Search Places to stay in
South Africa

Click for Interactive map

Moontide Guest Lodge

Wilderness - South Africa

Email Moontide Guest Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com booksa@madbookings.com

Moontide Guest Lodge Accommodation

Eight individually styled cottages and rooms, each with private entrance and outdoor seating area. A birder's paradise, shaded by 400-year-old milkwood trees overlooking the lagoon. Luxurious. Tranquil. A real escape.

Rooms include the following:
Treetop:
A timber treehouse built on stilts, with sliding doors opening onto a private terrace with wonderful elevated views of the lagoon and verdant hillsides of Wilderness from your queensize bed.
Entrance:
Entrance is via a staircase that winds through the bush.
Bathroom:
Luxuriate in the green reflections of the indigenous bush that surrounds you - so close you can literally reach out and touch it from your bath.
Outdoor shower:
There's nothing like showering in the great outdoors - come rain or shine: totally private; totally refreshing.
Deck:
Step out onto your terrace, and you see why this suite is called Treetops. Furnished with timber chairs and comfortable loungers from which to enjoy the views.

Moonriver suite:
A spacious double-volume thatched suite, part of the main house but with private entrance, and great views of the garden.
Bathroom:
The large Zen-style bathroom (with bath and separate shower) is filled with natural light and private garden views.

Mezzanine Room:
The mezzanine bedroom under attractive thatch is ideal for those travelling with a young child or children (though steep staircase is not suitable for toddlers).

Milkwood cottage:
Shaded by a 400-year-old milkwood tree, this richly decorated double-level thatched cottage can potentially sleep five. The main bedroom has a kingsize bed looking out onto your private alcove.
Bathroom is large (bath and separate shower) and splendidly appointed, with large cupboard space.
Courtyard:
Your private seating alcove, shaded by a 400-year-old milkwood tree.
Second bedroom:
The upstairs bedroom, right under the thatch, is also richly decorated with kelims; note that the upstairs double bed is low (to fit under the eaves) so not suitable for the elderly traveller.

Stone cottage:
A century-old stone and thatch dwelling, furnished with antiques and Egyptian-themed artworks, the 2-bedroomed stone cottage is spacious and private; ideal for a family of four or friends.
The main bedroom (seen here) has French doors that open onto the large private courtyard, with comfortable seating for four and water feature under the large milkwood.

2nd bedroom:
The second bedroom (twin-bedded) has its own entrance off the patio, and large picture window overlooking a succulent and aloe garden.
Bathroom:
Bathroom is also under thatch and comprises a Victorian slipper tub (under chandelier!), shower and double basins. Both bedrooms enjoy direct access to the bathroom.
Courtyard:
Large semi-private seating area shaded by a 400-year-old milkwood tree and screened off by plectranthus - spectacular when in full bloom.

Boathouse:
By far our smallest room, but for many Moontide's most romantic choice, the Boathouse is located right on the river - wake up in your double bed and watch the changing light on the water and aquatic birdlife preen. Bathroom is compact (corner bath; hand shower) but comfortable.
Entrance:
Entrance is via a short stone staircase that leads to your private riverfront hideaway.
Patio:
Double doors open onto a charming outside seating area with more great lagoon views.

Moondance Room:
Moondance is under a gorgeous thatch canopy, with dressing anteroom linking the bedroom and bathroom. As with most of the rooms the king-size bed can be made into twins if needed, and the sofa can become a third bed for those travelling with a young child.
Bathroom:
The bathroom features both high-pressure shower and corner tub.
Patio:
The outside seating area is the least private but has river views and is shaded by a magnificent milkwood.

Moonshadow 1:
The bed (can be made up as twin beds) overlooks a semi-private seating area. Parking bay located a few steps away.
Bathroom:
Large bathroom (bath and separate shower) with indigenous yellow-wood detailing.
Patio:
Double doors open out onto a patio with river views. Parking bay located a few steps away.

Moonshadow 2:
A huge suite with two sets of double doors leading onto a large patio with river views. Separate walk-in cupboard; ideal for those travelling with a lot of luggage or staying for more than a few nights. Parking bay located a few steps away.
Patio:
Two sets of double doors leading onto a large patio with river views.

Moontide Guest Lodge Facilities

Breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the shimmering lagoon, where dabchicks and ducks slip between the reeds, and kingfishers keep a beady eye on the fish flitting below, is a highlight of a Moontide stay, and the most relaxing start to any day.
Feast your eyes on the cold buffet spread, and/or peruse the menu for our generous cooked breakfasts. This is usually the best time to discuss what you would like to do today, and where you would like to dine.
Tell us what you're in the mood for and we'll advise you on the best options throughout the area; we are here to help should you require assistance with anything from bookings to directions.

Given prior warning, non-guests are welcome to join us on the terrace for breakfast.

Not only is this little village by far the most tranquil of the Garden Route options, but you are within easy striking distance of all the sights: bustling Knysna lies within a 25-minute drive; Plettenberg Bay, playground of the rich and famous, a further 20 minutes, while Oudtshoorn and the jaw-dropping Swartberg Pass lies 60 minutes away.

Every drive takes you past gorgeous lake and ocean vistas, with numerous winding passes through forested mountainsides.

Weddings:
Moontide has a reputation for romance - five proposals have been made (and accepted!) here, and numerous nuptials celebrated in style.
The entire venue (space to seat 100) can be hired, and accommodation for 14 guests (maximum 22) included. We can also arrange additional accommodation and assist with wedding planning, hiring an experienced event manager to deal with the most exacting requirements.

Things to do:
Abseiling
Take a 45m (148-ft.) abseil next to a waterfall in the Kaaimans River Gorge, then canoe out! This exhilarating experience is offered by Eden Adventures. We are more than happy to arrange bookings for you if you wish.

Art
There are a number of very talented artists living in close proximity to Moontide. Some are considered of the best art investments in South Africa, others are not as famous but offer exceptional value and will make a wonderful souvenir or gift.
George is also home to one of the best art galleries in South Africa: the Strydom Gallery is a real gem, offering an eclectic combination of classic and contemporary South African artists, across all price and period spectrums. If you are an art lover, let Maureen know, and she will make private appointments to visit various studios, or provide you with directions to the Strydom Gallery in George.

Beach and Forest Walks
One of the best Garden Route beach walks, with nary a human or house to mar it, is the amble to Gericke's Point, where locals come to pick fresh mussels - ask at reception for details on how to get there.
Besides the trawling the gorgeous beaches, you can opt for any number of forest or lakeside trials in the Wilderness National Park, taking between 1 and 4 hours to complete - we like to take things easy; if you're up for a gentle stroll in stunning surrounds, one of our favourites is the 13km Pied King Fisher Trail (starting point 5km from Moontide).
Alternatively, visit the "Big Tree" an easy circular 40 minutes walk that starts and ends at a 1000 year old Yellowwood Tree (starting point 14km from Moontide).

Birdwatching
Wilderness falls within the 2600ha Wilderness National Park, which is host to over 230 different bird species - you'll see many of them while breakfasting!

Canoeing
Moontide has a paddleboat at guests disposal which you are welcome to use at any time (we recently had one honeymoon couple who took it out on a moonlit night with a bottle of champagne!).
Please just tie it securely when finished! There are also some 15km (9 miles) of inland waterways you can explore in a canoe - guests can hire canoes from Eden Adventure in the Park; again reception will assist with enquiries. For sea-kayaking tours, the marine-rich Plettenberg Bay is ideal.

Elephant Experience
The 80-ha Knysna Elephant Park in Knysna affords you the opportunity to really get up close with a pachyderm. The park has 14 elephants, and you can touch them, feed them, ride them or take a sunrise or sunset walk with them through the forests. Tip: If you intend to ride them, wear thick trousers.

Game Viewing
Botlierskop is a 3000-ha reserve near Mosselbay (about 60 minutes drive from Moontide) that offers 4-hour game drives to view a large variety of game, including rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and various kinds of antelope. Also lion and elephant though do note that these are not free-roaming.
Botlierskop is not worth doing if you are planning to go on safari (or have already been on safari), but if this is your only chance to see animals in the wild, worth booking. Day visitors can also take horseback safaris, helicopter flights and elephant rides.

Golfing
Golfers are spoiled for choice on the Garden Route, often referred to as South Africa's "Golf Coast". Our three top recommendations, all within easy striking distance, are: the George Golf Club course, still one of the most scenic, and offering excellent value. Pezula, designed by Ronald Fream and David Dale, enjoys a glorious location perched atop the Knysna East Head cliffs.
Along with great views the course boasts a luxury spa alongside. Deeper inland, on undulating hills that overlook the Knysna river and lagoon, is the perfectly groomed Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Simola, named the best new golf course in the country in 2005. The course has an interesting configuration: 5 par-threes and 5 par-fives.

Horseriding
We can recommend a variety of stables in the nearby vicinity. The best outrides lead you through the forests, with horses to suit riders of various abilities.

Market Shopping
Every Friday night there is a village market in Wilderness. Though there is not much of real interest for sale it is very popular with locals and the atmosphere is entertaining.
Every Saturday mornings there is a large market in Sedgefield (15 minute drive towards Knysna).
This is well worth attending, with plenty of interesting things to buy and a wonderful farmer's market selling everything from organic honey to superb cheeses - ideal to stock up for a picnic! Every second week there is a morning market in Wilderness.

Paragliding
Wilderness is considered South Africa's best site for coastal flying, particularly from August to May. A basic license paragliding course lasts 7-10 days, weather depending-or you can do a 1-day introductory course, or take a one-off tandem flight with a qualified instructor.

Shark Cage Diving
Shark Africa is the only shark-cage operator in Mossel Bay, so your close-up encounter with a great white is likely to be less crowded experience than in the better known Gansbaai waters, near Hermanus. The four-hour trip including the shark-cage dive, breakfast and a light lunch.

Treatments/Beauty Therapy
There are a number of spa and beauty therapy options, most of them located in local hotels (the Karos Hotel and the Beach Hotel) but we also know of some excellent home-based therapists. Please ask us for specific recommendations. Given enough notice, massage therapists can be arranged to visit you in the privacy or your room.

Swimming
There is a plunge pool to cool down in but the river is safe, and wonderful to swim in: temperature is usually warmer than the pool and the water is clean (Remember, you're in a nature reserve!
The brown colour is from plant oxides). Swimming in the sea can be treacherous. If you feel like an ocean plunge we'd recommend you go to Victoria bay (signposted off the N2 between Wilderness and George). One of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa lies just beyond Knysna: Noetzie is not only pretty but it has a number of castles overlooking the beach.

Whale-watching
Between August and November you will often spot whales from Dolphin's Point, clearly signposted at the top of the Kaaiman's Pass (between George and Wilderness).

Directions:
Travelling from Cape Town/George Having descended from the Kaaimans River Pass, you will pass the turn-off to the Village and cross over the lagoon. Immediately after you have crossed the lagoon, look for the Moontide sign and take the first turning left (over the disused railway line) into Southside Road.
Moontide is located at the end of the lane. If traveling from PE/Knysna Look out for the sign on the right-hand side, soon after you have passed the turn off to Pirate's Creek.

Lat/Long: 33° 59.632'S / 22° 35.216'E

History of Moontide Guest Lodge:
Built in the 1920s, Moontide was one of the first residences to be built in the romantic enclave of Wilderness. The thatched homestead (above) was host to a string of illustrious guests until unexpected tragedy struck, and the house was abandoned and left to ruin.
It was finally put on the market in the 1980s and purchased by Maureen Mansfield, who decided to restore the homestead to its former glory rather than tear it down.
The roofs of the outbuildings were replaced with thatch to create a coherent and charming identity, and an additional home, 'Moonshadow', was built on the adjacent erven to accommodate her many house guests. In 1994 Maureen threw open her doors to her first paying guests with just four rooms. Inspired by the response, she has subsequently created another four suites, and updates annually.

Email Moontide Guest Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com