Nima Lodge: Designer Cabins above the Wilderness Treetops

A heavenly hideaway with sweeping views.

The Garden Route, famed for ancient forests, gushing rivers, vibrant wetlands, beaches, fynbos and mountains, is lined with a string of coastal resorts, one of which is Wilderness. Here, all these natural landmarks converge to form a landscape of restorative beauty – a perfect location for the beautiful Nima Lodge.

Overlooking wooded hills and valleys to the distant Outeniqua Mountains beyond, the lodge comprises seven spacious cabins, all self-catering, with individually decorated open-plan interiors, complete with oversized bathtubs and private decks. The style is contemporary luxury, with an emphasis on warmth and comfort and an overarching attention to detail.

The sun-drenched pool deck hints at Nima’s name – “sun” in Tibetan – and it’s a short stroll away from the Touw River hiking trails and waterfalls in Wilderness National Park.

Brand-new Sand Cabins

With their curved walls, trapezoid shape and unique silhouette, the sand dune-inspired Sand Cabins are quite extraordinary – an architect-designed departure from Nima Lodge’s more traditional wood cabins. It’s a multi-level “space to dream in”, from the raised bed to the couch in front of the fireplace and out onto the deck with its hot tub. The bathroom is in a separate “tower” structure, with the bath positioned in front of a large picture-window.

Cost From R3 600 per night (depending on season)
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Sun Cabins

The three original lodgings are traditional timber cabins, with a large deck and a daybed overlooking the indigenous forest. Recent renovations have added a second deck down a spiral staircase, complete with outdoor shower, hot tub and a firepit braai area.
Cost From R2 500 per night (depending on season)
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Luna Cabin

Isabel Hayn

One of the original cabins has been renovated and expanded into a more expansive, luxurious dwelling with high-beamed ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious chef’s kitchen and a larger outdoor area (complete with a firepit and private swimming pool). The decor is more minimalist and neutral, with several in-house designed furnishings. A skylight positioned above the bed allows for magical moon- and stargazing.
Cost From R3 900 per night (depending on season)
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Facilities

3 Sand Cabins, 3 Sun Cabins + 1 Luna Cabin (each sleeping two)
king-size beds
deep bathtub with valley views (plus outdoor shower in Sun Cabins)
fully equipped kitchen
spacious lounge with fireplace (in Luna + Sand Cabins)
large deck
gas and/or wood braai
wood-fired hot tub
outdoor firepit seating area (Sun + Luna Cabins)
private swimming pool (Luna Cabin)
bluetooth speaker/music player

Experience and explore

A continental breakfast (optional) is delivered to your cabin at 9am, with a focus on healthy, locally sourced ingredients. There is also an “honesty” shop and bar on site. Relax on the pool deck with a book and soak up the sun and sweeping views, or do a yoga class or book a massage.

Apart from direct access to the Kingfisher Waterfall, there are a number of excellent hiking trails in the area (Nima Lodge offers guided ones), or head down to beautiful Wilderness beach for long strolls. There’s canoeing on the lakes and rivers, a variety of forest adventures, catered picnics and a variety of good restaurants in the area.

A luxury hilltop lodge in Wilderness is a dreamy thing by virtue of the fact that it is a luxury hilltop lodge in Wilderness. While Nima Lodge certainly qualifies, that description hardly scratches the surface with all that it offers.

Distance from CT 5 hours
Child friendly? No
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Where to find it 10 Mile Lane, Hoekwil, Wilderness, Garden Route

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