Grootbos Private Reserve
Great position, lovely lodges and even better activities
Facilities & services
- 11 suites at Garden Lodge
- 16 suites at Forest Lodge
- 6 and 4 bedroom Private Villas
Activities
- 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
Perfectly poised on the headland between two bays and at the heart of what is considered one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, the 2,500-hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is well-positioned to help you enjoy both the area’s thrilling and more relaxing activities. Part of what makes Grootbos extra special is the property’s commitment to making a positive impact through various projects.
From horse-riding on wild Atlantic beaches and spotting whales and pods of dolphin cavorting in Walker Bay, to tasting regional wines and discovering the unique heritage of towns such as De Kelders and Hermanus, then learning about the intriguing fynbos flora and fauna, you won’t be short of things to do here on the Whale Coast and at Grootbos. For budding botanists, the reserve encompasses a vast swathe of the beautiful Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of earth’s six recognised floral kingdoms.
There are two fabulous places to stay here – the homely Garden Lodge and contemporary Forest Lodge – as well as two fabulous Private Villas, all of which admire incredible vistas to the sea and mountains.
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.
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