Flying over the rolling Pilanesberg Hills from Nelspruit to Royal Malewane, with a herd of buffalo trailing dust beneath a carrion display of the outstretched ‘wings of Hades’, triggered the start of this adrenalinbased bush-fantasia. There is never a dull moment in this Animal Kingdom.

Landing took two attempts – warthogs on the runway! A short drive from here, in an open-top Land Rover, waits something truly special. We were greeted by a team of convivial staff bearing trays of iced tumblers filled with the juices of fresh passion-fruit, mango, pawpaw, pineapple – the season’s sweetest nectar – along with those, now familiar, genuinely warm, smiles.

The walk across the bridge to the entrance is staggering. Not many would remember to draw breath during these few steps – the magic is all embracing. Liz Biden’s wand-of-wonder has given an edge to the bush in a style that captures the African soul while simultaneously grabbing hold of your sensual antennae. If you can imagine an Out of Africa swoon on a colonial White Mischief terrace with a Rajput-inspired Heat and Dust seduction, then you’re getting the gist of this place. Every detail calls for a camera frame beneath the melancholic aroma of thatch and beam: the imposing bronze leopard statues; groomed hardwood floorboards; chunky rattan daybeds; spotless white canvas sofas; Persian Zieglers; cavernous bowls of local flora and fruit; Ming vases; indigenous and ancient craftwork; then the view – belonging entirely to Nature Herself.

It is here, at the sumptuous Royal Malewane, that heart-thumping thrill meets luxuriant nurture in the unadulterated wild ‘kingdom’ of the Kruger. This combination is compelling. When we were being shown around the spa – the ‘Aphrodite’ of wilderness spas – the prettiest and coyest animal of all, the doe-eyed bushbuck, was waiting with her young fawn beside the steps. Perhaps she wanted to take her for a drink at the orchid- strewn water feature that hugs this staggering clay-clad Zen-zone.

The eclectic boutique is simply divine! Take an extra bag for your spoils.

We had a delicious light lunch of pea and mint soup followed by fresh crayfish with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc on the decked terrace beside the view. I listened to the enthusiastic stories from surrounding tables regarding the morning’s safari and there was a definite competitive element over who had the best sighting of the leopard with her young nearby. The evening’s safari was promising a pride of lions. Sighting of the ‘big five’ is pretty much guaranteed at Royal Malewane as they use the powers of a bona fide scout (there are only two in this part of the world), that of a born and bred bushman of the Kalahari.

They have stopped at nothing here, except the wildlife, of course.

Find out more and book direct with the hotel at www.luxuryexplorer.com