KCR Spring 2025 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 70
48 Hours at Royal Malewane, South Africa
Landing at Hoedspruit feels less like arriving at an airport and more like
stepping into a David Attenborough documentary. As we stepped o昀昀 the
plane and onto the tarmac, curious vervet monkeys raced past us; an
unexpected welcome to South Africa’s wilderness. A short car journey
later, we arrived at Royal Malewane, nestled within the Thornybush
Private Game Reserve on the edge of South Africa’s Kruger National
Park. Royal Malewane o昀昀ers three accommodation options: the classic
safari-style Malewane Lodge, the minimalist Farmstead, and Waterside,
an option rich with colour and contemporary touches.
As we pulled up at Malewane Lodge, we were welcomed by Stefan – the
General Manager, Andi – our expert guide for the coming days, and
Geo昀昀rey – a tracker whose knowledge of the land would soon became
apparent.
The lodge itself blends luxury with an evocative bush aesthetic: life-sized
bronze cheetah sculptures, eclectic antique furnishings, grand 昀椀replaces,
and a huge thatched roof. Every corner is a feast for the eyes. The lodge’s
central watering hole draws wildlife close, adding a thrilling
unpredictability to each day’s rhythm.
Each of the suites at Malewane Lodge is an expansive, individual lodge
with 昀氀oor-to-ceiling glass windows that frame uninterrupted views of
the reserve. Inside, the dark wood four-poster bed, open 昀椀replace, and
a freestanding bathtub facing the bush create an atmosphere that’s both
romantic and quintessentially African. A private in昀椀nity pool and deck
o昀昀er a perfect post-game drive retreat where one might hear the
occasional rustling of nearby wildlife.
Our 昀椀rst game drive hinted at the adventure to come. Andi, our guide,
and Geo昀昀rey, our tracker, have mastered their craft, and it showed.
Often called the “Harvard of the Bush,” Royal Malewane boasts one of
Africa’s most quali昀椀ed guiding teams, home to three of only seven living
Master Trackers in the world. This expertise paid o昀昀: within hours, we
had spotted four of the Big Five –leopards, lions, elephants, and bu昀昀alo.
A leopard lounged on a tree branch just above us – so close we could
see its eyelashes 昀氀utter, a pride of lions laid sprawled out in the fading
daylight – their full bellies rising and falling with every breath, and
elephants roamed nearby as we enjoyed a sundowner beneath pink
skies.The next morning introduced us to a whole new side of Thornybush: from above. Joining a Thornybush Field Ranger, we boarded
a helicopter for a patrol 昀氀ight over the reserve. The purpose of the
patrol 昀氀ight is to monitor rhino and elephant populations and ensure
anti-poaching measures remain e昀昀ective. From above, the reserve’s
immense scope unfolded and showed us a whole new perspective of the
location, the landscape, and what it takes to keep the wildlife safe, as
well as how human homes, cultivated farmland, and wilderness all exist
in such close proximity.
Hovering above the Kruger National Park, we were stunned by the sight
of gira昀昀es moving in sync – known, rather wonderfully, as a “tower” of
gira昀昀es – and later, a pair of rhinos running free across the savannah.
The 30-minute patrol extended beyond schedule as we scoured the land,
brie昀氀y concerned by the scarcity of rhino sightings, until 昀椀nally, two majestic rhinos appeared, marking the last of the Big Five and completing a
safari rich with memory-making moments.
Throughout our stay, the Royal Malewane’s appeal was as much about
luxury as it was about immersion. Twice-daily game drives, guided bush
walks, and indulgent spa treatments punctuated our days. The lodge’s
wine cellar and tasting room, stocked with South Africa’s 昀椀nest wines,
and its library, yoga space, and meditation room o昀昀ered ample ways to
unwind.
With guests including Sir Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates,
Royal Malewane has earned a reputation for excellence. Its remarkable service, meticulous design, and unparalleled guiding make it an
extraordinary safari destination. Royal Malewane is more than a place
to stay; it’s a gateway to the wild, a retreat where luxury and nature exist
in perfect harmony.
By Kristie Crozier
@royalmalewane
https://www.theroyalportfolio.com/royal-malewane/
