Self-catering holiday house in natural forest surroundings, ideal for animal and nature lovers, for 6 – 8 persons

Built from the wood of the indigenous forests, the architecture blends with the idyllic location being part of the beautiful Tsitsikama Forest land on the southern east coast of South Africa. A mere 16km away is the very popular holiday destination of Plettenberg Bay. This coastal town is well serviced by quaint little shops that offer just about everything that one would need whilst on vacation there. This holiday lodge forms part of the exclusive Ashlands Private Estate and is built on a stand of 2000m², with its own private garden. The Estate is wooded and grassed and offers residents and visitors serenity and peace.

This holiday accommodation near Plettenberg Bay and Knysna is beautifully set on the edge of the forest which brings with it wonderful bird life and sounds that tell you that it is home to all sorts of fauna. Often buck will appear in the garden with visits from monkeys, guinea fowl and even the shy “rooikat” has been spotted. This aside, the estate also has its own herd of fallow deer that freely roam the estate at will and can be seen grazing each and every day. It is most unlikely that you won’t get a sighting of the beautiful Knysna lourie during your stay at the lodge.

The lodge can comfortably sleep 8 adults using the 4 en-suite bedrooms, all of which open onto an open-plan lounge (with satellite tv) and dining area with beautiful meranti floors. There is a quiet spot for reading or guests can pass through sliding doors on to an elevated covered deck and just relax, taking in the north and west vistas of the forest.

The main bedroom (with king-size bed) has easy access to the covered northern deck and offers stunning vistas. The bedroom has a full en-suite bathroom with a difference… a quite unusual setting with a low sliding window giving you an “outside/inside” feeling and an enviable view of the forest. The TV will keep you soaking away for a while longer.

There are three guest suites each with a different theme and en-suite bathrooms with showers. Two of the rooms have king-size beds with the third room providing the option of a king-size bed or two 3/4 beds.

There is a very functional kitchen fitted with electrical appliances that include a dishwasher, tumble dryer and heavy duty washing machine. Off the kitchen is a breakfast nook that, apart from being very practical and useful, offers spectacular views of the rich green rolling meadows making up the countryside and of course the ever intriguing forest.

A choice of decks leads you to stairs that will give you access to various parts of the garden where you can take a walk or choose to sit on one of the garden benches and read or just soak up the myriad of views.

A braai (bbq) is also available for guests' convenience.

Attached to the house (at ground level) is a self-contained garden flat that is ideal for two people which allows this lodge to actually sleep ten people if necessary. The facility has an en-suite shower, a toilet and a handwash basin with a split-level kitchenette and lounging area. The flat has immediate access to the terraced garden.