South Africa

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Peace of Eden

Knysna - South Africa

Email Peace of Eden Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

Influenced by its beautiful surroundings, Peace of Eden takes care to emphasize the wonder of it’s nature filled setting.

Peace of Eden Accommodation

Lodging:
Peace of Eden, offers a variety of lodging from Timber Cabins, Chalets and Double rooms in their Traveler's Lodge to unique Forest Canopy Cottage Tents on timber decks deep in the forest, and a few select camp sites sprinkled in the fields alongside the forest edge.
With names like Mystic Moon, Gwendolyn's Glade, & Firefly one expects to be enchanted at this magical Country Lodge and it does that and more, you will find yourself inspired, revitalised and mesmerised.

Our different Accommodation experiences are:
* The Woodcutter Stable Chalets - Marimba & Djembe
* The Fairy tale Cottage - Gwendolyn's Glade
* The Barn Owl Cabins - Gecko, Swallow's Nest & Sunbird
* The Forest Canopy Cottage Tents - Mystic Moon, Morning Star, Firefly & Deep Forest
* The Forest edge Camp sites - 1,2,3,4

CHALET MARIMBA:
Woodcutter Style Chalet, private double bedroom, bathroom, galley kitchen, small open plan lounge with 2 day beds leading onto a timber deck overlooking fields & forest with stunning sunsets & starry night skies, ideal for a couple or family on a budget.

COTTAGE GWENDOLYN'S GLADE:
Charming double storey, with large attic bedroom upstairs with fairy tale dormer windows. Downstairs is a twin bedroom alcove, Small lounge with fireplace and open plan kitchen, large timber deck overlooking a lily pond fringed by willows and evergreens
Max Guests: 4

CABIN SWALLOW'S NEST:
Swallow's Nest is one of the Barn Cabins, which is a timber building divided into 3 private privately appointed units, each has a covered veranda & braai area.
Swallow's Nest is the middle unit and overlooks a large lawned area and macademia orchard and beyond to the distant foot hills of the Outeniqua mountain range.
Sleeps 4 in a twin bedroom alcove and 2 single day beds in the lounge area with a large open plan kitchen and a bathroom with shower.
Max Guests: 4

FOREST EDGE CAMP SITE:
Camp Sites on the forest edge, with bush kitchen, solar/gas outdoor shower and eco loo. A safe eco nature lovers experience. 2 pax per site. Please note only tents or small camper vans allowed.
Max Guests: 2

SUNBIRD CABIN:
Sunbird is the front Barn Cabin, which is a timber building divided into 3 private privately appointed units, each has a covered veranda & braai area.
Sunbird Cabin, is nestled in amongst the bottle brush tree's where Sun birds abound and horses graze alongside the paddock fence in front of this cosy 1 bedroom en suite Cabin with small lounge and open plan kitchenette leading onto a large covered timber deck with stunning sunset views over the forest edge.
Guests: 2

FOREST CANOPY COTTAGE TENTS:
Feel the pulse of the forest from our comfy Double or Twin Forest Canopy Cottage Tents. Placed on stilts on a timber deck high amongst the forest canopy where you are one with the vervet monkey's that scamper along the leafy tree tops.
Comfy and cosy with proper beds and duvets.
Enjoy sundowners ' out of africa' style on the mosquito free netted veranda with camp chairs and a butlers table.
As part of your 'back to nature' experience is showering in our bush shower where the stars are your ceiling and bird song the chorus as you sing happily in the shower
Max Guests: 2

GECKO CABIN:
Gecko Barn Cabin, on the west end of the barn Cabins, a timber building divided into 3 privately appointed units, each with own veranda and braai area.
Beautifully Draped in jasmine and Bougainvillea this spacious Cabin has 2 bedrooms, open plan lounge, dining room and large kitchen plus bathroom with shower.
This cabin can sleep 6 as it has a double bunk in the dinning room. It has a large covered porch overlooking stunning sunsets over the forest and at night the starry skies take your breathe away.
Max Guests: 6

CHI HOUSE DOUBLE ROOMS:
Chi House -Twin Bedroom
This charming rambling Timber house, called Chi House is our Traveller's Lodge and Backpackers with 3 double bedrooms and also has a health food vegetarian Bistro and Bar for all Peace of Eden Guests.
Max Guests: 2

Chi House -Luxury Double Bedroom:
Part of our rambling charming Backpacker Lodge, this double has a spacious room with own balcony overlooking a tropical garden and lovely forest views.
Max Guests: 2

Chi House -Luxury Double Bedroom:
This large luxury room has its own lounge leading onto a balcony draped in bougainvillea and is part of our charming rambling Backpacker Lodge.
Max Guests: 2

CHALET DJEMBE:
Woodcutter Style Chalet, private double bedroom, bathroom, galley kitchen, small open plan lounge with 2 day beds leading onto a timber deck overlooking forest and orchards where vervet monkeys play, ideal for a couple or family on a budget.
Max Guests: 2 adults 2 children

Monkeys, bush buck, porcupine and a stunning variety of birds all find sanctuary here, amongst many others.
Wake up to the sound of chattering monkeys and fall asleep to a symphony of frogs and crickets.
We even have a resident FGASA nature guide and a licensed South African tour guide part of our staff.

Take time off to chill out at the lily pond, or partake of some healthy delights from the Vegetarian Bar and Bistro, or grab a surf board / mountain bike from the closest staff member and head off to explore the nearby forest , beach and wilderness.
It’s quite possible you might even be around for one of our events, festivals, or retreats, alternatively ask for a massage or treatment in the Deep Forest Therapy Tent.
Whatever your reason for being here, it doesn’t matter, just come and be, inspired.

Experience the magic and tranquility of Peace of Eden, set alongside indigenous forest filled with chattering monkeys, bushbuck, porcupines and abundant bird life.
In enchanting surroundings meander down lantern lit, tree lined pathways to a variety of beautifully simple, yet character filled Chalets, Cabins and Safari Tents offering 'just what you need' amenities for a comfy stay.
Confidently situated too, only 8 km's off the N2 along the Rheenendal Rd, tucked away behind Knysna is this delightful safe hideaway.

Share this creative beautiful environment with proprietors Jen and Howard Bucher who are passionate about nature, music and the arts and who also run a music studio from this forested paradise situated close to all the major attractions of Knysna in the heart and safety of the Garden Route.

The lagoon, beaches, forest trails and river are all a mere 10 minutes away and the major Garden Route sights are within an easy hour and a half's drive away, making this a prefect base to explore all its attractions.
This enterprising family and their friendly staff are more than generous with sharing their knowledge of the area and the local secret spots you can enjoy in the vast forest and waterways nearby.

You can just chill out on a hammock strung up between ancient yellow wood trees where you will view an amazing variety of birds, or choose to go on horseback through the forest, paddle on the lily pond, or go on a guided forest, adventure or cultural Tour with Howard who is also a legendary field guide who's knowledge both amazes and amuses.
For something a little less strenuous Jen can organise a Massage, Reiki, Meditation or an Indian Head and Shoulder Treatment in the Deep Forest Therapy Tent where mind , body and spirit will be soothed to the symphony of forest sounds.

Peace of Eden has a variety of adventure options to suit all needs. Whether it’s a leisurely hike at sunset along the lagoon edge or a bush-whacking flying safari, we can make it happen.
Customised trips or standard tours can be booked through us with options to fit all budgets, fitness and taste. Below are some examples of what we do, but the list is endless.

WALK ON THE WILDSIDE GUIDED ADVENTURES:
Walk on the Wild side is managed by Howard Butcher, a FGASA registered field guide with considerable knowledge in the areas of ornithology (birds), entomology (insects) and mycology (mushrooms and fungi).
He is also a bush pilot with some 4000 hours flying experience on a wide variety of light single and multi engine aircraft.
Acknowledged for having uncanny voice and call recognition skills- Howard has the ability to relate and unfold events in the bush long before things become apparent to the eye.
He has a comprehensive understanding of both the macro and micro elements of nature complimented by an awareness level seldom found. All this makes for a highly informative and broad-based field guiding experience.

Early Bird Walk:
Capture that twilight moment first hand when nature wakes up and prepares for its day. Hear the sounds of the Fish Eagle searching for breakfast and see the Oyster Catcher tottering along the estuary shores.
Rest assured you’ll get a glimpse of the elusive Knysna Loerie in flight, if not up close and personal!
The Garden Route has some of the most dynamic birdlife in the country, guaranteed to entertain the most avid bird watcher and enthrall the humble curious.

Township Tango:
This half day tour takes the visitor through some of the pristine nature sites of the area and then on through the townships of Knysna. Howard is also an acclaimed music producer and here he elaborates on his musical work with some of the talented local youth, some of which have gone on to tour their show and CD across the UK recently.
This tour gives a fascinating insight to township life, the aspirations of its people, their musicality and how they interact with the natural environment. You might meet characters, listen to their sounds and experience something quite unique.

TRIPAWAY TOURS:
Trip away Tours is run by Jess, Howard’s daughter. After years of experience with Howard in his various nature based activities, she decided to branch into some more social orientated excursions. Trip away Tours runs alongside Walk on the Wild side, however focuses on slightly different adventures.

The Route Road Trip:
Spend 4 nights based at magical Peace of Eden travellers lodge on the outskirts of Knysna and explore the Garden Route from this cosy setting.
Wake every morning to a breakfast on the forest deck, then go hiking, surfing, visit a township, bungee jump or whatever else our guides have in store for you. Finish of the day with cocktails at a local oyster bar or a barbeque and fireside drumming jam.
Leaves every Thursday from Cape Town, with stops at Hermanus, Swellendam, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma.

Wicked Weekend:
Want to have a party but don’t know where to start? Our guides are well connected in the social scene, be it live music, dance or festivals that you’re after. We know exactly what will be the best vibe about, and what’s more - we’ll take you there and bring you back!
Let your hair down without having to worry about safety, transport or directions. We supply all the above and throw in a few free drinks just because we can. No need to worry about cover charge or accommodation. If it’s a big outdoor party you’re after, or just a local pub/club crawl – we’ll make sure your weekend is well wicked.
Give us a call for what’s on and we’ll give you your options.

Personal Guides:
Need some assistance in getting around – want someone clued up to take you out and about? Trip away offers personal guides for all sorts of daily activities.
Either you decide where you want to go and we take you there (sharing our wealth of local knowledge with you in the process) or leave it up to us to organise a schedule for you!
Examples of such activities are wine routes, shopping sprees, arts and crafts trail, wilderness drives, forest and beach walks. Think of it as having your very own chaperone.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES:
Peace of Eden is situated close to all sorts of amenities that are guaranteed to entertain. Whether you just want to chill out at base or take on a world of diverse things nearby, from beach walks to scuba-diving, birding to sky-diving, its all within easy reach. Knysna also has some of the best restaurants that can be found in the world.
There are markets and craft shops to entertain, our famous Mitchell's brewery welcomes visitors and then there is a myriad of outdoor activities that will de-stress you

WEDDINGS:
Share that magical moment with your loved one in a space that’ll take you far away from the bustle of the busy world. Meander alongside a forest path whilst having your photo’s taken and say your vows in canoe atop a dappled Lily pond.
The options are endless. Sleep in a safari tent covered with rose petals on that special night or party till dawn with your friends under the stars.
Feel the serenity instead of the stress and let us help plan your special day. With our co-ordinators, crew, catering, décor and entertainment networks you won’t have to hassle about a thing.

FESTIVALS:
Peace of Eden has put on a variety of music and holistic festivals ranging from our main festival on the 16th Dec every year, called Peace of Eden Summer Sessions, to 3 day parties to specialised Soiree's for well known musicians from pop, folk, to Classical Contemporary Guitar. Watch this space for the latest line up of happenings, or contact us if you want to throw one of your own.
Peace of Eden Music Studios can take care of any audio, visual and staging requirements whilst our accommodation setup provides Safari Tent in the forest for the carefree and cosy Timber Cottages for those wanting more comfort.

FUNCTIONS & PARTIES:
If you’re looking to throw a 21st bash, work do, or any other form of celebratory event with a difference, then this is where you should be. With ample space to kick off your shoes and get down – no need to worry about noise levels affecting the neighbours!
Pile everyone in to a dorm room at the end of it all for safe keeping, or book a forest cottage for some exclusive time out. With a stocked bar, sound stage and catering at your service, there’s not much more you need to worry about. We can even take care of the entertainment for you – whether it’s a live band, dj’s, fire jugglers, or a wondering magician…the options are endless.

Email Peace of Eden Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com