Grootbos Nature Reserve

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve - Luxury in Harmony with Nature

A unique place where conservation, relaxation & luxury have found the perfect home.

Grootbos Nature Reserve, with its two 5-star lodges is a jewel of Cape ecotourism and luxury accommodation. The reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills that overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. Grootbos has carved a unique niche in the upmarket eco-lodge sector by specializing in the Cape region of South Africa’s world-renowned flora and marine biodiversity.

At Grootbos, guests can enjoy guided horseback tours, walks and 4×4 tours through the reserve, learning about the precious plants and wildlife that occurs here. All activities combine with the reserves conservation and education initiatives, benifitting not only the environment but the guests themselves. Where else can you recieve these valuable lessons in conservation whilst having a good time and staying in luxury accommodation?

Realising that conservation and educational initiatives are imperitive to forging a way forward for responsible tourism in South Africa, Grootbos has placed itself at the forefront of this type of tourism in South Africa. The lodges, of which there are two; Garden and Forest Lodge, are built in an eco-friendly fashion.

Sustainable harvesting of Fynbos flowers

As part of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) sustainable harvesting component, student Sandra Gernandt is exploring the impacts of harvesting on seed set and regeneration of the Pincushion Protea, Leucospermum Cordifolium. This is part of a larger environmental study project being led by the Grootbos Foundation director Sean Privett on levels of sustainability and carrying capacity of Fynbos harvesting.

The Green Futures Project

This unique social development project provides annual, practical-based training programs for unemployed people in the fields of Fynbos landscaping, horticulture and eco tourism. The project is designed to develop nature-based sustainable-livelihoods for people from local communities around Grootbos. Linked to the college is an indigenous plant nursery and Fynbos landscaping business that generates income for the Grootbos Foundation. In this way each year students are growing plants and working in landscaping and environmental projects that will help to pay for the next year’s student’s tuition. (www.greenfutures.co.za).

Siyakula Township Greening Project

The Grootbos Foundation assisted Green Futures graduate Nozuko Pelem to establish this project in the local township, Masakhane. Nozuko is determined to take what she learnt in the Green Futures College to the people of her community. With the aid of a local donor and land provided by the Municipality, the Grootbos Foundation has facilitated the establishment of vegetable growing and greening projects at the local crèche that aims to provide food for the children, environmental awareness to community members, Fynbos plants for sale to nurseries and the public as well as trees and flowers for greening of public areas in the township.

By booking a dream holiday at Grootbos Nature reserve, you not only get to live your dreams, but help the land and those around you achieve theirs through the Grootbos Foundation and the environmental and social development projects created.

Read our blog about our trip to Grootbos in 2009.