Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Back to your Childhood 5*

By Mari Jacobs Added: 17 August 2007

Overlooking a natural fynbos garden which cascades down towards a long stretch of protected sandy beach, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers a breath of fresh air. This exclusive 5 star  eco-lodge is situated in the Overberg, less than 2 hours from Cape Town, close to the small fishing villages of Gansbaai and Hermanus.

We arrived late at night and felt completely secluded as we drove up through the enchanting fynbos forest to the beautiful Garden Lodge of Grootbos. We were met by the friendly and well-trained staff with a welcome drink. I couldn’t wait for the following afternoon as we were booked on a whale boat trip and I knew, with the whales in season, our sightings were going to be great! After a wonderful breakfast we were taken on a tour of the garden and were introduced to one of the many projects that make this a very special place to visit.
Michael, the owner of Grootbos, introduced us to Green Futures, a horticultural school for the local community - “This unique project provides annual, practical-based training programmes for unemployed people in the fields of fynbos landscaping, horticulture and ecotourism. The project is designed to develop nature-based sustainable-livelihoods for people from local communities around Grootbos”. Many wonderful stories were exchanged and we were also taken to the local township and visited the pre-school funded by Grootbos. Anybody that ever has the privilege to spend a few moments with Michael, or his father Heiner, will realize that without their absolute passion for conservation and their dedication to the local community, projects like the Grootbos Foundation can never work.

That afternoon we had a roller coaster whale boat ride and I have never seen so many whales in close proximity, as well as a large seal colony and a few penguins seemingly trying desperately to get away from us. As the Great White Shark’s main food source are the seals of the area it might have been that the penguins were aware of the sharks lurking deep in the dark blue water.

The following afternoon we were also treated to an exhilarating coastal flight over the area with an aerial view of the whales and the wonderful surrounding mountainous landscape.

I have stayed at many game lodges but was pleasantly surprised of how uniquely different and busy one can be on a nature safari. Of course children will love all the animals in the reserve, the horse-riding, the beautiful long beaches, or even playing soccer with the local children on the new soccer field that Grootbos are building nearby. Yet Grootbos appeals to children and adults alike. 

Indeed perhaps its because you feel like a child again when you stay at Grootbos as I read in their guest book. After 3 days I have fallen in love with nature again!