“Great place”

Reviewed February 8, 2013 NEW

We booked for 3 nights and stayed for 6, need I say more?
Everything about it was 1st class, from the staff to the room with amazing views, a
top breakfast.
Thanks Ryan and all, hope to stay again one day.
Simon, Laura and Lexi

Room Tip: There all good!

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• Stayed January 2013, traveled with family
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knysna accommod

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The origin of the name Elephant Hide

The Search for the Knysna Elephants

1 x 52 mins

Very little is known about the elephants of the Knysna Forest. It is difficult to study an animal that you cannot find; some even doubt their existence.

Hunted almost to extinction by the early 20th century, the last remaining members of the massive herds that roamed the southernmost areas of Africa instinctively knew that they had to adapt in order to survive.

Within a generation or two, they had developed specialised skills to enable them to live in the kind of vegetation where they could avoid the hunter’s gun. They learnt to survive on a different diet, most significantly of all though, they became masters in the art of silence and stillness, becoming almost ghost-like, avoiding any contact with man. Gareth Patterson started research on these elephants seven years ago, with the aim to discover how many actually still remain.

In this documentary, we follow the search for the proof of these elephants’ existence in the Knysna Forest. We trail the Forestry Guards as they gather the evidence needed to unravel the mystery of these highly evolved creatures.

HONORABLE MENTION:  For Graphics & Animation – IWFF 2010

See Trailor

http://www.nhuafrica.com/license-acquisition/one-off-specials/the-search-for-the-knysna-elephants/

 

Latest Review for Elephant Hide

We stayed at Elephant Hide Lodge in November this year for two nights and it was a truly fabulous experience.

From the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left we were not only made to feel welcome but extremely special. There was nothing they were not willing, forthcoming and helpful with, from going to the local shop to get us a special bottle of bubbly on our first night to offering to run in to town and get lunch for us when we were relaxing by the pool the next day.

This experience was further improved not only by the quality of the room but also the thought and care that went into it. If you needed or wanted something, it was there from special bath salts and bubble bath to a bottle of insect repellent, local magazines, red and white wine glasses...not a single element to making our stay perfect was missed.

The views over the lagoon were stunning and the cabins cleverly built to give you optimum views with maximum privacy. You need to stay there if nothing more than to luxuriate in one of their beautiful baths whilst enjoying the stunning views.

And considering neither of us are really the breakfast type we could not resist going down and trying out the breakfast menu, with a great choice of authentic dishes from mieliepap (making my South African born boyfriend a very happy man as it is a dish he has not sampled since childhood) to a beautiful selection of cured South African meats and tasty cheeses. What a wonderful change from your standard fry up!

Words cannot truly describe just how amazing our stay was and the only regret is that we could not be there longer.

Thank you to everyone(!) who worked there to make our stay one of perfection and never to be forgotten. This is a place I would not only highly recommend to anyone reading this review but one I have recommended to all I know...regardless of whether or not they originally had plans to visit South Africa.

April Last Minute Special

Book at Elephant Hide Guest Lodge within 7 days and pay R650-00 per person per night sharing including breakfast. For a 3 night stay  or longer we are offering 10% off the entire package.

Break Away Competition

Elephant Hide is giving away a 3 nights stay for 2 people including breakfast. To enter all you have to do is click the LIKE button on the following page. http://www.facebook.com/Elephanthide The winner will be drawn on the  30/10/2011. The Prize will be redeemable between May and Sept 2012.Terms and Conditions apply.

Book Now Directly Through Facebook

Nightsbridge have developed a great new app on Facebook that allows you to book Elephant Hide dirctly off our Facebook page see as follows:

http://www.facebook.com/Elephanthide?sk=app_221071831264895

Latest Review for Elephant Hide

“priceless quietude”

Reviewed July 18, 2011 NEW

stunning location ,gracious hospitality , nestled away ...simply stunning weekend ...

• Stayed July 2011, traveled solo
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New Adventure Package at Elephant Hide Guest Lodge

3 Night Adventure Package

  3 Nights Accommodation at Elephant Hide Guest Lodge

Day one ~

         

Cruise the Crags

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre
Start the day off with an exhilarating stroll through Tsitsikamma Indigenous Forest and Cape Floral Fynbos as you join the Tenikwa Cheetahs on their daily walk. A unique and personal experience with these amazing animals, the Cheetah Walk will stay with you for life. Thereafter enjoy a 1 hour guided tour to meet the rest of the cats at Tenikwa on the Wild Cat Experience.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
Enjoy a 1 hour guided safari through Monkeyland – the world’s largest, free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary. Here you can expect to see many species of monkeys, apes and lemurs living in our forested sanctuary.

Birds of Eden Sanctuary
Work up an appetite as you wander through the world’s largest free-flight aviary at Birds of Eden, which incorporates an indigenous forest with waterfalls and elevated walkways. Previously caged birds from every corner of the globe live here in free flight.

Bramon Wine Estate
Enjoy a light lunch at The Crags very own vineyard, Bramon Wine Estate. Bramon is the only Wine Estate this far east of the Western Cape, and has broken new ground by pioneering vineyards, producing a superior Sauvignon Blanc “cap classique” sparkling wine, the first and only to be produced in the country. The cost of lunch is not included in the package.

The Crags Elephant Sanctuary
Interact, touch, feed and walk Trunk-In-Hand with the magnificent elephants at The Crags Elephant Sanctuary on the 1 hour program Trunk-In-Hand Program. End the day off with a personal experience with the elephants, as you participate in their bedding down during the Brushdown Program.

Day two ~

Rib Adventures

Hold on tight for a safe ride on the unique Knysna RIB* adventure power boat.

Remember to keep breathing and your eyes open to experience the full wonder of this beautiful unspoilt environment.

Apart from the pristine estuary, an adventure through the infamous Knysna Heads will be the ultimate boating experience. Once out to sea the world is our oyster, where one can experience a vast array of bird and marine life as well as breath-taking scenery, for example: Buffalo Bay, Noetzie Castles and the beautiful surroundings.

When the conditions of the Knysna Heads are unsafe the adventure will continue down the Knysna estuary which has its own variety of scenery and birdlife. Be sure that this is no ordinary lagoon cruise!!!

Safety is our priority but out main focus is fun fun fun...

Lunch at Cruise Café (excluding drinks)

Featherbed Nature Reserve

The Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head in Knysna, is the premier eco-experience on the Garden Route.

Return ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head. 4x4 vehicle & trailer drive up the headland onto the Reserve, stopping at spectacular viewpoints. Specialist guide giving information on history, fauna & flora. Optional guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves. World renowned buffet lunch at an outdoor restaurant setting under a canopy of Milkwood trees. Wonderful family outing, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

        Rate R3950-00 per person including Breakfast

Honeymoon Package

Honeymoon Package

  4 Nights Accommodation at Elephant Hide Guest Lodge

    

  A Bottle of Sparkling Wine on arrival

    

  A sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon with Spring Tide Charters

    

  A Picnic for 2 in the Knysna Forest

    

  A Dinner in the privacy of your Suite from Cruise Café

  A spa treatment for 2 at Pezula/Simola Spa

       Rate R5200-00 per person including Breakfast

Special Offer - May

Elephant Hide is running another special for the Month of May- Get 50% off the Fynbos Suite accommodation for the duration of May. This includes breakfast, and tourism levy. http://www.elephanthide.co.za/knysna_fynbos_suite.htm

The Knysna Elephant Debate continues, thanks to the Knysna Elephant Park for the read www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za

The female elephant sighted in previous years

A different elephant sporting two healthy tusks

Evidence of elephant interaction with trees!

The Knysna Forest Elephants Debate ... continued ...

Gareth Patterson has recently had his say on the work he is doing on the elephants in the Knysna Forest, and the National Park scientists are having theirs as well. So let’s unpack the debate thus far ...
Gareth Patterson has collected dung samples from the forest and he has had these samples tested at a university in the United States. The testing process was a carried out by a DNA specialist at this university and the testing process confirmed the DNA fingerprint of five female elephants.
Until recently, there has only been one elephant witnessed and photographed in the forest. This elephant was identified as a female between the ages of 25 and 50 years old, so reports say.
Recently (in the last three weeks) KEP has had access to footage taken by another individual. At the same time as this footage being taken, a documentary was released on the elephants of the Knysna Forest. This documentary features Gareth Patterson doing his research as well as the SA National Parks wardens who track the elephants. There are some dramatic scenes of the scouts discovering that the film-maker’s camera traps were trashed, and right at the end of the documentary they feature a short clip of the elephant they had been tracking.
Having seen the documentary and then the footage taken by the other individual, it is interesting to compare this with archive material (written and photographic) and to study the claims that have been made about these elephants over the past few years. The recent documentary involving Patterson makes a claim that the lone elephant is a male. Yet archive material and previous comments from National Park staff clearly state that the lone animal witnessed is a female. They were previously convinced of their observations and were convincing in their claim that previous photographic evidence pointed to the elephant photographed being a female. So if both their claims are correct, is there more than one elephant in the forest?

Top Billing Shows off Elephant Hide

We have recently been featured in the latest Top Billing Magazine (April Issue) Pg119 with an amazing advert for Elephant Hide. We are pleased to announce that we will be continuing with our Mad March Special in May, 50% off the accommodation in the Fynbos Suite. Please see our website for more details on the Lodge http://www.elephanthide.co.za/ .

Review - Ofer Argov

“Marvelous stay”

Date of review: Mar 15, 2011 - New

We stayed two nights. The rooms, the view, the serenity - all were a stunning experience.
Ryan (the owner) helped us a great deal in excellent tips for trips in Knysna, in choice of restaurants, and even in reserveing our following night in another lodge in Tzitzikama.

All in all we had a splendid stay, and we felt as if this place desreves another and longer visit.

• Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
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• Date of stay: March 2011
• Visit was for: Leisure
• Traveled with: Spouse/Partner
• Member since: yesterday

Review

“amazing experiance”

Date of review: Feb 4, 2011

I cannot describe our experience in words about this wonderful lodge. Though the place is not easy to locate...but with the help of the amazing staff you can reach easily. its at the best location, the rooms are wonderful and not to forget the staff is the best and the most friendly ive ever come across..it was my first trip to SA, if and when I plan another, will make sure i visit them!!.. an example of the truly amazing staff is that I am a pure vegetarian... and they made sure i got a variety for the 4 days i stayed (very difficult for a vegetarian who does not eat eggs to get good variety of breakfast)... Thanks the Mandy and her staff!!! loved them all.. and loved the place

Sunset Photos taken by guests

Review

The service was exemplary, nothing too much trouble and every effort made to ensure our stay was pleasurable. The al fresco breakfasts were a treat, tasted good and presented beautifully.

• Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
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• Date of stay: January 2011
• Visit was for: Leisure
• Traveled with: With Friends