Tamodi Lodge

Rooms

Tamodi has just 7 guest suites. Décor in all is elegantly African, with warm colours, carved wooden screens, colourful textiles and interesting art. It's made that little bit more special by fresh flowers, a handwritten welcome note, and pretty decoration on everything from towels to loo rolls. Bathrooms are open-plan.

The 2 Standard Suites sit in the main lodge. Don’t be misled by the name - they’re lovely. Both have kingsize beds (1 can be set up as a twin), private decks with pretty views, vast freestanding baths overlooking the trees, walk-in rain showers, and more storage space than you’ll ever need. The 3 Honeymoon Suites come on an even larger scale and are worth the splurge, with teak four-poster beds, soaring ceilings, sofas, and indoor and outdoor showers. One is set in the main lodge; the other 2 - our favourites - sit in separate cabins a short walk away, in a spectacular forest setting that offers maximum romance and privacy.

Since our visit, the Honeymoon Suites with Plunge Pool have joined the Tamodi ensemble. These indulgent spaces come with private plunge pools, and magnificent countryside views. They are nestled in a new building, which centres around a communal lounge and alfresco seating area.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is the only meal served, but it’s a really good one. Help yourself to cereals, fruit and yoghurts while the staff whip up cooked options; the daily specials (smoked trout omelette, scrambled eggs with bacon, avocado and balsamic vinegar) are particularly creative and tasty. Ask for the amazing freshly made juice with a zing of ginger, too.

Menus for the area’s best restaurants are provided in the lounge to help you decide where to go for lunch and dinner. Popular Italian joint Enrico’s is 5 minutes down the hill, right on the rocks at Keurbooms Beach. Its pizzas are legendary, as is the baked fish. Our highlights in town include artisan bread and coffee at Le Fournil, and the green apple gelato at Ice Palazzo. There are also winery restaurants within easy driving distance - Bramon Wine Estate, 10 minutes away, is a lovely place for a lazy tapas lunch. Alternatively, stock up on bread, cheese, olives and other treats at the Thyme and Again farm stall between Tamodi and Plett, and have a picnic on your deck; tea and coffee are always available at the B&B, and there’s a well-stocked wine cellar.

Features include:

• Breakfast

Activities

• The area is paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird-watchers - nearby Tsitsikamma Forest, Nature’s Valley and the Robberg Peninsula all have trails of varying lengths, and Tamodi’s owner Owen often takes guests for 2-hour guided walks (normally free of charge)
• Go horse riding. Tamodi’s stables act as a local riding school only, but staff can arrange treks nearby
  
• Beach fans can sun themselves on Keurbooms Beach (just a couple of km away) or Plett’s Lookout Beach, swim in their safe waters, and spot dolphins and whales from the shore (preferably at sunset, with a cocktail in hand)
  
• Boat trips to see marine mammals up close are available in town, too (June to November), as are sea-kayak safaris and diving
  
• Adrenaline junkies can launch themselves off the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans River Bridge (30km), or go canyoning, ziplining and abseiling (10km away)
  
• Animal lovers will enjoy the nearby elephant and monkey sanctuaries, the Birds of Eden sanctuary, and walking with cheetahs at the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre
  
• The scenic town of Knysna is a half-hour drive from Tamodi. Visit the Knysna Heads, where a lagoon empties into the sea through a narrow gap between 2 headlands, and stop at The East Head Café for great food and lovely views (be sure to buy a bag of its legendary biscotti)
  
• Hugely popular farmers’ markets are held on Saturday mornings in Sedgefield (65km) and George (105km)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Abseiling
• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Bungee jumping
• Canyoning
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Whale watching
• Wildlife
• Wine tasting

Kids

Tamodi’s decks, open-tread staircases and quiet, serene atmosphere are not suitable for young kids, and only those aged 10+ are accepted (except by prior arrangement). There are no extra beds.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Tamodi is 10km east of Plettenberg Bay, in a hilly, forested area called The Crags. It’s a couple of kilometres along a well-made dirt road, just off the main N2. Plettenberg Bay is set on South Africa’s Garden Route, which runs from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

By Air:
The nearest airport is George, 130km away; you can also fly into Port Elizabeth, 240km away. Both are served by domestic flights from other South African cities. Many guests arrive via Cape Town and visit Tamodi as part of a wider tour of the Garden Route. Click on the links below for more information on airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The isolated location means you’ll need a car - see our car rental recommendations. Local roads are good but do stick to the speed limit, as police in the area are very vigilant.

Detailed directions will be sent when a booking is confirmed through i-escape.

More on getting to South Africa and getting around