked salmon salad was followed by the
most delicious chicken dish and fresh berries with raspberry sauce
for desert. As you eat lunch you sit on yet another deck and watch
the waterhole as animals come and go. Yes this is a mesmerizing site
and you can sit there for hours.
|
 |
 |
| Our actual
bush breakfast at Royal Malewane |
The liquor cabinet in the suite - all
included |
Getting to Royal Malewane
Direct flights from Johannesburg and
Cape Town daily to Hoedspruit airport. Royal Malewane also has a
smaller airstrip for charter flights directly into Thornybush Game
Reserve. Road transfers are of course available if you do not
wish to fly.
Local Village tour
You can visit Nyani Tribal village.
This is an authentic Shangaan village that is reliving the tribal
life of 50 years ago. The village serves to both preserve the
culture of the Shangaans of the area as well as to educate visitors
with the traditions and customs of the community. All the vistors
are guided by Axon who is from the lineage of Chief Kapama. The
cost is 460 Rand about $75.00
Other tours
There are many other tours available.
Visit a silk factory where you discover the Bombyx Mori silk and
visit one of only two producers of this silk in the country. 520
Rand.
Visit the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Center. A two-hour
tour that begin
tour that begin
tour that begins with a video presentation and then you see cheetah,
African wild dogs, and many other rare animals in their natural
habitat. The project also focuses on rehabilitation camps for both
the Barbary Lion and the Rhino. Cost 520 rand.
Visit Moholoholo – Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Brian Jones
and his team nurture the injured, poisoned, orphaned animals for
release back into the wild. The center contributes to the
conservation of endangered species and facilitates a number of
successful breeding programs. Cost 520 Rand
Helicopter Flights. Private flights over the area with
incredible views of the bush, waterfalls, and a 1000 meter deep
canyon.Cost 8700 rand for two people and 650 rand for a third and
fourth passenger. Topped off with a picnic lunch with a spectacular
view.
Hot Air Balloon Flights The flight
will be one hour over the bush. If weather conditions do not allow
the flight there are full refunds. Cost 2600 Rand.
Golf. Hans Merensky Golf Estate.
A challenging 18 hole, par 72
Championship Golf Course where the animals add a little spice to the
hazards odd a little spice to the
hazards of a little spice to the
hazards of a little spice to the
hazards of a little spice to the
hazards of a good round of golf. Cost road transfer – 1170
rand Air Transfer – 2750 Rand. Inclusive of green fees and light
refreshments
Horse Riding Morning and afternoon ridng Morning and afternoon rides for 2 hours for 650
rand.
Web Page:
www.royalmalewane.com
|
