Rate Guide
From R720 to R2030, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Quick Facts
E 23°18'55''
Budget Getaways Review
A sprawling 200ha estate inland from Plett, Bellamanga makes for a simple no-nonsense B&B or self-catering getaway for larger groups, weddings, family gatherings, couples, or for that matter anyone wanting a Plett base removed from the heaving masses 20km down the hill.
Some straight-to-the-point feedback before we move along to the nuts and bolts. “A rustic dwelling away from the stress.” “A gem along the Garden Route.” “Friendly, helpful, professional, nothing too much trouble.”
Bellamanga's accommodation comes in a variety of shapes and sizes: Three self-catering Forest Lodges, three B&B Rondavels, a B&B Country House (incorporating a mix of rooms and garden suites) and the ideal-for-couples self-catering Peacock Suite.
Kicking off with the Forest Lodges, these are rustic cabins tucked against the edge of a pine forest and overlooking the farm dam. They sleep five, four and eight, respectively, are fully equipped, including kitchens, and have covered patios. Forest Two and Three are semi-detached.
The three B&B Rondavels are dotted around the main homestead and open onto a lawned garden. The interiors are open-plan and offer a variety of bed configurations: a family rondawel for five, a double for couples, and a double-story 'Silo' that sleeps four upstairs and two on ground level. The latter can be booked as one unit or two. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are provided, but other than that there's nothing in the way of self-catering.
The Country House offers four double B&B rooms, two of which open onto private gardens. The rooms are decked with tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Last up, Peacock and Macaw Garden Suites are two double suites with a shared patio looking onto a tranquil garden setting. Well suited to couples, king or twin beds are available. The suites have a lounge and small kitchenette for self-catering.
Besides distinct rural vibe, there are a number of walks on the farm, bass fishing in the dam, access to a swimming pool and heated jacuzzi. Outside the gate you’ve got Plett’s very own game reserve 5km down the drag, and Plett itself a 20-minute drive away.
Laid-back, farmy vibe, oodles of accommodation, a world removed from Sandton by the Sea, that’s Bellamanga.
"Question: Why do we award 5 stars for everything ? Answer: because there aren't 6 stars, which is what this gem deserves! Frequently the attitude of the owner dictates the stay experience and Bella Manga is no exception. The hard working and always cheerful Berresfords, Ray and Fiona, set the tone from the moment that you arrive, to that awful moment when you have to leave to continue on your journey. Ray has almost single-handedly restored/built/renovated/developed the entire Bella Manga infrastructure, from the beautiful old double-storey manor house, to the magical private forest lodges tucked away in the pine forest near the pastures. Fiona is a dab hand at keeping the wheels turning in the catering, cleaning and laundry departments (tip: her bacon butties, produced in a flash, are brilliant at eliminating hangovers!). And if you're very good you may even encounter the resident friendly ghost if you stay in the main house: we never saw him or her, but we certainly experienced "something"! Take a stroll across the forested 200 acre estate and be greeted by the herd of friendly, inquisitive Nguni cattle or just sit next to the dam with its leaping fish and swimming duck life and watch the vapour trails from the jets high in the blue sky rushing who knows where. Enjoy the silence... Not for nothing is this place also known as "Bella MAGIC"!"
(visited November 2014)
"It is so good that we are going back for our fourth visit this coming January."
(visited January 2014)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland