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AFRICA HOUSE
‘I dreamed of Africa’, words that Kuki
Gallmann immortalised. The wild beauty,
the stillness of the bushveld. Africa House
is the fulfillment of a passion for both the
landscape of the bush combined with
the lure of vibrant throbbing Africa.
 
Secluded and impressive, Africa House is the new addition to the superb Royal Malewane in the Greater Kruger Park, part of The Royal Portfolio Collection in South Africa; including the exquisite Birkenhead House and Birkenhead Villa overlooking the Indian Ocean in Hermanus and gorgeous La Residence in Franschhoek, the gourmet capital of South Africa.
Africa House is a short drive in a game vehicle from the Royal Malewane through the thorn trees and heavily scented bush, alive with calls from the richly varied bird life. Enter through huge and imposing wooden iron studded doors. Within its walled courtyards all is quiet excepting for the gentle sound of water from the fountain creating a cool oasis.
  
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Siesta on the cream linen cushions in the casitas before joining the late afternoon game drive through the vast bushlands from around 3 p.m. to the stillness of the evenings.
Spot a pride of lions through the silvery grasses, come across a cheetah with her three year old cubs and herds of silent elephants. See a progression of graceful giraffes and once the sun sets swiftly the air chills sharply in winter, a time to snuggle with hot water bottles and warm blankets.
 
High ceilinged spacious rooms, light, airy and shaded from the brilliance of the African sun. Artifacts, ancient windows, doors collected by Liz and Phil from visits to the African interior; Kenya and Morocco, and India, creating an eclectic mix that lends a feeling of age and authenticity. Liz has the gift of creating timeless interiors that reflect years of comfortable living. Cleverly mixed pieces, new and brilliantly coloured fabric and faux snake but real leather used on chairs in subtle shades of sage, pale lime and soft gold merge with well worn chocolate brown leather chairs rescued from the Houses of Parliament. Large and dramatic African paintings done by Manuel dominate the room.
  
The creative use of colour is what defines the interiors of Africa House. Luscious, bold and luminous; tree tomato red, watermelon pinks, rich burnt orange, vibrant turquoise and blends of green; subtle sage, olive and bright lime. Fabrics used extravagantly to great effect from rustling silks to covers of velvet and the flowing fine white cotton nets that envelope the high four poster beds all year round. Embroidered and exquisite bed linen is a hallmark of all the suites in the Royal Portfolio Collection.
 
 
A silver dressing table set, monogrammed with Africa House, in one of the suites, creates a feeling of nostalgia for favourite things past. Desiree’s dazzling acrylic paintings provide splashes of colour in the mirrored spacious bathrooms. Charming, free standing baths, some claw footed others slipper, indoor and outdoor showers, all a welcoming haven.
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BRUNCH
The settings are gorgeous and flavours sumptuous!
There is little that is not available. Close to
Mozambique, John Jackson, General Manager
and Executive Chef of the Royal Malewane and
Africa House, is able to draw on a cornucopia
of ingredients, the freshest of seafood, glorious
tropical fruits; crisp watermelon, pineapple,
grapes, strawberries, papinos and ripe figs.
  
Relax over brunch on the wide wooden deck with its gently rippling rim flow pool overlooking the bush. Chilled glasses of sparkling Villiera Tradition Rosé Brut on ice. Fresh orange juice, homemade lemonade, fabulous wholewheat bread and lashings of rosy slices of Parma ham served with pink grapefruit. The luxuriousness of creamy spinach topped with a salmon cake, piping hot, softly poached eggs and Mozambican prawns.
Villiera produces some of the finest Méthode Cap Classique wines in the country. The highly acclaimed and elegant range includes the non vintage Tradition Brut, Tradition Rosé Brut, Villiera Monro Brut and the additive free Villiera Brut Natural, known for distinct fruitiness and ultimate drinkability.
 
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Large and comfortable suite dressed
in bright lime and subtle sage.
 
"In the daytime you felt that you had got high up,
near to the sun, but the early mornings and evenings
were limpid and restful, and the nights were cold."
Out of Africa Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
  
As in all Liz Biden’s interiors there is an element of surprise, the unexpected and the dramatic. She has a unique ability to create a stylish convivial atmosphere, and possesses an instinctive sense of scale. Rooms are large, yet retain an intimacy. Furnishings are blended; the new and decorative combine with the antique and mellow.
A table at Africa House
  
Villiera Traditional Bush Vine paired with creamed avocado soup sprinkled with toasted pine nuts, a perfect complement with its crispness, intensity and long finish. A single vineyard wine resulting in a different style of Sauvignon Blanc. Villiera’s white wines are known for their balance and distinct fruitiness.
Bush Vine refers to untrellised vines. This is a very traditional method of growing vines, resulting in extremely small quantities of wine, a unique style and intenseness due to a more shaded canopy. Perfect for aging in the bottle.
 
Spiced roasted butternut, grilled oyster mushrooms, sautéed cherry tomatoes, delicate chicken breast finished with a roasted pepper pesto and a parmesan crisp. Excellent crusty foccacia with your choice of flavourings such as olives, chopped fresh herbs and grated mature cheese. (See recipes!)
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Be welcomed by John Jackson, General Manager and Executive Chef, a gracious host for all seasons. While at Royal Malewane John has cooked for Sir Elton John, Bono and many, many celebrities.
"If I had one table to cook for it would be to the icons of music and theatre like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil."
"I adore extravagant poultry dishes and all the amazing mushrooms and black truffles you find in France so I could certainly die and go to heaven after being served a mélange of grilled French duck breast, seared foie gras, duck confit and wild guinea fowl with girolles,… and …!"
"Rum and Raisin Ice Cream with red and white wine poached pears and a berry coulis, delicious! I will always be inspired by the colours and Provencal flavours of Roger Vergé, one of the greats of French cuisine," says John.
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The chief feature of the landscape and your life in it
was the air. In the middle of the day the air was alive
over the land like a flame burning, it scintillated,
waved and shone like running water.
Out of Africa Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
 
Peace and serenity reign at
The Waters of the Royal Malewane Bush Spa
Idyllic and pleasurable, surrounded by the natural beauty of the bushveld, the spa is light, airy and opens onto the splendour of the slender heated pool. Soothing colours, flowing white cotton that drifts in the breeze bordering the casitas where you can relax after your expert treatments. Lunch overlooking the pool; roast chicken fillets with grilled pineapple and a light yoghurt dressing. Savour with Villiera’s Sauvignon Blanc 2008, an enchanting wine on a warm summery day at the spa. Fresh and vibrant with fruit 78 %, which is grown on Villiera and the remainder from the cool areas of Elgin. A wine that has tones of fruity flavours as well as nuances of fresh salad leaves.
 
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Dinner at Africa House
 
The welcoming table, dressed in accents of
turquoise, gold and strawberry with high backed
faux lizard skin leather chairs in pale lime. The
gentle candlelight illuminates brilliantly coloured
beaded tablemats, a mix and match of designs.
From the Buffet Menu:
Smoked Salmon with Creamy Gorgonzola & Fennel Tartlets
Chargrilled Fillet of Warthog
Marinated Spatchkok Chickens in a Ginger, Garlic & Honey Marinade
Sweet Potatoes with Chilli & Orange
Mangetout, Grilled Courgettes, Steamed Broccoli & Green Beans
Miniature Chocolate Puddings with Chocolate Cream
  
  
21 years of intimate knowledge of Villiera’s vineyards has culminated in their Flagship Villiera Monro 2004 wine. A successful blend of 60 % Merlot and 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, a Silver Winner in the International Challenge 2008. This is a wine of complexity with the character of the terroir, an intensity of flavour, excellent structure and texture. Above all Villiera Monro has the ability to mature. A wine that has been carefully nurtured where grapes have been selectively handpicked when they are perfectly ripe. In the cellar the focus was on texture and aroma that complemented the grape. A three year process from beginning to end neccessary to produce a wine that can take its place on a world stage.
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Retire to your stunning room, one of six ensuite bedrooms
with two opening out on to the balau deck and pool
overlooking the wilds. The perfect intimate and remote
holiday for a family or a group of friends. From early
morning through to lazy lunches and sublime dinners
either at Africa House or Royal Malewane you are
looked after impeccably and entertained in the
inimitable style of the Royal Malewane.
 
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Chilled glasses of Villiera Brut Natural
Chardonnay in the Royal Suite before
a sumptuous fireside dinner!
 
A fabulous Méthode Cap Classique Villiera Brut Natural Chardonnay designed to suit palates that are both environmentally aware and health conscious. Only Chardonnay grapes, handpicked in perfect condition from ecologically friendly vineyards and gently pressed, are used. Evolved on the lees in the bottle for two years with neither additives nor - great news - sulphur! While being of superb quality, it has to be drunk within two years. The balance and softer style of this Cap Classique is extra dry and so desirable as an apéritif.
  
  
Relish Lydenberg salmon trout with a rich gorgonzola sauce. Courgette soup, light and piping hot with parmesan toasts. Grilled pork loin crusted with wholeseed mustard, piquant kumquats and a red wine sauce. Dessert, scented ripe figs in an irresistable almond custard tart.
Robust Villiera Reds with their well balanced intensity and refined elegance are a distinctive combination of the old world and new world styles. The Villiera Shiraz with deep tones of purple berries, spiked with roasted spice, is a richly flavoured red with multiple layers.
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The art of moving gently without suddenness is the first
to be studied by the hunter and more so by the hunter
with the camera. When you have caught the rhythm of
Africa you will find it is the same in all her music.
Out of Africa Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
    
  
ROYAL MALEWANE & AFRICA HOUSE
P.O. Box 1542, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa
Hoedspruit Tel: +27 (15) 793-0150 Fax: +27 (15) 793-2879
Cape Town Tel: +27 (21) 761-8292 Fax: +27 (21) 761-0642
e-mail: info@royalmalewane.com
website: www.royalmalewane.com
VILLIERA
Tel: +27 (0) 21 865-2002/3
Fax: +27 (0) 21 865-2314
P.O. Box 66, Koelenhof, 7605, South Africa
email: wine@villiera.com
website: www.villiera.com
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