Grootbos: A 5 Stars Private Nature Reserve in South Africa

When I think about excellence I always would love to see what I found at Grootbos 5 Stars Nature Reserve (South Africa). This luxurious property offers superb accommodations, surrounded by a spectacular -and vast!- Nature Reserve, where you will have the chance to experience the beauty of the South African wilderness. This ultimate destination won numerous awards including “National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World”, Conde’ Nast Annual Travel Green List” and “Tatler Travel Guide- 101 Best Hotels in The World” –just to mention a few! (click here for the full list) 

Grootbos is not only a luxurious property: it offers several outdoor activities and it also has an active foundation which helps the local community with educational programs as well as taking care of the natural ecosystem of this stunning territory! #traveldasoli

Overall, it has been a very educational experience for me, while staying in a such luxury-dreamy place!

GROOTBOS ACCOMMODATIONS

Located less than 1 hour drive from Cape Town, Grootbos is tucked between forest, sea and mountains. The luxury suites are located in 3 main areas: the Forest Lodge, the Garden Lodge and the Private Luxury Villas (6 or 4 bedrooms private villa).

My friend and I had the pleasure to stay in one of the beautiful luxury suites at the Garden Lodge.

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Luxury Suite @ Grootbos – living room

Each suite looks like a small lodge in the middle of the forest, so you have the feeling of having an entire house for yourself! Our suite was very big, with a large living room, a small kitchen area with Nespresso machine, and on the second level 1 main bedroom with bath tub, shower and separate toilet, and a smaller bedroom with its own bathroom.

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Main bedroom – Luxury Suite @ Grootbos, South Africa

The view from the main bedroom was absolutely breathtaking: a wonderful overview of the entire forest and the ocean in front of us. We witnessed one of the best sunsets of our lives!

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Breathtaking sunset-view from the bedroom @ Grootbos, South Africa

GROOTBOS SWIMMING POOLS

When you are looking for a moment of peace and serenity, you can find 2 main swimming pools at Grootbos, one located at the Garden Lodge and the other one at the Forest Lodge.

Garden Lodge Swimming Pool

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Myself enjoying the Forest Lodge Pool @ Grootbos, South Africa

Forest Lodge Swimming Pool

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Myself @ The Forest Lodge Pool, Grootbos, South Africa

DINING AT GROOTBOS

For what concern the dining experiences, there are 2 main restaurants at Grootbos, one for each main lodge. As we were staying at the Garden Lodge, we had dinner there.

I got a delicious ostrich fillet with a fantastic glass of Chardonnay, and a extra yummy dessert to conclude the magical evening! Click HERE to read everything about the Grootbos culinary experiences!

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Ostrich fillet @ Garden Lodge Restaurant, Grootbos, South Africa
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Dessert @ Garden Lodge Restaurant, Grootbos, South Africa

In the morning we had breakfast at the Garden Lodge Restaurant as well, which provides a fresh selection of fruits, nuts, cheeses, and more, together with a full breakfast menu.

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Breakfast @ Garden Lodge Restaurant, Grootbos, South Africa

The following day, we had lunch at The Forest Lodge, with a fabulous view of the reserve and the ocean. Truly breathtaking!

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Lunch @ The Forest Lodge, Grootbos, South Africa

GROOTBOS PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Around the 2,500 hectares of land there are 100 endangered plant species (800 in total!), 3 milk wood forests over 1000 years old and an “in-house-farm” that provides fresh vegetables to the lodges and several animals like chickens, pigs and rabbits. Every corner of this massive property is an exercise in wander! I couldn’t believe my eyes, it has been a constant astonishment and the numerous activities offered made our time even m ore exciting!

GROOTBOS ACTIVITIES AROUND THE RESERVE AND MORE

As mentioned before, Grootbos offers numerous activities to its guests, in order to let them experience as much as possible the territory, according to each individual needs.

Moreover, several activities for kids are available upon request.

HORSEBACK RIDING

My favorite activity has surely been horse-back riding around the natural reserve. Grootbos offers the horse ride a few times per day, you just need to book the time-slot in advance. Highly recommended!

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Myself horse-back riding @ Grootbos Nature Reserve, South Africa

SHARK CAGE DIVING

Shark Cage Diving is probably one of the most famous tourist attractions in South Africa! Grootbos offers to his guest the chance to try this high-adrenaline adventure as well! (click here)

WHALE WATCHING

If you are visiting South Africa in the right season (approx. June-July), I would highly recommend you to try to spot whales in the ocean! It is a very exciting and emotional activity! (click here)

SCENIC HELICOPTER RIDE

For an unforgettable view from above, the helicopter ride will give you an incredibly scenic perspective of the beautiful Western Cape! (click here)

BOTANICAL 4X4 TOUR

My friend and I enjoyed also the Botanical 4×4 Tour, on a open-top Land Rover together with a hugely knowledgeable guide who educated us about the vast types of plants and flowers around the reserve! A very unique experience!

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WALKS & HIKES

Walks or hikes in and around Grootbos are one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in the Cape Floral Kingdom, as you breathe the fresh air and drink in the crystal clear views. (click here)

BIRD WATCHING

The rich chorus of birdsong that surrounds you at Grootbos tells you immediately that bird watching here will be extraordinary. (click here)

 

SPA TREATMENTS

Of course you deserve a relaxing moment after a long day of exploring. Grootbos provides great beauty treatments for you! (click here)

MARINE SAFARI

This is one of the few places in the world where you can view such a wide range of marine wildlife in their natural environment as they hunt, mate and play. Board a luxury boat and head out to the ocean to spot the Marine Big 5: Southern Right Whales, Great White Sharks, Bottle-nose Dolphins, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins, as you soak up the exquisite natural scenery. (click here)

COASTAL SAFARI

With some of the most pristine beaches in the world, we can offer you everything from solitary walks along the water’s edge, historical cave tours led by our guides, sun tanning with whales in front of you, or snacking on a picnic as the sun goes down. (click here)

QUAD BIKING

Bring your sense of adventure and explore your surroundings in a fun, heart- pumping way as you traverse mountains, valleys and forests by quad bike. (click here)

SOUTHERN TIP OF AFRICA TOUR

This unique tour to the southernmost tip of our continent is an outing packed with vivid story telling, unique experiences and the chance to learn more about the people and places that call it home. (click here)

GROOTBOS FOUNDATION

From its very inception, The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve was always going to be more than a luxury travel destination.

Moreover, The Grootbos Foundation was set up in 2003 as a non-profit organization that would work to conserve the critically endangered fynbos, while also focusing on the training and skills development of the surrounding communities.

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Grootbos Foundation, South Africa

We’re an organization dedicated to empowering others through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education.

All of our projects are replicable and scalable, with many generating their own income or becoming partially self-sustaining.

From beekeeping to animal husbandry, recycling candles to coaching soccer, computer training to clearing alien vegetation, each program has been carefully considered to build a brighter future for the people who live here, as well as the environment.

 

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Grootbos Foundation, South Africa

To read more about their fantastic projects, please click here

Furthermore, when we visited the “in-house-farm”, which is part of the foundation, we have been enchanted by the Bonsai Collection of the owners!

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Bonsai Collection @ Grootbos, South Africa

Overall, our stay at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has truly been a phenomenal experience. For me, definitely one of the best in South Africa.

If you have the chance, it is a must!

And you… are you lusting for the sublime?

Always,

Carlotta

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