Amathunzi offers that wonderful combination: the exhilaration of being immersed in nature, and the sensual pleasure of relaxing into the luxuries that matter: well-sprung beds and soft linen; a deliciously cool pool; a shower with a view; a kitchen where someone else does the dishes.The cottage comprises an open-plan lounge-kitchen-dining area, a separate en-suite bedroom and patio with barbecue. The kitchen is well-equipped with a hob, stove, toaster, kettle and various other essentials. There is a sleeper sofa in the lounge, making the cottage suitable for a small family (ie two young children or one teenager).The Flora As is typical of Western Cape fynbos biome, Amathunzi soil is fairly nutrient-depleted, with vegetation dominated by sclerophyllous ? evergreen, hard-leaved, flowering shrubs, while the dry river beds are home to acacia and sand olive trees. What makes exploring Amathunzi on foot so satisfying is the presence of the succulent Karoo biome producing blossoms so saturated in colour they glow like gem carpets, discarded in the veld.The FaunaKudu, gemsbok, black wildebeest, eland, red hartebeest, bontebok, springbok and zebra roam the reserve, often seeking the sweeter grasses and water sources located near the manor house and lodge. Seek them out at sunset in our open-topped vehicle, or on foot via our hiking trails, or cycle the network of jeep tracks that wind through the reserve (a number of mountain bikes are available). Shyer species you may encounter are the klipspringer, duiker and aardvark.The BirdsGiven the abundance of water on the reserve, birdwatchers are rewarded with regular sightings. Species to look out for include the Black Eagle, Lesser Double Collared and Malachite Sunbirds, Black Harrier, Spoonbills, Hamerkop and the Pale Chanting Goshawk.