The camping decks are set between the candlewoods, saffrons and ironwoods of the forest. Boardwalks lead to the decks that are spaced just far enough from each other to ensure privacy. Take your own tent or book a tent and sleeping mattresses for a small extra charge.

Make sure your food, clothes and sleeping gear are compactly packed, because you have to carry it down the boardwalk from your car. It’s a little effort, but a million times worth it when you wake up surrounded by a wall of green forest.

A fireplace and a wooden counter under a small roof make it convenient to prepare your food after a day of walking, cycling or birdwatching. It’s a little distance to walk to the hot showers in the ablution block, but again worth the effort for an unspoilt forest experience.

On the first night I fell asleep to the sound of a Cape eagle owl’s haunting ‘hooo’ swirling through the forest. On the second night, my head full of elephant stories after walking with field ranger Karel Mswati on the Elephant Walk, I was woken up by the sound of a very large animal right next to my deck.

Elephant!

The next morning I rushed to call Karel to come and check for signs of elephant. Alas, it was ‘only’ a bushpig.

To book one of the Knysna Forest Timber Camping Decks call the park on 044-302-5606.

A camping deck costs R150 for two people; R50 an extra adult, R25 an extra child. Rates valid 1 December 2011 to 30 April 2012.