South Africa’s Royal Portfolio has a new addition. Run by the Biden family, the collection of hotels and private residences includes Birkenhead House in Hermanus, La Residence in Franschhoek, The Silo Hotel in Cape Town and Royal Malewane in Greater Kruger National Park. The month of May ushered in the group’s latest luxury offering: The Farmstead at Royal Malewane. This exclusive new safari lodge is located a 12-minute drive from Royal Malewane, which was the Royal Portfolio’s first property when it opened 20 years ago.
Designed by Liz Biden, founder and owner of The Royal Portfolio, it comprises a main lodge, three freestanding Luxury Farm Suites, and The Farmhouse, a three-and-a-half-bedroom villa that is perfect for families or groups of friends. (Children of all ages are welcome at The Farmhouse, while the Luxury Farm Suites are suitable for children over the age of 10.)
Guests of The Farmstead are privy to the same top service, cuisine and expert safari guides that they’ve come to expect at Royal Malewane. Design details include antique doors from Zanzibar, tin roofs, and furniture fabrics from Ardmore and Clarke & Clarke. Outdoor verandas come with day-beds, while the main lodge’s fire pit overlooks a water hole appreciated by lots of wildlife.
A highlight is the collection of contemporary African art, which includes works by Zimbabwean artists Kudzanai Chiurai and James Jana. The Farmstead also showcases art from Lalela, an educational arts organization for at-risk youth in Cape Town. Managed by Nick Daneel and Adriaan Erasmus, the general manager of Royal Malewane, the property is all-inclusive, with nightly rates covering meals, drinks, game drives and bush walks. Facilities include a spa treatment room and a gym.
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