Belvidere Manor – situated in the Garden Route’s treasure trove of pristine beaches, lush indigenous forests and tranquil estuaries. South Africa’s most romantic – and most relaxed – getaway.
Enjoy the beguiling tranquillity of the west shore of Knysna’s lagoon. Relax by the swimming pool in our beautiful gardens (Belvidere Estate is a nature-lover’s paradise with more than 270 bird species identified), or retreat to the secluded comfort of the sunny terrace or cosy fireplace in your own Cape-style cottage. Mornings are made for taking things easy and the afternoon is designed for rest and recovery…
ACCOMMODATION
Guests are accommodated in 28 individual cottages situated in 10 hectares of gardens. Offering single or double storey options, the cottages have either lagoon or garden views.
Each cottage has a wide veranda or “stoep”, a comfortable living room, a fully equipped kitchen and one or two double en-suite bedrooms. In addition some have a third bedroom, a dining-room or a study. They are fully serviced.
Standard facilities :
Ceiling fans,Heaters,Fireplace,Satellite television & DVD player,Direct dial ,telephone,Wifi access,International plugs,Radio alarm clock,Guest toiletries,Gowns,Wall, safe,Complimentary tea and coffee
Garden Classic:
Single storey cottages offering accommodation for two to six guests. Private situation in the garden with limited lagoon views.
Garden Deluxe:
Spacious double storey cottages offering accommodation for two to six guests, and well suited for families. Situated in the gardens with limited lagoon views.
Lagoon Classic:
Single storey cottages with one bedroom. Perfect for couples or singles and offering views of the pool and the lagoon.
Lagoon Deluxe:
Double suite cottages situated closest to the lagoon, accommodating two to four guests.
CAROLINE’S BISTRO
Savour delicious bistro meals at Caroline’s bistro, named after the first mistress of Belvidere, whilst taking in the best view of the Knysna Lagoon and surrounds.
The Bell Tavern
Knysna’s smallest pub is housed on the site of the original Belvidere farmhouse, and a feature of the pub is the wine cellar viewed through the window in the floor, where freshly caught game would have been hung. With a yellowwood ceiling and ironwood block floor, The Bell is a quaint favourite of the Belvidere locals.
Relish pub meals served outside in the garden in summer, but in the winter enjoy the cosy warmth of the wood-burning stove. A wide selection of beers, including locally brewed Mitchells on tap, Cape wines and spirits are available
FUNCTIONS
Belvidere Manor provides a uniquely beautiful venue for any function, with unsurpassed views of the Knysna lagoon, a tranquil and relaxed environment and efficient and personal service.
We offer our functions venue for meetings, conferences and product launches, as well as weddings and special celebrations. Fully inclusive daily and overnight rates are available for groups of 10 to 60 people.
Conference Facilities
We have pleasure in introducing you to our Executive Conference venue, which is suitable for small intimate “think tanks” and brainstorming sessions, to larger meetings seating up to 40 delegates. Day and overnight packages are offered and team-building and functions may be tailor-made to suit clients’ requirements.
The Duthie Room is 8,4m long, 5,4m wide and 2,4m high, and can comfortably seat 24 delegates school-room style, and up to 40 delegates cinema style.
Belvidere is situated 10 minutes from Knysna’s town centre, 45 minutes from George Airport and 30 minutes from Plettenberg Bay .
Romantic Weddings
Knysna’s most romantic view – Let us host your wedding in our gardens overlooking the lagoon.
Watch the moon rise as you celebrate your union.
Relax in your honeymoon cottage with private deck, frequented by the Knysna loeries
Packages for 2 to 60 people are tailored to suit your requirements.
Personal advice and recommendations are offered by our experienced staff.
ACTIVITIES
Knysna is one of the Garden Route’s best known travel destinations and was recently named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World and one of the Top 25 in Africa in the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards.
Surrounding Knysna are the towns of Sedgefield, Brenton, Noetzie, Rheenendal and Buffalo Bay. Indigenous forests, fynbos, lakes, rivers and mountains and beautiful coastlines combined with a moderate climate, make the Knysna area a natural Eden for flora and fauna lovers.
Weather all year round
Whatever the season, Knysna stays green. Its warm, temperate climate makes it the perfect all-year-round destination.
The mild winters on the Garden Route, from May to August, ensure sunny and beautiful wind-still days and are often referred to as the “secret season”. In fact, Knysna has a phantom autumn – it is certainly not a real one, but we have nothing else to call it. The forests do not loose its leaves, people don’t hide indoors and children aren’t dressed like overweight sleeping bags with limbs. Truth be told, day-time temperatures rival a balmy European summer, with an average winter temperature around 19°C.
A Natural Paradise
In Knysna, nature quite literally knocks on your front door. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. This exceptional nature’s playground of beaches, lakes, mountains, forests and rivers offers an unforgettable holiday. Whether you’re an adventurous type or simply like it lolling around in the sun, Knysna has it all.
The 21 ha estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone “Heads” – silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of “paradise of earth”. Adding to the richness of this incredible region is the spectacular Fynbos vegetation, contributing 8000 plant species to the Cape floral kingdom. The Knysna forest measures some 80, 000 ha in size and is managed according to strict conservation principles.
Our Animal Kingdom
Knysna boasts an array of unique, some of them sadly endangered, species including the unique Knysna seahorse, the delicate Pansy shell of the lagoon and the endangered dwarf chameleon and Brenton Blue Butterfly. Knysna is also home to the only forest elephants in South Africa.
The Humpback and Southern Right whales visit the coastline during the months of May and September to breed in the calm, warm waters of the Indian Ocean and present a spectacular theatre of breaching, rolling, playing with calves and just generally lolling about. Spectators sit for hours watching these giant gentle creatures enjoying life on their way around the most southern tip of Africa.
The Knysna area is home to a wealth of bird life. Near-endemic avian wonders include the famous Knysna Loerie with its bright red feathers highly visible in flight. Then there’s the Narina Trogon, Knysna warbler, Knysna Woodpecker, chorister robin-chat and the forest canary. The lakes play host to a wide variety including the Malachite Kingfisher, the African Fish Eagle and our beaches provides the breeding grounds for the endangered African Black Oyster Catcher.
Adventure and Sport
Come and play in our forests and dive into outdoor adventures like horse riding, hiking, yachting, fishing and canoeing. For a pure adrenalin rush get into the more extreme sports of abseiling, paragliding, scuba diving or water skiing and some of the best mountain bike routes in the country. Knysna has something for everyone – from the very young to the well matured and for every size, shape and temperament.
Mecca for the gourmand, whether it’s shopping, food or culture
In and around Knysna one will find a selection of fine restaurants, activities, cultural and heritage experiences, adventure and natural encounters to match your mood, age, physique and budget.
Wine and dine your way through a formidable array of fine restaurants, seafood taverns, pubs, coffee shops, delicatessens and other interesting eateries. From fusion food with an Oriental flavour to nouveau cuisine; from traditional South African dishes such as Cape Malay-inspired bobotie to a Xhosa delicacy known as umnqusho; from a meaty braai to a syrupy sweet koeksister, Knysna offers it all.
For the shopper, there are interesting outlets tucked away around every corner, including a quaint Waterfront shopping complex and authentic African traders.
It history and culture fascinate you, Knysna will intrigue you with a Gold Rush story of its own, a Timber Trade history interwoven with rich stories of early woodcutters and their special relationships with the forest elephants and the famous John Benn family whose sole responsibility was to navigate ships and boats through the treacherous Heads.