Garden Route, South Africa
Grootbos Forest Lodge
Exuding sophistication, Grootbos Forest Lodge sits within landscaped gardens dotted with indigenous trees. Carefully designed to reflect traditional African warmth and combine it with an intercontinental twist, the lodge fuses aesthetic beauty with ultimate comfort. With breathtaking views and nature to match, stays at Grootbos are undoubtedly memorable. Exuding sophistication, Grootbos Forest Lodge sits within landscaped gardens dotted with indigenous trees. Carefully designed to reflect traditional African warmth and combine it with an intercontinental twist, the lodge fuses aesthetic beauty with ultimate comfort. With breathtaking views and nature to match, stays at Grootbos are undoubtedly memorable.
Exuding sophistication, Grootbos Forest Lodge sits within landscaped gardens dotted with indigenous trees. Carefully designed to reflect traditional African warmth and combine it with an intercontinental twist, the lodge fuses aesthetic beauty with ultimate comfort. With breathtaking views and nature to match, stays at Grootbos are undoubtedly memorable. Exuding sophistication, Grootbos Forest Lodge sits within landscaped gardens dotted with indigenous trees. Carefully designed to reflect traditional African warmth and combine it with an intercontinental twist, the lodge fuses aesthetic beauty with ultimate comfort. With breathtaking views and nature to match, stays at Grootbos are undoubtedly memorable.
Location
Nestled into a hill above Walkers Bay, stands one of the most impressive eco-lodge properties in South Africa, Grootbos Forest Lodge. Set among 3,500 hectares of pristine fynbos in the exclusive Grootbos Private Reserve, it is home to more than 900 plant species, over 20 different mammals and also holds three 1,000 year old milkwood forests.
Here, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the rising and falling dunes, the distant Cape of Good Hope and the surging ocean where you can see the Marine Big 5 in their natural habitat.
Here, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the rising and falling dunes, the distant Cape of Good Hope and the surging ocean where you can see the Marine Big 5 in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
Secluded and intimate, Grootbos Forest Lodge consists of just 16 luxury suites accessed by a pathway that winds its way beneath lush forest canopy. Each suite is opulent and spacious, with a feather soft bed, stunning tiled bathroom and separate lounge area. Featuring floor to ceiling glass doors leading out to your private terrace, every room affords impossibly romantic views of the reserve, and beyond to the sea.
For couples who desire an extra special stay, the Honeymoon Suite has the addition of a private pool to cool off in during the heat of the day.
For couples who desire an extra special stay, the Honeymoon Suite has the addition of a private pool to cool off in during the heat of the day.
In the bright and airy main area, you’ll find a cosy sunken lounge and bar area, where you can borrow a book to read beside the fire. Culinary excellence is served up in the dining room, where you can easily spend an evening savouring a delicious meal and sampling superb South African wine from the subterranean cellar.
Outside there are two verandas: one sprinkled with sun loungers overlooking the glittering infinity pool; the other with tables allowing you to dine al fresco while appreciating the spectacular vistas. There’s also the option to enjoy your evening meal around the magical milkwood forest boma (traditional campfire), warmed by the flickering flames as gleaming stars appear in the dark skies.
Outside there are two verandas: one sprinkled with sun loungers overlooking the glittering infinity pool; the other with tables allowing you to dine al fresco while appreciating the spectacular vistas. There’s also the option to enjoy your evening meal around the magical milkwood forest boma (traditional campfire), warmed by the flickering flames as gleaming stars appear in the dark skies.
Experiences
- Discover a kingdom of temperate flora, including seven completely new scientific discoveries, on botanical safaris led by specialist guides.
- Dive into the deep and swim with sharks from within the safe confines of a cage, an exhilarating experience.
- Trot through the fynbos or gallop along the sand on a horseback ride, perfect for all riders no matter your level of experience.
- Whether sitting on the shore or gliding across the waters of the Atlantic by boat, spot majestic Southern Right Whales in this unspoiled habitat.
- Cruise the Klein River in a luxury boat, searching for birdlife with a sundowner in hand.
- Hike in and around the private Grootbos Reserve to drink in the natural beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
- Head out into the ocean to spot the Marine Big 5 and other underwater creatures, as they hunt, mate and play.
- If you’re feeling energetic, hop onto a fat bike and pedal your way across the vast sand dunes and jaw dropping coastline.
- Suit up and join a professional beekeeper for a unique experience, learning about the busy bees, their hives and the important role they play in the ecosystem.
- Take to the sky for a scenic flight in a small plane fitted with custom windows for unobstructed views of the landscapes below - a photographer’s dream.
- Choose from the many treatments on offer at the reserve’s two spas, including a massage in the open air of the milkwood forest, surrounded by the sounds and smells of nature.
Fun for all the family
Forest Lodge has a whole host of activities for children, ensuring guests of all ages are kept entertained. Organised treasure hunts are regular favourites of younger visitors, as are animal encounters with the rabbits, ducks and ‘pet’ pig in the Playground.
Little ones can get creative with ‘arts and crafts’ time or explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Special children’s menus are offered in the restaurant and child-minding services are also available, allowing you to indulge in some adult-only time.
Little ones can get creative with ‘arts and crafts’ time or explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Special children’s menus are offered in the restaurant and child-minding services are also available, allowing you to indulge in some adult-only time.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Conservation
Set on the world famous Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Grootbos Forest Lodge is owned and operated by the reserve itself, an award winning ecotourism destination. The non-profit arm of the business, the Grootbos Foundation’s vision is to conserve the local ecology and uplift communities.
Community
One of many of the Grootbos Foundation’s aims is to provide education relating to indigenous horticulture, agriculture, conservation, ecotourism, greening and life skills education.
Environment
A carbon negative destination, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has worked tirelessly to go beyond simply conserving their ecosystem but, since 2018 has operated carbon negatively, a testament to their dedication to their overarching conservation and sustainability vision.
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