Bringing a Group or Planning a Tour?
If you are organising a birding club outing, a private group itinerary, or are a professional tour operator planning a trip to the Garden Route for the festival, we would love to assist you. Contact us directly at info@birdingfestival.co.za to discuss custom group itineraries, coordinated activity bookings, and exclusive group rates with our local accommodation partners.
A peaceful, riverside lodge just outside Plettenberg Bay offering excellent birding opportunities, with direct access to the Bitou River, vlei walks, and access to a private bird hide.
A FARMHOUSE-STYLE GUEST HOUSE IN PLETTENBERG BAY
Each spacious, tranquil bedroom has its own private entrance and its own patio for enjoying sunsets. The rooms are all en-suite, with a bath and shower. Two rooms have twin beds and three have king-sized beds. Each room has an overhead fan and underfloor heating as well as a TV. All our rooms lead into the garden and down to the river, with its water lilies and birds.
Located on the banks of the Bitou River
The guest lounge has comfy sofas and lots of books and magazines, as well as chess and solitaire. The breakfast room opens out onto the garden & river. During summer the scent of honeysuckle drifts in to mingle with the smell of fresh coffee.
BITOU BUSH CAMP
A remote, low-impact glamping-style bush camp located on the edge of the Bitou Vlei. Ideal for adventurous birders seeking an immersive experience in nature. High-clearance vehicles are recommended.
Inclusions:
• Access to all expert talks at Kwendalo on 25 & 26 October
• Bird ringing session at Bitou River Lodge with Dr. Mark Brown
• Two self-guided trails
• Access to Bitou bird hide
• Use of kayaks
• Daily cooked dinners
• Morning coffee and rusks
• Hot showers and composting toilets
5 Glamping Tents / 10 People
The Bitou Biocamp is an eco-friendly and sustainable bush camp set right on the banks of the Bitou River. Conceived as a way to reconnect people with nature, the Biocamp provides a serene retreat where the sounds of a slow-moving river and the softness of the forest floor can restore and rejuvenate.
The camp offers comfort and safety in a eco-conscious and sustainable, non-invasive way, ensuring you can enjoy nature responsibly while having fun. You can book this unique campsite for the duration of the festival, located on the wetlands right next to the Bitou River. This prime spot offers an exceptional birding experience in a truly unique setting.
The Kwendalo Manor House
A holistic wellness estate and the festival hub, offering stylish accommodation, wellness-focused experiences, bird hides, and access to self-guided trails — all just steps from the talks, exhibitions, and café.
Inclusions:
• Access to all expert talks at Kwendalo on 25 & 26 October
• Bird ringing session on-site with Dr. Mark Brown
• Access to two bird hides on the property
• Self-guided nature trails
6 Rooms / 12 People
This fully fenced and gated private estate is situated in the Rietvlei/Bitou Valley just off the N2 heading towards Gqeberha. The estate is a mere 2.5 km away from the beautiful holiday town centre of Plettenberg Bay with its breathtaking scenery and lovely beaches.
Kwendalo means ‘of nature’ in local isiXhosa and our country estate is situated on 16 hectares of regenerative nature. Our location distills the belief that our environment and our place within it contributes significantly towards wellness and we invite you to refresh yourself in our gardens and natural surroundings. Please note that accommodation is available to all visitors to Plettenberg Bay; our treatments are available to our guests but are not a prerequisite of booking.
Set with sweeping views across the grounds of Kwendalo, the Manor House offers accommodation in spacious and gently renovated suites. Each suite has been lovingly and stylishly decorated to create an atmosphere of absolute ambience and tranquillity. The suites are positioned in such a way as to offer maximum privacy to guests as well as providing stunning views over the picturesque countryside, lush green lawns and mountains of the estate.
Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen, well-furnished lounge, its own bathroom, a hairdryer, and a flat-screen TV with DStv. Each suite has a private patio with a braai and a table to sit and relax. Wi-Fi is available in most of the suites. We invite you to be at ease at Kwendalo, envelope yourself in comfort and calm, and find serenity and peace while you stay with us. You are encouraged to embrace mornings of contemplation in nature, afternoons of gentle exercise or treatments, and evenings around the fireplace.
Tranquil Riverside Cottage at Wetlands on the Bitou
Inclusions:
- Access to all expert talks at Kwendalo on 25 & 26 October
- Complimentary canoe use on the Bitou River
1 Cottage / 4 People
This stylish, newly renovated cottage with solar power is the perfect getaway for families or couples looking to explore the beauty of the Garden Route. Located just 6 km from Plettenberg Bay, this private and relaxed retreat offers a unique experience surrounded by nature.
Situated on the Bitou River, the cottage is ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts, cyclists, and runners, with numerous trails to explore. Its location provides the perfect balance: close enough to town to enjoy the vibrant restaurants and beaches, yet far enough to savor a slower pace of life. Positioned about 50 meters from the Bitou River bank, the cottage offers private river access and operates on solar power.
A short 5 to 10-minute drive will take you to renowned wine estates and multiple Blue Flag beaches.
Guests have access to the entire farm, excluding the main house.
The cottage is powered by solar energy, ensuring a sustainable and uninterrupted stay.
Luxury Garden Route Accommodations at Howberry Hills
Experience unparalleled comfort and beauty with Howberry Hills’ garden route accommodations. From self-catering cottages to elegant rooms, enjoy serene farm views, a pool deck, and gourmet dining. Perfect for romantic getaways or family retreats, Howberry Hills combines comfort with nature’s beauty. Book your dream stay today at our exquisite garden route accommodations.
Lodge Guests are welcome in the main lodge area, the honesty bar, coffee and snacks, as well as in the piano and TV lounge, on the pool deck or to explore the farm trails, animals and so on…
Inclusions:
• Access to all expert talks at Kwendalo on 25 & 26 October
• Access to bird hide
• Morning coffee and rusks
upto 10 People
Afrikanis, Fynbos & Stable Rooms (1 Bed / 1 Bath Studio)
Glamping Units
BELLE BALANCE ROOMS
Belle Balance comprises 10 beautiful and luxuriously decorated rooms, each with unique views of the mountains, dam, watering hole, and game reserve. Every room tells its own story and furnishings have been carefully selected to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
Choose the right room for you at Belle Balance Bush Hideout.
Join us at Adventurer’s Escape for a unique experience and a memorable time
Enjoy a 25 minute scenic drive from Plettenberg Bay to the Southern Crags and you will find Adventurer’s Escape tucked away amongst the trees in Kuthumba forest reserve and eco estate. Our Forest Chalets and Stone Cottages are nestled away on a secluded farm in Harkerville. If you are looking for a quiet haven to escape to…away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ve found the right place. Join us at Adventurer’s Escape for a unique experience and a memorable time.
At our lodge, we pride ourselves on supporting eco- tourism and travel, with visitors & guests from far and wide to enjoy our little slice of paradise. Established in 2019, after spending many years traveling abroad, we recognize that Adventurer’s all over the world are seeking experiences like the ones we frequently enjoy and we decided this life is too good not to share.
Storm’s Hollow Forest Cabin
Come and unwind in the forest canopy at Storm’s Hollow Forest Cabin. A rustic yet modern cabin in the treetops is the perfect spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Only 7km from Plettenberg Bay, the property offers easy access to all the amazing activities and attractions the Garden Route has to offer. We are eco-conscious and the cabin runs on solar power and features Wi-Fi internet connection, so you can stay connected while enjoying the beauty of the Garden Route. We also have a gas braai (barbeque/grill) on the patio.
