Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the biggest game reserve in the Southern Cape, with more than 2 200 hectares spread out across the hills above the scenic Garden Route coastline. With its breathtaking views across the Bay of Beauty, its abundance of wildlife, superb facilities for day and overnight visitors and warm African hospitality, it offers an exciting child-friendly safari experience in a non-malaria area with an excellent chance of spotting four of the Big Five – buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino.

Situated only 12km from Plettenberg Bay, one of the most popular and beautiful holiday destinations on the Garden Route coast, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is easily accessible for day visitors who want a big game-viewing experience in an open 4x4 vehicle or on a guided horseback safari, or for those looking for an African safari getaway in a luxury four-star lodge.

The reserve boasts a diversity of natural biomes, including fynbos, grasslands and indigenous forests, and the property is the natural confluence of the Keurbooms and Palmiet Rivers. Over 35 species of game, including lion, rhino, giraffe, hippo, crocodiles, buffalo and a large variety of antelope roam free in their natural habitat which is also home to more than 101 different bird species. It is the biggest sanctuary in the area for the endangered white rhino. The friendly and professionally trained game rangers are passionate about sharing their vast knowledge of the local fauna and flora and are experienced guides.

The beautiful colonial-style Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge was built in 1822 by Baron von Pletten, an early South African pioneer and conservationist, who used the original, smaller Lodge as his base to explore the then-untamed African landscapes.

Built from local stone, the Lodge has lost little of its original feel and is both romantic and luxurious with spectacular views across rolling lawns where zebra and antelope room freely, to the indigenous forests and majestic Tsitsikamma mountains in the distance.

Each of the 10 spacious luxury rooms opens onto the picturesque gardens with indigenous plants, cool verandas, courtyards and quaint plunge pool. There are six double suites, three family rooms and one twin room, all spacious and comfortable, with high ceilings and original polished cement and yellowwood floors. Romantic four-poster beds are draped with gossamer mosquito nets and dressed with cotton linen and chenille or faux-fur throws and there are extra warm blankets for chilly nights. The rooms have showers and freestanding bathtubs, some with views across the indigenous forests.

The guest living spaces are heated by log fireplaces and there are many comfortable sitting areas with a library of books for guests to browse through and many beautiful artefacts, trophies and original photographs to admire. There are no television sets in the rooms, however there is a comfortable TV room in the Lodge with a fireplace.

While there is no in-suite mini bar or tea and coffee-making facilities, the helpful staff are on call to serve refreshments in the room, and there is a bar in the Lodge which is open all day.

The Lodge has an enclosed Boma with a central open fire place, a bar and a deck over the dam where sundowners are served. Within the main building of the Lodge are a number of comfortable sitting areas with fireplaces, a well-stocked library and two dining rooms, one open plan with the vast kitchen and the other a semi-enclosed area for dining alfresco. There is a plunge pool in the courtyard off the dining room.

A day at Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge starts with a delicious breakfast served on the semi-enclosed terrace which is warmed by a log fireplace on fresh mornings.After breakfast guests can join an experienced game ranger on a two hour game drive in an open Land Rover or a horseback safari through the sweeping grasslands of the Reserve. The rest of the morning should be spent lazing at the pool or on the deck, reading or birding. Lunch is served at The Shed, a short distance from the Lodge and the departure point for games drives and outrides. After lunch, enjoy a siesta in the coolness of your luxury suite or book a late afternoon game drive followed by a drink at the bar with your ranger to recollect your experience. Dinner is an indulgent three course home-cooked meal at the Lodge with pre- or postprandial drinks in the Boma.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is just 15 minutes drive from Plettenberg Bay, so guests also have the option of spending the day on one of the glorious Plett beaches and having lunch at a restaurant in town.