The beautiful colonial-style Baroness Safari Lodge was built in 1822 by Baron von Pletten, an early South African pioneer and conservationist, who used the original, smaller Lodge as his base to explore the then untamed African landscapes.

Built from local stone, the Lodge has lost little of its original 'out of Africa' feel and has spectacular views across rolling lawns where zebra and antelope room freely, to the indigenous forests and majestic Tsitsikamma mountains in the distance.

Each of the 10 rooms opens onto the picturesque gardens with their indigenous plants, cool verandas, courtyards and quaint plunge pool. There are six double suites, three family rooms and one twin room.

Suites are comfortable, with high ceilings and original polished cement and yellowwood floors. The décor is eclectic and colourful with antiques and chandeliers mixing effortlessly with leather couches, shabby chic sofas, kilim floor rugs and animal skins. Romantic four poster beds are draped with mosquito nets and dressed with cotton linen and chenille or faux-fur throws. There are extra warm blankets for chilly nights.

Rooms have showers and freestanding bathtubs, some with views across the indigenous forests.

The guest living spaces are heated by log fireplaces and there are many comfortable sitting areas with a library of books for guests to browse through and many beautiful artefacts, trophies and original photographs to admire.

The outside Boma, which provides an authentic African dining experience, is guarded by two massive carved wooden doors and has a bar and deck built above the dam where guests can enjoy sundowners. In the distance, the view is of Plettenberg Bay, the holiday seaside town named after the infamous Baron von Pletten.

A day at Baroness Safari Lodge starts with a breakfast served on the semi-enclosed terrace which is warmed by a log fireplace on fresh mornings.

After breakfast guests can join an experienced game ranger on a two hour game drive in an open Land Rover or a horseback safari through the sweeping grasslands of the Reserve.

The rest of the morning should be spent lazing at the pool or on the deck, reading or birding.

Enjoy a siesta in the coolness of your luxury suite or book a late afternoon game drive followed by a drink at the bar.

Dinner is a home-cooked meal at the Lodge with drinks in the Boma.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is just 15 minutes' drive from Plettenberg Bay, so guests also have the option of spending the day on one of the glorious Plett beaches and having lunch at a restaurant in town.

Rates

The above rates are inclusive of a delicious home-cooked dinner and a cooked breakfast daily, as well as a two-hour game drive in an open Land Rover vehicle or a two-hour horseback safari