Eight Bells Mountain Inn

Eight Bells Mountain Inn is a 4 star, owner-run family resort hotel set in beautiful gardens on a 160 hectare estate at the foot of the Robinson Pass, on the R328 between Mossel Bay (35 km) and Oudtshoorn (50 km). The inn has 25 well-appointed rooms spread across the estate: alpine timber log cabins in the Swiss Village with sundecks and mountain views, the courtyard-styled thatched Palm Court wing, the north-facing Rose Court rooms in a quaint garden setting, thatched rondavels, and family units around the bell-shaped swimming pool on the Pool Terrace. All rooms are bed and breakfast, there is a restaurant, bar and lounge, library, children's play area and conference facilities, and the estate offers walking trails, horse rides and a range of outdoor activities.

The birding is a highlight: more than 115 species have been identified on the estate alone. From your stoep you may spot Knysna Turaco, Black-headed Oriole, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Olive Woodpecker, while the walking trails through mixed riparian woodland and pristine mountain fynbos hold African Olive Pigeon, Knysna Warbler, the diminutive Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Cape Sugarbird, the secretive Victorin's Warbler and Orange-breasted Sunbird. Ten minutes up the Robinson Pass, birders stand a chance of Cape Siskin and even the elusive, endemic Cape Rockjumper, and over the top of the pass the Klein Karoo opens up an entirely different bird list. Eight Bells is a BirdLife South Africa affiliated property.