7 things to do at Blackwaters River Lodge, Garden Route

​By Roxanne Reid
Everyone knows the Garden Route is beautiful. And there’s so much to do that you could pack in three activities a day for two weeks and still barely scratch the surface. On a recent trip back to the Knysna/Sedgefield area we discovered 
​7 things to do at Blackwaters River Lodge, Garden Route.

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Tucked into a valley along the river and surrounded by indigenous forest, Blackwaters River Lodge is a place to get away from the hurly burly. Although it’s just off the N2 between Knysna and Sedgefield, this four-star lodge is surrounded by indigenous forest, a haven of beautiful gardens and bird calls. The world could go mad and you just wouldn’t know or care, that’s how peaceful it is. 

​Our river-view suite looked out across the dark tannic waters of the Goukamma River, a view that encouraged day dreaming. There are only 17 rooms at this small lodge and some look out over the swimming pool into the forest, or on to the gardens.

​My favourite place in the early morning was on the bench on the wooden deck where I could watch a Knysna turaco fly past or a family of vervet monkeys rustle and bounce through the trees. At night the air was filled with the soothing calls of river frogs. 

The restaurant deck

The bar

​Our suite was decorated in soft greys, with a king-sized bed, a couch and small kitchenette as well as a corner bath, large shower and air conditioner. For a special touch, homemade truffles and shot glasses of muscadel were delivered during the turndown service each night.

River-view suite with sitting area and kitchen (below)

There are tons of things to do in the area (more about that in another post later), but here’s what you can get up to without even leaving the lodge. 

7 things to do
1. Join a friend or family member to play 9 holes on the par 3 mashie golf course at Blackwaters River Lodge. Don’t worry if you don’t have your clubs with you, you can hire them on the spot.
2. Take one of the lodge’s single or double canoes for a short paddle on the river. Or get serious and go all the way down the river to the Goukamma Nature Reserve and the sea about 11km away. You can arrange for a pickup if you’re not up for the return trip under your own steam.

Entrance to the spa

3. Treat yourself to some pampering at the Forest Wellness & Beauty spa in the lodge grounds. It runs monthly specials. 

Inside the restaurant

You can also eat outside in the garden

4. Have a meal at the Earth & Fire restaurant. My favourite place to sit is outside on the patio or under a big umbrella, surrounded by green gardens.
5. Order a picnic basket from the restaurant and sit under a shady tree on the banks of the river to enjoy it. 

Trees, gardens and the river are everywhere you look

6. Wander around the gardens and use the plaques on the trees to identify the indigenous ones – your own informal ‘indigenous tree walk’.
7. Sprawl on the lawns and watch a Big Screen movie in the open air on Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer.

​Note: We were guests of Blackwaters River Lodge for two nights but the opinions are mine.

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