South Africa

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Inyathi Guest Lodges

Knysna - South Africa

Email Inyathi Guest Lodges Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

The luxurious Victorian style baths, stained glass windows, crisp cotton linen and comfortable beds, compliment the experience of the African idyll.
A scrumptious buffet style continental and freshly cooked hot breakfast is served daily in the breakfast room, where the African savannah intrudes on breakfast, through a local artist’s handiwork and your hosts, Helen and Riaan can help you plan your day’s exploring.

Chalets & Facilities:
Inyathi has eight separate wooden chalets (with Victorian baths and hand showers) and three hotel style rooms (with showers), all of which are situated under the canopy of an indigenous forest garden and each with a private entrance.
There are en-suite doubles, a private more luxurious, elevated ‘tree top’ Honeymoon suite and 2 family suites, each with a double/twin bed and comfortable sleeper couch, catering for adults travelling with small children, or twin and triple rooms for adults.

All the chalets are en-suite, with washbasins, toilets and either shower cubicles or large Victorian style baths and some with stained glass windows.

The chalets are uniquely decorated within the theme of traditional African culture. Wooden statues, pictures, masks and bowls, reed baskets and colourful materials, beads and wall hangings have been placed in every room.
All the chalets are non-smoking but each have a private veranda or outside sitting area, to enjoy the abundant birdlife and picturesque environment.
The chalets are serviced daily and all are equipped with remote control colour TV, coffee and tea making facilities, heaters and fans, hairdryers, crisp percale cotton linen, towels and toiletries.

Inyathi also happily invites honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway. In the perfectly elevated tree-top honeymoon suite with separate bedroom, bathroom and living room area, along with a large private deck. Please ask about our complimentary honeymoon package which includes luxurious bath robes and welcome toiletries set (including bubble bath etc), candles and a complimentary bottle of bubbly, ice bucket and glasses.
There is also the choice of breakfast in the morning room at normal breakfast hours (8-9.30am), or an breakfast-in-bed tray including rolls, muffins, cheeses, ham, fruits and yogurt and tea/coffee to be delivered to your door on request.

Services:
Breakfast is the main meal served in the dining area, with a large continental buffet-style breakfast (including 2 fruit juices, rooibos and five roses tea, hot chocolate and Baruch’s locally roasted filter coffee, 3 cereals, homemade muesli, yoghurt, fruit, white and brown bread, jams, cheese and ham), along with a freshly cooked hot breakfast accompaniment of bacon, sausage and tomato and a choice of fried, scrambled, poached or boiled eggs.

Our visitors are encouraged to experience locally produced foods, by including at breakfast, Locally farmed dairy products, rooibush/honeybush tea, homemade rusks, and local fruits (from our own garden), jams, chutneys and juices.
We can also cater for special diets including vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, lactose intolerance etc. by special request. Pre-packed lunches (to take away), group meals and braais are also available on request.

Inyathi also likes guests to relax in the evening after a busy day exploring the area, and Riaan and Helen are easily persuaded to join in hosting a braai or a sipping a cold drink, whilst relaxing around a wood fire, or sitting at their ‘curio’ bar, telling stories of African Adventures.

On Site Facilities:
· Secure parking for eight vehicles, and plenty of off-street parking next door at Pledge Square
· Free Wifi
· Same day laundry and ironing service
· Fully licensed bar
· Large braai and outdoor entertaining area
· Baby cot and high chair
· Beach towels
· Overseas chargers and adaptors
· Pets allowed (on request)
· International phone, fax and business services
· Tourism information, reservations and booking desk
· Safety deposit box
· Visa and MasterCard accepted
· Communal fridge/freezer and microwave
· Iron and board for in-room guest use
· Braai packs, charcoal/ firewood for sale
· Pre-packed lunches

Further Along The Garden Route towards Port Elizabeth
· Tsitsikamma National Park (hikes and forest galore).
· Storms River:
o (throw your inhibitions and yourself at the wind, at the) World Highest Bungee Jump,
o River Tubing,
o Horse Riding,
o Mountain Biking,
o Treetop Canopy Tours,
o Waterfall Ziplining,
· Stroll the awesome surf beach of Nature’s Valley.
· Spend some time at Plettenberg Bay (Plet to the locals) and at Robberg Peninsula for THE best coastal hikes and views around.
· Spend some serious money on beautiful gifts for the folks left at home; at Global Village (follow the signs for Piesang Valley off the N2 just at the Plet Roundabout).
· Or an ‘animal day’ at the Knysna Elephant Park.
· a game drive at the nearby Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve.
· and a visit to Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Tenikwa Wild Cat Awareness Center to finish it off.

Towards Cape Town:
Drive the Seven Passes Road to George and Outeniqua pass to Outdshoorn, on your way to Cango Caves and the many Ostrich farms, whilst earning a well deserved stop at the Kango Winery for tastings.
Clear your head along the many beach and forest trails at Wilderness and Hoekwill, and stop at the Dolphin viewpoint at the top of the N2, on your way to the lesser known beach spots of Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay. Stop for a beautiful country style buffet lunch at Down to Earth – a superb clay, straw and timber building birched high on a hill overlooking Herold’s Bay.

For all the history buffs out there (yes! You know who you are) a trip the Mossel Bay is a must:
· With seven museums in one AND the Post Office Tree, at the Dias Museum Complex.
· Climb the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse, at the Point for some good photos of the bay.
· Stop at the Cove, at the Point, for a quick archaeology lesson in 165,000 years of human development
(oh! and a good photo opportunity with the local rock dassies).
Mossel Bay is also the perfect place to come face to face with a Great White Shark, with daily cage diving trips out in the Bay, to see close up these beautiful fish.

Directions:
Inyathi Guest Lodge is conveniently located just off the main road (N2), which runs through the centre of Knysna, 493km east of Cape Town and 268km west of Port Elizabeth with the closest airport being in George (75 km).
From the Cape Town / George direction, stay on the N2, which changes into Main Road as you drive into Knysna. We’re on the left about 400m after the first traffic light/robot and directly after the BP petrol station.
From the Plettenberg Bay / Port Elizabeth direction, follow the N2/Main Road all the way through the centre of town. We’re on your right just after the Shell Garage.

Your Hosts:
Helen and Riaan have travelled and worked all over Africa and love to share their stories and adventures. Their ambition at Inyathi is to provide great, personal customer service and affordable luxury accommodation, within a relaxed and peaceful setting.
They also hope to impart some of Africa’s unique, vibrant culture to their guests during their stay.
From the moment you enter Inyathi, you will be met with enthusiastic, helpful staff, beautiful clean surroundings, healthy delicious cooking, a relaxed atmosphere and unique vibrant decor.
Inyathi is an ideal spot for a romantic break or honeymoon, the highlight of a leisurely drive along the garden route or an all expenses paid business trip.

Helen and Riaan Louw stepped into Inyathi’s tropical garden in March 2009 and have been settling into Knysna’s relaxed pace of living, after years travelling and touring throughout Africa as overland tour guides.
They both share a huge passion for nature, the outdoors and the environment, and enjoy all aspects of the wildlife, culture and diversity that South Africa offers.
Helen is originally from South Wales in the United Kingdom, and therefore enjoys a good pint and watching the rugby. She studied to be a Structural Engineer and has worked and travelled all over Australasia, Northern America and Europe. She also lived in Australia for five years.

She came to South Africa on a holiday five years ago and never left. After seeing the diverse cultures and environments of Africa, she became a tour guide to show others the ‘bundu’, and spent three years camping, travelling and working throughout Southern and Eastern Africa.
Riaan is South African, and decided early on to follow his main passion of the adventurous outdoors. This took him to spend five years working in America, teaching and experiencing all areas of adventure and outdoor activities. He then carried on his love of the outdoors, when he returned to SA by becoming a tour guide for a local tour company. Riaan sent several years travelling through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, running tours for many different groups of people.

Helen and Riaan met one day on a dusty road in Namibia, and if you ask them, have many, many stories and adventures which they can share with you about beautiful Africa.
The other (more furry) members of the family, are Tarka the cheeky Jack Russell, who is full of energy, loves attention and a catch (a welsh cuddle) and Hazel the small but very hungry cat. Both are not allowed at breakfast, but love to put in an appearance before you leave.

Email Inyathi Guest Lodges Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com