Royal Malewane

a pleasantly intimate place

Royal Malewane is located in the Thornybush Reserve in the Kruger area in the northeast region of South Africa.

The property is part of The Royal Portfolio, a family run operation created by Liz and Phil Biden and now managed by son Matthew.

The lodge is centred on a modest main building, leading out to a boma area. There is also an extensive spa.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Royal Malewane is in six units, all with air-conditioning and a plunge pool …

• Luxury Suites : x4
• Family Suite : x2 : with two bedrooms

A further large unit called Africa House has six bedrooms and can function independently of the lodge.

Activities

Royal Malewane provides access to the following activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the room rate …

• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Bush meals
• Night vehicle safari

The lodges on the Thornybush Reserve are significantly lower cost than those on the better known Sabi Sand area nearby. However, we tend to include this area in trips relatively rarely, mainly due to the high lodge density.

The usual stay duration is 2-4 nights.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Kruger is generally considered to be the May-Oct dry season, but (surprisingly) the reserve remains popular year round.

Safari in the Kruger area is much more seasonal than most people would lead you to believe. Trip planning is complicated by the fact that the seasons here are almost diametrically opposite to those down in Cape Town (with which the area is most commonly combined in trips).

Dry winter : Jun/Sep

This period is characterised by a cool dry winter which is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, although day length is relatively short and nights can get very cold. Unfortunately it does coincide with a more conventional cool wet winter in Cape Town.

Hot transition : Oct/Nov

This is the start of the hot wet summer. Wildlife viewing is usually very strong, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the first rains, which usually arrive mid November to cool things down. This coincides with a usually pleasant spring season in Cape Town. October therefore represents an interesting compromise month.

Wet summer : Dec/Mar

This period is characterised by a hot wet summer, which is generally considered to be the most challenging time for wildlife viewing, although sightings should remain reliable in the premium areas. Day length is nice and long, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and rain can be a major issue. However these potentially adverse conditions happen to coincide with a hot dry summer in Cape Town.

Cool transition : Apr/May This is a period of transition between the hot wet summer and the cool dry winter, with wildlife viewing continuing to improve as the foliage dies back. Day length, temperatures and humidities are all in the middle of their ranges. The period coincides with autumn/fall in Cape Town, making this perhaps the strongest time of year for the combination.

lower prices than the premium Sabi Sand area