Location: In a private reserve set in over 4,000 acres of fynbos, with sweeping views of beautiful Walker Bay.
Rooms: 11 Suites at Garden Lodge, 16 suites at Forest Lodge.
The original Garden Lodge with sweeping views, set amongst beautiful fynbos gardens, has been refurbished to reflect stylish and contemporary inspiration. Private garden cottages have wooden decks with views and offer luxurious amenities.
The magnificent Forest Lodge boasts a sophisticated contemporary design, set in an ancient milkwood forest. Volumes of space under thatch are framed by glass, steel and natural brick to maximise the fantastic views across the fynbos and dunes to the ocean. The spacious luxury suites offer privacy with wooden decks, generous bathrooms, outdoor shower, mini bar and hospitality tray.
Facilities: Restaurants, bars, spa, swimming pools. Grootbos offers a combination of gourmet cuisine, fine wines, nature and generous hospitality.
Activities: Dedicated conservationists accompany guests daily on botanical and nature walks, 4×4 drives and horse rides. The fynbos and coastal forest provide shelter for a variety of animals including bushbuck, porcupine, grey duiker and lynx. The lodges are situated close to secluded swimming areas and archaeological caves. From July until December Southern Right whales migrate to Walker Bay to breed and give birth and optional boat trips are possible or just walk along the cliff paths to view the whales.
As well as exploring the fynbos and other plant species on the reserve, you can enjoy boat trips to Dyer Island. Boats leave from Gansbaai to Dyer Island, which has an impressive Cape fur seal colony and is an attractive food source for the Great White shark. These trips last about 3-4 hours and they start early in the morning as this is the best time to view the sharks.
Children: Forest Lodge accepts children over the age of 12 years. Garden Lodge accepts children of all ages.
Our Opinion: Tucked between mountains, forest and ocean, and surrounded by 2,500 hectares of wilderness, the reserve provides nature lovers a unique opportunity to explore the Cape’s fascinating flora and marine life. It is also one of the best places on the planet to see the marine Big Five; whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins.
