Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / South Africa / Hoedspruit / Royal Malewane
Royal Malewane
Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa · Independent · Apex Luxury
Opened in 1999 by Liz and Phil Biden, Royal Malewane was the founding property of The Royal Portfolio and is located within the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Malewane Lodge, Farmstead, Waterside, and Masiya’s Camp. It is world-renowned for its conservation initiatives and for employing the most qualified guiding team in Africa, including multiple Master Trackers. The property has expanded over the decades to include four distinct lodges.
- 27 rooms
- Opened 1999
- Neighborhood: Maruleng Ward 1
- Rooms from 1,076 sq ft (100 m²)
About Royal Malewane
- Explore Royal Malewane’s Private Villas Private Villa Africa House The original Biden family homestead has been reinvented as the ultimate safari villa.
- For guests travelling to Royal Malewane, both road and charter flight transfers are available.
- Royal Malewane offers four distinct luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park: Malewane Lodge, Waterside, Farmstead and Masiya’s Camp - each with its own character, suite configuration and design sensibility.
- Entry-level rooms start at 1,076 sq ft (100 m²).
History
Opened in 1999 by Liz and Phil Biden, Royal Malewane was the founding property of The Royal Portfolio and is located within the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. The property has expanded over the decades to include four distinct lodges—Malewane Lodge, Farmstead, Waterside, and Masiya’s Camp—along with several exclusive-use private villas. It is world-renowned for its conservation initiatives and for employing the most qualified guiding team in Africa, including multiple Master Trackers.
The setting
The address sits in Maruleng Ward 1, Hoedspruit, South Africa.
Restaurants and bars
- Royal Malewane Bar and observation lounge — Bar
Experiences
- Game drives — Game drives led by the Royal Malewane guiding team.
- Birding — Birding activities with the guiding team.
- Photographic safaris — Photographic safaris offered by the lodge.
- Guided bush walks — Guided walks on foot in the bush.
- Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre — Visits to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
- Helicopter flights — Helicopter flights offered as an activity.
Amenities
- Private heated plunge pools in every suite
- Award-winning Royal Malewane Bush Spa
- Master Tracker-led game drives and bush walks
- On-site Conservation & Research Centre
- Personalized fine dining and extensive wine cellar
- Fully equipped fitness center and yoga facilities
Awards
- MICHELIN Three Keys (2026)
Open Royal Malewane in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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