Royal Malewane, Thornybush Game Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa

Travel writer Carrie Hampton heard about Royal Malewane’s great reputation, but no accolades prepared her for the pinnacle of elegance and the most beautiful bush spa she had ever seen. Having visited more than 150 safari lodges, she is not easy impress, read what she has to say about this luxury safari lodge in the extract from her latest book, ‘Exclusive Safari Lodges of South Africa’ with photographs by Gerald Hoberman.

People talk about Royal Malewane with the kind of reverence usually reserved for those held in the highest regard. This is because Royal Malewane has reached the pinnacle of taste within the boundaries of timeless, classic elegance. Simply put, it is safari luxury in its purest form.

Attention to detail and quality are paramount, and such is their seamless integration into the daily operation of the lodge, you may not necessarily notice you are sleeping on designer linen or eating haute cuisine from monogrammed plates, or that your chair (and even your Victorian bath) rests on a Persian carpet.

The concept of solitude is redefined at Royal Malewane. Suites are so self-contained that you can remain cocooned in yours for as long as you wish, unless of course you want to swim in your own slip-water pool or rest under a thatched gazebo.

Exclusivity is taken one step further in the extravagantly proportioned Royal and Malewane suites, which come with a private chef, private game drives and up to four massages per suite per day.

Royal Malewane is situated in the Thornybush Reserve, along the western boundary of the Kruger National Park. As there are no fences separating the reserve and the park, animals can move freely between the two wilderness areas. This makes for good game watching, and it is possible to see the Big Five here.

The quality and experience of rangers and trackers can make all the difference to the enjoyment of a game drive, and Royal Malewane hires only the best, including master tracker Wilson Masiya.

And although Royal Malewane can boast that its rangers and trackers have reached the highest levels of proficiency, it refrains from doing so. This is because the guests’ responses are evidence enough that they have got it right.

It is advisable to spend some of your time at the Royal Malewane Spa. The spa provides the improbable: a serene courtyard surrounded by treatment rooms, a long lap-pool and an air of opulent peacefulness.

Massage therapists wash your feet in a calming ritual that precedes each treatment. The whole atmosphere exudes harmony and luxury in a way that only Royal Malewane knows how to create.

Thinking of a romantic African honeymoon? Then there are few more opulent environments for the perfect honeymoon safari vacation than Royal Malewane. The genteel mood of the place makes people float around full of smiles, especially after visiting the spa - which few would contest is probably the most beautiful and tranquil spa in the bush.