KNYSNA CASTLES
Bed and Breakfast in Knysna

Noetzie remains a peaceful, somewhat isolated place but has now become famous worldwide because of its castles. All but one of the six castles are available for vacation rentals. The conservancy is dedicated to maintaining this pristine site for locals and visitors alike. Today, Noetzie still attracts holiday makers and locals to its sandy shore; for either a few nights of escape from the rigours of fast-paced modern life, a few hours of sun-seeking, birdwatching, canoeing and hiking or just to satisfy their curiosity and see the castles for themselves. You can reach us by email or phone if you have any questions about any of our properties. Many trips were undertaken through local, uncharted forests often for 6-8 hours a day by foot and horse and he made reference to the river mouth at Noetzie. Some seem a little disappointed to be told that the castles are no more than holiday homes, and a few mischievous Noetzie residents, playing up to visitor curiosity, have been known to spin them a yarn or two about the castles belonging to pirates, smugglers, the Portuguese under Vasco da Gama, or even as a little known Roman outpost. The golden beach surrounded by forested hills, the dark waters of the lagoon, the rugged ochre rocks and the thundering breakers that roll in row after row from the far southern oceans. Something that caused great local excitement, and much mystification, at the time! There are trails in the forest for the intrepid hiker, which do require a permit. Noetzie and its surroundings is home to many creatures that once inhabited much of our shoreline, but which have disappeared in many places as human pressure on the coast increases. The forest and fynbos provide shelter to bushbuck, Cape Grysbok, bushpigs, honey badgers, baboons, and vervet monkeys to only mention a few. In the early 20th century, elephants were sometimes seen near Noetzie, but this unique Knysna population has now shrunk to a few rarely seen individuals that survive in the forest some distance inland. In the forest, if you are lucky you can see Knysna Loeries with their distinctive flash of crimson on their wings as they glide from branch to branch in the deep forest. The shy and rarely seen Trogon, another bird of the deep forest, Paradise Flycatchers, the jewel-like Sunbirds of the fynbos and many others offer a special experience to the bird enthusiast. In winter, the waters around Noetzie are regularly visited by the magnificent Southern Right Whale, as well as, but less frequently, the Humpback, and Brydes Whale. There are very regular visits by pods of dolphin passing by or surfing and general disporting themselves in the Noetzie waves. In 1999, symbolically celebrated as the last year of the millennium, Noetzie officially became a Conservancy. These guidelines have been set by common consensus of the members of the NCOA, who have pledged to try at all times to comply with them themselves and to ensure that visitors and others also comply. 1.2 Use of the Old Wagon Road is limited to residents on the beach and river, their guests, service vehicles, authorized builder and maintenance vehicles. 1.3 The use of the Old Wagon Road is restricted to residents of properties on the Old Wagon Road, river and beach. 1.5 The demarcated parking bays on the right hand side of the Old Wagon Road are reserved for owners of beach properties (but not their guests as well), on a first come, first served basis. 1.7 Due consideration should be given, to minimise noise levels within the Noetzie conservancy. 1.11 Dogs are discouraged, and are to be controlled at all times.