Royal Malewane Lodge

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. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers an unrivaled wildlife experience providing fascinating insights into the complex ecosystems of the South African bushveld.

There are two accommodation options at Royal Malewane – Main Lodge which is more classic and grand in style and The Farmstead which is more intimate and contemporary. Whichever style you choose, our expert guides will bring you thrillingly close to the Big Five. Indulge in sensual spa treatments and let the passion of our chefs delight you with nightly feasts under the African stars.

The lodge is easily accessible by air and road and is located in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the Western Border of The Greater Kruger National Park. The closest airport is Hoedspruit and there is a private landing strip at Royal Malewane called Jackalberry Airstrip.

The Main Lodge at Royal Malewane is a classic and luxurious safari lodge with just six Luxury Suites, two Royal Suites (which each have two bedrooms), and Africa House – our exclusive use villa with six bedrooms.

The Farmstead at Royal Malewane is intimate and more contemporary in style and is just a 12 minute drive south of the Main Lodge. The Farmstead has three Luxury Farm Suites, and The Farmhouse – a three and a half bedroom private villa.

The private safari experience at Royal Malewane will delight and surprise. Wildlife is the focus of the safari experience but there is something to delight every taste at Royal Malewane. From the award winning spa to the sumptuous cuisine.

LUXURY SUITE
Boasting unparalleled views over the surrounding bushveld, Royal Malewane’s six palatial Luxury Suites are the pinnacle of refinement and opulence. Luxuriously appointed and fully air-conditioned, they provide an elegant refuge in the heart of the bush complete with private pool, an outdoor gazebo and a splendid bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers.

ROYAL SUITE
A huge outside deck complete with crystal-clear pool allows you to make the most of the surrounding wild beauty and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine in complete privacy. Inside, the décor is classic, brimming with old world elegance but adorned with Liz Biden’s signature playful touches and splashes of colour. There are two huge, en-suite bedrooms either side of a vast living room and dining area. Royal Suites have their own private services.

AFRICA HOUSE
Africa House is a spacious and elegant, exclusive use bush villa with six en-suite bedrooms either side of a central courtyard. Each bedroom is uniquely decorated with a private outside shower and deck.

Antique furniture, carved four-poster beds from Mombasa, plush silk furnishings and Persian rugs create an exotic and luxurious feel. The vast front deck provides the ultimate space to relax, dine and enjoy the beautiful swimming pool. Africa House has its own private services.

LUXURY FARM SUITE
There are three Luxury Farm Suites at The Farmstead. Each has a spacious bedroom and an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower. There are large front and back verandas as well as a beautiful deck and a private pool overlooking the bush where animals roam freely. Children over 10 are welcome in the Luxury Farm Suites.

THE FARMHOUSE
The Farmhouse at The Farmstead is a three and a half bedroom private villa. The Farmhouse has its own private services including a chef, housekeeper, butler, private safari vehicle, ranger and tracker.

There are three main bedrooms as well as a smaller children’s room. There is a magnificent deck with a large swimming pool flowing out into the bush. Children of all ages are welcome in the Farmhouse.

DINING
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 savour the contemporary cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, Brandon Souris and his dedicated team.

Exquisite plating is second nature to the chefs at Royal Malewane for whom cuisine is certainly an art. When that art is served in one of Africa’s most breathtaking locations, the dining experience becomes truly sublime.

The cuisine is complemented by a natural canvas to savour as much as the delicate flavours with the dining area overlooking the Malewane River where a variety of curious creatures great and small venture to slake their thirst. All meals, soft drinks, spirits and wines are included in the accommodation rates at Royal Malewane allowing our guests to completely relax and enjoy the endless temptations available.

BUSH DINNERS
The Bush Tent at Royal Malewane provides a feast in the heart of the African wilderness. A truly remarkable and romantic experience with glowing lanterns casting a gentle light among the brightly burning braziers.

The sounds of the wild and the local village choir provide the soundtrack to a very special evening where guests can enjoy being out in the bush with the convenience of flushing toilets. Where better to enjoy a nightcap than by the fireside under the African stars as your ranger recounts the stories of the day?

A PERSONALISED DINING EXPERIENCE
Royal Malewane offers complete flexibility to our guests. We can tailor a menu to your personal tastes and dietary requirements in consultation with our Executive Chef. Whether you feel like a light salad by the pool in the privacy of your Luxury Suite or a decadent six-course dinner paired with fine wines, the dining team at Royal Malewane will ensure that you are carefully looked after.

And that goes for drinks too – have what you want, when you want, whether it’s a Bloody Mary to ease yourself into the day, a delicious flat white or a bottle of vintage red wine from our cellar.

FINE WINES & WORLDLY WHISKIES
All drinks are included in the rate at Royal Malewane. We have an extensive wine list showcasing a wide variety of South Africa’s finest wines – from flagship red blends to boutique producers of lesser-known varietals.

Select from the wine list or allow our trained wine stewards to guide you in a food and wine pairing. With an extensive range of whiskies from around the world to choose from, Royal Malewane offers the largest whisky selection of any safari lodge.

Join our team of whisky enthusiasts for an informative tasting or simply kick back on the deck with your favourite tipple. We also have a fantastic selection of over 40 boutique gins on offer.

THE KOSHER KITCHEN
Royal Malewane offers a kosher compliant kitchen. The chefs source the finest kosher ingredients and can therefore prepare fresh orthodox meals of the highest quality should a Mashgiach or Rabbi be present to supervise proceedings.

Our team has been trained to understand the subtleties of kosher requirements and the kitchen has been fitted with the necessary equipment including separate crockery and cutlery. Please speak to our reservations team for further information about the Kosher Kitchen as there is an additional cost for these services depending on whether the services of a Rabbi or Mashgiach are required.

THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
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, and private casitas for relaxation or treatments. The Royal Malewane Bush Spa is dedicated to your well being on every level, offering an experience to complement and enrich your stay.

Healing Earth is a South African product that we use for our massages, body treatments and some facials. In addition, we offer Dermalogica for specific facial treatments and Gelish, Morgan Taylor and Essie for manicures and pedicures. Relax around the pool in the central courtyard and take in the tranquillity of your surroundings. There are healthy juices and snacks available as well as complimentary wifi.

THE GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
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 located in the Mpumulanga Province and is about a 6 hour drive from Johannesburg with numerous flights to Hoedspruit or Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport).

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 the Big 5 and over 500 bird species.

The untamed environment stirs deep emotions. Visitors experience meaningful and often life changing encounters with wildlife replacing bustling city life with the tranquil sounds and splendour of nature. Time slows down as your body adjusts to the natural rhythms of the African bush.

The Greater Kruger National Park refers to the Kruger National Park itself as well as the Private Game Reserves on the Western border of the Kruger National Park such as the Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Manyeleti and Thornybush Private Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park itself is operated by the South African National Parks Board and has several affordable rest camps for visitors.

PRIVATE SAFARIS
The distinction between National Parks and Private Game Reserves is an important one. The benefits of a Private Game Reserve include:

• No restrictions on access or driving times
• Only specialised safari vehicles are permitted, no public vehicles Safari vehicles are permitted to go off road in search of the wildlife
• The accommodation is more luxurious
• You will be accompanied on your game drive by an expert ranger and tracker ensuring that your wildlife and game viewing experience is safer, superior and more informative
• Only two vehicles are permitted on a single sighting resulting in an intimate wildlife experience and fantastic photographic opportunities

THE PANORAMA ROUTE & THE KRUGER SURROUNDS
The ‘Lowveld’ is one of the most spectacular and dramatic regions in South Africa and well worth exploring en route to the Kruger National Park.

The ‘Panorama Route’ includes incredible geographic sites such as God’s Window, The Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Mac Mac Falls. Pilgrim’s Rest offers a fascinating window into the past, and captures the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest to discover gold.

WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit really depends on your personal preferences – nature has something to offer throughout the year. Incredible game viewing can be experienced at any time and there is not really a ‘best time of year for game viewing’.

The region enjoys summer rains and dramatic thunder storms – temperatures soar into the 30s in the summer months. The vegetation is lush and verdant attracting incredible bird life while many new borns appear at this time of year.

The winter months are drier and cooler – the vegetation is sparser resulting in improved visibility for game viewing as the animals make their way to the watering holes for hydration.

WEDDINGS
An African bush wedding is, perhaps, most romantic and memorable experience you can embark upon as a couple. The intimacy and joy of the occasion is enhanced beyond measure by the vast, wild backdrop of the bushveld. Teeming with life and beauty, African bush weddings at Royal Malewane not only provide a stunning photographic setting, but will inspire and uplift you and all your guests.

Royal Malewane prides itself on the warmth and sincerity of its service and with its splendid colonial style offers a truly spectacular African bush wedding venue for your unique celebration. Luxurious Kruger accommodation in private suites and our world-renowned Spa will make your stay as special as it ought to be – the experience of a lifetime.

Royal Malewane is an intimate wedding venue that can sleep up to 32 guests in the Luxury Suites, Royal Suites and Africa House. For larger weddings, speak to our team about booking neighbouring lodges in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve.

Weddings at Royal Malewane are a rare a 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.

AFRICA HOUSE
Africa House is the exclusive-use villa at Royal Malewane that sleeps up to 12 guests. Africa House is a spacious and elegant, bush villa with six en-suite bedrooms either side of a central courtyard.

Africa House is the perfect option for a luxury family safari or for a group of friends celebrating a special occasion. Situated away from the main lodge, it is a totally self-contained bush paradise where you can relax in the most opulent and easy-going style.

Accommodation at Africa House is spacious and elegant with vibrantly eclectic furnishings. Light floods into the six en-suite bedrooms, each of which enjoys private outside shower and deck. Antique furniture, carved four-poster beds from Mombasa, plush silk furnishings and Persian rugs create an exotic and luxurious feel.

All rooms are air-conditioned and en-suite with twin vanity cabinets, generous Victorian-style bathtub and walk-in shower. Each room also has its own private deck and outside shower with spectacular views of the bush. There is an additional guide’s/pilot’s room at Africa House for those accompanied by a private guide, nanny, pilot or photographer.

Guests at Africa House enjoy their own private services which means complete flexibility on your family holiday. Not only will you get your own private chef and housekeeping team, but you’ll have your own dedicated game ranger, tracker and private game drive vehicle.

FAMILY SAFARIS
There is something magical about introducing children to nature from an early age. Encouraging a lifetime of discovery and wonder at the earth’s great and small creatures. The Biden family started The Royal Portfolio in 1999 at Royal Malewane.

The land used to be their family bush home where the children spent many happy years growing up close to nature and that’s why it was so important to Liz that children could experience the magic of safari. Children over 10 are welcome in the six Luxury Suites, while children of all ages are welcome in the two Royal Suites and at Africa House.

The Royal Suites each have two bedrooms, with acres of room for relaxing, dining and sleeping. A huge outside deck complete with a crystal-clear pool allows guests to make the most of the surrounding wild beauty and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine in complete privacy.

For larger families and groups of friends, Africa House is the six bedroom exclusive use villa. Africa House is spacious and colourful with vibrantly eclectic furnishings. Light floods into the en-suite bedrooms, each of which has a private outside shower and deck. Antique furniture, carved four-poster beds from Mombasa, plush silk furnishings and Persian rugs create an exotic and luxurious feel.

The Royal Suites and Africa House have a private chef, butler and a dedicated ranger and tracker team. Guests will have their own private safari vehicle ensuring complete flexibility around game drives and bush walks which can be made a little shorter for younger children.

The expert rangers and trackers at Royal Malewane love to share their knowledge with kids of all ages and are masters at making that knowledge accessible to future rangers.

We have a number of goodies and activities designed for kids such as a kiddies’ amenities range, bush backpack (with sun cream, a chapstick and a water bottle), activity booklets, The Royal Cubs Spa Menu, kitchen activities (baking and homemade play-dough) and an animal checklist with pictures.

For slightly older children we have a Junior Rangers course which includes:

• Scatalogue
• Moulding and identification of animal tracks
• Bird watching (10 common birds and identifying sounds)
• Plant identification and uses
• Play book (animal pictures, common facts and an introduction to the local language)
• For further information or to discuss your specific requirements simply speak to a member of our reservations team.

Thornybush Private Game Reserve is a low risk malaria area with no recorded cases of malaria at Royal Malewane. We do nevertheless recommend that you consult your GP or local travel clinic before travelling to Royal Malewane in relation to anti-malaria precautions and prophylactics for your family.

HONEYMOONS 
There is something fundamentally romantic about Africa. The vast open plains, the red soil and the crimson sunsets. There is no more intimate and exclusive setting than Royal Malewane – the ideal luxury lodge for a honeymoon safari.

The Luxury Suites provide the most romantic of accommodation at Royal Malewane. Each suite has a four-poster bed, with a large living area, a huge bathroom with a Victorian freestanding bath and rain shower, an outdoor shower, a private plunge pool and a vast deck on which to relax and take in the beauty of your surroundings.

Enjoy romantic dining experiences in the privacy of your suite or by candlelight under the African stars with nothing but the sounds of nature as your soundtrack. The Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa offers many couples treatments including the hot and cold sunken baths and a couples massage room. Private vehicles can be arranged at an extra cost and subject to availability.

WALKING TRAILS
Experience the wonders of Africa’s elusive wildlife up-close on Royal Malewane’s walking trails. Walk among the Big 5 and connect with the African bushveld even more intimately than before. Walking trails are an amazing way to augment the wildlife experience and interact with the finer details of nature in a way that is not always possible from the comfort of a safari vehicle.

The Royal Malewane guides have carefully designed several trails that cater to every level of fitness, covering varied habitats, and offering great potential to view wildlife on foot. Very few lodges are able to offer such walks due to the additional qualifications required to lead them. Each of the Royal Malewane rangers is well qualified to lead walking trails.

Not only doing walking trails give a different perspective to the African bush and unique insights into animal behaviour but they also reduce our impact on the environment and are a great way to exercise and build an appetite for the treats that await back at the lodge.

MARULA TRAIL
Starting from Royal Malewane, the Marula Trail meanders along ancient elephant paths and through stands of giant Marula trees. Trailists pass several hidden watering holes before ending at ‘Aloe Ridge’, with magnificent vistas of the Drakensberg mountain range. Here refreshments can be enjoyed before a short game drive back to camp. Duration: +- 1hour 30min

TAMBOTI TRAIL
The Tamboti Trail runs between Royal Malewane and The Farmstead and can be walked in either direction. Primordial game trails take one through varied terrain from Tamboti tree thickets to open grassland and a large watering hole. Enjoy a refreshing drink, or a bite to eat at either lodge before returning back to your lodge via a game drive vehicle. Duration: +- 2hours

SAFFRON TRAIL
Heading north-west from Royal Malewane, the Saffron Trail takes one past a secret grove of beautiful Impala-Lilies (flowering in the winter months). One can enjoy a rest at Mhloti dam, one of the larger bodies of water on our concession and well known for its productive animal viewing. The circular route then takes one back to the starting point at camp. Duration: 2 – 3hours

THE BIG 5
Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Black Rhino make up Africa’s Big 5. The ‘Big 5’ phrase was coined by hunters back in the day. It referred to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot and the degree of danger involved.

The term is still used today but without the hunting connotations. The animals still appear on the various South African banknotes. The ‘Big 5’ phrase was coined by hunters back in the day.

It referred to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot and the degree of danger involved. The term is still used today but without the hunting connotations. The animals still appear on the various South African banknotes. It’s interesting to note that technically the Black Rhino and not the White Rhino makes up the Big 5.

LION

• Mass ± 200 kg / ± 440 lbs
• Height ± 100 cm / ± 39 inches
• Walking speed 4 km/h / 2.4 mph
• Charging speed 80 km/h / 50 mph
• Potential longevity 20 years
• Gestation period 3.5 months

ELEPHANT

• Mass 6000 – 7000 kg / 13000 – 15000 lbs
• Height 300 – 340 cm / 118 – 134 inches
• Walking speed 10 km/h / 6.2 mph
• Charging speed 40 km/h / 24.8 mph
• Potential longevity 65 – 70 years
• Gestation period 22 months
• Record length of tusks 3,5 m / 137 inches

LEOPARD

• Mass ± 60 kg / 132 lbs
• Height ± 60 cm / 23 inches
• Charging speed 80 km/h / 50mph
• Potential longevity 21 years
• Gestation period 3 1/2 months

BUFFALO

• Mass 750 kg / 1653 lbs
• Height ± 160 cm / 63 inches
• Charging speed 55 km/h / 34 mph
• Potential longevity 20 – 25 years
• Gestation period 11 months
• Record span of horns 147 cm / 58 inches

RHINOCEROS

• Mass 3500 kg / 7717 lbs
• Height 160 cm / 63 inches
• Speed 45 km/h / 28 mph
• Potential longevity 45 years
• Gestation period 18 months
• Record length of front horn 158 cm / 62 inches
• Record length of rear horn 56 cm / 22 inches

GAME DRIVES
Experience Africa’s abundant wildlife on morning and afternoon game drives with expert game rangers and trackers. Guest safety is paramount. To view game is to lose yourself in a powerful and startling drama.

To view game is to lose yourself in a powerful and startling drama. During a game viewing excursion, your senses sharpen, excitement grows, you draw close to the most remarkable animals as they hunt, play and sleep.

Game drives at Royal Malewane are tailored to suit your interests, so you can track your favourite animal or see the birds, flowers or trees that you love most. To engage with the landscape even more intimately, explore the bush on foot with our expert guides and trackers at your side.

Game drives at dawn and dusk form the basic rhythm of the day, and you’ll find that to be out in the fresh air as the sun rises and sets is to be realigned with a pattern of deep and ancient significance.

In addition, no matter what the time of year, each season has something special to offer in terms of game viewing and game drives. The dry, gold-brown winter bush makes for excellent sightings but the lush green foliage of the summer months brings with it migrant birds and new-born animals.

Embrace the unique opportunities of the moment, for nature is generous in her bounty. A typical game drive lasts for three to four hours and all game drives are included in our rates.

SPECIALIST SAFARI VEHICLES
The game drive vehicles at Royal Malewane seat only 6 guests in order to optimise each guest’s game viewing experience and comfort affording ample space for photographic equipment (and some refreshments of course).

Top of the range, specialised Toyota Land Cruisers ensure that guests can go off road safely in search of the ultimate wildlife sightings no matter what the conditions. All our rangers are specially trained in vehicle handling and maintenance. There is a special ‘trackers seat’ fitted to the front of the vehicle.

PRIVATE VEHICLES
Although we only put a maximum of six guests on each vehicle, there may be other guests on the same game drive as you depending on the size of your party. Speak to our reservations team about booking a private vehicle for your visit.

Private vehicles cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability. If staying in the Luxury Suites, there is an additional charge for private vehicles. In the Royal Suites and Africa House however, private vehicles and services are guaranteed and are included in the rates.

BIRDING SAFARIS
Opening your eyes and ears to the fascinating bird life at Royal Malewane will add a entirely new dimension to your safari experience. There are over 300 different species of birds at Royal Malewane. From the minute Grey Penduline Tit to the immense Lappet Faced Vulture, there are all manner of weird, wonderful and colourful birds in between.

Birds exhibit extraordinary behavioural patterns – immersing yourself in this fascinating world provides a rich and rewarding wildlife experience. All the rangers at Royal Malewane are expert birders.

Two of the team have achieved the Special Knowledge and Skills (SKS) qualification in Birding. Only seven people in the entire country have achieved this qualification, making the Royal Malewane guiding team unique in its birding experience for our guests.

Royal Malewane is the ideal safari destination for amateur and professional birders alike. The guiding team will tailor the birding experience according to your level of interest and experience, but be warned – birding is seriously addictive.

SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS
A passion for wildlife and a passion for photography often go hand in hand. The Rangers at Royal Malewane will tailor your safari experience according to your level of interest and skill.

Photography is a passion for all the game rangers at Royal Malewane. Between the guides they have won numerous awards and accolades. Ranger Rudi Hulshof is an ambassador for Sigma lenses in South Africa and an accomplished wildlife photographer in his own right.

The rangers understand the joy of capturing nature’s splendid beauty in a photograph and are always happy to share their knowledge of wildlife photography with our guests, no matter what their skill level. The rangers can also advise guests on the best equipment. Royal Malewane uses Africa Photographic Services, a full list of equipment for rentals can be found here.

CAPTURING THE LIGHT
The art of photography is mastering light. Avid photographers bide their time until “golden hour”, waiting for those precious moments when nature is painted in a soft glow. A private safari at Royal Malewane means that your adventure is not limited to strict opening and closing times which is the case in national parks.

Private game drives are able to linger longer and for photographers, the difference between one hour and the next can be the difference between a good shot and great one. Our rangers will help you find the right angle and the right light for that perfect shot.

A TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI
At Royal Malewane guests are encouraged to relax and experience the African bush at their own pace. There are no set meal times and the guiding team will accommodate your needs and interests as far as possible. We don’t want to give away all the surprises, but below is a rough guide of what to expect on a typical day at Royal Malewane.

• 05h00 – Wake up before the sun rises and prepare for an exciting day ahead.
• 05h30 – Meet your ranger and tracker for an early morning tea and coffee before heading out on your morning game drive. Game drives take place in specialised Toyota Land Cruisers with just 6 guests per vehicle. The best game viewing usually takes place around sunrise and sunset when the wildlife is at its most active.
• 09h30 – Safari vehicles start returning from the game drives for a well-earned breakfast back at the lodge.
• 11h00 – This is a great time to do a bush walk for those looking to get up close and personal with nature. This gives guests a chance to concentrate on the smaller wonders of the Greater Kruger National Park such as insects and birds. Learn about the traditional cultural and medicinal properties of trees and plants.

After your walk, relax in the lodge or in your room and enjoy a swim to cool down from the heat of the day. Alternatively, this is a great time to enjoy a treatment at The Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa.

• 13h00 – Lunch is served.
• 16h30 – Head out on your second game drive of the day as African sun begins to plunge below the horizon. The animals become more active again and the nocturnal animals get ready for to hunt.
• 18h00 – As the sun sets the ranger will find a nice spot for a ‘sundowner’ where you will stop to watch the sunset and enjoy a cocktail, gin and tonic or ice cold beer – whatever your preference.
• 18h30 – As darkness sets in, the tracker and the guide will use a powerful spotlight to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. They might also stop for a little star gazing.
• 19h30 – The timing of dinner is determined by your sightings. If you’re enjoying a particular sighting then dinner can wait until you are ready. Dinners at Royal Malewane are sumptuous affairs paired with some of South Africa’s finest wines. Relax and regale the stories of the day.

EXPERT RANGERS AND TRACKERS
Royal Malewane has the most experienced and qualified guiding team in Africa. Our team consists of career guides who strive for excellence and are passionate about the African bush.

On most private safaris in Southern Africa, guests are guided on specialised Toyota Land Cruisers by a ranger who drives the vehicle and by a tracker who sits on an especially precarious seat at the front of the bonnet. The tracker’s job is to find elusive wildlife. To notice and interpret nature’s subtle clues through acutely honed senses while the ranger engages with the guests and ensures safe passage.

There is no bond stronger than the indelible and intuitive connection between a ranger and a tracker. Wild adventures, unique encounters and proud achievements punctuate their derring-do filled days. Watch our video below which explains more about this incredible team.

Juan Pinto is the former Head Ranger at Royal Malewane and has now taken up a position as a director at Royal Malewane allowing him to concentrate on the broader wildlife experience as well as critical conservation efforts. He is the most qualified guide in the business and has a unique set of formal guiding qualifications:

• The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) – Level III professional guide
• Special Knowledge and Skills (SKS)-Dangerous Game
• SKS–Birding
• Master Tracker
• Juan was the first active guide to be awarded the honorary title of Scout by FGASA in recognition of achieving the highest qualifications as a guide and as a tracker
• Juan and erstwhile Head Tracker, Wilson Masiya have created an ethos that permeates through Royal Malewane, sharing their passion for the African bush and ensuring that all the rangers and trackers strive towards the same goal – to be the best guiding team in Africa. Royal Malewane is proud to have three of only seven living Master Trackers in the world and the only three in the entire Greater Kruger National Park.

All the game rangers at Royal Malewane hold the highest FGASA qualifications as well as advanced rifle handling certificates. These qualifications ensure guests enjoy an exceptional wildlife experience – not only while on a game drive, but also on foot.

Our greatest priority is guest safety. All our guides and trackers receive ongoing, on-site wilderness emergency training from experts in the field. The guiding team has over 410 years of African bush experience between them which means that each safari can be personalised according to our guests knowledge and interests.

HELICOPTER OVER THE PANORAMA ROUTE
Soar over one of the most spectacular regions in South Africa, over God’s Window, Three Rondawels and more. A magical way to explore the surrounding mountains of the Mpumalanga province and the famous Blyde River Canyon.

HOT AIR BALLOONING
As the sun rises, take an flight over the scenic, Lowveld section of the Blyde River. The terrain is a mixture of farmland and private nature reserves at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains.

SIGAGULE CRÈCHE
A visit to the local community is inspiring, humbling and educational. Royal Malewane with the help of generous donations from our guests has been able to complete meaningful improvements for the children of the surrounding communities. A fantastic initiative which forms part of The Royal Portfolio Foundation.

CANYON CRUISE
Take a cruise on the Blyde Dam in the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon. Picnic and learn about the geology, wildlife and biology of this unique area in the heart of Mpumalanga, and forming the northern part of the Drakensberg escarpment.

GOLF AT LEOPARD CREEK
A scenic helicopter flight to this exclusive golf course. One of South Africa’s best wildlife / safari golfing experience, the course actually borders the Kruger National Park.

HORSE BACK TRAILS
The horse trails are conducted on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. The reserve is home to a vast variety of birds and animals such as giraffe, kudu, wildebeest, warthog and impala. A fantastic way to experience wildlife in an intimate and authentic way.

MOHOLOHOLO
A wildlife rehabilitation centre that brings visitors into close contact with both common and rare species such as the Crowned and Martial Eagles, Owls & Vultures as well as Cerval, Wild Dogs, Lions, Leopard and Cheetah.

Rooms: 6

Price: from 4.400 EUR per night

Source: www.theroyalportfolio.com