South Africa’s Backyard Route: The 5 finest luxurious lodges

The Backyard Route in South Africa is an space stretching for 124 miles by the Western Cape between Mossel Bay and Storms River. It’s a touristic route is about up for road-trippers with pit stops and numerous detours which showcase the area’s tradition, magnificence and hospitality.

The route may be achieved over a number of days or a few weeks, relying on how how deep beneath the pores and skin of the area you want to get.

Mossel Bay is the western gateway to the Backyard Route and is lower than 250 miles from Cape City as you head alongside the N2 freeway which has minimal site visitors and simple driving circumstances.

Mossel Bay supplies the chance to discover the St Blaize Path, a nine-mile rugged coastal stroll which ends up in Dana Bay from a cave under Cape St Blaize Lighthouse.

The historic city of George is half-hour additional down the coast and residential to the Backyard Route Botanical Backyard for an introduction to the fynbos that characterizes the Cape Floral Area, acknowledged by UNESCO for its staggering biodiversity. Whereas the area solely spans 0.5% of Africa, it accommodates 20% of the continent’s plant species. As you drive previous George, the putting Outeniqua Mountains present a beautiful backdrop as you head in the direction of Wilderness and on in the direction of Knysna.

Simply past Knysna is famed for its 10-day Oyster Competition which takes place yearly in late June. The city overlooks a lagoon dotted with crusing boats with the ocean simply past two headpoints which make for an ideal sundown backdrop.

Plettenberg Bay, an hour additional east, is a favorite all through the Western Cape. Suppose breathtaking seashores, sandy coves and sheer cliffs with waters which teem year-round with migrating dolphins and whales.

Backyard Route culminates at Storms River village, 50 minutes east from Plettenberg Bay. Inland lies the dense, mountainous Tsitsikamma Forest, house to a variety of journey actions corresponding to kayaking expeditions in addition to the world’s highest bungee bounce (709ft) at Bloukrans Bridge. Whereas to the lies Tsitsikamma Nationwide Park, house to some fantastic strolling trails together with the oldest mountain climbing route within the nation, the five-day Otter Path.

Alongside the Backyard Route, to enhance the various actions, are some fabulous luxurious lodging. Right here’s our favorite 5;

The Manor Home at Fancourt – George

The Manor Home at Fancourt is situated within the coronary heart of the Fancourt Property in George. It’s a luxurious boutique resort that mixes historic appeal with trendy magnificence. Initially inbuilt 1859 by Henry Fancourt White, the Manor Home is an beautiful instance of Nineteenth-century structure, that includes grand, Cape Dutch-style design parts.

The principle attraction is the golf and most visitors will probably be seeking to play. Boasting 3 excellent golf programs, together with the Hyperlinks, designed by Gary Participant and at present ranked because the quantity 2 course within the nation.

The outside of the Manor Home boasts whitewashed partitions, gabled roofs, and exquisite verandas that supply panoramic views of the encompassing gardens and Outeniqua mountains. The luxurious, meticulously landscaped gardens embrace mature timber, vibrant flowerbeds, and tranquil water options, making a serene and picturesque setting.

Inside, the Manor Home is elegantly appointed with excessive ceilings, unique wood flooring, and vintage furnishings that exude a timeless sophistication. The decor seamlessly blends traditional and modern kinds, with luxurious materials, wealthy colors, and bespoke paintings adorning the partitions. The rooms are luxurious with individually adorned suites however with trendy facilities. After a spherical of golf, visitors can take pleasure in unique entry to the Manor Home’s personal amenities, together with a lounge, bar, and outside swimming pool.

The Manor Home is a part of the broader Fancourt Property the place you’ll discover a wellness spa, gourmand eating choices, and leisure actions corresponding to tennis and mountain climbing. Plus the world-class golf amenities.

In the event you’re a golfer and visiting South Africa, you’ll wish to keep for at the very least an evening.

Simbavati Fynbos on Sea – Sedgefield

Simbavati Fynbos on Sea is situated midway between George and Knysna within the small coastal city of Sedgefield. This luxury lodge may be arduous to seek out as is located on the highest of a hill with a winding street to the highest.

As soon as there although you’ll uncover breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and the encompassing fynbos panorama in an space characterised by its various vegetation, a part of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The lodge overlooks the seaside under, offering easy accessibility to sandy shores and coastal actions.

The rooms at Simbavati are elegant, typically designed with pure supplies and a give attention to mixing with the atmosphere. Rooms sometimes have massive home windows or personal terraces to benefit from the scenic views. Interiors are tastefully adorned with a mixture of trendy facilities and rustic appeal.

The area is thought for its actions and Simbavati isn’t any totally different. Right here visitors can take pleasure in guided nature walks, chicken watching, and exploring the distinctive natural world of the fynbos area. The lodge can be house to freeroaming recreation animals corresponding to eland, waterbuck and zebras.

Near the property you may uncover pretty fossil dunes and seashores, kayak on the Swartvlei and Sedgefield lagoons or go to the neighbouring protea farm. In summer time at low tide, snorkelling within the rockpools could be a deal with. The realm can be a giant draw for superior paragliding with corporations utilizing Simbavati as a leaping off level.

Eating at Simbavati Fynbos on Sea is an beautiful expertise, with a give attention to recent, domestically sourced components and visitors can take pleasure in meals in a phenomenal eating space with ocean views or in additional personal, romantic settings.

Simbavati Fynbos on Sea is an ideal cease on the Backyard Route, particularly when you’re on the lookout for a substitute for Knysna.

Kanonkop Home – Knysna

Kanonkop Home is maybe the highest boutique luxurious property on the Backyard Route. Situated in on the hills above Knysna, this resort provides beautiful panoramic views of the Knysna Lagoon and the plush surrounding landscapes.

There’s no official reception on the property and visitors are met individually by an attentive concierge who takes you to you room. The rooms and suites are exceptionally appointed, every individually adorned with a mixture of modern and conventional African kinds. Lots of the rooms provide personal balconies or terraces with spectacular views over Knysna Lagoon.

The rooms come geared up with trendy facilities corresponding to air con, flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-bars, and splendid en-suite loos with high-end toiletries.

There’s a spacious lounge and bar space, designed for rest which incorporates an in depth bar stocked with an enormous vary of South African gin and different spirits, a big beer fridge and likewise a beautiful number of South African wines. One of the best factor being that every one the drinks are included in the price of your keep.  

An a la carte breakfast is served every single day typically served on a terrace with lagoon views. There are additionally mild meals and snacks out there all through the day however no essential restaurant. Knysna has some nice eating choices and is a brief drive away and most of the people have their very own automotive when visiting Knysna.

The guesthouse is conveniently situated near the city centre of Knysna, providing easy accessibility to the favored vacationer spots such because the Knysna Heads, Featherbed Nature Reserve, and the Knysna Waterfront.

A stupendous outside pool surrounded by a solar deck and plush gardens supplies an ideal spot for rest and absorbing the solar whereas there are additionally fantastically manicured gardens with indigenous vegetation.

The concierge at Kanonkop Home can organize varied actions corresponding to lagoon cruises, mountain climbing, {golfing}, visits to native wildlife reserves and seashores, therapeutic massage and spa providers, in addition to restaurant reservations.

Kanonkop Home is the place to remain in Knysna.

Tsala Treetop Lodge – Plettenberg Bay

Tsala Treetop Lodge is an expensive retreat nestled within the coronary heart of the Backyard Route in Plettenberg Bay. This unique and strange lodge is in contrast to some other property on the Backyard Route and provides a novel mix of seclusion, consolation, and pure magnificence, making it an excellent vacation spot for {couples} in search of a serene escape.

The lodge includes a number of elegant suites and villas which might be elevated above the forest ground on stilts, offering breathtaking views of the plush forest cover. The suites and villas are designed with a mixture of stone, wooden, and glass, providing a mix of recent luxurious and pure parts. Every suite or villa comes geared up with a non-public deck, a plunge pool, and spacious residing areas, making certain utmost consolation and privateness. It’s good for a honeymooning couple.

The principle eating space supplies beautiful views of the forest, enhancing the eating expertise and visitors can take pleasure in glorious meals, from hearty breakfasts to decadent dinners, all ready with the best components.

The lodge boasts a spread of amenities and actions designed to counterpoint the visitor expertise. The lodge has a phenomenal infinity pool, a library, and a lounge space the place visitors can loosen up and unwind. For these in search of journey, the lodge provides actions corresponding to forest walks, chicken watching, and guided excursions of the encompassing space. Set throughout the forest, the lodge is a handy 20-minute drive to Plettenberg Bay, the place you may benefit from the glorious surf seashores, whale watching, and varied water sports activities.

The lodge provides a spread of spa remedies for these seeking to unwind away out of your room or the seaside.

Tsala Treetop Lodge is dedicated to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The lodge takes measures to attenuate its environmental influence through the use of sustainable supplies in its building, implementing water and energy-saving practices, and supporting native communities by varied initiatives.

All of this makes Tsala Treetop Lodge provides a really unforgettable expertise, perfect for these on the lookout for seclusion in model.

Walkers Seaside Resort – Plettenberg Bay

Walkers Seaside Resort is one in every of Plettenberg’s latest lodges and in my view the perfect. It’s a surprising boutique resort providing visitors unimaginable views of the Indian Ocean and direct entry to pristine sandy seashores. The resort’s structure and decor mix trendy magnificence with a coastal appeal, that includes massive home windows, ethereal whitewashed rooms and spacious balconies to maximise the breathtaking ocean vistas. It feels very very like a Mediterranean villa.

The rooms at  Walkers Seaside function modern interiors with soothing color palettes and high-end furnishings and plush bedding.

There are two outside swimming swimming pools with comfy loungers and parasols, good for stress-free and absorbing the solar whereas having fun with the ocean views when you don’t fancy getting sandy down on the seaside. A serene spa provides quite a lot of remedies and therapies, from massages to facials, making certain visitors can unwind and rejuvenate whereas the well-equipped health club permits visitors to keep up their health routines throughout their keep.

The restaurant and bar overlook the ocean and in a vivid open area, serving wonderful meals with a give attention to recent, native components. The meat carpaccio salad at lunch is great!

Plettenberg Bay is famed for its varied actions and excursions, and the resort can provide assist to guide water sports activities, whale watching, and journeys to close by sights, making certain visitors can absolutely expertise the sweetness and journey of surrounding space.

With its prime location, trendy rooms and distinctive service, Walkers Seaside is our go to property for anybody seeking to keep in Plettenberg.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Journey. Humboldt Journey is a luxurious journey firm specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog with a purpose to elevate your profile, please contact us.