Following an extensive expansion and redesign, Africa House, the six-bedroom safari villa at Royal Malewane in South Africa, has reopened.
Located at one of the grandest lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park, Africa House offers the ultimate new bush paradise, where families can reconnect in utmost splendour and privacy whilst experiencing the very best African wildlife with the most qualified guides and trackers on the continent.
Once the original Biden family bush home, Africa House has been reimagined in the signature style of owner Liz Biden with gasp-worthy interiors in an unforgettable setting. Its reopening is set to see Africa House become Africa’s most iconic villa. At the heart of the all-new property, the second new courtyard and family-friendly “Long Room” encourage play and relaxation. Featuring a pool table, board games and connected living and dining spaces, the Long Room is where friends and family will naturally gather throughout their stay to share memories, special moments, and meals. The new outdoor boma area with its firepit and pizza oven is just a few steps away and provides an intimate setting for sharing snacks and stories.
Africa House can accommodate up to 12 guests in six en-suite guest rooms, each opening out onto a private deck with outdoor shower, while the expansive front deck, social spaces and swimming pools connect Africa House to the surrounding bushveld. The villa overlooks a dry riverbed crisscrossed by animal trails, while the design of each suite lets the outside in, including the breeze and birdsong. Original artworks by leading contemporary African artists including Michael Gah and Tega Tafadzawa form focal points throughout.
The unique look and feel of Africa House represent the culmination of Biden’s dream to create the ultimate bush hideaway for families and groups of friends.
Her approach to lodge design and décor may be iconic, but she has lost none of her power to surprise. Biden has introduced a fearless, almost riotous palette of colours inspired by the pristine bushveld around the lodge. Each guest room now has its own colourway, with hues chosen to represent specific moments or memories from the bush. The dramatic yet entirely fitting shades are combined with furniture and fittings that are both eclectic and elegant, and which create an overall impression of relaxed luxury.
As you’d expect, the service at Africa House is on a par with the setting. Game drives and guided bush walks are led by members of the most qualified guiding team in Africa, while dedicated services are provided at the villa itself. Being able to have meals and activities as and when they want lets guests at Africa House schedule their day according to their precise needs