Sarah Kingdom Visits Masiya’s Camp, A Six-Suited Tented Luxury Lodge That Marries Safari Tradition With A Boldly Contemporary Style.
Dusty rose canvas, electric yellow tables, blue, orange, red and purple bathtubs, art deco light fittings, magenta velvet couches, pink and white striped billowing tented pagodas, and a stunning selection of contemporary African art; forget khaki, beige or brown, this is a safari camp like no other.
Royal Malewane
The story of Royal Malewane began in 1999 when The Royal Portfolio, a collection of luxury hotels and lodges founded by Liz and Phil Biden, opened Malewane Lodge inside the Thornybush Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. From the outset, this was no ordinary safari lodge, quickly earning itself a reputation for its exceptional tracker-guide teams, off-road access, and an ethos of quiet luxury in the bush.
Over the years the property has been expanded and refined; public spaces reworked, suites expanded, two additional lodges built, and the guiding team further strengthened, including the introduction of Master Trackers, a handful of individuals with incredible skills and a deep knowledge of the wilderness and the animals that call it home.
Now, into this environment enters Masiya’s Camp, with its brand new take on safari style, built within the Royal Malewane concession, but intended not simply as an addition, but as an evolution.
What’s in a Name?
The camp is named in honour of the late Wilson Masiya, Royal Malewane’s inaugural Master Tracker, one of only 13 people in South Africa to hold this highest of tracking qualifications, and whose deep connection with the bush shaped the guiding culture of the lodges in the Royal Portfolio. By remembering his legacy in the camp’s name, Royal Malewane anchors the new lodge as a place where the guiding tradition remains central. Masiya’s Camp is a tribute to the knowledge, skill and dialogue that Wilson Masiya embodied, while inviting guests to join that same conversation.
Design & Décor: Under Canvas but Over Expectations
The design of Masiya’s Camp marks a conscious departure from the typical safari palette of khaki and neutrals. Created by Liz Biden, the six tented suites embrace colour, texture and craft in unusual ways. Known for her eclectic and colourful style, at Masiya’s Camp, Liz has thrown the safari rule book out the window, opting instead for a riot of colour, textures, and patterns.
The dusty rose pink canvas of the suites was inspired by the eye-catching impala lily and the lilac-breasted roller, one of Africa’s most striking birds. These pink tents have been the ‘talk of the bush’ in safari circles, and while the camp’s style may not be to everyone’s safari aesthetic, her choices have paid off, setting Masiya’s Camp apart in an industry that can be quite traditional and predictable.
Inside the tented suites, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall frames the bush, while Indian-carved doors, East African metalwork, Persian rugs, ornate Moroccan vases, vintage floral panels and colourful artworks are layered throughout. Every suite has an expansive deck, with a private (heated) plunge pool, outdoor lounge area, and indoor/outdoor showers. There’s also a hidden pop-up TV at the foot of the bed.
The tents are open plan. At one end are king beds, with voluminous mosquito net drapes, while at the other end is the bathroom, with a standalone bathtub, and indoor and outdoor showers. In the middle is a living area with plush couches and armchairs.
The communal areas continue the same design style. A lounge tent with expansive glass doors, a bar with 360-degree views, and an interactive kitchen/pizza oven under canvas. Meals are served in the main area, an open-plan space with dining out on the deck or inside, where raspberry-coloured velvet semi-circular booths wrap around bright yellow tables.
Art is a prominent feature in all The Royal Portfolio hotels and lodges, and Masiya’s Camp is no exception. Floral works by Zimbabwean artist Tafadzwa Tega, street fashion photography by South African Nontsikelelo Veleko, and dreamlike suburban scenes by renowned artist, Kate Gottgens, also South African, grace the walls in a riot of colour.
Wildlife Experiences: The Big Five and Beyond
In Thornybush Private Game Reserve, the wildlife is abundant: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo, the so-called ‘big five’, are seen regularly. Add to that giraffe, zebra, wild dogs and more. The twice-daily game drives or guided bush walks are led by some of Africa’s most qualified guides and trackers, and because the camp is located in a private concession, vehicles are allowed to drive off-road, linger at sightings, and explore less-visited parts of the reserve.
For those seeking a deeper encounter, the Conservation & Research Centre (CRC) at Royal Malewane is using science to understand and preserve the Greater Kruger ecosystems. The CRC is a venue for researchers and conservationists to meet, discuss and share their ideas through lectures and conversations. It also hosts displays of the latest research results and conservation success stories. Guests are welcome to visit, they are also welcome to join specialised conservation outings, including wild-dog monitoring, rhino de-horning operations, helicopter patrols and K9 anti-poaching demonstrations.
Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane succeeds because, alongside honouring the legacy of Master Tracker Wilson Masiya, it elevates wilderness into design-forward luxury. For travellers who have done the standard safari and are looking for something different, who want wildlife encounters balanced with style, this camp is a compelling proposition. This is safari, but seriously re-imagined.
Tell me more about Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane
Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane:
T: +27 21 671 5502
Rates: Masiya’s Camp accepts guests aged 10 and above, making it ideal for couples or families with older children. Rates start from £2,333/ US$3,063/ ZAR 52,500 per person per night (sharing), inclusive of meals, beverages and two daily activities.
The Royal Portfolio Malewane Lodge Conservation & Research Centre
