Bella Manga Country House

Whether its B & B or self-catering you are looking for the oldest farmhouse in the Uplands area of Plettenberg Bay extends a war

Description

A warm welcome awaits you at the oldest farm in the Uplands region of Plettenberg Bay.  Spend a night in an authentic African thatched rondavel, a modern designed garden room or suite or spoil yourself with a colonial room in the main house offering a taste of that bygone African feeling. 

 Our self-cateing forest lodges offer the perfect family holiday or bush getaway.  Our breakfasts are legendary,evening meals or South African braais on request. 

Within fifteen mins drive you can experience the white sandy beaches, restaurants and tourists attractions of Plettenberg Bay, whilst a ten minute drive will secure you a safari at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve.  Quad bike safaris are available exclusively for our guests to explore the 100 acre estate.

Accommodation

With its multiple and versatile accommodation options Bellamanga is perfectly positioned to accommodate a vast cross-section of both local and international vacationers, from families, large groups and corporates to nature lovers, honeymooners and local residents wanting a quick respite from home.

Awaken to the sounds of our colony of  weaver birds going about their daily business.  Without exception the especially well-appointed authentic African rondavels, garden rooms, suites and colonial rooms in the main house, all with tea / coffee making facilities, are naturally light and well-ventilated and with their own private entrances, individually decorated with  impeccable taste with an African feel, and irrespective of your room of choice the first and lasting impression is one of unexpected, startling spaciousness throughout.

Attractions

A paradise for eco-enthusiasts, bird watchers, fun lovers and solitude seekers alike the Garden Route is without question one of South Africa’s most popular holiday destinations during summer, and during the winter months a tranquil retreat, both seasons equally delightful thanks to the area’s largely Mediterranean climate.

At Bellamanga you’ll find several activity alternatives - the Estate boasts endless hiking and walking trails where you’ll be sure to spot numerous small game and bird species while the large dam in its restful forest setting offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy some excellent bass fishing. We practice a catch and release code, fishing rods are on hand for hire.

And for those who wish to further explore the Estate, quad bikes are available for hire as are mountain bikes for the more energetic.

Guests will be spoilt for choice with the countless activities that the surrounding area has to offer - from a visit to the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, mountain biking, fishing, whale and dolphin watching or rafting to Treetop Canopy tours and bungy jumping at Storms River, the options are endless.

The Elephant Sanctuary in The Crags near Plettenberg Bay offers an Elephant Experience of a lifetime, specializing in up close and personal educational tours. As the focus is on interaction visitors not only learn fascinating facts about the elephants but also get to touch, feed, walk trunk-in-hand with and even ride these magnificent animals.

Monkeyland is the world’s only multi-specie, free roaming primate sanctuary home to numerous and varied species from several continents which were captive-bred prior to their release. Situated 16 km east of Plett, Monkeyland offers tours guided by professional rangers.

Birds of Eden is the Garden Route’s very own world class free flight bird sanctuary. The unique two hectare dome (the world’s largest) spans a gorge of indigenous forest and has the ability to synthesise thunder and create short spells of rain from an irrigation system in the dome structure, simulating the necessary climatic conditions.

For keen equestrians there are a number of options - Equitrailing offers horseback trails through the forest, horse back safaris can be enjoyed at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, and beach rides are on offer at Central Beach.

Whale and dolphin watching in Season (June through November) are a must do - this is where the cold and warm currents of the Indian Ocean meet and merge, the result a Bay unparalleled in biodiversity. Boats depart from Central Beach throughout the day, get on board to experience an uncommon richness of marine life.

The Garden Route is home to three of South Africa’s most highly rated hiking trails, the Otter, Tsitsikamma and Dolphin Trails. Unlimited shorter walks abound in the area with Robberg being the most popular, alternative walks include Kranshoek, Garden of Eden, Nature’s Valley, Wittedrift, Milkwood Trail and a mildly strenuous 2 day hike up Olifantskloof Gorge.

For the wildlife enthusiast game drives can be enjoyed at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve; this exclusive reserve offers 1300 hectares of indigenous beauty just minutes away from Plettenberg Bay. Take a two hour game drive and view the large variety of wildlife up close from an open game drive vehicle. Excellent game viewing is also possible at Buffalo Hills Game Reserve where during a game drive you could expect to see rhino, leopard, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and kudu amongst others, and more than 150 species of birds.

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offers a truly unique Wildcat Experience. Participate in a guided tour to meet the captive-bred felines living in a semi-natural environment. At Tenikwa the animals speak for those who have no say - learn about their struggle for survival in the wild.

A mere 5 km east of Plett lies the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve stretching approximately 6 km upriver, join a ferry trip with Keurbooms River Ferry and Angling Club to experience the beauty of the reserve or hire a powered boat from the Angling Club and explore the river at your own pace. Canoes are also for hire, the two day Keurbooms Canoe Trail is an easy 7 km flatwater experience with the fully equipped Whiskey Creek hut which sleeps 10 people at the turn-around point.
Deep sea fishing and river fishing adventures, as well as ocean or river kayaking are further options. PADI Scuba Dive courses are available, as is recreational diving and snorkelling.

The Bay is an excellent venue for sailing, surfing, wave skiing and of course simply lounging in the sun, and a sunset cruise the perfect way to end the day.

For the fishermen good rock angling sites include Nature’s Valley, Keurbooms, Lookout Rocks, Beacon Island and Robberg Beach where you can expect to catch Galjoen, Elf, Roman or Steenbras. Deep sea anglers may expect to hook Tuna, Leervis, Hake and Calamari (seasonal). Adopting the ÒTag and Release System is a prerequisite.

Plett has become well-known as the polo mecca of South Africa, the world-renown Kurland is an easy drive away, as is Stonefield. Tournaments are played during Easter, December and January with practice sessions and lessons ongoing throughout the year.

For Mountain Bike enthusiasts the Harkerville Cycle Route is the most popular, permits and maps are available. There is also a mountain biking route at Storms River, and closer to Knysna you’ll find the Diepwalle Forest Cycle Route.

Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tours is a truly unique experience - a new world unfolds before you as you start your tour gliding from the launch platform to the first tree platform. Tours are guided to ensure safety.

For the more adventurous the highest commercial bungi jump in the world is a 45 minute drive away at Bloukrans River Bridge, the height 216 metres with a 7 second freefall …

Golfers will delight in the number of the country’s top golf courses which are in close proximity, among these Simola, Pezula, Fancourt, Goose Valley, Plettenberg Bay Country Club and Oubaai.

Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive or day trip in the area - the Knysna Heads speak for themselves, Kranshoek picnic site presents magnificent views overlooking the cliffs and sea while the Garden of Eden has a picnic site and a gentle walk to view the well known Big Tree. A drive along the historical Prince Alfred Pass proffers stunning mountain views and a drive along the unique Bloukrans Pass takes you through awe-inspiring indigenous forests toward Nature’s Valley.

TGCSA Star Grading

Facilities

Facilities

Country House

Fully licensed and equipped with audiovisuals the splendidly renovated ‘Old Dairy’ Function room at Bellamanga lends itself to every occasion, be it a conference, sit-down dinner, special event, or birthday celebration. With its expansive manicured lawns, spacious surroundings and breathtaking views and the Chapel only a few metres away this makes for a matchless and idyllic wedding venue. Both the Chapel and the ‘Old Dairy’ comfortably accommodate 100 guests.

The ingenious Fire Pit alongside the ‘Old Dairy’ offers an unparalleled setting to enjoy aperitifs followed by a mouth-watering, traditional braai personally prepared and served by your hosts.

With both our generously sized saltwater pool and heated outdoor jacuzzi which is thatched and open-sided virtually on your doorstep you may well be tempted not to leave the Estate, and at the end of a picture-perfect day enjoy a welcome respite from the sun in the Manor House Bar & Cocktail Lounge.

Additional facilities include internet connectivity, lock-up safe, full security fencing, secure parking as well as a helipad.

Air transfers, road transfers and car hire can be arranged on request; airport access is effortless as Port Elizabeth lies only 225 km east, George 105 km and Cape Town 550 km west respectively.

Forest Lodges

This exclusively private self-catering forest sanctuary provides for every need, its own dedicated access road ensuring that that the Lodges are entirely independent of Bellamanga Country House, neither therefore impacting on the other.

The sizable swimming pool boasts full function communal braai / barbeque facilities with an enclosed lapa as well as especially convenient cloakrooms.

The three fully equipped units each have television, individual braai facilities and furnished wall to wall verandah.

Full function laundry facilities are available, a cleaning service by prior arrangement at an additional fee can be arranged.

Despite the Lodges being a self-catering facility a full English breakfast can be provided by prior arrangement at an additional cost.

The Lodges are security fenced in their entirety, offering secure parking.

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