South Africa’s Malewane Lodge completes ‘major transformation’

South African luxury safari property Malewane Lodge has completed a “major transformation”.

The property, which opened in 1999, was the first member of The Royal Portfolio’s safari collection Royal Malewane, which comprises four lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park.

As part of the “extensive reimagination”, each of the two-bedroom Royal Suites have been renovated to include private courtyard entrances, large wooden front doors and an improved layout.

The suites now also feature centralised fireplaces, new guest bathrooms and underfloor heating in the bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as retiled and heated pools, updated daybeds and outdoor shower areas.

Within the Royal Suites, the service kitchen has been moved to the back-of-house area to “reduce visibility and noise”, while a dedicated guide’s room has been added to ensure “seamless service”.

Guests staying in the Royal Suites also enjoy private services from a chef, host, field guide and tracker, as well as their own safari vehicle.

Elsewhere in the lodge, the six one-bedroom Luxury Suites have each added an individual entrance hall, as well as updated outdoor decks and daybeds. The swimming pools within these suites have also been retiled and heated.

The main lodge now offers a larger boutique, redesigned bar and observation lounge that looks out over a waterhole.

A new coffee and juice bar has also been added and the firepit has been repositioned.

The Royal Waters Spa now features a sauna and cold plunge, while the fitness centre has been upgraded with new equipment.

To complement the refurbishment, a new arrival pavilion at the Royal Malewane Airstrip has been added to offer “refined elegance” to those who fly directly into the reserve.

Matt Biden, chief executive of The Royal Portfolio, said: “As Malewane Lodge enters an exciting new chapter, we have undertaken a thoughtful refurbishment that honours its remarkable heritage while reimagining the lodge for the future.

“We have sought to preserve the unmistakable classic safari style and relaxed atmosphere our guests have loved for more than 25 years, while introducing the refined comforts and modern amenities today’s travellers expect. We are delighted to welcome guests back to a beautifully refreshed Malewane Lodge.”

Other properties within The Royal Portfolio collection include The Silo Hotel in Cape Town, La Residence in Franschhoek and Birkenhead House in Hermanus.