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Hotel review: PHENOMENAL Royal Malewane (South Africa)

royal malewane

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

In recently enjoyed a terrific holiday in South Africa. You can read my trip reports here:


Today: Review of Royal Malewane (Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa)

Royal Malewane is a luxury safari lodge with one- to six-bedroom villas, located in Thornybush private game reserve on the western border of the Kruger National Park. The lodge, which has Bill Gates, Bono, Oprah and Elton John among its repeat guests, exudes the romance and beauty of a bygone age while offering every modern comfort and convenience. Here, the classic safari experience is unsurpassed with unrivaled Big Five game viewing and the country’s most qualified guiding team, who will provide detailed insights into the complex and fascinating ecosystems of the South African bushveld. Guests can also indulge in sensual treatments at the tranquil waters of Royal Malewane’s Bush Spa and enjoy nightly feasts under the African stars.

Royal Malewane features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in South Africa, the most insanely beautiful safari lodges in Africa, and the best safari lodges in South Africa.

In this review (more info below the slideshow):


PROS & THINGS I LIKE

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Royal Malewane is one of South Africa’s grandest and most famous lodges, and it doesn’t get better than this. The exquisite décor, incredible food and the unbelievable wildlife adventure with the best safari guides ever made this a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget. The resort has no real cons, but you need to know the following when going in:


MY VERDICT

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer sees torrential rains, dramatic thunder storms and soaring temperatures. 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.


HOW TO GET THERE

Royal Malewane is easily accessible by road from Johannesburg in under 5 hours. Most guests though will prefer to travel by air, by making use of a commercial flight to one of the nearby airports (either the Hoedspruit Airport or Nelson’s Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport), or by chartering their own flights directly onto the lodge’s private airstrip.


PHOTOS
WALKWAY TO LOBBY
WALKWAY TO LOBBY
WALKWAY TO LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
ELEPHANTS AROUND WATER HOLE NEAR LOBBY
BOUTIQUE SHOP
BOUTIQUE SHOP
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
DINING ROOM
LIBRARY
LIBRARY
WALKWAY TO ROYAL SUITE
ROYAL SUITE: ENTRANCE
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: LIVING & DINING AREA
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR ONE
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BEDROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: BATHROOM NR TWO
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: TERRACE
ROYAL SUITE: GUEST BOOK
ROYAL SUITE: GUEST BOOK
ROYAL SUITE: GUEST BOOK
ROYAL SUITE: GUEST BOOK
ROYAL SUITE: WELCOME PRESENT
ROYAL SUITE: WELCOME PRESENT
ROYAL SUITE: WELCOME LETTER
ROYAL SUITE: WELCOME LETTER
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
THE WATERS OF ROYAL MALEWANE BUSH SPA
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
MORNING GAME DRIVE
LUNCH
LUNCH
LUNCH
LUNCH
LUNCH
AFTERNOON TEA
AFTERNOON TEA
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT
DINNER AT THE BEDOUIN TENT

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