Just about to finalize airfare to SA and I'm having a hard time deciding on the game lodges.

My Virtuoso adviser has stayed at both Singita Boulders and Royal Malewane. She said both are exquisite and I can't go wrong with either. Her opinion is that food was slightly better at Malewane, but said Singita Sweni is newer and may appeal more to our younger tastes (29 years young).

I know at least one of you have been to Malewane, but I wanted to get some Singita feedback as well.

singita is best regarded / most discussed here, for south africa. there seemed to be some variance in reports from the different lodges though.

one major thing for malewane from virtuoso
suites - $1765
royal/malewane suites - $4735

royal/malewane suites include
- private butler
- private chef
- private game drives
- 4 complimentary massages per suite per day
- laundry

parallel thread in africa >
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=892598

I thought Lebombo (as a destination) is fantastic. It felt a lot more natural - they are filming a nat geo program on the lion prides there at the moment, some days I spent 5 hrs in the vehicle as the estate is soo vast. Saw cheetah's too!

I much prefer Lebombo to Sweni after doing a visit there

RM has a reputation for fine lodging and service, but many of the safari purists are put off by the visibility of a fence on or near the property. Some say it makes the place feel more like a zoo. Singita will have equally good accomodations and service but will feel more natural and wild. Plus the game viewing (and guiding) is always rated tops for numbers and variety.

For the very best info on both, go to fodors.com. Click on Talk and drill down into the Africa forum. You can search for info on both and read loads of detailed trip reports.

If you have the time, you should also consider Botswana for the ultimate "Out of Africa" experience. The luxury tented camps are amazing.

My favourite is Lebombo. I love its contemporary style and big-sky views. Royal Malewane is a wee bit pretentious IMHO.

I've stayed at all four....Singita Boulders, Lebombo, Sweni and Royal Malewane. Sweni is very small, only six suites. Its main benefit is that it is right on the river and the views are wonderful. Lebombo sits higher up and is the larger and more social of the two. These two properties are ultra contemprary, almost like being in a Soho loft in the trees. As for Boulders it is simply exquisite in every way. Royal Malewane comes very very very close. Both have great food, service. For game viewing Lebombo and Sweni are in an area that has not had tourism for as many years so the animals are less used to jeeps and humans. Truth is you can't go wrong at any of these camps.

Lebombo/Sweni is great but it is very modern. Because it is probably the only private lodge within the Kruger Park, the design had to have minimal environment impact. As such, all the property is on stilts or stands so they can be dismantled and removed with minimal impact to the environment. As such the design is very New York style retro modern.

Someone wanting a more African feel will be disappointed but when put together with a more traditional lodge makes for an interesting contrast. We stayed at Singita Boulders before transferring to Singita Lebombo. It was interesting that all our preferences of dinner drinks and supplies in my mini-bar fridge were emailed across. We were rather surprised during our first dinner when our usual drinks appeared before we even ordered them. Singita service is always top notch.