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On the banks of the tidal Touw river, surrounded by the Garden Route National Park, Moontide is both a romantic retreat and the perfect base from which to explore the region. Each room is individually decorated with its own unique character – make your choice by clicking directly on the name of each room below.
An intricate tapestry of habitats – rivers, lakes, forests, fynbos, estuaries and beaches – the Garden Route National Park offers so many ways to play... Wilderness offers easy access to all of it, and we are here to help you experience the best of it.
We have a fleet of canoes for your use – the further you paddle, the wilder it gets! A popular self-guided expedition is to paddle to the point where you can join the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail, through the forest to the Duiwe River waterfall for a dip. There are also several guided adventures we highly recommend – clambering, swimming and leaping in Cappucino Canyon is a thrilling half day adventure.
Walking barefoot at low tide, the vast blue horizon to one side, no one else in sight, is deeply meditative. Wilderness beach - a four-minute walk from our door - stretches for miles, most of it pretty deserted. In addition we highly recommend a walk along the fossilized sandstone cliffs that lead to Gericke’s Point, particularly at low tide to dip into crystal clear pools... if you are here over full moon we can arrange a Moonlight Meander, a rare opportunity to witness the nocturnal life of the intertidal zone...
Keen hikers are spoilt for choice, with coastal rambles along paths cooled by sea breezes, and mountain scrambles through pristine fynbos to reveal the most magnificent views, all the while learning more about the rich floral kingdom that thrives in our temperate climate. We have excellent guides to help choose which route is best for you based on fitness and interest, and reveal so much more about the intricate complexity of nature's playground.
Known as “forest bathing”, immersing yourself in the smells and sounds of the forest, absorbing the calming energy of the trees, has gain credence in recent years for its deep therapeutic benefits. We recommend several self-guided walks, but by far the best way to explore is to book with one of our naturalist who will open your eyes to the hidden wonders of the forest... like the fact that trees can plan ahead and manipulate the behaviour of birds by changing the taste of their fruit!
To float like a bird on thermals, the breeze on your skin, all human endeavour dwarfed and toy-like below – this one of those life-affirming experiences, and Wildernessis is one of the best place in South Africa for paragliding. No experience necessary, just bring your cajones! Naturally we only book with companies that boast 100% flawless safety record.
Nothing beats wild swimming, and we have an enormous playground right on our doorstep. Flowing from the mountains that line the coast and filtered by plants (giving the waters the tannin 'tea' colour), the Touw river is clean, warm and shallow, and just the perfect distance to swim or wade to the nearby beach and back.
Built in the 1920s, Moontide was one of the first residences to be built in Wilderness. It fell into disuse in the 1980s but was lovingly restored in 1984 by Maureen Mansfield, who used it as her private home. In 1994 she opened the guest lodge, with just four rooms. The guest house has expanded but the atmosphere is still very much that of a warm and welcoming home... We hope you will soon experience it for yourself!
Cape white-eyes and fork-tailed drongos visit the breakfast table; kingfishers perch above the river and herons wade in the shallows. Reed cormorants and red-knobbed coots, chattering weavers, flocks of egrets winging their way at dawn. Lie back on a lounger and see what you spot – we have a bird books and check lists … One guest spotted 91 species in just four days! We love birders and might just reward your efforts with a gin and tonic on the deck…
We serve breakfast on the terrace overlooking the shimmering lagoon, so you can watch dabchicks and ducks slip between the reeds and kingfisher and cormorant fish. This is when plans for the day and dinner plans are discussed. We advise, make bookings as requested. Picnics are available for guests wanting to enjoy the serene surrounds of Moontide, or we will lay a table for you and recommend the best available take aways in the village.
We have been blessed by both local and international awards over the years, including Luxury Lodge of the Year, see here Maureen receiving it at the LTG Awards in London. That said, we are not a full-service luxury lodge; our prices reflect our desire to offer generosity and value rather than turn down and room service. The best reward for us is hearing “we will be back” – some of our guests have been revisiting us for 20 years, and that really makes our hearts soar!
Call us on +27 44 8770361 or email us on info@moontide.co.za to discuss discounted rates for longer stays or further direct bookings specials.
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