Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Hermanus, Garden Route

Virgin rating

Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Boma
Wine Cellar
Flower safari
Marine Big 5 Boat Trip
Whale watching
Botanical Safari
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge Luxury Suite
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Lodge Luxury Suite
Forest Boma
Wine Cellar
Flower safari
Marine Big 5 Boat Trip
Whale watching
Botanical Safari

The hotel

Welcome to the award winning, eco reserve that is the magnificent Grootbos.. Set in a unique part of Africa, close to the southernmost tip amid 2500 hectares of pristine wilderness, home to milkwood forests and over 800 species of flora and fauna, you are choosing to be apart of an experience rather than a hotel. In an unbeatable location overlooking the wild coastline of Gansbaai, the luxury lodges are just minutes from where the great white shark cage diving and whale watching boats depart. As well as nature walks and horse riding throughout the reserve, marine and coastal drives are also included, you can even take a guided walk into the Walker Bay Nature Reserve and the De Kelders cliff walk – one of the best spots in the world for land-based whale watching (especially between June-December). All this combined with world-class gastronomy, one-of-a-kind experiences, 

Amenities

  • Horse Riding
  • Bar
  • Restaurant

Where is it

30 minutes from Hermanus, just outside of Gansbaai in a private nature reserve. Transfer time from Cape Town Airport: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Hotel information

All suites have private decks with panoramic sea views, underfloor heating and cosy fireplaces, separate lounge, separate bath and shower, tea/coffee-making facilities and mini-bar. Forest Lodge is modern and contemporary with 16 free-standing Luxury Suites linked by a walkway through the Milkwood forest, suites sleep maximum 2 adults.

Please note: children under 12 years of age are not permitted in the Forest Lodge Suites.

Full Board includes: welcome drink served upon arrival, all soft drinks, daily fresh fruit, breakfast, lunch and 5-course dinner. Activities including horse riding through the reserve (weight limit applies), guided pony rides for children, guided walks within the reserve, marine and coastal drives and walks including in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve and the De Kelders cliff walk for seasonal land-based whale watching (Jul–Dec), bird watching and transfers to/from all activities.

The newly rebuilt Garden Lodge, designed for families, enjoys a homely feel with wooden beams, thatched roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows and 11 luxury free-standing suites. Garden Lodge Luxury Suites have similar facilities to the Forest Lodge Luxury Suites but have a bath and/or shower and sleep maximum 2 adults and 2 children.

Garden Lodge Two-Bedroom Family Suites and Two-Bedroom Luxury Family Suites also feature two private en-suite bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one with shower and one with bath) and separate lounge and dining area, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 3 children.

Two Bedroom Suites also have satellite TV and DVD player.

Choice of accommodation: Forest Lodge (adults-only) and Garden Lodge (for families). Each lodge features a restaurant, lounge, barista bar and boma. Swimming pool. Spa and wellness area*. Library. Information centre. Kids’ entertainment at Garden Lodge (outdoor courtyard and a forest-inspired indoor play area). Activities included: guided walks, horse riding, beach walks, fynbos hiking and land-based whale watching (seasonal, Jun-Dec). Activities excluded: Dyer Island whale watching boat trip (Jul–Dec)*, shark cage diving*, beach horse riding*, day trips to Cape Aghulus and Hermanus*, wine tasting at local wine estate* and golf excursions*. Hive to Home bee excursion*. Riverboat experience*.

2 nights at all times.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (892)
  • Very good (76)
  • Average (23)
  • Poor (10)
  • Terrible (9)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Eco Wonderland

Nov 15, 2023 AllanE307 Cape Town Central, South Africa

The location of the Forest Lodge is truly magnificent and was supported by excellent staff service and fantastic food and beverage . The food was so varied well presented and prepared it was a gastronomic delight. The facilities were excellent and whilst we only participated in the gentler excursions (River cruise) it is a wonderful eco… Read more
The location of the Forest Lodge is truly magnificent and was supported by excellent staff service and fantastic food and beverage . The food was so varied well presented and prepared it was a gastronomic delight. The facilities were excellent and whilst we only participated in the gentler excursions (River cruise) it is a wonderful eco experience. Whilst all the staff we interacted with were excellent I reserve special praise for Tim(Guide) Siwe andBianca (Restaurant) Daniel (Reception) who made major contribution's to our stay with their ongoing interaction. Room was so comfortable that we woke up every day feeling refreshed to look out the window at the most wonderful view of Walker Bay . Congratulations to all of you for showing the world that in South Africa you can get world class hospitality, Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Could be so much better

Nov 1, 2023 Flyer148383

A nice property but it's pretty poorly managed I'm afraid. For the amount charged the owners / managment should really invest in training and upskilling their staff (main issue are communication breakdowns and a lack of understanding of service levels). Numerous examples of poor service and mistakes. No senior management present (which would help)… Read more
A nice property but it's pretty poorly managed I'm afraid. For the amount charged the owners / managment should really invest in training and upskilling their staff (main issue are communication breakdowns and a lack of understanding of service levels). Numerous examples of poor service and mistakes. No senior management present (which would help) and at check out / last day no one even enquired as to our stay. Food good when arrived buy often dishes missing or too many arrived and little knowlegde about the produce. Horesriding was good as were the external activities. A shame as investing in their own people and process could make this place great. Not close to the standard of other places on our trip (from a service perspective). Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Absolute marvel

Oct 30, 2023 Travel06255705695 Cape Town Central, South Africa

This weekend, we had the privilege of staying at Garden Lodge on the Grootbos estate. We wanted to express our sincere gratitude and will try to capture the essence of our stay, though we do not believe words can do it justice. As a result of our love for nature and specifically Fynbos, we booked at Grootbos. We can surely say, the experience was… Read more
This weekend, we had the privilege of staying at Garden Lodge on the Grootbos estate. We wanted to express our sincere gratitude and will try to capture the essence of our stay, though we do not believe words can do it justice. As a result of our love for nature and specifically Fynbos, we booked at Grootbos. We can surely say, the experience was an absolute marvel. The property itself is of course spectacular, nothing short of perfection. It is, however, the team that transformed our stay into a journey that surpassed all expectations. Over the years we have met wonderful individuals on our journeys, who embodied hospitality. What makes Grootbos unique is that this is the case with every single person who engaged with us. Joanita, Joy, Candice, Mat and her sister and so many others transformed to our stay. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for going absolutely above and beyond. We have to give specific thanks to Mihan, who spent many hours showing us the most wonderful sights. What stood out about Mihan is his truly remarkable knowledge of the environment, his love of his profession and natural style of interaction. He is an exceptional guide. To all the staff at Grootbos that we had the privilege to meet (Joanita calming us down during the rugby 😊), we say the biggest thank you. We are so looking forward to making this trip a yearly institution. Yours truly Gert & Yvette Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The most wonderful place. A singular example of brilliant hoteliership and gentle conservation ethic. Absolute delight.

Sep 28, 2023 Peter l

This beautiful private reserve marries so many exquisite delights. The art gallery with its treasure trove of exquisite plant paintings subtlety echoes the raw artistry of the fynbos and the forests that surround the hotel. The environmentally gentle buildings of the hotel blend into the wild world. The sun filigrees the forest floor with light… Read more
This beautiful private reserve marries so many exquisite delights. The art gallery with its treasure trove of exquisite plant paintings subtlety echoes the raw artistry of the fynbos and the forests that surround the hotel. The environmentally gentle buildings of the hotel blend into the wild world. The sun filigrees the forest floor with light and that light is replaced by the warm path lights at night. It’s a kaleidoscope. The flowers, the horses, the delicious food, the care for a guests needs, the melted metal of the flat grey sea as the sun sets. Beauty everywhere. The kindness of Juanita, the grace of the owner Michael and the sheer brilliance of all of the staff whether their responsibility be big or small makes this a singular experience. To see their commitment to environmentally sound management, conservation, education and social equity makes this experiencing this place unique. Grootbos is an example to the world of what inclusive multi-threaded management for good can achieve. I was delighted to be a guest, I felt like a million bucks; but, most of all, I felt honoured to be a part of realizing their dream of a better world. A world full of vibrant animals and beautiful plants and happy humans. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A perfect getaway

Sep 28, 2023 DOCSUE Cape Town, South Africa

A perfect getaway A highly anticipated two nights away from the city… Grootbos has exceeded every expectation. Hospitality, food and activities are unrivaled. Forest walks, horse riding, art gallery, 4x4 nature drives….We have been made to feel so welcome and every detail has been taken care of. The warmth of a fire was waiting in the lounge of… Read more
A perfect getaway A highly anticipated two nights away from the city… Grootbos has exceeded every expectation. Hospitality, food and activities are unrivaled. Forest walks, horse riding, art gallery, 4x4 nature drives….We have been made to feel so welcome and every detail has been taken care of. The warmth of a fire was waiting in the lounge of our luxury suite when we returned after our 5 course evening meal. But the best of all has been the elevated experience… the way we have been made to feel. Special mention to Michael (the owner), Cohen (our guide), Celeste & Phozisa (our waitresses) and Joanita (the frog lady :-) ) Don’t think twice - just book your stay. Read less