Masiya's Camp, the newest addition to The Royal Portfolio, invites travelers to experience Kruger's wildlife from a six-suite luxury tented camp that blends vintage Safari aesthetics with modern comforts. Opening June 1, 2025, the Masiya's Camp launch signals a fresh chapter for Royal Malewane and expands high-end tented offerings inside Greater Kruger. Located in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, guests can expect private plunge pools, master-tracker-led game drives, and a deep focus on conservation.
Key Points
- Six 2,476-square-foot suites, each with heated plunge pool
- Named for legendary master tracker Wilson Masiya
- Opening rates from ZAR 52,500 (~US $2,840) per person, fully inclusive
- Why it matters: first all-canvas product for The Royal Portfolio, raising Kruger's luxury bar
- Travelers aged 10+ welcome; private airstrip access available
Masiya's Camp Snapshot - How It Works
Set on its own tract within Royal Malewane, Masiya's Camp consists of six gorgeously appointed canvas suites overlooking the bushveld. Floor-to-ceiling glass slides open to a private deck and heated plunge pool, while indoor-outdoor showers and vintage trunks evoke classic Safari romance. The camp's central lounge features an interactive kitchen, pizza oven, and a heated communal pool. Twice-daily game drives depart with some of Africa's most credentialed guides-Royal Malewane counts two of the world's eleven master trackers. Guests can add wellness treatments at nearby Royal Waters Spa or choose conservation experiences such as rhino-dehorning participations.
Masiya's Camp Background - Why It Matters
The Royal Portfolio-founded by South African hoteliers Liz and Phil Biden-has steadily evolved from stone-and-thatch lodges (Malewane Lodge, 1999) to colorful manor-style villas and, most recently, Waterside in 2022. Demand for tented accommodations that feel both sustainable and five-star has surged across Southern Africa. By honoring Wilson Masiya, whose tracking skills shaped the brand's guiding culture, the company roots its first canvas build in authentic heritage rather than trend alone. For travelers, the camp offers a lighter environmental footprint and a price point that, while premium, undercuts some rival luxury tents in Sabi Sands.
Masiya's Camp Latest Developments
A flurry of finishing work wrapped in mid-May, allowing The Royal Portfolio to confirm a June 1 soft opening with an inaugural rate incentive.
Opening Details and Pricing
Mid-season rack rates list the Luxury Tented Suite at ZAR 52,500 (~US $2,840) per person, per night, sharing; peak-season climbs to ZAR 56,500, and festive-season tops at ZAR 62,000. Rates cover meals, beverages, twice-daily game drives, bush walks, laundry, and transfers from Hoedspruit Airport. A conservation levy of ZAR 565 (~US $31) per person, per night, is applied.
Guest Experience Enhancements
Besides the headline plunge pools, designers layered kilims, jewel-tone fabrics, and campaign-style furniture to soften the canvas structure without eclipsing the bush. Each tent spans roughly 230 m² (2,476 ft²) and sleeps two, but an on-request additional-person policy allows families to secure extra bedding. Children aged 10 and up can join scheduled activities; younger kids require exclusive-use booking.
Conservation-Focused Activities
Royal Malewane's existing Conservation & Research Centre now extends its behind-the-scenes programs to Masiya's Camp guests. Depending on wildlife needs and permit availability, travelers can join veterinary darting, wild-dog monitoring, or helicopter surveys over the Blyde River Canyon. These programs underpin The Royal Portfolio's commitment to channeling a portion of revenue back into local ecology and community projects.
Analysis
For U.S. travelers, Kruger remains the most accessible "Big Five" Safari, thanks to multiple daily flights via Johannesburg and a growing roster of nonstop services from Atlanta and Washington-Dulles. Adding a luxury tented product inside the private Thornybush reserve gives first-timers an immersive option without sacrificing Wi-Fi or air-conditioning-common concerns in older camp inventory. The mid-season rate, while steep, competes favorably against marquee competitors like Singita's Lebombo or Tswalu's Loapi, which price north of US $3,500 a night. Advisors should note the 10-and-up policy and factor in charter or road-transfer costs from Hoedspruit. Couples seeking maximal privacy can combine Masiya's Camp with The Silo in Cape Town, leveraging The Royal Portfolio's cross-property perks. For detailed itinerary ideas, see our Kruger safari planning guide.
Final Thoughts
Opening day is almost here, and early-bird space is tight for the June-August prime wildlife window. Travelers eyeing Masiya's Camp should lock in dates now, budget for the conservation levy, and pack neutral-tone layers for cool winter mornings. Booking through a Preferred Partner agency secures complimentary massages and flexible check-out-small extras that elevate an already indulgent stay. Whether it is your first Safari or a return to Kruger, Masiya's Camp proves that canvas living can reach new heights of luxury.
Sources
- South Africa's Royal Portfolio debuts its first luxury tented camp - Travel Weekly
- Royal Portfolio opens new safari camp - Tourism Update (April 17 2025)
- Masiya's Camp | Royal Malewane - The Royal Portfolio