Royal Malewane Waterside House

Waterside House is the smaller of the two private houses at Royal Malewane, in the Thornybush Game Reserve on the western side of the Greater Kruger. It sleeps eight, sits on the river, and is booked for one party at a time. For a family of four to six it is the right size: big enough that nobody is on top of anyone else, small enough that you still eat at one table.

The rooms are worth knowing by name. The Baobab Suite has two bedrooms and suits grandparents. The two Aloe Rooms have twin beds and are where we put grandchildren. Each suite has its own plunge pool, and the living areas are open to the air, with a deck that gives you wildlife from your chair. A private chef, host and guide team run the house, and you have the use of Royal Malewane's spa and facilities at the main lodge.

The game viewing is Thornybush's. The reserve is flat and the tracks are good, so a drive is comfortable for older guests. The Royal Malewane guides have access to black rhino, which are rare anywhere in the Greater Kruger, and we plan that morning around the whole family. Africa House is about five minutes away by vehicle if a larger party needs both.

You fly into Hoedspruit, and a private vehicle takes you on to the reserve.

Good to know

• Sized for families: the Baobab Suite for grandparents, the Aloe Rooms for children.
• Malaria area. Take your doctor's advice on prophylaxis before you travel.
• The dry winter months, roughly May to September, give the easiest game viewing.

Country: South Africa