It was time to leave Cape Town. The African hinterland beckoned and I beckoned towards it with my partner on a sunny day in March.
It was just another Saturday as I began my foray down the Garden Route and up the east coast of South Africa, intent on breathing in the fresh air of the countryside and inspecting some lodges along the way. A holiday was long overdue (isn’t it always?) and it was great to be on the road once again.
After a meandering drive over Sir Lowry’s Pass, we straddled mountains and vineyards, apple orchards and indigenous forest, seaside retreats and lodges beside lagoons. We passed the coastal towns of Hermanus, rolled past the Breede River and Swellendam, before winding past Wilderness and towards the picturesque town of Knysna, which has often claimed the accolade of South Africa’s favourite town.
A few kilometres outside the town itself, we turned off the main road which straddles the famous lagoon and climbed up the cliff, before arriving at the well-signposted Kanonkop Guesthouse. We were warmly welcomed by the Conyers family – Mark, Chris and Samantha have been running Kanonkop for many a year and their enthusiasm is infectious.
With no other guests around, we were in luck and were shown to Paradise, the best room in the house. Located on the third floor with a private balcony that afforded panoramic views of the azure lagoon stretching out towards the Indian Ocean, it lived up to its name right away! We seized a glass of chilled white wine and an ice-cold beer and reclined on the balcony as the sky turned crimson.
It was a fitting way to begin the trip – and we were spellbound by the vistas before us.
A king-size bed with mammoth pillows and an en-suite bathroom with a huge hot tub and shower awaited inside. It was hard to leave the room what with such luxury and such spectacular views. When we did, we relaxed beside the sparkling swimming pool, caught a tan on the deckchairs and enjoyed another round of drinks at the bar.
Our hosts were superb, and made us feel at home immediately. We could help ourselves to drinks and snacks as we pleased, and were given the reign of the guesthouse. But whenever we needed something, Samantha, Chris or Mark would somehow appear to answer our questions, from where to wine and dine in Knysna to walks and activities in the area. It is this personal touch that makes Kanonkop so special.
And if Paradise is taken, the two rooms below it, Sunbird and Forest, both offer the same level of luxury and the views are almost as good. The two other rooms, No Matata and Sivuyile, are both well-appointed and open out onto a sun-kissed deck beside the swimming pool. The Knysna Waterfront is just a short drive away, so you are both minutes and millenia from the hustle and bustle of town.
After a few days relaxing and taking in the stunning views, it was time to move on. But no matter long you stay in Knysna and whatever you do, Kanonkop can be the place for you.
Sounds like a good idea? Contact us to plan your trip to Kanonkop or anywhere else!