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Tucked away in Knysna's Goukamma valley surrounded by indigenous forests you'll find the luxurious Blackwaters River Lodge. Here you can wake to the call of the fish eagle, relax in beautiful gardens, go canoeing on the river, play a round of golf on our mashie golf course, laze around the pool or just enjoy the peace and tranquility from your verandah. Enjoy a picnic on the banks of the river or freshly prepared meals from our wood fired oven in our Earth and Fire Restaurant. In addition you are only 3min away from Buffelsbaai Beach and 10min from the bustling town of Knysna.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
Still one of our favourite places to visit when in the Garden Route. Guests are truly spoiled and treated with so much love. We are blown away by how the owner Elmay has adapted to still offer excellent service during a time of so many restrictions. Lovely individual welcome packs and welcome drinks on arival, our room sanitised and sealed, sanitisers in our bedrooms and everything done with a soft approach and touch of nature
We love this property because we can just relax, excellent food and service from the restaurant, braai baskets and picnic baskets available. Spoiled for choice with water - beautiful pool or a swim in the river and a quick 10 minute drive to Buffalo Bay beach.
One can see that the owners take pride in their property. Housekeeping staff are neatly dressed and had masks on all the time. An added value besides the canoes, golf and stand up paddling, one can also hire bicycles to take a ride up the forest.
Thank you once again for a memorable stay
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were part of a company weekend wih our families at this idyllic piece of paradise. So centrally situated between Knysna and Sedgefield on a beautiful river. It took us a mere 10 minutes to get to the beautiful Buffalo Bay beach.
Everyone was totally blown away by the passionate care and attention to detail the owners has put into this property. Staff are all so friendly, happy and helpful. Nothing was too much for them. Great food and service in the restaurant. The one owner Elmay is such a bubbly peson and it is a pleasure to see her involved with her staff and always keeping an eye on everything. We even saw her arranging flower pots for the restaurant
The kids had a ball. Played on the grass volley ball area, used the canoes and stand up paddle boards, golf and fun in the swimming pool. We were truly spoiled and it felt like a 2 week holiday. Dont forget the afternoon coffee around the pool with something sweet to enjoy.
We were very impressed with the subtle implementation of Covid 19 protocols all over the establishment. Sanitiser stations every where and housekeeping staff very good with wearing masks.
We will certainly return to Blackwaters River Lodge. For a business planning session or family break away. One can see that the owners Paul and Elmay enjoy what they are doing and love their property.
Well done and thank you.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I stayed for 5 nights here and everything was very enjoyable, very kind hosts and staff, including at the restaurant. On top of that, we were offered a free upgrade. Above all, the location is fantastic, in plain nature by the Goukama river and very close to the astonishing Buffels Bay beach. Highly recommended!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow absolutely breathtaking beautiful venue with amazing rooms and Elmay and her staff is awesome Nihle helping in the reception and the young crowd on the activites! Mashie golf if your a novice or a pro it is so much fun, then if you just want to drink in the tranquility take a canoe and go for a paddle and just enjoy the abundance!! Will i go again absolutly!! Should you go? You would miss out on a expierience stay more than one day though or you will regret it
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Stay more than one day this spot is worth it
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have not been back to Blackwaters River Lodge until January 2022. The proud owners call this place themselves “our place of magic”. And that is what it truly is. From the sincere welcome and check in by Elmay herself, Chantell escorting us and settling us into our room to the day of check out. One feels welcome, appreciated and very safe with all the open spaces, fresh air and incredible natural surroundings.
Elmay can pride herself in ensuring that guests feel safe and comfortable during their stay at Blackwaters River Lodge. Her attention to detail is immaculate and in a very shuttle way, all COVID 19 protocols are in place and enforced
We really enjoyed the afternoon tea and sweet surprise daily in the lounge. We loved the walks up the forest and tasty home cooked dishes in the restaurant.
Make sure that when you book here, stay at least three nights. We will be back again.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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Room Tip:All rooms have baths and showers that is great
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
School holidays and Knysna Oyster Festival. We could not be at a better spot to enjoy both and so much more. The weather played its part and we enjoy incredible summer days. Went canoeing and enjoyed Buffalo Bay beach a few times. Again our rooms were great, owner welcoming us and Chantell looking after us with so much care. We love this property that in the mist of challenging times (load shedding) they do business as usual. Restaurant and coffee shop fully functional with their menus and obviously limited drinks that is understandable. Beautiful recycled wine bottles serves as light bottles in one’s rooms.
Elmay the owner communicates daily with guests about load shedding schedules and are always willing to assist with requests. My kids once again enjoyed the golf, volley ball, canoeing and hot chocolate and marshmallows Braai around the fire.
We attended a intimate wine tasting with Rustenberg wines and food bites in their cosy lounge area. What a delight and again the owner’s involvement and support for her community was shown. Pianist was an 14 year old from Hornlee with amazing talent and the chef is well known in her community. Wines and food bites were really nice and complimentary.
Again, memories to treasure and a great holiday. Our family just love our “magical one stop” holiday place in Knysna. See you guys in September.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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Room Tip:We love the rooms overlooking the River but garden cottages are cosy and parents with kids will...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Blackwater River Lodge a week ago under Level 2 of Lockdown. I can tell they really cared about the protocol of COVID-19 for Guest safety. It started to check our temperature and filled the guest's details before check-in and They even sanitized the room key. Also, the room was so clean and they placed a sanitizer bottle in the room. It was really impressed me as a guest! The view from the room was remarkable. Breakfast and dinner were handled well with all COVID-19 protocols enforced. I felt very safe and comfortable staying there and the staff are very humble and pleasant!
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Date of stay: September 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Blackwaters River Lodge for one week. We were welcomed enthusiastically and could immediately see and feel the tranquility of the space.
The room was tastefully decorated and clean. The staff were helpful and friendly. Elmay, the owner, has everything well organized.
This is a must experience when traveling through the Garden Route!
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This venue is stunning and exceeded our expectations, from the beautiful nature sounds to receiving ‘The breakfast box’ which was a ‘highlight’ and the room felt extremely fresh and sanitized. The staff were professional and always kept their masks on and treated us amazing. There were sanitation points all over the property which is great for adults and children, the new deli has convenient portions of food to buy which is great for everyone. The picnic spots are so nicely situated along the river that you can relax with your family. This experience was unique and so much fun in this new norm of doing things. Everyone should experience the knysna forest here. On a side note the conference room is beautiful and very professional to hold meetings.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed over a few nights for a golf tour. What fantastic hosts. Bonnita really went beyond our expectations and all the staff were really accommodating. Rooms were well equipped and the lodge was so inviting. I would highly recommend to anyone.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Knysna area.
PRICE RANGE
R 1,470 - R 2,377 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeKnysna
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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