In the know

Our favourite rooms: The 10 suites are secluded and cosseting, with private decks looking out over the treetops and infinity plunge pools. Glass walls provide surround-scene forest views and bathrooms have deep, free-standing stone tubs, twin sinks and al fresco showers. In addition, the two-bedroom Villas have kitchenettes, dining rooms, fully stocked minibars, satellite TV, private pools and a decked outdoor dining area.
Packing tips: Hats and beachwear for summer; cosy shrugs for cooler evenings; walking boots for exploring the forest; binoculars for bird-watching; leopardprint loin cloth for playing Tarzan and Jane.
Also: Treetop Villa prices are adjusted according to occupancy.

Current offers

Smith card offer: A bottle of Tsala sparkling wine and canapés in your room

More photos

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Garden Route & Winelands, South Africa[view map]

Style: Modern Africa
Setting: Up in the forest canopy

Unique Garden Route boutique resort Tsala Treetop Lodge gives you a bird's eye view of South Africa's indigenous forest canopy from a luxurious stilted hut. Think Tarzan, but with wraparound decking, private infinity pools and flatscreen TVs. Better still, all this back-to-nature wilderness is just 10km from the beaches, bars and boutiques of Plettenberg Bay. Jungle living simply doesn't get more glamorous…

Need to know

Rooms: 16: 10 suites and 6 two-bedroom villas.
Rates: In low season, from SAR3,160; in high season, from SAR6,020, including breakfast, tax and VAT.
Check-out: 11am (flexible by prior arrangement, subject to availability). Check-in, from 2pm.
Facilities: Gardens, library of books and DVDs, boules court, sundeck, free WiFi, valet parking. In rooms, open fires, infinity plunge pools, sundecks, flatscreen TVs, DVD/CD player, under-floor heating, exclusive Charlotte Rhys toiletries.
Poolside: Every suite and villa has its own private infinity pool cantilevered out from the decking over the treetops, with comfortable sunloungers to sink onto.
Eco-friendly: The restaurant uses ingredients from Tsala's kitchen gardens, and the resort works closely with local communities and charities to ensure the future of the reserve's biodiversity. Tsala is also working towards becoming totally carbon neutral.
Also: Massages, reflexology, Shiatsu and beauty treatments are available on request.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Tsala serves up modern Euro-African fusion fare, cooked using herbs and vegetables from their own gardens. Other local organic ingredients are sourced from within a 500km radius of the resort.
Dress code: I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Into Here! (Smart casual.)
Top table: Pull up an African-baroque leopardprint-upholstered chair at a table by the open fire, or dine by candlelight on the deck outside.
Last orders: Breakfast, 7.30–9.30am; lunch, 12–2.30pm; dinner, 7–10.30pm.
Room service: A light menu of simple in-room dishes is available 24 hours a day, but restaurant meals may also be taken in-suite by prior arrangement. Alternatively, book a gourmet picnic basket for two and take it into the forest with you…
Hotel bar: There’s no bar as such, but you can drink sundowners on the restaurant deck (or your own private deck), and Tsala has a fantastic wine cellar: wine-tastings can be arranged on request and the restaurant occasionally holds gourmet wine evenings in winter.

Also worth knowing

Children: Kids aged 10 and over are welcome; children sharing parents’ rooms are charged from SAR490–SAR640, depending on season.
Weddings: This hotel is suitable for weddings. More…

Smith Members offer

A bottle of Tsala sparkling wine and canapés in your room

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member

Smith travel team

If you'd prefer to talk to someone, or don't want to book online, call our travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.