Nestled high in the foothills of the Outeniqua mountain range, along South Africa's magical Garden Route, lies Teniqua Treetops. This tented treetop resort offers a unique and tranquil escape into the heart of the lush Knysna Forest, between Knysna and Sedgefield.
Teniqua Treetops is more than just a place to stay; it's an experience. It's a tranquil, hidden spot of peace and beauty, just far enough off the main Garden Route highway to allow travelers to escape blissfully and near invisibly into the South African bush.
Location and Accessibility
The property is located at Elandskraal 203/71 Barrington Road Sedgefield in Highland Home. Seven Passes Road is 1.2 mi away, offering a scenic drive. For those arriving by air, George Airport is approximately 44 miles away.
Unique Accommodation
Teniqua Treetops is a unique tented tree house resort offering an excellent choice of alternative Garden Route accommodation. These eco-friendly, hand-crafted tree houses offer a unique alternative for self-catering accommodations. Each tree house has been perfectly placed where natural gaps were left after extracting the non-indigenous trees.
The suites are built in a gorge, so access is from ground level and the front of the suite is built on stilts ranging from two to six meters above ground, giving you breath-taking views of the Karatara Gorge or the majestic Knysna Forest.
Read also: Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority
Each tree house is secluded and different. Forget your childhood memories of rough ‘camping’ - staying at Teniqua Treetops will ensure many ‘never to be forgotten’ wonderful memories. The tree houses ensure you have a unique opportunity to sleep, eat and shower up in the canopy of the forest and the 4 honeymoon tree houses all have large 2 person baths either open or with large glass windows looking over the forest.
Each eco-friendly treehouse features:
- A large terrace where you can enjoy the forest views
- Air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi in the rooms
- Private bathroom
- Microwave
Eco-Friendly Practices
Teniqua Treetops offers unique Garden Route accommodation for nature lovers and their aim is to ensure the long term sustainability of the indigenous forest. Not many guest houses could even try to compete - to say Teniqua Treetops accommodation is ‘green’ is an understatement - rainwater is harvested, as little energy as possible is used and the dry-composing toilets are only a few of the ways the carbon footprint of Teniqua is kept to a minimum. Teniqua Treetops endorses the vision of a cleaner world for all. They are an eco-friendly Garden Route resort.
Here are some of the eco-friendly practices implemented at Teniqua Treetops:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Minimal energy usage
- Dry-composing toilets
- Use of septic tanks and soakaway pits
- Solar power generation
- Biodegradable and eco-friendly household detergents
- Clearing of alien invasive plants
Teniqua makes use of solar power for 10% of their energy consumption, and plans are in progress to increase this in the next year to 90%. Teniqua currently generates 10 kilowatts of solar power, with plans to increase to 35 kilowatts.
Read also: Discover Thula Thula
Pine and gum tree, which is farmed and harvested locally, is used for building. Guest toiletries are in glass rather than plastic. Household detergents are biodegradable and eco-friendly. Teniqua clears alien invasive plants from the Knysna forest.
Tap water ran cold from the river or hot from the solar heated tank; both ran light brown in color, evidence of the naturally occurring tannins from the forest growth.
There’s no running water, simply a mechanism by which each “flush” is a revolution along a rotating compositor that works over several weeks’ time to process and decompose waste. Each toilet use, throw the paper down the shoot, add a shovel full of natural compost fuel, “flush” the mechanical lever, and done! Green and clean, odorless, and self-contained.
Amenities and Activities
Guests at Teniqua Treetops can enjoy wide range of amenities such as:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bar/lounge
- Children's play area
- Game room
Families can enjoy kid-friendly amenities such as:
Read also: Traditional South African Bread
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Babysitting services
- Children's play area
- Game room
Near the swimming pools and children’s play area is the communal braai area with covered seating and serving areas for guests to use, A large entertainment/games room with books, computer games, exercise equipment, table tennis and darts is for guests of all ages to enjoy.
Activities:
- Swim in the cola-coloured water of the remote and unspoiled Karatara River
- Picnic on its beautiful banks and explore the deep forested gorge.
- The forest walks and river trail offer diverse habitats from fynbos to indigenous forest and natural river flowing from the Outeniqua Mountain range.
Also: we both enjoyed the lovely trails leading down through the indigenous forests to the river below. Our Favorite Amenities: The beautiful indigenous forest walk down to the river at the base of the valley; down comforter and electric mattress pad for keeping toasty warm in the woods.
Please don’t forget to bring along: walking boots, swimwear and towels, sun block, a water bottle, a waterproof or light jacket, torch, matches, charcoal, meat, reading material, binoculars, camera and games.
Your food will need to be purchased before you come (the Garden Route town of Sedgefield which is only 15 minutes away has well stocked shops or you can arrange with owner Robyn to shop for you in advance - please give her a list and a week’s notice.
Important Information
Check-in: 14:00
Check-out: 10:00
Early check-in or late check-out may be available at an additional cost.
Teniqua Treetops is a pet friendly hotel! Your furry friends will be as comfortable as you during your stay.
Breakfast may be available at Teniqua Treetops, and may come free with your room, depending on your selection. Please check for dates and room availability above to see what's included with your stay.
No, this hotel does not have an on-site restaurant. Check out the hotel description and the location map to explore local dining options as well.
If the image of living in a tree house in acres of pristine indigenous Garden Route forest appeals to you, look no further than Teniqua Treetops.
When you leave Teniqua Treetops be prepared to feel relaxed, reinvigorated and rejuvenated.
We’re best suited to nature lovers, those wanting something a little unique, quirky and adventurous; especially when the winds pick up and the odd thunderstorm hits.Knysna Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Narina Trogan, Forest Buzzard, African Fish Eagle, Kingfisher, Chorister Robin-Chat, Grey CuckooshrikeEach suite is a bird hide, guests experience almost daily visits to the suites by the Knysna Turaco who flourish in the paradise we call Teniqua.
This Teniqua Treetops article is part of our twoOregonians Tour the Cape series featuring quintessential and offbeat South African experiences, one-of-a-kind accommodations and beautiful B&Bs, respectful wildlife programs, social service projects, and landscape photography from the South African Cape.
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
