Grootbos Forest Lodge
& Luxury in the Cape Floral Kingdom
From the outset, Grootbos positioned itself not simply as a luxury retreat but as a model of how tourism, conservation and community uplift could work together. The Grootbos Foundation, established in 2003, formalised this mission, launching programmes in fynbos restoration, sustainable agriculture, environmental education and skills development for local communities.
Location
Ancient milkwood forests surround the lodge, while dunes fall away to ocean views stretching towards the distant Cape of Good Hope. Offshore, Walker Bay offers Marine Big Five adventures, from whales and dolphins to sharks, seals and penguins. The coastal town of Hermanus lies just 5km along the shore, famed for cliff‑path walks and seasonal whale watching.
Accommodation
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.
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
- Explore the fynbos on a botanical safari, discovering rare species and learning about Grootbos’s seven plants newly described to science.
- Head offshore for Marine Big Five encounters, watching whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and penguins in their wild ocean habitat.
- Ride through fynbos or along the beach on horseback, with routes suited to both beginners and confident riders.
- Join a guided hike across the private reserve, immersing yourself in milkwood forests, dunes and the rich biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
- Cruise the Klein River at sunset, spotting birdlife from a luxury boat with a chilled drink in hand.
- Suit up for a cage‑diving adventure, experiencing the thrill of meeting sharks from the safety of a secure cage.
- Pedal across vast coastal dunes on a fat‑bike, taking in sweeping views of Walker Bay and the dramatic coastline.
Families at Grootbos
For those seeking a more elevated shared retreat, Grootbos Villa is the ideal multi‑generational choice. Set in a secluded position, it comes with a private guide, chef, butler and housekeeping team, allowing each day to be shaped entirely around the group. Activities – from botanical safaris and marine excursions to horseback riding and hikes – are tailored to your interests. With six suites and expansive living spaces, the Villa offers complete privacy and personalised luxury for families and small groups.
Why We Include Grootbos Forest Lodge in Our Journeys
It works beautifully within Cape Town, the Garden Route and Winelands, or as a coastal finale to wider southern African journeys.
From the Team
“There’s something utterly magical about the fynbos: its scent, its colours, its salt‑laden air, its sheer rarity. It’s a completely different environment from anything you encounter elsewhere in Africa, adding real variety to a journey. And offshore, in those chilly, mineral‑rich waters — that’s an entirely different adventure again.”
Why Plan Your Safari with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
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.
Great Places to Combine with Grootbos
Grootbos works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Southern Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.Grootbos works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Southern Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.
Set amid sweeping lawns and century‑old trees, Mount Nelson offers a calm, luxurious retreat in the heart of Cape Town, with gracious service, beautiful interiors and a quietly glamorous atmosphere.
With a luxury tented camp and the option of even greater privacy and exclusivity at its two riverfront villas, Mpala Jena offers easy-going indulgence on the banks of the Zambezi River – combining classic safari experiences with the relaxed rhythm of life on the water.
With a superb shady riverbank location in a large and diverse private game reserve, Singita Ebony is not just luxurious; it is fascinating in all respects. Spacious and adaptable, it’s great for couples, groups, solo travellers and families.
To call this simply a treehouse would be an understatement. Tsala Treetop Lodge is the most incredible, luxury treetop property set amidst the canopy of an ancient indigenous forest. An idyllic forest getaway, you’ll be met with breathtaking views across rolling valleys, spectacular cuisine, and an array of interesting activities. Imbuing a sense of magic and mystery, a stay in this architecturally unique lodge is an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Morokuru River House is one of the most exciting exclusive use properties in South Africa.
Peaks such as the Giants Castle dominate the Drakensberg landscape and are impressive from every angle. Staying at Montusi Mountain Lodge you don’t need to go far for epic views: the natural beauty is already all around you, ready to be explored.
Journey to Leobo Lodge for a malaria-free safari, and an action-packed itinerary guaranteed to entertain the whole group. There are absolutely no time frames at Leobo, the reserve is yours to explore in the company of knowledgeable guides, and you can do so at your leisure.
Madikwe and More
The most amazing holiday ever!! From our initial call, Paul listened carefully to what we wanted and provided us with numerous options to achieve our dream holiday. He organised everything to perfection and we didn't need to worry about a thing. Our holiday to South Africa on Safari for 4 days at Madikwe Reserve followed by 3 days in Cape Town was absolutely incredible. We were so impressed from start to finish, flights, accommodation, transfers, day trips in fact everything was top class...
The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.
See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
in South Africa
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.