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Lodge · Thornybush
Royal Malewane
Experience the wild heart of the African bush in comfort, style and privacy at Royal Malewane’s three luxury safari lodges and private bush villas, each one embodying an exquisite vision of design and ultimate hospitality. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers an unrivaled wildlife experience with conservation at the centre.
From R 47 080 per person sharing, per night
Special offer available on selected dates.
Lodge · Thornybush
Royal Malewane
Experience the wild heart of the African bush in comfort, style and privacy at Royal Malewane’s three luxury safari lodges and private bush villas, each one embodying an exquisite vision of design and ultimate hospitality. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers an unrivaled wildlife experience with conservation at the centre.
Live availability
Royal Malewane
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Live availability
Royal Malewane
Tell us a little about your trip and a safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
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About the lodge
An overview of Royal Malewane.
Experience the wild heart of the African bush in comfort, style and privacy at Royal Malewane’s three luxury safari lodges and private bush villas, each one embodying an exquisite vision of design and ultimate hospitality. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers an unrivaled wildlife experience with conservation at the centre.
Highlights
- Bush Walks & Walking Trails – Activate all your senses on a guided bush walk, discovering a world where each rustle, scent, and broken twig has a story to tell.
- Game Drives – Witness Africa’s abundant wildlife on twice-daily game drives with the most qualified guiding team in Africa.
- Sigagule Crèche – A visit to the local community is inspiring, humbling, and educational. This fantastic initiative forms part of The Royal Portfolio Foundation.
You Should Know
- Children of all ages are welcome.
The Details
A classic and traditional bush-style lodge, The Lodge at Royal Malewane was originally the Biden family holiday home, later converted to become the first luxury lodge in The Royal Portfolio collection. Brimming with old-world elegance, it was designed and decorated to be an elegant refuge in the heart of the bush.
Spacious private decks, complete with crystal-clear pools, allow you to make the most of the surrounding wild beauty and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. The best safari moments are not always as predictable as the dawn and dusk of day, like the surprise presence of elephants at your private plunge pool, paying you a gentle visit.
Luxury Suites
Boasting unparalleled views over the surrounding bushveld, the six Luxury Suites at The Lodge are the pinnacle of opulence and old-world elegance.
Africa House & Royal Suites
Enjoy private services and gatherings in the warmth of cozily decorated living rooms, where every care has been taken to create a comfortable space for togetherness.
Price Includes
- Accommodation, all meals, and snacks
- Wireless Internet
- Full mini-bar
- South African premium wines & beverages (excluding French Champagne)
- Transfers to and from Jackalberry Airstrip
- All coffees & specialty teas
- Laundry service
- Two game drives daily & bush walks
- Our rates are per person sharing unless stated otherwise.
- Single supplements may apply.
- Request a quote or speak to one of our agents for the best and most current rates available.
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup.
The same as booking direct
Rates and dates.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 19 Dec 2026
Peak / migration
1 Jun 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
All Inclusive - All meals and snacks, selected beverages, twice-daily game drives and bush walks, round trip transfers from Royal Malewane Airstrip
Special offer
R 52 080
per person · night · normally R 62 500
Peak / migration
1 Sept 2026 – 19 Dec 2026
All Inclusive - All meals and snacks, selected beverages, twice-daily game drives and bush walks, round trip transfers from Royal Malewane Airstrip
Special offer
R 47 080
per person · night · normally R 56 500
Rates are per person sharing, per night. Where a reduced rate is shown, it reflects a stay-pay or long-stay offer for those dates; honeymoon and other offers are applied separately when we prepare your quote. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Current offers
Special offer available.
Where the rates above show a saving, it comes from a stay-pay or long-stay offer.
Stay & Pay
Indulge in The Royal Offer: stay 6 nights and pay for just 5, available from 6 Jan 2026 to 28 February 2027 (excluding 20 December 2026 – 5 January 2027) Terms and conditions apply.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
What our safari specialists know about bringing children to Royal Malewane, current as of May 2026. They plan family trips here all the time, so anything below that needs arranging, they will sort. For the bigger picture, see our guide to safari with children .
- Minimum ages
- Stay 10+ · Game drives 10+ · Walking safari 16+
- Child rates
- 0–4 years: no charge (per person sharing). 5 years and older: from R5,800 per person sharing (2026–2027), excluding Aloe Room. Silo Room as noted in the rate schedule.
- Family rooms
- Family unit available.
- Care
- Kids' programme · Babysitting available
- Exceptions
-
The Royal Portfolio general child policy accepts children over 10 at all properties. At Royal Malewane, children under 10 are specifically welcomed in the Royal Suites, Africa House, Farmhouse, Baobab Suite and Waterside House — all of which already include private services and a private game drive vehicle. Children under 10 are not accepted in the standard Luxury Suites or Aloe Rooms. Private game drive vehicles are otherwise charged at R25,200 per night and must be booked for the duration of the stay. Walking safaris remain 16+ with no documented workaround. Royal Rangers. Junior Rangers kids' programme and experienced babysitters available at additional cost.
Imagery
A closer look.
Your specialist for this lodge
Safari Specialist - Southern Africa
Knows Royal Malewane backwards. Your direct contact from first enquiry to the day you come home.
With Karolina and Monica across the team.
"The booking with Leigh-Ann went smoothly and she always responded to my questions promptly , although there was a time difference. Looking forward to our safari holiday !"
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's design your stay.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Royal Malewane: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Planning something beyond the ordinary?
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