Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Retreat to this luxurious eco-reserve
The Afrikaans name of the reserve – Grootbos – translates to ‘big forest’, which is apt, due to the area's abundance of dense and gnarled milkwood trees. The luxury eco-reserve is tucked neatly into the unspoilt wilderness, between lush forest, mountains and dramatic coastline, with lodges built on a hillside overlooking famous Walkers Bay. The large freestanding suites are amongst indigenous gardens and each suite comes with its own living room and private deck.
Grootbos is all about immersing yourself in nature. Being situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the reserve boasts 800 species of plant life (with more being discovered all the time) as well as the marine Big Five – whales, great white sharks, penguins, seals and dolphins. Spend your days exploring and discovering nature with activities which include horse riding, walking or hiking, bird watching, 4x4 botanical drives, quad biking and sea-based adventures.
The beautiful private 5-star nature reserve of Grootbos is conveniently located just two hours’ drive from Cape Town and 30 minutes from Hermanus, which is famous for being one of the best places on earth to view whales.
Hotel highlights
- Horse riding through the nature reserve
- Botanical 4x4 tours
- Walks and hikes through the reserve
- Whale-watching and shark cage diving
- Quad biking through the reserve
- Scenic flights over the area
Hotel Gallery
Hotel Features
General Information
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Check-in Time:
14:00
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Check-out Time:
11:00
- 29 rooms
Main Facilities
- Fitness facilities
- Outdoor pool
- Spa facilities
Accommodation Type
- Boutique
- Eco-friendly
- H&J Recommended
- Hidden gem
- Lodge
- Luxury Collection
- Off the beaten track
- Private homes
Board Basis Options
- Full Board
For Families
- Family Entertainment
- Family Rooms
- Kid's Club
- Teen's Club
Hotel Location
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Facilities
The facilities at each lodge include a swimming pool, restaurant, lounge area, gallery, laundry service and postal service. The Garden Lodge also has a Bloom beauty room.
Swimming Pool
Soak up the stunning views from the resort's pool or relax with a cocktail in hand on the pool deck.
Activities
Your stay at Grootbos includes a range of activities, such as guided walks, 4x4 nature drives and exploring the stunning reserve on horseback. Other activities such as boat-trips, shark cage diving, scenic flights, horse riding along the beach and quad biking are available at an additional cost.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Room Types
Grootbos offers three accommodation styles, each with a different character to suit your party – choose from Garden Lodge, Forest Lodge and two private villas.
Each free-standing suite is set in tranquil surroundings and consists of a lounge with fireplace, separate bedroom(s), en suite bathrooms and wooden deck offering ocean views. The bedrooms are equipped with extra long beds, 100% down duvets and cotton bedding, a safe for valuables, tea and coffee station and a well-stocked mini-bar. Whereas each bathroom has underfloor heating, double wash basin, double showers and/or baths plus heated towel rails and hair dryers. The private villas are the most exclusive offering at Grootbos – set apart from the rest of the estate to give ultimate privacy.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Food & Drink
The team at Grootbos specialises in creating utterly amazing meals – whether it's a healthy garden salad with ingredients grown fresh onsite, or a five-course culinary masterpiece – with innovation and an eye for detail, you'll enjoy an explosion of taste.
Dining at Grootbos is not just about eating, it is part of the whole experience. Almost half of all the ingredients used in meals are grown at Grootbos.
The special full board rate includes a welcome drink served upon arrival, fresh fruit daily in your suite, breakfast buffet with full English breakfast menu, a light lunch and a beautiful five-course dinner.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Family Friendly Facilities
Grootbos knows that children are very important and treats them as individuals. It's important that your children have a wonderful, safe time so that the you can enjoy your holiday as a family. The children’s activities are not just activities to keep them busy, but they combine education with fun in a natural setting. The dedicated staff will tailor make programs to fit your children's needs and inspire, educate, enthuse and exhilarate them to foster a long-term interest in nature and the outdoors.
Specially trained guides accompany children during all the activities, such as exciting treasure hunts, excursions to the beach, searching through rock pools and trips through the reserve. Children get familiar with the fascinating eco-system and the history of the area. Picture frame or shell bracelet making are great activities to inspire their creative side and a souvenir to take home. While exploring their immediate and natural environment the children can collect shells, porcupine quills or bugs, which will be brought back to their own activity room for exciting identification. At the same time they teach the children not to destroy or interfere with natural habitats.
Grootbos caters to younger guests with special children’s menus, as well as refreshments and snacks during the activities, plus offer a special children’s turndown service to end an exciting and fun-filled day.
Children's activities
The main children's activities are: - Pony rides in the paddock (children between 4 and 11 years old). - Horse riding through the reserve for kids older than 12. - Treasure hunt in the Milkwood Forest. - Half-day orienteering exercise/hike for kids over 12 - Cave & Beach experience (explore smaller caves, swimming, sand castle building) - Spot the bird/tree/flower etc - Kite-flying when wind allows it - DVDs on bad weather days (animations and nature documentaries) - Making an artistic representation of the day, using natural resources
