Royal Malewane - Safari Dreams come True
We were absolutely thrilled and full of excitement for our second Lodge, ,,Royal Malawane,, as we saw incredible pictures from elephants drinking out of the pool at your terrace.
And my wonderful bonus dad was blessed to stay there already a few years ago, that’s the
Our high expectations were surpassed beyond measure.
Let’s start at the very beginning…
Perfect-Picture Arrival !
We experienced the most amazing arrival. As we reached our destination, a wonderful team welcomed us warmly at the entrance. We were greeted with a refreshing towel and a delightful homemade specialty drink, making us feel truly special from the very start.
As we walked into this incredible place—'incredible' is even an understatement—we could hardly believe our eyes.The amazing team introduced themselves: our butler, the chef, and our great ranger Tyron along with a fantastic tracker Lucas who looked like he belonged in a movie.
His face was full of character.From the first minute on they took incredible care of us and helped us with any need or question.
Wonderful welcome present
Beyond words - The outstanding lodge
Royal Malawane has three luxury safari lodges in their portfolio, they all belong together, but are a little different according to the interior design and style. We stayed at Malewane the uniquest & extremely luxurious bush style lodge, with a breathtaking view on the water whole. Additionally they have a very romantic fire place directly next to the waterhole, where we loved to play cards in the night. Additionally they have a amazingly equipped gym and a wonderful Spa with a pool in the middle of the wilderness.
Everything about this place is just beyond words; everywhere which is very private, according to the fact that it only has 6 Luxury Houses. We were even more fascinated by the beauty of this sanctuary as we had imagined in our wildest thoughts. We walked through with our mouths open, unable to believe that we were truly in the middle of Africa's wild bush, surrounded by wonderful wild animal.
The layout of the place is ingeniously open-spaced, creating an unbroken bond with the natural surroundings that enveloped us. This design choice allowed us to feel deeply integrated with the bush and the raw beauty of the wilderness—a rare and exhilarating sensation of being one with nature.
The interior design is a masterful blend of authentic African elements with a touch of luxury that is nothing short of outstanding.
Every corner we look was a pure inspiration. All these vibrant colors and those unique handcrafts are truly a piece of art and something we hadn’t seen before.
At the edge of the wonderful terrace begins a waterhole, where we could observe a hippo right beside us. Is this even happening? We felt an incredible sense of gratitude for being able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Beautiful Spa
Wild Watch - Rooms with a Panoramic View
Upon entering the room, an overwhelming sense of excitement swept through my entire body. The vibrant colors, the rich textures of fabrics, and the unique mix of handmade African accessories, each a masterpiece, adorned the space with unparalleled charm.
Above, a delicate mosquito net added a touch of romance, while beside the beds, slippers adorned with a sleek leopard print exuded something very special. I got amazed by every little corner and all the millions of wonderful details that added a extra touch.
I stood there, at a loss for words, overcome with gratitude for the opportunity to share this unforgettable experience with my family.
We had a welcome note and gifts awaiting us, including a personalized water bottle adorned with a wonderful design featuring our initials. But that wasn't all; there were more surprises in store. A booklet for our safari adventures lay on the bedside table, inviting us to document our experiences, noting the animals we encountered and the plants we discovered along the way. And as if that wasn't enough, we were delighted to find a stylish cap, proudly displaying the beautiful logo design of the lodge, waiting for us as a final touch to our unforgettable welcome.
And last but not least, the view out of the bed and from the entire room, even while showering was one for the books. While I was brushing my teeth one morning I got a major surprise, a elephant family was walking by.
And our wonderful terrace with the indescribable view over africas savanne also featured a own pool.
Our private pool in the middle of the African bush
Spend a Day with us at Royal Malawane
5:30 Good Morning Africa: Every morning we received a wake up call from our fantastic ranger Tryon, who waited for us in the lobby.
And if you’re wondering how it was for us waking up that early every morning, it was wonderful, because we knew that we are all about the embark another adventure in africas bush and enjoying the most incredible sunrises in the bush and waking up before the wildlife is beyond special.
Morning Drive: We couldn’t wait to jump into the open jeep, our hearts brimming with excitement, gratitude, and pure joy at the prospect of the unknown adventures awaiting us in the wilderness. The thrill of not knowing what we would experience or see... We cherished filling our thermos with warming tea and cuddling together under blankets, knowing that the mornings could be quite chilly.
We felt incredibly blessed to experience the most extraordinary moments imaginable on our trip. Everything was so unique and enchanting; it's a magic that words can hardly capture, especially for someone who hasn't yet been on safari. The rich scents, the vibrant colors, the symphony of sounds—from birds to roaring lions and trumpeting elephants—and the breathtaking vastness, no matter where we looked, created an unforgettable tapestry of memories.
Breakfast time: As we arrived full of new lifetime memories and fascinating moments, we enjoyed to the fullest, we looked threw the outstanding pictures and talking about everything we just experienced and felt.They served us a great breakfast directly at the water whole, there was something for everyone of us, from different egg dishes over fruits to homemade banana bred..
Daytime activities until afternoon game drive:
During the downtime until our next game drive, we took the opportunity to process and relive the wonderful moments from our first outing. It was a time filled with relaxation and enjoyment. I delved into an amazing book titled ,,The Wonderful Wild,, by Gaia Neitzel, which beautifully captures the essence of Africa's beauty and adventures. Additionally, we had a great time playing cards as a family. Competitive spirits were high, making it a lot of fun for everyone involved.We purely enjoyed observing the wonderful wildlife, while sitting on the lovely terrace with a breathtaking view on the waterhole.
Afternoon Game Drive: Our afternoon excursions were chapters of wonder and exhilaration. As the intense midday sun gave way, the animals ventured out from their hidden sanctuaries, breathing life back into the landscape. Experiencing this revival alongside my family was indescribably moving. The sensations of the soft breeze and warm sunlight mingling with our collective excitement created an atmosphere of deep connection and joy. These moments, rich with the sights and sounds of the wild, resonated within us, making every glance out into the wilderness an encounter with the extraordinary.Our wonderful tracker always looked for the best paths to be part of a lion hunt or for following a leopard.. every moment was beyond my wildest dreams about going on a Safari.
Look who came across
Our guide was an invaluable source of knowledge, always at the ready with a book that illustrated various animal footprints. He introduced us to the intricacies of the wild, including a termite mound we had the unique opportunity to explore up close. We were allowed to disembark and place our hands over the structure, feeling the surprising rush of warm air emanating from it—a testament to the complex and efficient natural engineering of termites. This hands-on moment added an unforgettable layer of understanding and connection to the intricate ecosystem around us.
Sundowner:
As the sun made its grand descent, it painted the heavens with strokes of yellow, red, orange, pink, and purple, each color deepening into a more vivid hue as twilight approached. We found ourselves at a breathtaking vantage point, a special spot where we were permitted to step out of the vehicle. There, in the embrace of the bush, we mixed margaritas, our laughter mingling with the sounds of the wild. This pause for a sundowner was one of the rare moments during our drive when we could alight from our safari vehicle, as typically, staying inside meant being seen as part of a 'big, crazy smelling animal' by the wildlife. Surrounded by the enchanting colors of the sunset and later, the mesmerizing pink and purple skies, we savored our drinks and the extraordinary peace of the wilderness. It was a magical escape, a cherished interlude that marked our journey with a profound sense of wonder and connection.
Romantic Evening: As we drove back to our stunning lodge, the vast night sky served as a backdrop for a celestial showcase. With the help of a laser pointer, we traced constellations, learning about star signs and their roles in navigation. Surrounded by the quiet darkness, the wildlife was special enigmatic and alive.
The darkness around us was alive with nocturnal wildlife, offering a mysterious safari experience. One unforgettable moment was witnessing a lion fight under the cover of night; the raw, primal energy was palpable. This extraordinary encounter, viewed in the sparse light of the stars, was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As we returned to the lodge, the staff greeted us warmly, presenting us with cool, refreshing towels—a perfect welcome after our evening under the stars. They led us to an exquisitely arranged table set beneath the vast, starry sky, right next to the tranquil waterhole. It was the epitome of romantic ambiance, creating a magical family moment we would cherish forever.
At each seat, there awaited a personalized menu, beautifully engraved with our initials, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that had been poured into our experience. These lovely gestures, added a very special touch to this already unbelievable experience. Afterwards we loved playing our new favorite game ,,Rubikab,, and while playing we observed the hippo and elephants coming to the water whole.
Good Night: During night time and early in the mornings before our morning drives, we always got picked up by our ranger, regarding to safety reasons, since the wild life especially lions and leopards are very active in the night and on their hunt. The lodge is really in the middle of the wildlife and part of the wonderful African bush. Every evening before we slept I wrote my journal and I wrote pages over pages …. and even more!! Every moment each day was a breathtaking adventure. And while we were lying in our bed, we heard the lions fighting outside.. a true unforgettable moment. We slept next to the wild. What a day!!
Unforgettable Easter in the bush
Celebrating Easter in the wilderness of Africa was a magical experience. The night before, we found a beautifully designed letter on our bed, inviting us to a special surprise the next day. On Easter Sunday, after our morning drive, we arrived at the Farmstead to a wonderful surprise from the entire staff. We immediately spotted Easter eggs hidden around the fountain and in the plants. As we walked in, we were amazed to see the entire Easter theme was inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Every detail was crafted with so much love. We picked our crazy hats and took fun photos, and the table setting was extraordinary, with elements that perfectly echoed the book. Flying tea cups hovered above the table as we enjoyed our Easter breakfast, engaging in great conservations.My brother and I had a blast hunting for Easter eggs and received Easter surprises from our parents.
Surprise Letter for Easter Sunday
Extraordinary moments for lifetime
When someone would ask us, what our favorite moments had been from this trip.. I couldn’t name one or just a few….
This entire journey was a true magic in every way..
One of our most special moments were, Beeing in the middle of the bush in between more elephants than we could have count and the cutest was when the baby elephant walked towards us and he tried to use his trunk to scare us and tell us who’s the boos…
And all the wonderful encounters with the lions, were truly special, for example on our very first game drive within the first 10 minutes we saw lions and they were enjoying a sun bath and after a couple of minutes they walked next to us, we could have touched them and that was like being part of lion king movie.
Hello there ..
What an experience !! We also got very blessed as we saw two elephants playing with their tusk and a couple of minutes later we saw giraffes dancing in the sun.
One very rare moment in the bush is to see rhinos and we saw a whole family with 2 baby and they walked around us while the sun was rising… We also have on camera where a elephant walked towards a crocodile in the river to tell who’s the boss, even when he didn’t wanted to have his spot, he just wanted to show of.
A truly special moment had also been were we drove deeper and deeper into the bushes to follow a leopard and sometimes he came so crazy close and looked with his green beautiful eyes deeply into mine. For a moment my heart stopped and then it raced.. They can run up to 120km per hour, they know what speed means.
One morning while we were having breakfast after our game drive, we saw more than 40 elephants walking towards us to drink from the water whole. I will never ever forget all these images in my mind and especially in my heart.
View from our terrace
Heartwarming moment - Incredibly grateful
And on our last night we saw under the stars a leopard with his 5 baby walking in front us, that was mind blowing as well..
Rare Beauty
I could continue writing and writing about this beyond special lifetime trip. And last but not least, we witnessed a lion family feasting on a buffalo, observing the social dynamics of the pride. The dominant male lion ate first, followed by the other males, then the female and the cubs.It was very heartwarming, when probably the dad lion helped his little one with the foot to get him closer to the feast.
Lion King
