Royal Malewane, Thornybush Private Game Reserve

YYou sit back on your own private deck, an Eastern carpet under your bare feet, and watch a secretive Bambi-like bushbuck picking her way through the African thorn trees. 

Next to you is the soothing water of the rim-flow pool. 

A day of complete idleness awaits. A great book is lying face down beside you. You’ve just returned from the morning game drive and you still can’t believe how the tracker and ranger spotted that leopard lying in a tree 300m away. 

Maybe you don’t feel like going for breakfast right now. No problem – you can just ask your chef to make your favourite meal a little later. 

And later on, the masseuse is coming round for your daily complementary massage. 

It’s another day in paradise. 

Royal Malewane, in Thornybush Private Game Reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park, is perfect for those who love privacy, luxury and the Big 5. 

Each of the 6 luxury suites is decorated in neo-classical style, with canopied king-size beds, Victorian claw-foot baths with bushveld views, indoor and outdoor showers, and a fireplace. 

And the 2 royal suites really live up to their name. These are ultra-luxurious villas, sleeping four people in two spacious en-suite rooms. Each royal suite has its own pool and deck as well as a private lounge and dining area. 

In addition, your group will be assigned a chef, a butler and your own guides and game-drive vehicle. 

And, of course, those 4 complementary massages per suite per day. 

If you’d like to arrive at Royal Malewane incognito, that can be arranged. Helicopters and private jets can be chartered – and often are. 

Royal Malewane specialises in the unexpected. Dinners, for example, are sometimes served under a Bedouin tent lit by Moroccan lanterns. Or under the stars. Or while watching wild animals at the nearby waterhole. 

It’s all crystal, fine linen and fine food beside the wilderness and peace that the South African bushveld offers.