If you are looking for luxury accommodation and a wide range of land-, sea-, and sky-based activities in this spectacular part of the world, we highly recommend Grootbos Forest Lodge!

Permanent lodge

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Luxury

From C$1,388 – C$1,458 pp

Luxurious accommodation in Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Sumptuous lounge, eating areas, bar, curio shop, conference facilities, spa, pool

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Sixteen deluxe suites, some with their own plunge pool

Nature walks, flower safaris, horse riding, whale watching, beach picnics, guided tours of caves, numerous local trips

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Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
  • Great choice
With the feeling of a safari lodge as opposed to the other hotel-style properties in the area, Grootbos is a wonderful lodge showcasing the sheer beauty of the wilderness around this part of South Africa. A stunning property; one of our favourites.
Kirsten Jonker Training Director

Activities

Activities from Forest Lodge also come in two categories.

Hikes and walks

Wildlife sightings

Flower safaris

Horse riding

Other activities

Scenic flights

Whale watching and marine big five

Wine tours

Spa treatments

  • There are plenty of things to do within the reserve, or you can head out and explore the wider region. In Grootbos, you can enjoy taking a walk or a longer hike along several nature trails. These are great for checking out all the animal and plant life.

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  • Mammals in residence include caracal, genet, honey badger, chacma baboon, and six types of antelopes, while the plant count features over 765 species of flower!

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  • If you are particularly keen on flowers, you will love going on flower safari – a guide drives you around Grootbos in a 4 by 4 and shows you all sorts of flower highlights on the way.

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  • Alternatively, you can saddle up and ride out on horseback, as the reserve has its own stables! These are home to 18 horses and all levels of riding experience are accommodated.

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  • Other activities within Grootbos include birding, whale watching, guided tours of coasts and caves, and visits to the local farm, college, and football foundation that have benefited from the work of the Grootbos Foundation.

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  • Farther afield, scenic flights are available over such landmarks as Cape Point, Table Mountain, the Winelands, and the southernmost tip of Africa.

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  • More whale watching is possible on the world-renowned coastal paths of Hermanus and De Kelders, or aboard a boat. You can look out for all the Marine Big Five on these trips – not only whales, but also sharks, seals, dolphins, and penguins! If you have a fondness for sharks, you might like to consider great white shark cage diving around Dyer Island.

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  • Tours of the Overberg wine region are also on offer – whether you take the Stanford, Elim and Agulhas, or Hermanus wine route, you are sure to enjoy some wonderful wine tasting in charming countryside.

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  • And in between activities, you can indulge in some serious pampering at Forest Lodge’s superb spa – treatments range from shiatsu to full facials to reflexology, and everything in between!

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*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

Access & Location

Grootbos Forest Lodge is situated within Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – it is one of three properties in this area of the Western Cape. The name ‘Grootbos’ means ‘big forest’, inspired by ancient milkwood trees. In total, the reserve occupies approximately 2,500 hectares of fynbos-covered valleys, hills, and mountains. Forest Lodge has a wonderful setting on the edge of a forest, with views down to Walker Bay, a part of the Atlantic coast that is famous for whale watching! Most travellers to Grootbos self-drive from Cape Town , a journey that takes about 2 hours. The reserve is only 30 minutes east of Hermanus . The way is well signposted and the roads through Grootbos are well laid.

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Facilities

The site of Forest Lodge extends along a hillside, with the communal building just left of center.

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This is a very modern structure, with open-plan spaces and a well-elevated roof that together create a light and airy feel. Generously proportioned windows at the front of the property really make the most of those amazing views – whether you are relaxing in any of the sumptuous lounge areas or enjoying a delicious meal in the sophisticated dining spaces, you are able to gaze across the reserve as far as the sea. There is a bar too, with a cozy fireplace and a few books. The curio shop provides a great range of souvenir items, and there is a fully equipped conference room. If you are a business client and you would like to know more about conferences at Grootbos, do get in touch with us for all the details. Outside the communal building, there are several deck areas, a spa, and a lovely infinity pool flanked by sunloungers, all inviting you to relax and unwind!

Amenities

Guest accommodation at Forest Lodge consists of 16 suites – there are two suites within each of the property’s eight modern chalets.

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The chalets are linked to the communal building along smart paved pathways through the woods. All boast beautiful views of the reserve. There are two categories: Luxury Suite and Luxury Pool Suite. The only difference between these options is that the latter has a plunge pool! Both have a large bedroom with double bed, elegant lighting, and storage space. This adjoins a separate lounge area, which has comfy seating around a coffee table, a snug fireplace, a satellite television and DVD player, and a secure room safe. The en-suite facilities comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins, shower, and bathtub. There are outside showers on each suite’s deck. The accommodation is super-stylish and, like the main building, has high ceilings and wide windows that really bring in the light and maximise those fabulous views!

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    If you are looking for luxury accommodation and a wide range of land-, sea-, and sky-based activities in this spectacular part of the world, we highly recommend Grootbos Forest Lodge!

Talk to someone who’s been there

Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
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+18332004084
Aidan Dunlop
Safari Specialist

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