A beautiful nature retreat and Eco-Lodge surrounded by nature, located on the Hermanus Lagoon.

Set against the backdrop of the Kleinrivier mountains and the tranquil waters of the Hermanus lagoon, this exquisite lodge offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and eco-conscious living.

From the suites to the dining area, the lodge reflects a deep commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious travelers.

Accommodation:

Exquisite Accommodation

Five luxury safaris-style suites, secluded among ancient Milkwood trees on the edge of the Hermanus Lagoon.

Adventures in And around Mosaic

To experience the Cape Whale Coast is to experience a majesty unlike any other. The air is clean, the water is clear and the scenery is spectacular. We are so excited about our home away from home and we want you to share it with you. Come get on one of our kayaks and venture into the Hermanus Lagoon. Stroll down the Walker Bay dunes and find your peace. Drink the ancient drink of wine and live in its flavor. We invite you to experience this with us, book your dream vacation today!

Reservations at Mosaic Lagoon Lodge come inclusive with the aforementioned activities. Wherever you lodge, you are assured to experience the adventures of the Hermanus, the stillness of the land, and the affability of our staff. Experience Hermanus.

Whale-Watching:

Whale Watching from Land: Hermanus and Walker Bay are known as the best place in the world to do land-based whale watching. Between June and November / December, Southern Right Whales migrate from the icy waters of Antarctica to these warmer sheltered bays to court, mate and calf. They can seen as close as 30 meters from the shore, breaching, spraying, tail slapping and lob tailing.

Boat Cruises:

Hop aboard Lady Stanford for a scenic cruise along the Klein River toward the Hermanus Estuary bird sanctuary, and back. Lady Stanford is a spacious eco-friendly riverboat offering a sheltered lower deck and open-top deck, perfect for the ultimate photo opportunities.

The Klein River is home to over a hundred bird species that include majestic fish eagles, elegant pink flamingos and blue cranes. Keep an eye out for otters, turtles, bontebok and horses along the banks of the river as you make your way toward the lagoon. Although guests are requested to bring their own refreshments, drinking glasses and ice are provided on each trip. Lady Stanford River Cruises offer day trips to the general public and also offers private boat charters for team building gatherings, bachelor parties and intimate weddings. Added services such as catering and braai facilities are available upon request. Lady Stanford carries 26 passengers.

Kayaking

With easy-to-paddle sit-on-top kayaks the norm, sea kayaking trips and trips on the rivers and dams of the Hermanus area, are accessible to paddling novices.

Stanford kayaking excursions on the Hermanus Lagoon take you from the worlds chaos, and place you in a world of stillness. Drift down the South African coastline and experience the serenity of this private getaway. Enjoy a morning cruise or a sunset ride as you get lost in the vastness of the ocean and the lagoon. Adored by adventurers and ponderers alike, we invite you to come aboard.

Most excursions are to the Hermanus Lagoon. Being right in our backyard, its surreal views tend to capture our guests. There you will find calm waters, beautiful sunsets, and mountain ranges. If you are feeling adventurous, take the kayak to the open sea. There, the waters may roll a bit more, whales may draw near, and adventure will assuredly be beckoning at the door!

Birds & Flowers

Enjoy walks around Mosaic and discover a rich tapestry of flora and bird life! 

The Cape Floral Kingdom has the greatest diversity of plant life per geographic area on earth (almost 9,000 species), but 17% are critically rare or endangered. One-third of the fynbos that once existed has already been lost to agriculture, development, and the invasion of several alien plant species. These plants were imported in the mid 1800’s, without knowledge of long-term consequences. Without local biological controls, they have choked out massive areas of indigenous plants, dried up water catchments and streams, and contributed to erosion.

Panthera Africa

Panthera Africa is an ethical sanctuary for any captive bred big cats in need of rescue. Animal welfare is their top priority. The animals will be protected and prosper for the rest of their lives at Panthera Africa!

One of Panthera Africa’s main purposes is to be an educational platform where they create awareness about conditions big cats face in captivity, and how animal welfare and enrichment play a vital role in giving them the best captive life possible. They are a true sanctuary where no cub petting, breeding or trading takes place.

Panthera Africa is open for visitors to come and enjoy the magnificent Big Cats including lions, tigers, leopard and caracals. They offer educational visits where you hear their unique heart felt stories, in addition to learning facts about the species themselves and the critical situations they are facing.

*PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL* Please ask at Reception for further information. Subject to availability and specific days/times

Milkwood Spa

Milkwood Spa offers a tranquil retreat, with therapies that nurture your body and mind, promoting deep relaxation, healing, and a sense of total well-being.

Relax, unwind, and rejuvenate with spa treatments specifically created to restore your vitality and bring you a sense of calm and serenity.  

Booking essential!

Our story is one of passion for an extraordinary country and its people. A place of exquisite beauty that enters into one's soul

“Through travelling I have made the most amazing memories that will last a lifetime and I love creating moments for others to make those same lifetime memories through travel.”  Maryke De Villiers – Owner

The founders of Mosaic Private Sanctuary on the Hermanus Lagoon – Breese and Kathryn Johnson – are very pleased to announce the ownership transfer of the five-star private getaway, Mosaic Lagoon Lodge, to long-time associate, Maryke De Villiers. Maryke will continue their vision for providing an exceptional retreat and ecological experience for guests in this beautiful Conservation Area outside of Stanford, South Africa.

A quote from Kathryn Johnson:

“Maryke De Villiers has been an important part of our Mosaic Team for over six years, and has the skills, energy and vision to maintain the excellent reputation Mosaic Lagoon Lodge has in the eco-tourism arena. Maryke will retain the highly regarded team already in place, while working to enhance guest services and facilities. It has been Maryke’s professional dream to own and run a guest lodge in the country of her birth and we are delighted with this transition, as we (Breese & I) ease into our respective business and professional retirements. She has as much passion for Mosaic and our guests as we do.”

After finishing her Bachelor of Accounting Science Degree and articles with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Maryke spent time in the United Kingdom. It was there that her love for travel, hospitality and different cultures began. After 4 years of extensive travel, she returned to South Africa to complete a curriculum in Guest House Management at the University of Cape Town. The next 10 years of Maryke’s professional career as an accountant was spent with clients mostly within the hospitality industry, including Mosaic. When the ownership opportunity of Mosaic Lagoon Lodge became an option, Maryke was ready to make her dream become a reality.

From the beginning: 

The Johnsons, from Tennessee, USA, bought the 1,000-hectare property in 2002, when the botanically and aesthetically unique property was being overrun by ecologically destructive invasive vegetation. Their vision from the beginning was to restore the biodiversity of the fragile ecosystem and develop guest accommodations, so that others from around the world could experience and appreciate this fascinating and gorgeous part of South Africa.

The Johnson’s mission for almost two decades has been one of renewal and restoration and are thrilled their ethos will be continued with Maryke at the helm:

The ownership transition commenced in October 2019 and has been gratifyingly smooth. Breese and Kathryn will continue to spend time at Mosaic but focus more time on their involvement in community upliftment projects in Stanford that Mosaic has supported and initiated. 

What's included?

If you have booked on a Bed & Breakfast basis:

If you have booked on a fully inclusive basis, the following is included:

All meals and house beverages are included as well as the following activities:

Is there WIFI?

Yes, we have WIFI at the lodge strong enough for emails and WhatsApp’s but not for watching and downloading movies

Are there a lot of mosquitoes and other insects?

As with most hospitality properties located near water, there may occasionally be mosquitoes. Mosaic Lagoon Lodge is situated alongside the breathtaking Klein River Lagoon near Hermanus—a pristine estuarine system renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. While mosquitoes are not typically a major concern, we take guest comfort seriously and provide mosquito nets in our suites, along with natural repellents. The experience of being immersed in this rich natural environment—with its birdlife, sunsets, and tranquility—far outweighs any minor seasonal inconveniences.

What animals are there on the property?

We have a variety of free roaming animals like Bushbuck, Porcupine, Caracal, Honey Badger and the Cape Leopard, however all these animals are rarely seen as we are not fenced, and they move around freely in the area.