South Africa Accommodation | Garden Route

Hog Hollow Country Lodge

"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live." Lin Yutang (1895 - 1976)

Lush indigenous vegetation and forests framed by majestic mountain ranges on the one side and the Indian Ocean with it's pristine white beaches on the other, make the Garden Route, situated on the East Coast of Southern Africa, one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Hog Hollow Country Lodge, a private nature reserve, is situated 18km East of the small coastal town of Plettenberg Bay in the heart of the magnificent area providing guests with an ideal base to explore the Garden Route.

Personalised service and friendly hospitality is a Hog Hollow trademark. Owners, Andy and Debbie, believe turning guests into friends is an essential part of the Hog Hollow experience. The main house is where it all happens and, apart from the diningroom, includes three lounge areas; one leading out to the sun drenched boma area, whilst the other two offer the privacy of a leafy garden vistas, ideal for reading or bird spotting underneath the old Cape Ficus Tree growing through the deck. From the social milieu of the main house to the cool waters of the long blue pool on the lower deck, overlooking the Matjes River Gorge and a prefect spot to soak up the sun whilst sipping a fresh drink or enjoying a light lunch. Our bar provides excellent beverages to complement all occasions.

ACCOMMODATION

Fifteen uniquely individual rooms offer uninterrupted views over the indigenous forests and Tsitsikamma Mountains. These comfortable African-styled rooms, situated in the gardens surrounding the main house, are decorated in in a combination of bright & earthy colours, naturally woven fabrics, artefacts and tones from north-eastern Africa, and local handcrafted woods. Each room has a private wooden deck, fitted with its own hammock and wooden furniture overlooking the forest and an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower.

ACTIVITIES

At breakfast, hosts assist our guests in planning their day. There are so many wonderful places to see and things to do in the area that we are able to advise and book activities according to your specific individual needs. Attractions nearby include at least 50 charted and guided walks. The area is part of one of the world's great floral kingdoms with a host of bird-life and wildlife for nature lovers.

An unforgettable walk with the Elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary across the valley, Horse-riding, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Windsurfing, Canopy Walk, Scuba Diving, Paragliding, Deep Sea Fishing, Bungi Jumping and Black Water Tubing down the Storms River Gorge are among some of the great outdoor activities the area has to offer.

The unique and most exciting feature of this area is the abundance in marine mammals in the bay which is flanked by two marine nature reserves and therefore rich in food for the resident whales and dolphins. Apart from the resident Bryde whale, Indo-Pacific Humpback, Bottlenose and Common Dolphins who feed in the bay all year round, we also enjoy seasonal visits from the Southern Right, Humpback and Killer Whales during their annual migration. During July to September every year, Southern Right Whales migrate to this part of the Indian Ocean to calve. There are organised boat trips all year round to see Brydes whales and dolphins. Huge schools of dolphin surfing the breakers or leaping clear of the blue sea, are a regular sight throughout the year.

Boat trips are available through Ocean Blue Adventures from where you have the opportunity to interact with the dolphins in the bay. Ocean Adventures will provide you with fascinating insights into our rich marine heritage. View the beauty of this coastline from a different angle and enjoy the exceptional photographic opportunities available. Special requests for tailor-made trips can be accommodated.

African Ramble Air Safaris offer a dedicated whale watching flight and a thirty minute scenic flight along the coast from Plettenberg Bay to the Knysna Heads. Equitrailing specializes in horse trails through pristine indigenous forests and can incorporate biking, canoeing, abseiling and hiking.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary offers visitors safari's conducted by experienced rangers where you can expect to see many species of monkeys as well as a large variety of forest dwelling birds. After soaking up the splendor of a living forest, you can relax on the sunny deck of the restaurant while enjoying a meal or a cocktail.