The Royal Portfolio has long been held in high esteem as an industry-leading brand of luxury hotels across South Africa.
From La Residence in Franschoek, the benchmark for opulent accommodation in wine country, to Birkenhead House in Hermanus, from where you can watch breeding pods of migrating Southern Right Whales literally a stone’s throw from your room, the selection of properties in the portfolio truly has something for everyone.
Royal Malewane, adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park, is seen by many as the jewel in the Royal Portfolio crown. This is their wildlife offering, and is viewed by many as the place that sets the guiding standard across the industry.
While the royal and luxury suites at the main lodge do an exceptional job of providing excellent safari options for couples and smaller groups, it is Africa House that is helping break new ground in the exclusive-use department.
More and more we are seeing exclusive-use options popping up across the safari industry, and there is an ever-growing list of world-class lodges that have added this type of stay to their offering.
Camps of this nature are designed for larger groups and families, and being self-contained and with no other guests to worry about, offer complete flexibility when it comes to your personalised safari.
Head out on drive when you want, sleep in, meal-times when you are hungry… and all of this with only your close travelling companions. Although there are certainly hours of the day in which game drives are recommended (based on animal activity, weather and comfort levels), you can essentially do what you want, when you want in an exclusive-use camp.
Africa house offers two rate options; one for slightly smaller groups of 1-8 guests, that will have one guide, tracker and game drive vehicle assigned to them, and another for larger groups of 9-12 that will have two vehicles assigned.
The House itself features six vibrant and eclectic en-suite rooms, each leading onto a central courtyard, and each enjoying its own outside shower and deck.
In front of the villa sits an extensive main deck with a swimming pool, from which guests can enjoy spectacular open-air immersion into the African bush, watching the wildlife passing by and listening to ever-present birdsong from the overhanging woodland trees.
Africa House combines all the best elements of safari; superb wildlife sightings, experienced staff, opulent accommodation and fine dining, but the best part of it is you have it all to yourself, with not a care in the world, no set timetable, and the only decision to be made being how deep into the experience you truly want to go…