Grootbos Garden Lodge
Comfort and luxury on the Whale Coast
- Eleven suites
- 11 suites
- Pool
- Restaurant & Bar
- Restaurant
- Beauty Salon
- Bar
- Library & Entertainment Room
- Stables and animal yard
- Library
- Entertainment Room
- Whale watching tours by land, boat or plane (season July-November)
- Flower safaris
- Beaches (walks and relaxation)
- Archaeological excursions to the Klipgat Caves
- Horse riding on the beach or in the reserve
- Shark cage diving
- Nautical safaris to see the Marine Big 5 (whale, dolphin, shark, seal and penguin)
- Scenic flights
- Birding tours
- Wine tours
Grootbos Private Reserve’s Garden eco-lodge, appropriately named, is enclosed by some beautifully designed and well-kept gardens all under a canopy of rare Fynbos trees that crowd the inclines of the Druineveld Moutains. Part of what makes Grootbos extra special is the property’s commitment to making a positive impact through various projects.
The concept of the eleven freestanding suites that surround the original Grootbos main lodge is one of a modern in construction but traditional in style, drawing on the ethnic African designs of exposed stone, timber frames and thatch roofs. Each room is well equipped with its own wooden decks and views over Walker bay.
Also this lodge, in comparison to Forest, is more family-friendly given its range of room sizes and immediate amenities (entertainment room, small farmyard and stables) well-suited for those travelling with smaller children.
Sustainability
What was once dilapidated farmland has been completely transformed into a melting pot of luxury accommodation, responsible tourism and biodiversity. In 1999 Grootbos was instrumental in establishing the 308,000-acre Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, encouraging other local landowners to clear alien species and document any plants that are a conservation concern. The not-for-profit Grootbos Foundation leads community outreach and education programs. Siyakhula (meaning ‘growing the future’) is an organic farm at Grootbos which provides skills and income for women from local townships, Green Futures offers accessible courses in horticulture, hospitality and guiding and the Football Foundation runs daily sports training for about 7,000 young people every year.
The Long Run
The Long Run is a membership organisation of nature-based tourism businesses committed to driving sustainability. Here at Jacada, we’ve signed The Long Run Charter – a document that advocates for a 4Cs approach to sustainability. By focusing on our impacts across the different areas of Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce, we hope to make a positive impact across the globe with our trips. The Long Run’s Global Ecosphere Retreats are hotels and lodgings which are centres of excellence in sustainability, and Fellow Members are properties committed to achieving the highest standards in sustainability by positively impacting the conservation of nature and improving the wellbeing of local communities. At Jacada, we’re working with a number of these properties to help increase the positive impact we’re striving to create through travel. Find out more about The Long Run here.
Whatever you want your luxury tour or safari itinerary to include, we’ll create something fully bespoke for you… and only you.