A forest holiday is one of the best ways to escape the stress of the city. Surrounded by a cool and calming army of trees, you can relax in complete and utter serenity and breathe in a breath of fresh air – literally! If a leisurely holiday without the noises of urban life, with only the sounds of nature to interrupt your peaceful splendor appeals to you, then have a look at the following fantastic forest accommodations available in South Africa:

King Gift (TG Website)

King’s Gift at Phantom River View, Western Cape

King’s Gift at Phantom River View is a self-catering cabin offering an unforgettable experience within the shade of the Knysna forest. Here you can savour uninterrupted peace and quiet with only the creatures of the forest to keep you company. The elevated wooden cabin offers a “home away from home”  with tastefully decorated interiors and glass windows that afford spectacular views of the forest and mountains. The cabin sleeps six, and has two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a third loft bedroom ideal for kids. Put your feet up in the cosy open-plan lounge and dining area, or relax beside the swimming pool offering magnificent valley views. The well-equipped kitchen features a fridge, microwave, stove, and oven to make holiday cooking a breeze. A portable braai is available on the outside deck, with deck furniture for dining in the fresh air. More info…

Leopard Walk Lodge (TG Website)

Leopard Walk Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal

Nestled on the edge of a sand forest habitat in Suni-Ridge Private Wildlife Reserve, Leopard Walk Lodge offers a unique nature getaway. It is situated along the Elephant Coast of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal, one of South Africa’s most magnificent eco-tourism areas. Here you can share your living quarters with a variety of wild animals such as zebras and bushbuck. Relax in safari-style accommodation with glass-walled bedrooms, beautiful African décor, and spacious en-suite bathrooms. The Buffalo Thorn rooms have four separate bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathrooms, and the A and B plus bedrooms feature outdoor Jacuzzis and private decks. In the evenings, enjoy delicious South African cuisine in the dining lounge overlooking the watering hole, or nurse a drink in the Trackers Bar. Make sure you head to the Moonrise Deck in the early morning for a stunning view of the sunrise. More info…

Stanford lake Lodge View (TG Website)

Stanford Lake Lodge, Limpopo

Situated in Haenertsburg, in Limpopo, Stanford Lake Lodge offers a variety of secluded accommodation surrounded only by the beauty of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Choose between three bedroomed double-storey cabins, three bedroomed single storey cabins, and one, two or three bedroomed chalets. All of the cabins and chalets are tastefully furnished and feature open-plan living areas with indoor fireplaces, dining areas, and fully-equipped kitchenettes. From your enviable position, you will be afforded superb views over the Stanford Lake, with the Wolkberg Mountains in the distance. Each accommodation is separated to allow absolute privacy to ensure your holiday is as restful as possible. In the surrounding areas, you can enjoy activities such as fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, or canoeing. There are braai facilities available, but if you don’t feel up to cooking on your holiday, dinners, picnic baskets, and other meals can be arranged on request. More info…

Peace of Eden (TG Website)

Peace of Eden, Western Cape

Peace of Eden offers accommodation tucked away behind the Phantom Pass, in Knysna. Here you can share your enchanting holiday with chattering monkeys, bushbuck, porcupines, and an array of birdlife.  Peace of Eden offers a variety of accommodation options, from cottages and self-catering chalets, to backpacker lodges and forest canopy tents. The canopy tents are on stilts, high amidst the forest canopy, where you can drift off to sleep listening to the symphony of frogs and crickets. The mosquito-netted veranda has camp chairs and hospitality trays where you can catch up on some reading. To further your experience, there is a bush shower where you can enjoy a revitalising wash beneath the stars. Spend your days relaxing on a hammock, horse-riding through the forest, paddling on the lily pond, or going on guided forest or cultural tours. If it’s leisure you’re after, you can enjoy a variety of spa treatments in the deep forest therapy tent. More info…

Where are your favourite spots to embrace the beauty of nature?