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Overview Hidden high above the famous Walker Bay between the towns of Stanford and Gansbaai, lies South Africa’s Premier Marine and Floral Destination, Grootbos Nature Reserve. Situated less than 2 hours from Cape Town between mountains and sea, Grootbos offers stylish 5 star accommodation, International / African cuisine, warm hospitality and nature based tourism activities that could only be described as world class. Highly skilled field guides with intimate knowledge of the local history, fauna and flora host all our activities. Grootbos is a nature lover’s paradise, a multi-award-winning lodge that benchmarks nature tourism with its collection of eco-sensitive guided trips that will take one into the intricate world of plants and animals both on land and at sea. Join us at Grootbos for an experience that you will never forget.
Accommodation Made from stone, thatch and a selection of fine timber, the lodge is stylish and modern with a strong African feel. Telescopes allow the guests to survey the stunning view and the library offers a superb collection of nature books to peruse at your leisure. Why not sit on our amazing deck or while away the afternoon next to the sparkling rock pool. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has 11 spacious luxury suites available for accommodation in a spectacular natural setting. Each suite, covering a minimum of 75 m², is privately located and tucked into the Milkwood forest and indigenous gardens, has its’ own lounge, one or two elegantly furnished bedrooms, each with a large en suite bathroom, open plan lounge complete with a freestanding fireplace for cozy and romantic evenings.
The suites are fully fitted for comfort and warmth including fully serviced tea/ coffee making facilities, a well stocked mini bar and TV. The décor is tasteful yet understated and is complemented by the magnificent views of Walker Bay and the Klein River Mountains. Each suite opens onto a private wooden sun deck with sweeping views of Walker Bay for relaxing moments of sunbathing or bird watching. Comfortable double or twin single beds and peaceful views of forest and sea from the picture windows, promise a relaxing and restful
stay.
Each bedroom is well heated during the cooler months of the year to ensure a good night’s sleep. All bedrooms have bathrooms en suite, and are fitted with a safe. Fresh cut flowers complete the vision of welcoming elegance. Heated blankets in winter are an added comfort. The bathrooms are immaculately finished with generous mirrors, double showers or shower and bath, double basins, good lighting and beautiful views. All bathrooms are fitted with adapters for internationally approved appliances such as shavers, hairdryers, and etc. heated towel rails with ample soft towels are standard.
Dining The intimate restaurant is an African dining experience not to be missed. The cuisine is a central feature of the Grootbos experience. Gourmet cuisine featuring seafood specialties and fine wines are served by candlelight in the warm African décor of the lodge where an unforgettable combination of hospitality, friendship and professionalism may be experienced. The large circular fireplace, superb South African wines and mesmerizing views sets the tone for the gastronomical delight prepared by our team of local and international Chefs. Our Chefs only use the freshest fish and local ingredients and all their experience to bring a distinctive African flavor that will surpass all expectations. A highlight of any evening at Grootbos is to begin your African Dinner
Experience with a wine tasting followed by a fusion of culinary delights. The personal and attentive service is a hallmark of this fine establishment.
Facilities Guests are welcome to relax in the lounge area of the Lodge, where the newspaper, local and international journals and reference books are available for reading. The lounge leads out onto the swimming pool and sun deck, where a magnificent view of the Walker Bay fills the horizon, from Cape Point to Danger Point. All social activities at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve center around the Lodge and spacious reception lounge. Fresh flowers and a fully stocked bar where the atmosphere is friendly and sociable make it a firm favorite with the guests. The deck and swimming pool at the Lodge are ideal refuges from the summer heat
while the large central fireplace provides a focus for the evening meal in the restaurant. The curio shop at reception displays local craft, jewellery and designer outdoor clothing for purchase.
Telephone, fax and e-mail services are available at Reception. Letters for postage, laundry and medical requirements are also handled at Reception.
Activities Grootbos is a pristine botanical reserve that has some of the most beautiful wild flowers and striking
landscapes to be seen. Your guide will explain fynbos in better detail, the seasonal fluctuations, what effect fire has on the plants and animals and why fynbos requires fire for succession. Late afternoon sees the sun setting over Walker Bay, casting warm orange hues over all in its path. Sunrise is no less spectacular and makes for magnificent landscape or floral photography.
Explore the reserve on foot, horseback or in an open 4x4 vehicle taking in the different eco-zones and Table Mountain sandstone geological structures. Take a stroll through one of our precious cool afro-montane forests, south facing fire resistant plant communities similar to tall tropical rain forests living in pockets on steep hills. These forests dominated by tall White Pear (Apodytes dimiditia), Hard Pear (Olinia Ventosa) and White Stinkwoods (Celtis Africana) are completely different to the surrounding fynbos, different animals and birds inhabit them and varied environmental factors sustain and regulate these ice age relics. En-route the way we will stop to look for interesting insects like the newest addition to the insect world, the Heel Walker Mantophasmatodea) or stop to watch an endemic Cape Sugar Bird (Promerops Cafer) feed on the Nectar of a King Protea (Protea Cynaroides). Perhaps if we are lucky we will get a glance of our local primate residents the Chacma Baboons or the elusive Arum Lily Frog (Zantedeschia aethiopica) We will delve into the intricate world of flower design and color, pollinating agents (rodents, insects, wind, birds and animals) and local ecology and try to explain how some of these plants survive by manipulation, coercion or seduction. We
will show you a plant not found anywhere else in the world (Erica Magnisylvae) and reeds and grasses that will astound you. And once we have explained the difference between seeders and sprouters you will know our treasure and most certainly deserve a glass of sparkling wine while watching the sun go down at Gods Window. Binoculars are available on request and even in windy or rainy conditions ponchos can be obtained.
For the more energetic, two self-guided trails exist, the Protea Trail (11 kms) and the Pincushion Trail (5 kms). Collect an informative map, walking stick, a pair of binoculars, a bird book, a hat and some water and take an adventurous journey of self-discovery. The Proteaceae family has some 330 species of varying color, form and shape. The name is said to come from Proteus, Neptune’s herdsman who could avoid evildoers by changing himself into any shape he desired. The plants, which bear his name are well represented on Grootbos with 15 species ranging from the low, ground creeping Leucospernum prostratum to the magnificent Protea Cynaroides, South Africa`s National Flower. All except two of these grow along the Protea Trail. And if you find an interesting plant that you cannot identify, we have a complete cataloged herbarium to reference.
This herbarium is an invaluable database of genetic material and has more than 650 species listed with their respective Latin names and is an important historical work in progress that is continuously being updated. These hikes are not very strenuous. All activities depart from and return to the lodge.
Marine Life Our coastline offers a marine experience like no other. See 40-ton southern right whales only metres from your boat. Travel to the island refuge of huge sea bird colonies and admire the underwater antics of a 60 000 strong Cape fur seal colony. Be amazed by the awesome spectacle of a great white shark breaking the surface and transfixing you with an unblinking stare.
The cliffs of Walker Bay, right at our doorstep, offer the best land based whale viewing in the world. Watch spellbound as mothers, calves and energetic bulls come to within 30 metres of the rocky shoreline.
See your lone footprints fade into the distance behind you while exploring deserted beaches or visit a stone-age coastal cave and be reminded of the countless generations who have walked these beaches before you.
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