SPECIAL OCCASIONS

A Sybaritic Weekend at Royal Malewane

Royal Malewane, one of the world's most enviable and sublime safari lodges, situated on the fringes of the Kruger National Park, South Africa's premier destination, was awarded Tatler UK's “Best Safari Lodge”for 2006.

Luxurious five star living in the bush. Exclusive and private set in the midst of an untrammelled wilderness where you are immediately submerged in the realities of Africa. A remote world, away from life's hectic pursuits! Royal Malewane is an easy hour flight from Johannesburg and then a short 40 minute car journey to the lodge. 

Haven for the royals. Celebrities who have visited Royal Malewane include Elton John, Bono, Calvin Klein, the Laurens Kerry and Susan, Juliette Binoche and John Cusack all of whom found peace, serenity and above all privacy.

Charming John Jackson heads up the formidable management team. From the moment you arrive and take your first sip of chilled freshly juiced papino (sheer delight!) you will receive the warmest welcome and care that will thread its way through your entire stay. 

 

Huge glorious spaces and interleading flowing rooms are a feature of the gorgeous Royal and Malewane Suites.

 

Drawing rooms lead onto utterly blissful ensuite bedrooms. Wide wooden sunlit decks have large rimless pools and jacuzzis. A fully equipped kitchen for your private chef to prepare intimate breakfasts, light lunches served on your deck and quiet candlelit dinners beside your pool. 

Enjoy a roasted pear, ripe brie and crisp Parma ham salad with toasted almonds. For a refreshing light sweet, John prepares Cape grapes infused with an apple scented tea syrup and served with a fresh pineapple ice cream. 

Enchanting fantasy!

Beds are dressed with silken percale, exquisitely hand embroidered sheets and the comfort of many down pillows. Opulent bathrooms are balm for the soul, designed for deep relaxation, to unwind and pamper. Snowy towels, invigorating Suma and Ginseng shower gels, Indian Cress conditioners, all have essential oils that subtly perfume. Fine bath crystals and buttery soaps add to the pleasure. 

All six individual Luxury Suites are equally enchanting, surrounded by sheer glass doors, which slide open onto wide wooden decks where you relax. Stretch out on comfortable white towelling covered day beds and nap before you are called for your exhilarating afternoon game drive with sundowners and nibbles in the bush!

Liz Biden, together with her husband Phil, have created a portfolio of unique luxury hotels in South Africa, including the stunning Birkenhead House in Hermanus with an unrivalled view of the Atlantic and La Residence, the luxurious 5-suite boutique hotel in Franschhoek, which will be expanding and relocating to a breathtaking new location in early 2007. 

A plethora of wildlife surround the lodge. Vibrant birds in rainbow colours call, singing and shrieking. An impressive array of animals roam the 13 000 hectares of the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, home to the Big Five; thrilling imposing elephants that gently move through the bush occasionally snapping off a leafy branch, lions that prowl and preen, leopards that send a frisson of terror as they slink through the grasses, and lumbering rhino and buffalo. 

Master Trackers are rare, and at Royal Malewane you have the only surviving working Master Tracker in Southern Africa; Wilson Masiya, where his sixth sense procures sightings on demand - a leopard for anyone! While the head game ranger Juan Pinto has a wealth of bush lore at his fingertips. Early evening, out comes the high-tech telescope for a close-up of the outer world and Juan's fascination with astronomy comes to the fore. Stars and planets in all their deep mystery and splendour.

The scene is set. In this vast bushveld dusk falls swiftly! 

Spreading canvas, tables covered in deep pinks and honey, mohair wraps for warmth. Myriad hurricane lamps and candles are lit, lighting paths. Iron brassiers burn fiercely, their pine logs scenting the air. Join together for a warming aperitif while the last touches for the delicious dinner gets underway. Sweet potato and cumin soup, flavourful curries and bredies using fresh tomatoes, others with green beans all subtly flavoured with chillies, Cape Malay spices or fresh herbs from their carefully tendered vast indigenous herb and flower nursery. 

A new day at Royal Malewane typifying tranquillity and yet a sense of exhilaration.

Early morning, the air is fresh, the grasses glisten, a peaceful breakfast set out on the deck, not to be missed. Spot foragers, hear bird song and the hum of insects as you sip an exotic Earl Grey cappuccino. 

The menu and the settings for breakfasts are a moveable feast. Meticulous room service, a perfectly served Champagne breakfast on the terrace, hearty bush breakfasts and divine brunch buffets. Try exotic fruit smoothies, sliced fruits with apple syrup, poached eggs with a hollandaise sauce, buttered kippers and seared prawns or creamy scrambled eggs and crisp bacon and the decadence of a freshly made fine crêpe with cinnamon.  

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the bushveld, the spa has been created to be completely at one with its breath taking surroundings, light, airy and opening onto the splendour of 25 meter heated pool. Travertine, antique Indian doors, rich organic textures and soothing colours. Flowing white cotton that drifts in the breeze define the soothing cocoons (bush casitas), which border the slender pool, and where you can gently relax after your treatments and enjoy the gentle hum of the African bush. 

Paradise for the senses.   

Work out in the fully equipped professional gymnasium, later enjoy the  steam room and take hot and cold African baths. Flowing waters and exotic koi add a calming and soothing note. Take time in immaculate, spacious treatment rooms with the most revolutionary treatments from Dermalogica, their unique boosters, serums and botanical mixers. You can choose to have Powerful Regeneration, Environmental Control or Skin Brightening. 

There are holistic hand and foot treatments; a superb Royal manicure and the Malewane pedicure, which can include a softening paraffin wax application. The range of treatments is most comprehensive; body wraps, polishes and conditioners. Fabulous Vichy showers, hydrotherapy tubs, enzymatic sea mud packs all excellent for toxic or stress relief, while botanical sea mud pack calms, purifies and replenishes.

African Awakening is a spa signature treatment, a stimulating yet soothing body massage with indigenous rooibos natural ingredients. Enriches your senses with The Royal Treatment and the fragrance with nourishing qualities of the native Maroela extracts. The African Renaissance is a reviving body treatment with natural extracts of lemongrass.

Inspired by traditional African cultures, the treatments emphasise the use of indigenous natural extracts. Essential oils such as Moru (African Forest) is refreshing and relaxing, capturing the mystic African rain forest or Sefako (African Storm) invigorating and stimulating, where you breathe in the subtle fragrance of the Savannah after a cloudburst. 

 

Tea, a refined stimulant that gently shifts fatigue and lifts the spirit. Appreciate the colour, fragrance and taste of this delightful apple brew.  

 

 

Choose from a wide choice of creative spa packages designed to restore your natural state of equilibrium and to embrace an entirely unique and healing journey. 

Lazy sunlit hours merge into dusk and a last swim
 in the sapphire pool before you dine.   

The flames of a roaring open fire in the boma add warmth to the intimate outdoor space, wrapped in reeds and gently lit by glowing lanterns. Enjoy a feast from the barbecue buffet of grilled, casseroled or braised meats from traditional boerewors, marinated ostrich kebabs, Karoo lamb chops and oxtail potjie with mashed potato with roasted vegetables on the coals; rich butternuts, creamy sweet potatoes, spinach and corn on the braai - savour the barbecue of Africa. 

A divine dessert, John's decadent mango ginger tart with papino ice cream. Later all the conviviality of the bush, chatting beside the embers.

Wake up call at 5h00

Your butler arrives with fresh orange juice, piping hot coffee and muffins. The day's adventures begin. Bundle up, the mornings are fresh and crisp, and you are out scouring the sandy roads for tracks as you make your way through the towering Jackalberry, Acacia and Marula trees. After the three hour early morning thrilling sightings you are more than ready for surprise, surprise... a silver service, very civilised breakfast in the bush. 

Starched linen in beige stripes dresses long slender tables. John Jackson welcomes you to brunch in the bushveld with Royal Malewane's superb staff, pristine in white and immaculate. Hot towels greet you scented with wild herbs, pots of steaming tea revive and long leisurely chats about the morning's excursions are de rigueur. 

Tiers of fruits and a compote of nectarines, apricots, apples and peaches are infused in cinnamon and apple tea syrup. Irresistible meusli  with toasted pecans, macadamias, almonds and oat flakes are a much requested speciality and a best kept secret! Eggs to order with plump sausages, grilled mushrooms and basil scented tomatoes.