Activities:

• Whale watching Tours
• Shark Cage Diving
• Reserve and Beach Horse Riding
• Flower Safaris
• Beach Picnics and Cave Excursions
• Birding Excursions
• Scenic Flights
• Wine Tours

The Garden Route

The Garden Route is rightly referred to as the Jewel of South Africa, with lush indigenous forest, free flowing rivers, expansive lagoons, sunkissed beaches and majestic mountains combining to create a symphony of natural beauty. And The Private Nature Reserve is just a 2-hour drive from Cape Town making it the perfect place to start or end your Garden Route adventure - the only problem is that you will never want to leave!

In and Around The Reserve

Within the vicinity lies Gansbaai, South Africa's premier destination for diving with Great White Sharks, the experience of a lifetime. The nearby seaside town of De Kelders is the best place in the world for land-based whale watching, and in season (July - November) these amazing creatures come within touching distance of the shore! The coastal villages of Kleinmond and Betty's Bay are all worth visiting with miles of unspoilt beaches and mighty sand dunes, while Cape Agulhas further south is the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as being the southernmost point on the continent!

Hermanus

Across the bay from the reserve lies the beautiful seaside town of Hermanus. Hermanus is also known for amazing land-based whale watching and scenic beauty. Hermanus is surrounded by majestic mountains, indigenous fynbos and spectacular natural beauty. Its residents are the heart and soul of the town, however, providing an unforgettable holiday experience.

Knysna and Plettenberg Bay

Further north lie the picturesque towns of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, perennial favourites for any visitors to the Garden Route. With its sweeping beaches, pristine Robberg Nature Reserve and playful dolphins, Plett (as it is affectionately known) is rivalled by the turquoise coloured lagoon of Knysna, its oysters and indigenous forest where a solitary elephant continues to roam. The Tsitsikamma Forest further north hosts monkeys and an abundance of birdlife, with Nature's Valley and Storm's River a testament to the splendour of this region, a haven for hiking, biking, river tubing and much more!

A Magnificent Malaria Free Safari

While most visitors to South Africa tend to think of the Kruger when it comes to wildlife, the Garden Route is home to a number of world-class Big Five Game Reserves which offer an unbeatable malaria free safari. So leave the pills at home, bring the kids, pack your khakis and let the game viewing begin! The best reserves are north of Port Elizabeth, and are easily reached by vehicle, the perfect way to cap your Garden Route adventure!

Facilities:

Accommodation:

The reserve has two 5 star luxury lodges and an exclusive villa, and provides an ideal retreat for travelers looking for luxury accommodation in the Hermanus and Gansbaai area, or alternatively an ideal stopover for the start, or end, of a Garden Route tour. The reserve experience provides for 5 star accommodation, and exciting activities with specialized guides, that will ensure you leave with truly unforgettable memories of South Africa.

The Forest Lodge:

Forest Lodge consists of a main lodge with restaurant, bar, spacious lounge area, gallery, infinity pool and conference centre as well as 16 luxurious, freestanding suites built on the edge of the forest.

The Luxury Suites:

• Unbeatable views from all rooms in the suite
• Fresh fruit basket in suite daily
• Cozy Fireplace
• Air-conditioning
• Outside Shower
• Under floor Heating
• Free Wi-Fi
• Freestanding
• DVD Player & Satellite TV
• Mini bar

Each suite has a lounge with fireplace, bedroom(s), en suite bathroom with double washbasins, double showers and/or baths, heated towel rails & hair dryers, wooden deck, tea & coffee station, safe for valuables & well-stocked mini-bar, as well as DSTV and telephone. The lodge offers laundry service, fax, e-mail and postal service.

Forest lodge Facilities:

• Internet
• Horse riding
• Conference facilities
• Tea & Coffee facilities
• TV
• Restaurant
• Swimming pool
• Bar
• Telephone
• Wake Up Call

The Garden Lodge:

This is the original  Lodge and is surrounded by three hectares of indigenous fynbos and forest garden. Accommodation is in 11 luxurious, freestanding suites in a spectacular nature setting.

suites feature romantic canopy beds, spacious en-suite bathrooms, separate lounges with cosy fireplaces, mini bar, tea & coffee making facilities as well as wooden decks with simply breathtaking views. Facilities include:

• 6x One-Bedroom Luxury suites, 3x One-Bedroom Classic Suites, 2x Two-Bedroom Luxury Suites
• Restaurant with terrace, Bar, Lounge, Swimming pool, Beauty salon, Stables, Children play area, Library, Ecological interpretation and research centre. Internet access, as well as an entertainment room, is also available onsite.
• The lodge offers laundry service, centralized telephone, fax, e-mail and postal service. Garden Lodge is family friendly and does accommodate children.

1 Bedroom Luxury Suite:

Room size: from 75 - 85 m2

Suite features a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom, separate lounge with tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace, DVD player for in-room entertainment. The spacious suites open out onto a private outside deck overlooking the Walker Bay. As with all One-Bedroom Luxury Suites at Garden Lodge, facilities such as a separate bath, shower and toilet, satellite TV and secure room safes are standard.

1 Bedroom Classic Suite:

Room size: from 55 - 60 m2

Suite features a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom, separate lounge with tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace, DVD player for in-room entertainment. The spacious suites open out onto a private outside deck overlooking the Walker Bay. As with all One-Bedroom Classic Suites at Garden Lodge, facilities such as a separate shower and toilet, satellite TV and secure room safes are standard. The One-Bedroom Classic Suites do not have a bath; they are only equipped with a shower.

2 Bedroom Luxury Suite:

Room size: from 80 - 90m2

Our Two-Bedroom Suites epitomise luxurious home-from-home comforts and are ideal for families or friends travelling together. These spacious suites feature two private en-suite bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one with shower and one with bath), separate lounge and dining area with tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, cosy fireplace as well as a DVD player. The spacious suites open out onto a private outside deck overlooking the Walker Bay. As with all Two-Bedroom Luxury Suites, facilities such as satellite TV and secure room safes are standard.

Garden Lodge Facilities:

• Tea & Coffee facilities
• Kid’s playground
• Beauty Salon
• TV
• Restaurant
• Swimming pool
• Baby friendly
• Bar
• Telephone
• Wake Up Call

Villa:

Embedded in the natural wonderland of The reserve the Villa comprises 6 elegant suites with mesmerizing 180°views of the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay.  Guests can relax in 1000 square meters of utter luxury providing two lounge areas, private dining room, media room with big screen and projector, wine cellar, outside BBQ area, private pool as well as a fully equipped kitchen. For the duration of your stay, a private guide, chef and butler will be available to fulfill your needs and allow you to be part of  the Private reserve experience!

Facilities

• 2 Master-Suites with en-suite bathroom (bath, shower and outside shower)
• 3 Luxury Bedrooms with en-suite bathroom (bath and shower)
• 1 Luxury Bedroom with en-suite bathroom (shower only)
• 2 Lounges with satellite TV
• 1 fully equipped kitchen with storeroom and scullery
• Dining Room
• Breakfast area
• 2 outside BBQ area, 1 inside BBQ area
• Outside pool
• 1 Media Room with big screen and projector
• 1 fully equipped office with internet access and telephone
• Wine Cellar
• Fully equipped gym
• Large outside decks
• Own landing strip suitable for helicopters and small planes

Other Villa Facilities:

• Internet
• Horse riding
• Swimming pool
• TV restaurant room service
• Bar
• Gym
• Telephone
• Wake Up Call