Rate Guide
From R400pp to R550pp nightly; peak season rates apply.
Quick Facts
E 22°58'41''
Budget Getaways Review
Situated just off the scenic Rheenendal country road, Lazy Leopard offers three very appealing options: two romantic 'bush huts' called Forest Moon and Starry Forest and the larger Blue Hills Cottage.
Forest Moon and Starry Forest are open-plan, with queen-size beds, mini kitchens and bathrooms encased in glass.
Added to the mix in each is a fireplace and TV with DVD player (no SABC reception here), which means you won't be deprived of any familiar home comforts.
True to name, Forest Moon nestles at the edge of the forest, while Starry Forest is perched near the cliff edge with a view over the unspoilt indigenous valley.
From your romantic hideaway, it's a short stroll through the forest to a lovely swimming pool and amazing view.
Moving along a bit, Blue Hills Cottage sits alone above a contorted valley of thick forest.
Fronted by a most pleasant deck with drop-off views, the layout is airy and characterful. Timber floors with rugs, exposed roof beams, comfy forest furniture, an open fireplace and many other wholesome touches contribute to its relaxed country persona.
Blue Hills Cottage has a queen bed and two single beds on the ground floor and the same on the first floor, which is accessed via a timber stairway to the side of the cottage. As such it sleeps a total eight.
Great cottages, friendly hosts and decent rates.
"Forest Moon was extaordinary!"
(visited Jul 2022)
"We had a great escape, away from the business of the city. The cabin is neat and romantic, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The views are priceless, quiet beautiful beaches around. We had visitors, a troop of monkeys right in our deck. An awesome place to getaway with your loved one. My husband and I cannot wait to go back."
(visited November 2021)
"Beautiful, so beautiful!"
(visited Oct 2021)
"From the moment I booked to stay at this retreat the service I received was amazing. I cannot fault this beautiful lodge. I'm looking forward to another stay soon. Serenity, views and privacy, best thing since sliced bread! The boss lady was very warm and welcoming."
(visited Feb 2019)
"Excellent!"
(visited Dec 2018)
"n' Pragtige plek met asemrowende uitsig! Beslis n' moet-bly plek."
(visited Feb 2017)
"What a lovely and cosy place to stay in one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. We enjoyed the stay so much that it was hard to leave. The monkeys visited us as well as the Knysna Loerie. We will recommend this to anybody that loves nature."
(visited Jan 2017)
"Was a fantastic experience! The outside bath was the best."
(visited Jul 2016)
"It is a very rare thing indeed to have found the perfect accommodation, in that it allowed us to experience the serenity and awe inspiring beauty of the forest, whilst still having all the carefully detailed comforts of home. 'Starry Forest' made me forget completely that civilization was really right around the corner, coupled with the amazingly friendly service we received and the fact that you have everything that one could need in a getaway and so much more. I must say that this was one of the greatest and most memorable places I have been to in years. When such care and love is put into the creation of a place, the outcome is truly divine. We will definitely be back, and this time for longer."
(visited March 2015)
"A beautiful place, very well positioned with amazing views of the forest. A lovely cottage and a very relaxing environment."
(visited January 2015)
"You must see this to believe it! For the money paid this is by far the best place we have stayed in ever. The attention to every little detail is astounding. Even the way the place was built speaks of perfection in every nut and bolt. And the views in Starry Forrest is amazing to say the least. The swimming pool is fantastic and you can spend hours there just looking over forests as far as the eye can see. The perfect romantic getaway. We will be back as soon as we can."
(visited January 2015)
"A very nice place."
(visited November 2014)
"Like something out of a fairy tale! Lazy Leopard was recommended by a friend. I checked out their website and the photos looked really nice although they don't do the place justice! The Starry Forest cabin is like something out of a dream. Hand built by the owners with the most beautiful personal touches. One could easily spend three weeks here staring out over the forest that stretches to the horizon. I would recommend this to anyone. You will not be disappointed."
(visited October 2014)
"What an amazing place! We stayed in Forest Moon cottage with my daughter and son-in-law in Starry Forest. A perfect destination for a honeymoon, anniversary celebration or romantic getaway. The stunning views over the forest, the bath on the deck, the fairy lights in the forest at Starry Forest, it was fantastic. The nearby hikes, great restaurants (particularly Totties) and seeing the endangered Knysna Seahorses all made for a memorable three days. Next time, at least a week."
(visited October 2014)
"A wonderful place run by a wonderful and friendly people, we enjoyed our stay and we looking forward to going back. Keep up the good work!"
(visited October 2014)
"We spent four nights in the Blue Hills Cottage. We are lovers of nature and the rustic setting suited us perfectly. We lead very busy lives, so being able to relax on our deck with a glass or two of vino, and look out over a never-ending forest, was heavenly. The location was also central enough for us to visit various local parks with our two young sons, potter around Knysna, and hike the forests. All in all, a lovely break that I would repeat again in a heartbeat. I would not hesitate to visit Lazy Leopard again."
(visited October 2014)
"The owners were amazing, very welcoming and accommodating, non intrusive at all. I could not have imagined a more beautiful view when waking up in the morning. Definitely a romantic getaway."
(visited August 2014)
"We were robbed by monkeys ...they took our rusks, and I had no idea that being robbed could be such fun! In all my years of travel, I have never stayed at a place as accommodating as this anywhere on earth. Now I understand why we have become such a great tourist destination. The host was considerate , warm and accommodating (silly pun). Thank you for making our stay so easy."
(visited July 2014)
"We spent three nights in Forest Moon and had a great time, braaing every day. The owners were nice, non-intrusive and kindly refilled the firewood in the morning while we were sleeping. Even in winter this is a perfect setting, you can stay warm in the cabin or make a trip to Jubilee Creek in the forest to the north. The pool was obviously too cold to swim in, but we enjoyed sitting on the pool deck to look out over the forest valley. I'd even say the photos of Forest Moon on the site doesn't do it justice. The deck with the outdoor bath is much larger than we expected and the braai area is prettier than the photo makes it seem. I'm in two minds about promoting this place, it deserves to be praised but I also don't want it to be too popular so that we won't have a chance to stay there again. The only thing I missed was a coffee plunger."
(visited June 2014)
"Best place ever."
(visited April 2014)
"My wife's birthdays are more important to her than Christmas or New Year so finding a place is always tricky. Lazy Leopard (Forest Moon) was the place, rustic and romantic. This is what we loved in no specific order: privacy, surrounded by trees, the view from the balcony, the fire place. the shower, glass all round as though in the forest. and for me personally, the little green light above the very rustic braai! The freedom to relax was wonderful and Cindy and myself will be trying the starry forest cottage next time round, so as we like to say, till the itch returns mmwwwaaah!"
(visited June 2013)
"What a surprise. There is no way that you can prepare yourself for the site when opening the front door to Starry Forest. This will forever be a very special place to us. The glass shower with its amazing view, was awesome and no picture can capture this. This is the ultimate lovers nest."
(visited May 2013)
"Starry Forest is probably the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in. We had an amazing trip and so glad we got to experience this little peace of heaven. Will definitely recommend this place for any couple wanting a romantic getaway from the city life. Tip, definitely book a full week, all worth it."
(visited August 2012)
"What a gem! Stunning views, well appointed cottage, best value for money, wish we could have stayed longer. Highly recommended."
(visited April 2010)
"We had a fabulous stay at Forest Moon for three days. Corlia accommodated us early on very short notice and the reception from her staff was exceptional. They attended to the smallest detail. The setting is incredible and we just loved the bathroom! Wonderful place to go and relax and very close to beautiful forest walks and more in the area. Perfect setting for honeymooners. Thanx for a wonderful stay."
(visited September 2009)
"Best view ever! Shower feels as though you're out in nature. Awesome. Will definitely return at some stage. Recommended honeymoon spot..."
(visited September 2008)
"Going for your HONEYMOON - as we did - then THIS is the place, and even for 'just' a weekend or a couple of days away this IS the place! We loved every bit of it - Budget Getaways highly underrated it! But then again the Starry Forest cottage as Forest Honey is now called, is so brand new they probably only saw the foundations at the time of going to press. Also check out their website for better photos! It is the BEST of B-G we came across - ever! With a view of the Knysna forest that money can't buy. And I thought OUR (Simonskloof) outside baths and shower is tops - this beats it anytime! AWESOME. Thanks guys!
(visited June 2008)
"We were really unlucky with the weather - it rained for five days solidly, but the small cottage more than made up for it. It was very comfortable and cosy, and the electric blankets were brilliant, so we snuck up in bed watching tons of DVD's in the handy DVD player that was in the cottage. The shower is the talking point and is lovely. Couldn't really use the pool due to rain, but visited it on the last day when, as luck would have it, the clouds finally cleared. The hosts were also very nice and hospitable. Absolutely fabulous."
(visited June 2007)
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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