Knysna Region
The Garden Route, stretching along the Southern coast of Africa is an area of unspoiled beauty and majesty and quite unlike any other region in Africa.

With a temperate climate and mild, year round weather, the Garden Route has a relaxed tranquility which makes it unique. The coastline is at times rugged and rough with towering cliffs and turbulent seas, at times it is placid with gentle lagoons and golden white beaches, such as at Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness.

The Garden Route is ideal for exploring on a self drive vacation, driving either from Cape Town along the coast through Hermanus - the Whale capital of South Africa - or from the east at Port Elizabeth.

The traveller can also access the Garden Route by scheduled flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to George or Plettenberg Bay.

The region has a number of magnificent hotels, golf estates and country lodges. This is an ideal area to relax in after a wildlife safari, or to include in a romantic getaway or honeymoon as well as being ideally suited to families.

The Phantom Forest
On the world-renowned Garden Route, in Knysna, the mountain track winds up through indigenous forests to The Phantom Forest Eco-Reserve, discreetly designed to blend in under the canopy of mature forest trees.

Privately owned, within a 137 ha nature reserve, on the Knysna River; the Phantom Forest offers an unique biodiversity of Afromontane Indigenous Forest, Cape Coastal Fynbos, and Estuarine Wetland, 120 bird specie, bushbuck, the rare blue duiker; grysbok, bushpig and many smaller game.

The Tree Camp (first 6 treesuites) with double bath ensuite (shower over bath); lounge area plus outdoor living deck area outside. 4 treesuites (Upper Tree Camp) with ensuite bathroom double shower inside and outdoor living area with jacuzzi/bath outside. The new luxurious Moroccan treesuites have an ensuite bathroom with separate double bath, double shower, bidet, lounge area and private deck/living area outside. Cuisine is Pan-African with local colour, served at night in our thatched “Boma” where a Bushbuck may just drop in for a drink! Sundowners at the “Eyrie” are spectacular, with sunsets and views to match – right to the famous Knysna Heads – a view shared only with our resident Fish Eagles.

Tree suites - £123.00 per person sharing
Morroccan suites - £145.00 per person sharing

The Phantom Beach
Dramatically set overlooking a sweep of pristine beach, rocky outcrops and crashing waves is Phantom Beach Castle, at the forest’s edge.

Phantom Beach Castle is set in a nature reserve on the coastline of the world renowned Garden Route in Knysna.

Turrets, battlements, round towers, aquamarine sea, sheltered beach, unspoilt estuary, unforgettable sunsets ... all weave their magic spell around the castle, majestically standing guard over the beach and river, where otters and oystercatchers play.

Body therapy and massages to pamper and indulge. Romantic beach walks, star gazing, rock fishing and canoeing. Body bronzing on your private deck, whilst listening to the music of nature. Pack a picnic for a day on the beach, or explore the surrounding forests and riverine estuary. For the more energetic, Noetzie is perfectly positioned on the outskirts of Knysna on the road to Plettenberg Bay, and is ideal for exploring the charms and attractions of the area. Sample Knysna’s famous oysters at the popular Waterfront or play on the world-class golf estates nearby.

Beach suites - £109.00 per person sharing

Tonquani Lodge
Fringed by the Knysna Forest, Knysna Tonquani Lodge is set in a peaceful, landscaped gardens. The serviced log chalets and Tuscan family suites provide a comfortable stay. Luxury chalets have private splash pools and fire places. Complimentary port, chocolates and tea coffee is served daily to the rooms.

Chalets to Tuscan suites - From £35.00 – £83.00 per person sharing

Hunter's Country House
Situated on the famous Garden Route, Hunter`s Country House is an exclusive, 5 star-rated base with award winning hospitality, from which to explore the exceptional attractions of this region.

The luxurious individually decorated suites, are all furnished with antiques, have open fire places and private patios. The gracious original thatched, 100 year old homestead, houses beautifully appointed candle-lit dining rooms, cosy lounges with log-fireplace, a library and sun drenched breakfast room. Polished brasses around an inglenook fireplace, low beaming ceilings, gleaming silverware on an oak sideboard, and outside, a beautifully manicured garden with poppies, lavender and rose covered trellises made Hunter`s an award winning country retreat.

Endless golden beaches, majestic mountain ranges, indigenous forests, picturesque rivers, lazy lagoons and the most temperate climate in South Africa promise an unforgettable experience.

Orchard suites - £98.00 per person sharing
Premier suites - £115.00 per person sharing
Forest suites - £240.00 per person sharing

Tsala Tree Tops Lodge
Rising out of the ruins of an ancient civilisation is Tsala - a unique celebration of the African spirit. An intimate and unforgettable experience.

A symphony of stone, wood, glass and water, high above the forest floor in the treetops of the Tsitsikamma forest.

Elevated wooden walkways meander through the trees to ten exclusive and very private suites. Accommodation is in individual luxury suites, each with separate lounge and bedroom, spacious en suite bathroom - with outside shower and private plunge pool. Eastern and European flavours blend with the cultures of Africa to reflect the tastes, rhythms and colours of the hand crafted fittings and superb cuisine. A main lodge with a magnificent foyer featuring polished blackwood columns; cosy lounge with views of the forest and valley; large open suspended decks for dining and sunset viewing; library featuring reference books on the area; elevated boardwalks allowing movement between the main lodge and suites, high in the forest canopy; superb, imaginative cuisine, reflecting the diversity of South African cultures; Cellar stocked with the best South African wines; Fax, Internet and e-mail facilities.

Treetop suites - £221.00 per person sharing

Buffalo Hills Game Reserve
The decision to develop the Bitou River Valley was an inspired one: although it's just 15 minutes drive from Plettenberg Bay and 25 minutes from Knysna, it's still more than far enough away from the trappings of western civilisation. And its close proximity to Plettenberg Bay - which is one of South Africa's best whale-watching destinations - means that we'll soon be able to offer you a BIG SIX EXPERIENCE that is almost unrivalled in Africa. We've already established buffalo, wildebeest, leopard, giraffe, sable, rhino, zebra, bush pig, bontebok, bushbuck, impala and eland at Buffalo Hills, and, by end of 2002, you'll also be able to see elephant, and lion (the Big Five are elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and rhinoceros). Between May and December, the whales that visit South Africa's coast make up the sixth member of Africa's Big Six. Join us for a guided walk or game drive and you could spot the Small Six - Knysna loerie, narina trogon, Knysna dwarf chameleon, lynx, honey badger and blue duiker.

Private Camp - £75.00 per person sharing full board basis
Safari tented Lodge - £88.00 per person sharing full board basis

Botlierskop Game Reserve
Situated in the Malaria free and Crime free Western Cape in South Africa, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is blessed with a great diversity of habitat and wildlife. For those who love the smaller things in life, we now offer guided nature walks, packed with information and breathtaking scenery. To experience the complete safari, stay in the luxurious tented suites with an en-suite bathroom, situated on the river bank in the midst of a bird sanctuary.

All luxury tented suites on wooden decks offer breathtaking views of the river and tranquil mountainous surroundings and are situated in a bird sanctuary with free roaming animals.

The tents are elegantly decorated in a colonial theme with four poster beds and mosquito nets. Each secluded tent has an en-suite bathroom, a mini bar, telephone, private deck and personal ranger service. Most of the tents also offer their own private jetties for guests to explore fishing opportunities and all the tents are linked to the restaurant and lounge area with elevated walkways.

Tents - £157.00 per person sharing full board basis

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