Under nature’s reign
Fynbos Fort rests along the Robberg Coastal Corridor, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, lending its stone walls as an off-the-grid hideaway, embedded into the landscape that marks out the Inqua Trail.
What if you were to reimagine the ways of a holiday? Resorting to a sublimely simple existence. Even if just for the unique experience it would dish up. For the fits and giggles, the stories, the character-building and family-bonding. The rekindling of a relationship with the environment, allowing it to do all of the talking. You, all of the listening.
To travel to somewhere like Fynbos Fort. All fourteen of you, going off-grid for a week or two. Surrendering to the spectacular powers and presence of nature. Exploring the 340-acre property that’s settled between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, along the Robberg Coastal Corridor – an 18km stretch of pristine coastline that binds portions of the Robberg Nature Reserve and the Garden Route National Park together.
Where the wild, protected landscape meets the sea. Meandering the botanical routes that form the revered Inqua Trail. Discovering caves with evidence of Stone Age habitation. Swimming in clear water rock pools, and pondering the creation of dramatic geological formations. All the while having your own stone labyrinth as your cave to retreat to. A peaceful lair for all to gather, after a day’s primal practice of hunting. Hunting for nature’s treasures. Capturing a deeper connection with the environment we occupy, and feeding our inquisitive minds with new perspectives. Yes, this is the kind of holiday we should all entertain as often as possible.
In all of its raw and rugged beauty, Fynbos Fort emits its energy from the repurposed hand-hewn rock that holds it all together. Seamlessly blending in with its surroundings, as if it was the terrain that imposed itself upon the build. Just as the late architect, Menno Meinesz intended, this hideaway is minimal in its footprint and emerges from the cliffs like a gradual evolution of the landscape. Unique in its layout, there is only one bedroom. Entirely dreamy, at that. A lovely large living area, with 10 built-in day beds allow for the additional ‘glampers’. Timber floors, doors and beams, rattan ceilings and screed cement sections accompany the stone.
A high-walled lapa for long evenings around the fire, beneath the stars, cocooned from the elements. The perfect kitchen, plenty of bathrooms, lazy lounging areas and the most inspiring front stoep you’ve ever settled yourself upon. Tall windows framing the views that unfold at every opportunity. The breeze wafting through the open spaces like a familiar friend, embracing you with an earnest affection. The natural light streaming in, reminding us of the hours left in the day for adventure.
Romancing the stone
Yes, there will always be those luxury getaways available to you and the clan. Spectacular seaside resorts and lavish coastal escapes that cater to the crowd and their cast-iron checklists. But how about, once a year, we gather the pack, and resort to our integral ways of a primal existence in nature? Where we follow the botanical pathways to the new roots of a great holiday. An escape redefined. To an area of outstanding natural beauty that inspires its preservation. Rich with significant geographical, archaeological and paleo-anthropological sites that educate along the way.
A place where the you feel the possibility of everything, that oyster in the palm of your hands, resembling a new world. Forgetting about everything that ever came before. And isn’t that the whole point of a holiday? To reinvent the wheels of our every day lives. When in motion, and stillness. Just as the owners of Fynbos Fort have done. Venerating their role as custodians of this magnificent spot on the map. Imploring you and your clan to lap up every moment. Gently gliding through your days of exploration and rest, treading lightly as you do.
What we love!
- Fynbos Fort is settled in a private nature reserve, atop the ocean cliffs of the Robberg Coastal Corridor, near Plettenberg Bay. A wonderful base for guests to go out, seek and discover all of the natural trails, the rock pools, the caves and the coves. Exploring the great expanse of coastal land that this 18km corridor has to offer.
- The home is beautifully furnished in a luxurious, laidback manner. With plenty of comfy lounging areas, built-in beds-come-sofas that are ideal for relaxing and reading, as you drift out with the views.
- The views, the seclusion, the stillness and the transforming colours of the landscape.
- Gathering around the fireplaces – in the living areas, or around the lapa – telling all of those mandatory holiday tales.
What you need to know…
- The property stands solitary within 340 acres of protected natural beauty – home to increasingly rare species of fynbos within the Cape Floristic Kingdom. Inspired by the Otter Trail, the Inqua trail was established as a conservation initiative by the owner of the Fynbos Fort, and their neighbours. Thus the Robberg Coastal Corridor was formed (RCC).
- Inqua translates to leopard in Khoisan. The leopard sightings have significantly increased over the years, due to protection and conservation of the land, largely funded by the guided trails.
- As well as the botanical trails, there are endurance runs, fishing expeditions and a number of nature activities that guests can get involved in.
- A little history about Fynbos Fort – the owner purchased the Fynbos Nature Reserve with the sole intent of preserving and protecting the natural beauty, and rich biodiversity of the coast. It took 5 years for it to be declared as a protected environment, preventing any future commercial development of the land. The RCCPE is now revered as a pristine stretch of coastline between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna that’s home to rare and endemic flora – fynbos. An area that has been identified as Critically Biodiverse.
- If Fynbos Fort is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie