Serendipity Coastal Lodge offers self-catering lodge accommodation in a private nature reserve in Ballots Bay between George and Wilderness, Garden Route, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Summary
Serendipity Lodge is a luxury log home with spectacular sea and mountain views. It is situated on a steep fynbos covered site on the edge of a forested gorge in a private nature reserve.

Serendipity is world class, an executive eco-tourist's dream. The cottage rests in a private, silent, healthy and scenic paradise. Ballots Bay is in a world of its own, a secret beauty spot, known only to a few privileged residents and their guests.

The Garden Route Mall is 12 minutes, and the George Airport is a 22-minute drive away.

On-site
The wooden cottage on stilts is a perfect place for anyone with a love of nature to get away and relax in perfect tranquillity. You are within the nature / game reserve, with Bushbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra, Ostrich, the rarely seen Caracal (Lynx cat or Rooikat), and hundreds of birds.

From the deck, living and bedrooms of Serendipity, the Indian Ocean can be seen from river mouth to horizon. The whale and dolphin paradise stretches below your feet, edged by 40 km of coastline from Wilderness to Buffels Bay. Watch the moods of the sea, and hear the waves breaking on the rocks around the delightful private beach.

To the north, the often misty Outeniqua Mountains stretch from George to Knysna.

Over 130 species of bird inhabit the Cape Wildflower Floral Kingdom. The Afromontane forest of the George Nature Reserve, home to Knysna Louries, is on the left of the Bay and the fynbos covered cliffs are on the right. The two plant species meet in the natural garden at your feet. The Erica and Proteas attract sunbirds and give all year colour.

Recreation and Golf
Go walking, go paddling in the sea or fishing on the rocks. If our private beach, with its braai facilities and toilet, is too small and lonely for you, the whole range of famous Garden Route beaches are within easy reach.

Take an hour walk to the Victoria Bay swimming and surfing beach via Carmel, or you could just take the 10-minute drive. More leisurely strolls include the Whale Trail, the Fynbos Walk or an amble to the Forest Boma near Sunset Point. Allow 20 to 30 minutes each way, and at least that long again to soak in the views. There are also longer walks, including a strandloper cave walk (permit required).

If you can pull yourself away, the Garden Route is a paradise for golfers. The George, Kingswood, Fancourt, Links and Oubaai golf courses are all within a 30-minute drive. Another 30 minutes will get you to Knysna, Pezula (Sparrebosch), Plettenberg Bay, Goose Valley, Mossel Bay or Oudtshoorn. The Bells Academy Driving Range and the Glenwood Mashie Course are 15 minutes from home.

Food, Drink and Facilities
The nearest shops are the Sasol and Engen One-Stop on the N2, while the huge Garden Route Shopping Mall with chain stores, restaurants and pubs is less than 15 minutes away. The City of George has garages, cinemas, doctors, hospitals and all sports facilities.

Self-Catering Accommodation
The lodge is beautifully furnished and appointed to meet the most discerning of tastes. It is small and cosy, but comfortably sleeps six in the three upstairs bedrooms. It has three full bathrooms plus a Jacuzzi overlooking the sea.

The open plan kitchen, dining room and lounge have all got views, and there is a sunny library. The cottage caters for every need, and has a smart TV with full DSTV, DVD with lots of movies, radios, two fridge / freezers, hob, oven, microwave, washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher and kettle braai. It has a wood burning fireplace, and gas and electric heaters. It also has a boma with a wood burning pizza oven.

The lodge will be clean and washed when you get there but is not serviced. The fee includes cleaning it again when you leave. Should you want additional servicing during your stay, please enquire when making the booking.

Suitable Guests
Serendipity is for anybody wanting total peace and quiet in a luxury home environment. Ideal for nature lovers, and for stressed executives wanting to get away from it all. Take the family with, there is plenty for them to do. Rest, read, lie back in the Spa, walk if you like and sleep, you won't want to leave. There is no noise, no bright lights and no parties, but George and the Wilderness are only 15 minutes away.

The house is raised (see picture) so you must at least be able to walk up steps. Strictly no dogs or cats (it is a nature reserve).