Dreaming of a Tree House

Tsala Treetop Lodge ... by Jeremy Jowell

When I was young, like most children I had dreams of living in a tree house. I longed to spend time high up in the branches playing with friends in our wooden loft. But unfortunately my family garden had no tall trees so it remained an unfulfilled childhood fantasy. Until recently that is.
Tucked away in a wooded corner of the Garden Route is a tree house beyond your wildest dreams. Tsala Treetop Lodge, situated just 10 kilometres from Plettenberg Bay, is an adventure in unique luxury living, a hideaway like no other place on earth.
Nestling in the canopy of the Tsitsikamma Forest, Tsala offers the ultimate in romantic accommodation. Elevated wooden walkways wind through the treetops to ten private suites, each a seductive creation of stone, wood and glass with its own viewing deck and infinity pool. The cosy lounge is equipped with a fireplace for chilly nights and the en-suite bathroom features a large central bath plus indoor and outdoor showers.
Tsala Treetop Lodge is part of the Hunter Hotels group and is a member of Relais and Chateaux and Chaine des Rotisseurs. Its sister hotels are Hunter’s Country House, situated just one kilometre away, and Gorah Elephant Camp in Addo Elephant National Park.
Tsala’s centrepiece is a magnificent foyer with open suspended decks for sundowners and outdoor dining on summer nights. There is also a well stocked library and intimate sitting room. The lodge is a blend of Eastern, African and European flavours with chairs and tables from India, handicrafts from Indonesia and artefacts from various African countries.
After being shown to our suite, we break open the complimentary bottle of wine and listen to the sounds of the forest as we settle into our secluded luxury. The twittering of birds seems amplified in the silence and then suddenly there’s the shrill barking of baboons.
The storm clouds break and a golden sunset illuminates the forest as we walk along the wooden pathway to dinner. Meals at all Hunter hotels are gastronomic affairs with the cuisine reflecting the diversity of South African cultures. For starters there is green asparagus soup topped with smoked salmon, or smoked ostrich gorgonzola and gooseberry salad. Our main course is a choice between grilled geelbek served with sundried tomatoes, pesto and cous cous, or marinated Kalahari kudu accompanied by truffle-scented cream potatoes and steamed summer vegetables.
Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Tsala is the perfect base from which to explore the many beautiful beaches and outdoor attractions of the region. The holiday resort of Plettenberg Bay offers dolphin and whale watching excursions while hiking enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of trails along the scenic cliffs of Robberg Peninsula. The bustling town of Knysna with shopping arcades and upmarket island housing estates is just 20 kilometres away. Oudtshoorn, world famous for ostriches and the Cango Caves, makes for a pleasant day trip. Other popular activities in the area include sea kayaking, golf, mountain biking and a visit to the primate sanctuary of Monkeyland.
After a good nights sleep, we wake up to a cold misty morning. The forest seems like a fairyland in the swirling layers of white. We’re in no rush to move however as it’s perfect weather to sleep in late and enjoy the intimate luxury of our suite.
Finally we emerge from the warmth of our opulent cocoon. As we walk to the lodge for a hearty buffet breakfast, we stop to savour the fresh forest smell after the overnight rain.
The mist clears and a golden Garden Route days beckons. All too soon, it’s time to depart but we linger in the entrance, loath to leave the luxury we’ve quickly become accustomed to. Flicking through the visitors book, an entry by a British tourist sums up my feelings: “Our greatest fear is not that we must leave Tsala, but that we shall fail to return.”

For more information and bookings at Tsala Treetop Lodge, contact central reservations: +27(044) 532-7818. E-mail: res@hunterhotels.com
Their web site is: www.tsalatreetops.com