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Best air links are to Hoedspruit HDS airport, followed by 35–45 minutes by road, or KMIA/MQP, about 2–2.5 drive to the lodge. Many guests also fly Federal Air to Royal Malewane Airstrip, formerly Jackalberry, then about 10–15 minutes by game-viewer to the villa. Self-drive from Johannesburg takes about 5–6 hours.
Guests tend to claim the front master for the widest bush outlook at sunrise, couples often choose a rear bedroom for extra privacy near the pool terrace, families like to pair adjacent bedrooms on one wing so little ones sleep close by.
Private chef-led, hyper-personalised menus that shift from relaxed family spreads to elegant, wine-paired courses, with cinematic bush dinners and boma feasts on request. The kitchen team is helmed at Malewane by Executive Chef Archie MacLean, and the property can deliver fully kosher catering by prior arrangement. Signature asks include fire-grilled venison with local sides and a classic malva pudding finale.
Neutral layers for cool dawn drives and warm middays, a wide-brim hat and polarised sunglasses, swimsuit for the pool between drives, soft-soled shoes for timber decks, a fast prime or 100–400mm zoom for close-quarters Big Five viewing.
Ask the chef for a tasting-menu dinner with the sommelier’s South African pairings on the pool deck, plan one private bush dinner under the stars, and if kosher is required pre-arrange it, as dedicated Beth Din-certified kitchens are available within the collection.
Your stay contributes to the Royal Malewane Conservation & Research Centre and the Royal Portfolio Foundation’s community upliftment, education and conservation programs within the Greater Kruger, alongside Thornybush’s open-system conservation that maintains fenceless connectivity with Kruger for free-roaming wildlife.
