Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an award-winning pioneer in progressive tourism, established by Michael Lutzeyer in 1994.
The reserve is set on 3,500 hectares in the smallest of the six recognised floral kingdoms of the world, the Cape Floral Kingdom. This wondrous destination provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the fynbos, and milkwood forests that feature over 900 plant species while observing the birds and animals that live in them.
All accommodation at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has been designed to complement the pristine natural setting, while never compromising on style or luxury.
Garden Lodge at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, exudes a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to feel at home from the moment you first arrive.
(sleeps two to four)
Garden Lodge Luxury Suites have private decks with endless views of the reserve and Walker Bay.
The 11, one and two-bedroom, free-standing suites provide luxurious amenities and essentials that include:
Forest Lodge is a masterpiece of sophistication and contemporary design reflecting the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding landscape at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
(sleeps two)
The 16, one-bedroom, free-standing suites provide luxurious amenities and essentials that include:
Included in Your Stay at Forest and Garden Lodge:
Additional Tours and Services (guest's account):
The two private villas at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve each represent the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity.
With a private guide, chef and butler at your beck and call, not to mention complete privacy to enjoy all that Grootbos has to offer, it doesn't get much better than this.
(sleeps up to 12 guests)
Villa 1 is an exclusive-use six-bedroom villa with breathtaking views of the Walker Bay basin that can be seen from all angles. Modern furnishings and an authentic local art collection enhance the villa and create a luxurious feel that will make you feel at home.
The comfortable living areas include a cinema and media room, two lounges, three braai areas and a fully equipped gym.
Your fully fitted kitchen is an entertainer’s dream come true and is available with or without the services of a personal chef to cater for your every need. A wine cellar is stocked with award-winning wines from some of South Africa’s most celebrated wine farms.
Villa 1 - Amenities:
(sleeps up to eight guests)
Villa 2 is an exclusive-use four-bedroom villa with breathtaking views of the Walker Bay basin. Modern furnishings and added luxury amenities and indulgences, enhance the villa creating a feel that will make you feel pampered and at home.
The comfortable living areas include an entertainment room, lounge, fully equipped gym, sauna and relaxation room and a braai area.
Your fully fitted kitchen is available with or without the services of a personal chef to cater for your every need. A wine cellar is stocked with a collection of award-winning wines from some of South Africa’s most celebrated wine farms.
Villa 2 - Amenities:
Included in Your Stay at Villa 1 and 2:
Additional Tours and Services (guest's account):
Rates at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve include almost every aspect of your trip, from meals on a full-board basis, to beach picnics and braais under the stars.
Seasonal Special Offers for South African Residents
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve’s seasonal special offers for South African Residents, ensure your date with nature, is an experience just waiting to happen. Discover Grootbos with the:
Contact Grootbos Private Nature Reserve for more information about rates, seasonal special offers, availability and cancellation policy.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve allows you to experience the finest cuisine in a world-class setting. Take in the magnificent panoramic views of Walker Bay, while the friendly staff at two lodge restaurants and a forest boma, tend to your culinary desires.
At Grootbos your meals are included in your stay, whether you dine at one of the restaurants or decide to experience a traditional South African boma braai in the magical milkwood forest.
Discover flavourful dishes and creative amuse-bouche appetisers prepared with home-grown organic ingredients. Delight in Walker Bay’s fresh seafood bounty, and enjoy extra-matured beef fillet grilled to perfection. Savour sweet treats and cheeses that will complement and round off every meal.
The Grootbos cellar prides itself on its collection of local award-winning wines that showcase estates in the areas from Elgin Valley, Bot River, Hermanus, Stanford and Elim, and Malgas near Swellendam.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has a collection of guided experiences and activities to keep you fully immersed in nature, throughout your stay.
Have your stresses and strains dissolved by healing hands and natural, locally sourced spa products.
Set your own pace on fynbos, forest and mountain walk along safe and perfectly marked hiking trails.
Witness a true African sunset over Walker Bay while enjoying a picnic on the reserve or at a pristine beach in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
Discover first-hand why Overberg has so many award-winning wines with a guided tour through the area's Winelands.
Suit up and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visit active beehives under the guidance of our experienced beekeeper and learn the important role bees play in our environment and how delicate their ecosystem is.
Check more than a few rare sightings of your birding list. Of the 118 bird species on the reserve, 26 are endemic to the region.
Learn about the flower kingdom’s incredible plants, birds and animals while on a unique safari on an open-top Land Rover.
Drive through shaded forests, up craggy mountains and down into scenic valleys, as you explore the landscape in a fun-filled and safe way.
Explore the reserve’s landscape on a mount handpicked to suit your riding level.
Explore the Overberg landscapes along trails through the Cape Fynbos and into dune moonscapes along the pristine Walker Bay coastline.
Cruise along the double-track routes or explore single-track routes for a more adventurous ride. Guests are welcome to bring their mountain biking gear along and a basic selection of bikes is available.
Soak up the peaceful, countryside days, while quietly cruising down the Klein River from Stanford to the Hermanus Estuary. Check feathered beauties, which include flamingos and African fish eagles, off your birding list.
Sink your feet into untouched white beach sand on a solitary walk or discover the origins of early man on a cave tour. This is the closest you’ll feel to earth as you get to know Walker Bay’s exquisite coastline.
Spot southern right whales, humpback and Bryde’s whales that visit Walker Bay at various times throughout the year.
Venture into our underwater world with a tour company that prides itself on conducting responsible experiences – protecting both these creatures and the environment
Discover what makes Grootbos tick! At the heart of every experience is the understanding that every action we take benefits others or positively impacts the environment.
Visit the southernmost tip of the African continent to see where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.
See glorious vineyards from above, glimpse shipwrecks on rugged shorelines and mountain peaks amongst the clouds. You might also spot whales and other sea creatures frolicking in the waves beneath you, especially during whale season.
Contact Grootbos for more information about guided experiences and activities, and let the team help curate your unique holiday itinerary to maximise your time and enjoyment.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is home to The Grootbos Florilegium.
Grootbos Florilegium is a contemporary botanical art collection in The Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery, celebrating the Cape Floral Kingdom’s exceptional biodiversity.
Showcasing over 40 acclaimed local and international artists, artworks depicting many of the rare and endangered indigenous plants found on the reserve are included in the collection. What makes the artworks even more distinctive is the inclusion of insects, pollinators and other creatures associated with the respective plants.
Gallery tours at Grootbos Florilegium include morning visits and half-day experiences, which must be pre-booked to secure entry into the reserve. Read more here.
The Grootbos Foundation was set up by Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in 2003, to conserve critically endangered fynbos and empower local communities by focusing on training and skills development.
Siyakhula (Growing the Future)
Employment and enterprise development programmes, including organic farming, artisanal skills and ecotourism initiatives.
Green Futures
Projects include nationally accredited training courses, an Indigenous nursery, alien clearing and Indigenous tree planting.
Football Foundation
Projects aiming to educate and empower disadvantaged youth in the community, using sports as a vehicle for change.
Read more about Siyakhula (Growing the Future), Green Futures and the Football Foundation here: Grootbos Foundation
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve proudly carries the following accolades:
“I don't know what superlatives I could use that would do Grootbos Private Nature Reserve justice. Every single detail is spectacular. The staff, the setting, the food, the experiences, the views, the residences... I am very thankful our booking agent recommended Grootbos. It is an experience you won't forget, and you find yourself longing to return.” Kashif Sheikh
“What a privilege to have such a wonderful place on our Cape Town doorstep. The early morning walks through Grootbos Private Nature Reserve’s Milkwood Forest overlooking Walker Bay are my favourite! And my heart skips a beat whenever entering the boma for dinner all lit up by fairy lights. It is magical!” Katharina Thieme
“One of the most magnificent experiences to be had in South Africa - a quiet luxury with the best trained and most attentive staff at any hotel in South Africa.” Kevin Collins
“We enjoyed our two nights stay and were especially touched by the effort the team took to research Chinese New Year (complete with lucky greetings on the door to our suite, red packets and Chinese cuisine for dinner). What impressed me was how the staff (from the reservations to the stable and everything in-between) enjoyed and took pride in their work. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, taking time to interact with our children. The room was comfortable and filled with nice touches for adults and children alike. We stayed in the Forest Lodge and the view was gorgeous!” Woon Peng Ziady
“Early morning walks through the fynbos, boma dinners in the milkwood forest, beautiful horse rides over the mountains and of course super special local wines to accompany delicious food and stylish and comfortable lodge and cottages. This is the best weekend getaway from Cape Town you can imagine.” Mimi Thieme
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