Escape to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a gem located in the heart of the Western Cape’s Overberg region. Leave the hassle of passport renewals, visa applications and long international flights behind you because this idyllic winter getaway is only a two-hour scenic drive from Cape Town.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a meticulously crafted 5-star lodge set among ancient milkwood forests and fynbos hills, offers a world of refinement and natural beauty. This luxurious eco-escape overlooking Walker Bay strikes the perfect balance of serenity and indulgence.
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Explore the ocean on a Marine Big Five excursion, or experience thrilling fynbos 4×4 drives and horseback safaris on one-of-a-kind guided adventures that bring you closer to nature.
Grootbos welcomes honeymooners, couples, families, friends, adventurers and all types of nature enthusiasts.
The experience is complemented by exceptional wine and dining, with guests invited to indulge in exquisite culinary creations paired with the finest wines showcasing regional flavours.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a pioneer in sustainable tourism as well as a haven of luxury and natural beauty. Grootbos is committed to finding innovative solutions to sustainability challenges as a world leader in the field, ensuring an unforgettable and environmentally responsible escape.
Whale watching and the Marine Big Five
Grootbos looks out over Walker Bay, one of the best whale-watching spots in the world. Every year, between June and December, it is estimated that 50 whales can be spotted in the bay, with the number increasing to 200 at the peak of the season.
Visitors can see these gentle giants from land, sea or air, with options including a guided walking tour along De Kelders’ cliffs and pathways, a marine biologist-led boat trip or a once-in-a-lifetime flight in a privately chartered aircraft to take in the magnificence of these creatures from the sky.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Keep cosy with a midweek winter getaway for two at Cederkloof Botanical Retreat in Citrusdal for R799 (valued at R1 150). Get it here.
Southern right whales are only one of South Africa’s Marine Big Five; you may also see the Cape fur seal, great white shark, bottlenose dolphin and African penguin during your excursion.
Wine tasting
South Africa is recognised globally for its award-winning wines, with many of them hailing from the Overberg region, which includes Grootbos. Grootbos has a prestigious wine collection, and each lodge has its own cellar with some of the best varietals from the region. Wine and food pairings led by knowledgeable sommeliers, guided wine tours to various estates in the Overberg region, or dinner and a stroll through one of the on-site cellars are all available.
The reserve’s collection is regarded as the best in the Overberg, and it also houses a rare selection of Cape Winemakers Guild wines. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply enjoy a good glass of chardonnay, the team at Grootbos believes in providing a welcoming and unpretentious wine experience.
Wellness and well-being in nature
Grootbos offers a sanctuary for the weary, from forest bathing in the surrounding protected Milkwood forests and exploring the 3500-hectare fynbos reserve (home to more than 900 species of fynbos) to breathing in the clean and salty coastal air and enjoying an expert massage in nature.
Doesn’t this sound like the ideal location for a winter getaway?
At a glance
Food and wine
- Sample the unique flavours of the region with a curated 5-course food-and-wine pairing with locally sourced seasonal ingredients paired with some of the region’s award-winning wines.
- Journey to the celebrated surrounding wine estates in the Overberg on a guided wine tour.
Also read: 5 affordable Western Cape getaways for a cosy winter stay
Whale experiences
- View the return of the southern right whales by land with our experienced whale and walking guide at De Kelders.
- Take to the sea with a marine biologist for a personalised Marine Big Five experience.
- Get a bird’s-eye view as you fly over mothers and their newborn calves or large mating groups, in a private aircraft.
Wellness experiences
- Delight in forest bathing amidst ancient milkwood trees that are more than 1000 years old.
- Draw energy from the surrounding fynbos, lush and landscaped gardens and vast floral kingdom.
- Enjoy an array of beauty and wellness treatments at the spa, using local natural beauty products.
- Take time out to sip on a range of herbal and fynbos teas.
Details
- Location: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, R43, Gansbaai, South Africa
- Book: book.nightsbridge.com
- Contact: 028 384 8008 | [email protected]
- Website: grootbos.com
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Picture: Supplied