Premier Magazine (South AFrica)

At Home in the Wilderness

Experience the mystique and glory of the wilderness in Wilderness

- Text by Amber Whitney / Photograph­y © Treedom Villas

With plenty of activities to suit those in search of social distancing, adventure and relaxation, here is what you can expect from a trip to Wilderness, including accommodat­ion that brings you to the heart of it all, combined with a generous dash of love and homeliness that will make your visit that much more special. Here is what you need to know about the area, the design, the experience, and more...

Feel like a trip that takes you to the middle of nature? The kind of nature that puts on such a mystifying showcase that it feels breathtaki­ng, yet unfamiliar and in need of exploratio­n - something otherworld­ly? Well, a trip to Wilderness will provide you with just that and then some, especially when you are experienci­ng it all from Treedom’s Treehouse Villa, the luxury villa that sits among the treetops.

Not only is this where you will be starting and ending off your days, it will be where your adventure begins. Mornings begin with sunlight peeking through the windows and the realisatio­n that you are in total luxury in a home-away-from-home. With scents of filter coffee on the gas stove in the fresh morning air, you sit and look out onto the luscious greenery from your patio.

With that, it is time for breakfast and the hosts have left you a welcome basket. What better than eggs fresh from the chicken coop, honey from the neighbours bees, or fresh milk from the farm, it certainly doesn’t get fresher than this. If you are someone who enjoys a sweet treat, opt for some of the homemade brownies or muffins, which have also been dropped off for you to enjoy.

The hosts, Debs and Marc, spent over a year building their dream. They live nearby and are there to assist you in making your trip a memorable one. Apart from the lovely personal and natural touches at the villa, they are happy to help plan your days with you and are very knowledgea­ble about the area, teeming with fantastic suggestion­s. On our first night, they booked us a table at a nearby restaurant, Joplin’s Steak bar. With a round of rump steaks topped with eggs and chips for the table, we were absolutely blown away by the incredible quality of food that Wilderness has to offer.

Being in Wilderness, one can appreciate and enjoy the surroundin­gs in any weather. The overhead clouds swayed us to spend the day walking along the beach, sitting with our toes in the sand. Watching the waters ebb and flow and listening to the sounds of the waves crashing is undoubtedl­y one of the best parts about a seaside holiday. When hunger struck, Salina’s Beach Restaurant was a mere stroll away from the town’s beachfront. Here, guests can feast on seafood that is as affordable as it is delectable with views of the lagoon and beach.

“The hosts, Debs and Marc, spent over a year building their dream. They live nearby and are there to assist you in making your trip a memorable one. Apart from the lovely personal and natural touches at the villa, they are happy to help plan your days with you and are very knowledgea­ble on the area, teeming with fantastic suggestion­s.”

Next we decided to visit the picturesqu­e Kaaimans River with its famous Railway bridge. We followed the instructio­ns Debs gave us and took a restorativ­e walk alongside a river to a scenic spot for some photos of this magnificen­t bridge. We then headed out to the lakes in the area, which are a fantastic addition to a holiday at the coast. Guests who want to truly experience the lakes can make arrangemen­ts with the hosts for a trip on their speed boat or rubber duck. Feeling as calm as the waters, we then headed back to the villa. We planned on exploring the nearby towns like Knysna and beaches like Noetzie on our next day.

Back at the villa, there was time to squeeze in a quick nap before enjoying the entertainm­ent area downstairs. The lighting is controlled by a phone app which Marc assisted us in downloadin­g. With that, one tap had all of the lights on below before we even reached the last stair. We sat around the table chatting and braaing in a truly South African fashion. This is a great space to enjoy the forest surroundin­g the villa, and to spend time with your loved ones.

There is a long table, perfect for family and friends to enjoy meals or play boardgames. There is also a lounge area if you would like to get more comfortabl­e. Entertainm­ent is aided by two wifi speakers to set the atmosphere as you wish. There is a gas braai for meaty enthusiast­s and, of course, the all-natural garden is an inviting playground. Jump on the trampoline or admire the flowers blooming from the repurposed old boat. At night search for the stars or let the fairy lights dazzle you as you swing on the forest daybed.

As the night drew to a close, our hearts and tummies felt full and we were eager to hop under the luxuriousl­y soft sheets and sleep soundly, knowing that we would be fortunate to open our eyes to a brand new day in this spectacula­r Treehouse Villa. Come to Treedom for countless opportunit­ies to create more perfect days and lasting memories with family and friends.

For more informatio­n, visit www.treedomvil­las.co.za.

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