Peace of Eden - Vegetarian Eco Forest Retreat & Lodge
Quick Facts
E 22°59'12''
Budget Getaways Review
Twenty-first century Knysna isn’t all about island condo's, Cannes wannabe waterfronts and Peter Stuyvesant-ad yacht crews swigging cocktails. Seriously.
For example, head out of town and up into Rheenendal, you’ll find the remaining shards of the woodcutter scene that once gave the place its charm.
Set slightly back from the (fairly busy) Rheenendal road is Peace of Eden, a leafy spot on the forest fringe with a rambling spread of basic and comfortable sleeping options.
The guest book reinforces Eden's laid-back aura: "Idyllic restful retreat." "Great cottages close to nature." “A truly special place.” And so on…
The accommodation comes in various guises, each suited to different needs and tastes.
For larger families there’s the eight-sleeper Bodhi Barn Cabin, with two downstairs bedrooms, a loft room, living room with fireplace and outside deck.
Sunbird Barn Cabin (sleeps 2) and Marimba Woodcutters Cottage (sleeps 2, plus one child) are well suited to couples, sporting one double bedroom apiece. Both have views over a nearby field, broken by the forest edge in the distance.
Last up is Gwendolyn’s Glade Cottage (sleeps 3), a double-story abode set in a glade of trees overlooking the lily pond. Among the features are a double attic bedroom and cosy lounge with fireplace.
Common to all the above are equipped kitchens, and fairly simple furnishings and decor.
For a camping experience minus the hard ground, Eden's four safari tents could be for you. Set on wooden platforms under the tree canopy, these are decked with twin or double bed options. A communal kitchen, loo and shower can be found nearby.
And then, for us hardened Souf Efrican canvas and peg types, there’s Forest Edge Campsite, where you can pitch your tent in shaded surrounds, and enjoy the decadent luxury of a shared bush kitchen, solar-heated shower and eco loo.
Both on and off the property, there’s plenty to do. Kick back with a book in one of many chill zones around the pond and gardens. Head up the road to Jubilee Creek, Millwood Gold Fields and the surrounding forest delights that include the Homtini mountain bike trail, shaded walks and mountain pools. Have breakfast or lunch at Totties - a local eatery with the best Sunday buffet this side of the equator. Head back the way you came, to Buffalo Bay, Brenton and the Knysna Lagoon.
"A truly special place."
(visited January 2014)
"We've been to Peace of Eden twice now and we absolutely love it there. Will definitely go back."
(visited December 2013)
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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 • Prince Albert • 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 • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland