Hi, Iโmย Vijver fromย Tranquility Lodge in Natures Valley on the Garden Route. I not only work here but I am a Local and on 3 March 2012 I was married to Freek another local of Natures Valley. We have been living in Natures Valley for 9 years.
Natures Valley IS BEST KNOWN FOR its pristine beach, surrounded by mountains and secluded town feeling.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the top of the Salt River Hike, with the back drop of this sleepy town and the ocean you could ask for no better shot.
THE BEST wildlife PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT our lagoon. Where a multitude of birds visit everyday and the bush bucks and bush pigs come to drink, one might even be lucky enough to see some fish jumping.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT any one of the amazing hikes with forest backgrounds, lagoon backgrounds, or river backgrounds. I have to add that a sunset photo on our beach, is beyond words.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO swimming in the ocean or grab some snorkelling gear and checking out the underwater wildlife, my husband can be seen on the banks of the lagoon or even the rocks of the ocean doing a bit of catch-and-release fishing.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO sit by a fireplace with a good book and when the weather is really bad you can hear the ocean roar above everything, it is an amazing feeling to hear such power. If the weather is just cold but not bad, it is the best time to tackle some of our more strenuous hikes as the cooler weather makes them easier than the blazing sun.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS February, March, April and May, BECAUSE the weather is still amazing and our rainy season is behind us.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS at Tranquility Lodge, you get to sit on the 2nd level of the lodge and you are surrounded by trees, fresh fruit and bird feed is put out every morning and the Knysna Loerie and a selection of sunbirds join in the breakfast every morning, and to top it off, the fresh fruit, selection of cheeses, yummy bacon and eggs topped off with a large selection of yoghurts and fruit juice served for breakfast from the lodge staff is amazing!
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST a picnic at the lagoon, or maybe even taking out a kayak and having it ON the lagoon.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS actually located in Keurbooms, only a 15minute drive, TRY Enricoโs they are amazing.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM the only little shop in town, a selection of ice creams are always a treat, grab one and head to the beach to soak up the setting sun while soaking up the melting ice cream.
MY FAVOURITE swimming SPOT IS the lagoon.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Plettenberg Bay, Natures Valley is more quiet and if a night out walking under the stars is your cup of teaโฆyou are at the right place, so grab a flashlight and head to our beach and experience what stargazing really is.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO the local pub, or just be at the beach early morning to meet those doing a quick walk with their dogs.
Natures Valleyโs BEST KEPT SECRET IS Tranquility Lodge! It is the best place to experience this small town in utter luxury.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS have a braai down at the lagoon and maybe even throwing in some volleyball, kayaking and windsurfing.
FOR SOME CULTURE, I LIKE TO GO TO The Crags.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO walk our stretch of beach, it is amazing what 5km of sand can do for your soul.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY try the Kalanderkloof Trail! Not for the faint hearted but OH so worth the trek! This trail is only 9km long but its all uphill!
MY FAVOURITE WALK / HIKE IS The Salt River Hike! Words cannot do this hike justice!
MY FAVOURITE local SHOP IS the Natureโs Way Farm Stall, where you can even taste their home made cheeses and if you like, meet the cows!
MY FAVOURITE dolphin and whale WATCHING SPOT IS the top of the Salt River Hike.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN December, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the Natureโs Valley Tri-athalon, not only for professionals but also for families and young ones.
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM (of sorts) IS the local caves. CHECK OUT THE picturesโฆ.however this is only for really tall people. Short people have a hard time getting themselves into the caves.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS most of the houses here, FOR ITS like they each tell a story about the years gone by. You can find houses in Natures Valley from the 40โs right through to 2012 with a couple of funky ones thrown into the mix.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS our lagoon where the shallow spots make it easy to swim.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS most of our outings in Natures Valley is nature bound and thus free.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO head of to The Crags and go have fun at Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and test my fear at Bloukrans Bungy Bridge!!
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS the amount of people that manage to find us, year after year after yearโฆ.it is just one of those places that becomes a โMustโ for every family vacation.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS staying at HOME in Natures Valley!
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I support the local ladies with their Christmas project which we undertake every year, we not only give out gifts to all the young people in the local settlement but we even throw them a party.
Natures Valley is proud of the fact that we are far enough from the noise of local towns so you can get a full relaxation inย but close enough so you can visit. Doing a day trip from Natures Valley to Tsitsikamma, Plettenberg Bay, The Crags and Knysna is not unheard of. Natures Valley is also located less than 30 minutes drive from some of the top activities in The Garden Route, Bungy Jumping, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Tenikwa Wildcats, Elephant Sanctuary, and a number of whale and dolphin watching options.
I Love Natures Valley BECAUSE having travelled the world I have not found a more amazing and breathtaking town.
Natures Valley Links
- Natures Valley Attractions
- Things to Do in Natures Valley
- Natures Valley Accommodation
- Natures Valley Hotels
- Garden Route Hotels
- Garden Route Accommodation
Desirable Digits
Enrico’s: +27 (0)44 535-9818
Nature’s Way Farm Stall: +27 (0)44 534-8849 or +27 (0)82 875-7044
Monkeyland: +27 (0)44 534-8906
Birds of Eden: +27 (0)44 534-8906
Bloukrans Bungy: +27 (0)42 281 1458
Tenikwa: +27 (0)44 534-8170
Elephant Sanctuary: +27 (0)44 534-8145