Masescha Country Estate

General information

The essence of Masescha is to experience a slower pace of life. Our majestic forest backdrop frames an atmosphere of calm, relaxation and restfulness creating an idyllic scene for a rejuvenating break away from the hubbub of everyday life, where often the only accompaniment is the song of the birds and a gently whispering breeze. We offer a flexible variety of clean, fully equipped self-catering facilities within an established garden setting to suit all budgets, all with Free Wi-fi internet access.

We are located at Harkerville only 10 minutes drive from Plettenberg Bay and 15 minutes drive from Knysna in the Riviera of Southern Africa. Here in the heart of the Garden Route we are a convenient base to explore the many tourist attractions, activities, restaurants and beaches in this world-renowned area.

Come and experience our real haven of tranquility!

Masescha is owner managed with a warm and friendly welcome awaiting all guests from travellers passing through for a night, couples looking for a romantic getaway, families with children, larger groups, even business people can experience a ‘working holiday’.

A meander around the garden leads you through part of the 11 hectare property and can even take you on a scramble over the Boskop River winding through the Estate and into the cool indigenous forest revealing ferns, fynbos and flora. Garden rooms for two, cosy cottages or a large house for sole use are nestled into well-stocked, established rolling garden and lawn with some lovely specimen trees. Guests are also welcome to use our large swimming pool - enjoyable for either a cooling dip on hot days or for an energetic few lengths before breakfast. For Birdwatchers there is such a huge variety of bird life which would keep any enthusiast content (see our Birdwatching page) - so don’t forget your binoculars! There are seven picturesque water dams, some of which are stocked with Tilapia for the fishing enthusiast so you might like to try your luck and bring your fishing rod (also available for hire).

Whilst the majority of guests require self-catering accommodation, we do have one room dedicated to bed and breakfast accommodation. Our scrumptious fully inclusive breakfast is also available as an optional extra for self-catering guests.

Occasional visitors through the garden are bushbuck and other deer and the odd wild white goat has also been spotted; baboons are often heard in the forest and we receive regular visits from the Vervet Monkeys.

Masescha is easily accessible from the N2 and is near to or within 50kms of:

Adventure Land Water Park
Quad Biking
Southern Comfort Horse-riding Ranch
Sassol Garage and Forest View Shop
Elephant Walk Farm Stall and Timber
La Paradiso Spa
Garden of Eden
Harkerville Forest Walks and Mountain Biking Trails
Kranshoek Viewpoint (overlooking the sea)
Trading Post Farm Stall for Biltong and Pies
Wolf Sanctuary with Noah’s Ark Touch Farm
Knysna Elephant Park and Cafe
Zinzi Restaurant at Hunter’s Hotel
Chocolate Den and Handmade Masks
Local Craft Stalls and Cafes along the N2, including The Heath, Illovani Furniture, Wines and Wine Tasting, Cow Shed Coffee Shop
Radical Raptors
Blue Hills Bird Farm
Harkerville Saturday Morning Farmer's Market featuring the big Bundu Breakfast
Knysna Friday Night Supper Market
Sedgefield Saturday Morning Wild Oats Market
Old Nick Village
Keurbooms River Ferries and Boat Hire
Robberg Nature Reserve
Helicopter Flip – Skydiving – Glider Flights – Microlight Flights
Wild Waters Fun Park
Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve – Horseback Safari
Paintball and Jungle Warfare
Plett Puzzle Park
Monkeyland
Birds of Eden
Jukani
Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness – Sunrise/Sundown walk with Cheetahs
Porcupine Raku Pottery
Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
Bramon Wine Estate and Restaurant with tapas style lunches
Barnyard Theatre
Plettenberg Bay’s Pristine Beaches
Nature’s Valley
Bungy Jumping
The Big Tree
The Heads
East Head Cafe
Leisure Isle – Gallery/Antiques/Coffee Shop - Beach
Mitchells Brewery Tour
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Rheenendal Ramble
Millwood Mine
Knysna Lagoon Cruises
Knysna Waterfront
Black Waters Mashie Golf
International Surf School
Canoe Trips
Abseiling
Sea Kayaking
Cycling
Fishing Tours
Township Tours
Wilderness National Park
Whale and Dolphin Watching – Ocean Safaris – Ocean Odyssey
Polo
World Class Golf Courses

Other available services are:

FREE Wi-fi Internet Access
Airport Transfers
4 x 4 Tours
Day Tours
Visits to Game Reserves
Massage
Baby-sitting
Laundry facilities
Library
Board Games
Fishing Rod Hire
DVD Hire
Children's Play Area

MASESCHA COUNTRY ESTATE

ACCOMMODATION

Our guest cottages are well separated throughout the garden, each having their own individual character and have been renovated to provide all the conveniences of your own home. All accommodation is regularly serviced and each fully equipped for self-catering. The kitchens are stocked with crockery, cutlery, glassware, utensils, pots and pans, and the bedrooms and bathrooms have already been prepared with linen, towels and toiletries. A welcome selection of tea and coffee are provided on arrival. Each unit also has its own private outdoor brick built braai (barbecue) facility. During the winter period blankets, hot water bottles and heaters are provided and during the summer fans are available for use. Free Wi-fi internet access is available.

For those lazy days, a scrumptious full English breakfast may be served on our main deck terrace overlooking the views (weather permitting) and a home cooked set menu dinner may also be available. (Catering options on request and must be pre-booked in advance.)

Birdsong House – For Sole Use

An old traditional farmhouse style house with accommodation on two floors. The front entrance of the house leads straight into the fully equipped kitchen with large 5-burner gas oven, washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer, kettle, toaster, iron/ironing board etc with a small step down into the rest of the ground floor area. There is a master bedroom with queen sized bed and en-suite shower room with toilet. Also on the ground floor is a small step up to bedroom 2 with double bed, next to bedroom 3 with single bed both adjacent to and using a second shower room with toilet. A short steep staircase upstairs from the lounge are bedrooms 4 and 5 both with two single beds and a third shower room with toilet in between. The lounge/dining area offers DSTV, a DVD player and a cosy open fireplace.

Outside is a large ‘L’ shaped entertainment area consisting of a furnished brick paved terrace overlooking the valley and forest and a partially covered dining area outside the kitchen/front entrance next to the private brick built braai (barbecue) facility. Free Wi-fi access is available in public areas.

Rate based on 6 people sharing - additional guests pay nominal charge up to maximum of 9 guests (6 adults 3 children).

Haven Cottage

A delightfully quaint cottage, the low ceilings enhance its cosy atmosphere. The cottage is located below the swimming pool and is accessed by way of steps from above or below from the parking area.

The ground floor offers a bedroom with queen sized bed, fully fitted kitchen with gas cooker, fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, iron/ironing board etc; separate shower room with toilet; lounge/dining area with flat screen DSTV and DVD player and a double sleeper couch. By way of a short steep staircase from the lounge area is a second attic bedroom with two single beds leading out to a balcony giving fantastic views over the gardens, dams and forest at treetop level. Outside from the lounge is a sunny furnished wooden deck and its own private brick built braai (barbecue)facilities below. Free Wi-fi access is available in public areas.

Rate based on 4 people sharing

Sunbird Cottage

A light, bright, modern style brick cottage nestled in its own private enclosed furnished patio garden with brick built braai (barbecue) facility. The sliding patio door opens into the lounge/dining area with a double sleeper couch, DSTV, DVD player and adjacent fully fitted kitchen with gas oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, iron/ironing board etc. The separate bedroom has a queen sized bed through to the en-suite shower room with toilet (please note that guests using the sleeper couch must access the en-suite facilities via the bedroom only).

Sunbird overlooks the swimming pool and down into the valley with its lawns and lush vegetation and is easily accessible as you enter the property.

Free Wi-fi access is available within the cottage and public areas.

Rate based on 2 people sharing - maximum 3 people (2 adults 1 child)

Self-Catering Rooms

Gazania Garden Room

This spacious open plan room has a Mexican pine queen sized bed and small en-suite shower room with toilet. It is fully equipped to include DSTV, countertop oven with integrated hotplate, fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster etc and a small sitting/dining area inside. Outside is a furnished wooden deck and Gazania has its own brick built braai (barbecue) facility to the side.

Free Wi-fi access is available in public areas.

Rate based on 2 people sharing

Lavender Garden Room

This is a comfortable, pleasant but smaller budget room with 2 single beds and small en-suite shower room with toilet. It is fully equipped for two people only to include microwave, countertop oven with separate hotplate, fridge, kettle and toaster etc. Outside is a furnished wooden deck with additional side patio sitting area and private brick built braai (barbecue) facility. There is no tv.

Free Wi-fi access is available in public areas.

Rate based on 2 people sharing

Bed and Breakfast Rooms

Valley View

This modern and comfortable room is located in the main house with private access. It has a queen sized bed, single bed, en-suite shower room with toilet, DSTV, coffee and tea making facilities, fridge and sofa. It is set in its own private quiet corner where the outside furnished terrace sitting area overlooks the dams, garden and majestic forest. It has its own brick built braai (barbecue) facility for which crockery etc can be provided.

Free Wi-fi access is available within the room and public areas.

Rate based on 2 people sharing - maximum 3 guests
Bed and Breakfast and Room Only rates offered