Tsala Treetops Lodge

Location

Situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay on the iconic Garden Route, the lodge is surrounded by indigenous forest in a large, gated estate. The elevated rooms look out across the Piesang River Valley below and as the estate is shared with only two other properties, the whole space feels secluded and exclusive.

Rooms

There are 16 elevated rooms hidden among the trees and connected by wooden walkways which curve through the treetops. Both the ten Treetop Suits and six Treetop villas offer private decks with plunge pools looking out to the valley below. Made from wood and glass, the suites are spacious and bright with tall ceilings, separate living areas and polished wooden floors. The two-bedroom villas have the addition of a kitchenette and dining room. Although the floor-to-ceiling windows provide perfect forest views, the rooms feel very secluded within their wild surroundings. En-suites boast big oval stone bathtubs and dark wooden floors.

Communal Areas

The impressive A-framed main area houses the comfortable lounge, the library with its roaring stone fireplace, the stocked wine cellar and the Zinzi Restaurant where exquisite seafood and African fusion dishes are prepared. Guests can also dine al fresco on the huge, elevated deck which spreads across several levels among the trees.

Activities

A stay at Tsala can be included in a tour along the Garden Route and the lodge’s proximity to Plettenberg Bay means plenty of marine activity is on offer such as surfing, diving and whale watching. Guests can also visit the Elephant Sanctuary, Birds of Eden and Monkeyland or walk the Robberg Peninsula for more spectacular scenery. The hotel can also organize boat cruises and treetop canopy tours. For game viewing, take full-day drives in the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, the Southern Cape’s largest.