Bitou River Lodge

For well-heeled South Africans "Plett" is the place to summer and its sophisticated buzz can border on the frenetic. Which is why Bitou River Lodge is such a find. Situated to the east of town, it's close to Plett's glass-plated beach houses, bijou shops and restaurants, yet feels a million miles away. Paul and Sue wanted to make the most of the natural environment and have created a peaceful haven for nature lovers. The drive sweeps past a citrus orchard and horse paddock to the whitewashed lodge, which sits on five hectares of neat flower-filled gardens, with pool, chipping-green and river frontage. Behind pepper trees and honeysuckle, stable-style bedrooms have river-facing patios, where dazzling sunbirds congregate. The lime-washed, painted-pine rooms have slate-floored kitchenettes and bathrooms, and sliding doors keep them light-filled. Farmhouse feasts are served in the breakfast room, which adjoins a warm lounge where you can settle into birding books and watch the liquid-smooth lawn gather all before it - boulders, benches and flowerbeds - as it slips silently towards the lily-leafed river. While away some time out here, watching busy birds build coconut nests and lazy ones sway in the reeds, while the ripple of canoe paddles, the splash of a kingfisher and whiz of a fly-reel provide a soothing summer soundtrack. At night, guests carry picnics down to the candlelit riverbank. In season the bay hosts whales, dolphins and seals.