Grootbos is one of a kind and there is no other place like it in the world. It comprises 27 luxury one and two-bedroom suites plus 2 private villas across 2 lodges on a 8600 acre private nature reserve. The lodges will welcome you with unparalleled, panoramic views over the pristine flora and fauna and glittering ocean. The freestanding suites all have private decks, fireplaces, soaking tubs and/or rain showers, fully-equipped minibars (included in your rate), and ocean views. Grootbos is the second of ONLY 2 hotels in all of South Africa to receive the 5-star premium distinction from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. The staff are incredible and will all know your name and room without you telling them.

The lodges include spa facilities, hiking trails that wind through the reserve, pools, fireplaces, and a fun boutique, which is stocked with lots of fun products made from artisans from all over South Africa. It’s a perfect place to pick up some souvenirs or gifts for those back home.

Grootbos is one of the most special nature lodges out there in the world and I recommend a three night stay to fully take advantage of all the amazing activities available on the reserve and within the area. This property fits perfectly into a South Africa itinerary and can pair easily with stays in Cape Town, the Winelands, and safari reserves.

The Food & Drinks

Your stay includes all your non-alcoholic drinks, all your meals and snacks, and many activities on the reserve. The food at Grootbos is incredible and, dare I say it, some of the best in South Africa. Eating meals at Grootbos is a genuine pleasure that you will look forward to with each meal. The restaurants are not open to the public, only guests, so you will get to enjoy something exclusive during your stay. Every meal will be different at Grootbos and it will always be a delightful culinary experience. Grootbos specializes in creating fine dining culinary experiences that are not restricted to the fine dining restaurants. The picnic may be set up among the flowers on the reserve or on a spot on the beach, depending on the season and the weather. Many of the ingredients come directly from the reserve, from the eggs produced from the free-range chickens on the reserve that produce 4000 organic eggs a month to the 70% of herbs and 100% of micro herbs that are grown onsite, which not only reduces their carbon footprint but also provides employment to local families.

For a real treat, make sure to head down to the wine cellar for a botanical food and wine pairing dinner. This menu will focus on ingredients that can be found on the Grootbos Nature Reserve, each of which will be paired with a local South African wine. The menu features everything from cured linefish and sea pumpkin tartar (our favorite of the night) to charred kudu loin to local mushroom tortellini, paired with 5 wines from wineries that were all from the immediate vicinity.

Activities

Activities included in your rate will include hiking, horseback riding through the reserve, coastal safaris, flower drives, honey tastings, cave tours, picnics, and more. Specific activities include:

Horseback Riding

Head out on your afternoon activity - horseback riding through the 8600 acre nature reserve! There’s something special about seeing the beautiful flower-filled reserve and ocean views on horseback. Horse riding at Grootbos is suitable for anyone, whether you’re a complete novice or a more experienced rider as their 18 horses are expertly trained and the guides have years of experience in dealing with the animals.

The Flower Safari

You’ll hop into the open-air Land Rover for the 4x4 botanical safari through the reserve. Feel the wind in your hair as you drive through fields of flowers and over mountain peaks. Your guide will teach you all about the unique flora and fauna in the Grootbos reserve, which is quite unique and can only be in .04% of the world. The flora and fauna of North America, by contrast, can be found in 42% of the world. As you offroad throughout the reserve, you’ll get to touch, smell, see, and even taste some of the over 900 native plant species recorded on the reserve. Keep your eyes peeled; you also may see some wildlife, from bee hives to local birds to various kinds of antelope.

Florilegium

After your flora drive through the reserve concludes, you’ll head to the Grootbos Florilegium. What is a Florilegium you ask? A Florilegium aims to record all of the living plants and flowers in a particular place. This botanical art gallery contains drawings by local artists depicting the local flora and fauna and the rare and endangered plants of the Nature Reserve. There are less than 10 Florilegiums in the world and Grootbos is one of the largest. After you explore the gallery, you may get to participate in a local tea and honey tasting. The reserve is large enough that they have numerous hives that produce various different types of honey, including Erica honey, which is found nowhere else in the world. You’ll pair the honey tasting with a tasting of local South African teas, which you can enjoy with some delicious cookies.

River Boat Cruises

Head out on an exclusive luxury boat cruise down the local river towards the Hermanus Estuary. You’ll cruise through the surrounding mountain ranges, while the experienced guides point out a wide variety of birdlife. The boat is fully equipped with relevant birding books and checklists, binoculars, blankets, and even an eco-friendly toilet. As the sun sets, you’ll enjoy a glass of bubbly and some fun snacks before heading back to the hotel.

Marine Safaris

Head out on a marine safari! Grootbos is perfectly positioned to go out on an adventure searching for the Marine Big 5 in their natural habitat. The Marine Big 5 includes whales, seals, penguins, dolphins, and sharks. You’ll head out into the ocean on a boat specifically designed for this mission with a team of marine biologists and experienced guides. Hold on tight and make sure to bring seasickness remedies if you need them; you will likely experience some wild waves when you are crossing the open ocean. It’s all worth it though when you arrive at an island full of thousands of Cape Fur Seals basking in the sun and playing in the water or when you see a penguin raft (group of penguins) swimming in the open ocean! On your way back to the hotel, stop by the penguin sanctuary for some adorable cuteness. Here, the center rescues penguins and birds that need some help rehabilitating to hopefully be reintroduced into the wild one day. You can observe the animals in the sanctuary, adopt an animal or make a donation, or buy an item in the gift shop or cafe.

Cave Tours

Jump back in the car for the cave and coastline tour! Klipgat Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of only three sites in South Africa where remains were found that were as old as 70,000 years old. These findings are among the oldest remains of modern Homo-Sapiens in the world, which reinforces the (largely debated by archaeologists) theory that humans as we know them today originated in southern Africa. These caves were formed millions of years ago via erosion. Your guide will introduce you to how the Khoi bushmen lived here during the Stone Ages and teach you about the local marine life, such as the rare black oystercatcher, sea otters, and other coastal creatures. This is one of the best places in South Africa to go swimming as the water quality is excellent due to the fresh water stream that connects to the ocean here (you will often see locals swimming here when the sun is out). Bring your swimsuit to enjoy the beach and ocean when the weather cooperates!

Walks and Hikes

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Grootbos with guided or self-guided walks and hikes with expert naturalists. Explore the diverse flora and fauna, learn about rare plant species and wildlife, and enjoy the stunning views. The reserve also has self-guided trails for independent exploration.

Bird Watching

Grootbos is a bird watcher’s paradise, with a rich diversity of rare and endemic bird species. Enjoy guided bird watching tours with birding experts or simply explore the reserve on your own to spot these beautiful creatures.