South Africa - Places To Stay

Hermanus, Overberg - Grootbos Private Game Reserve (FTTSA accredited) is a luxurious 5 star eco reserve situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom - the smallest, but richest of the Six Floral Kingdoms in the world. This owner run reserve is known for its beautiful setting amongst indigenous forests with fantastic views across the famous Walker Bay. There are two lodges in the Reserve, the Garden and Forest Lodge. Both offer luxurious, eco friendly accommodation and the most incredible cuisine accompanied by the best selection of South African wines. The lodge's location in close proximitely to the coast, makes it the ideal base from which to explore and observe South Africa's Marine Big 5. There are a variety of nature based activities available in the area, or guests can just relax around the swimming pool and enjoy the magnificent views.

Garden Lodge
The small and intimate Garden Lodge consists of 11 free-standing suites. The lodge is constructed from stone, thatch and timber, and has a strong African feel. The spacious family friendly suites are tastefully decorated and opens onto a wooden sundeck offering uninterrupted views.

Forest Lodge
The new and modern Forest Lodge was constructed using local sandstone and sustainable harvested timber. The lodge blends perfectly into the surrounding fynbos vegetation. It offers 16 additional luxury suites with restaurant, champagne bar and an ultra modern conference center.

Grootbos is situated on a private nature reserve overlooking Walker Bay, near Hermanus in the Overberg region

Situated about 50 km east of Hermanus and less than a 2-hour drive from Cape Town. Access to Grootbos is by tar road. Directions available on request.

11 Garden Lodge Suites
16 Forest Lodge Suites

Garden & Forest Lodge Suites:
£200 per person sharing during Low Season (May-Jun)
£252 per person sharing during High Season (Jul-Aug)
£379 per person sharing during Peak Season (Sep-Apr)

Luxury accommodation in free standing suites, welcome drink, five course dinner (fine cuisine prepared by master chefs), breakfast buffet with full English breakfast menu, light lunch, fresh fruit basket daily, transfer to boat activity (Dyer Island), horse riding, guided walks or drives in the reserve and various maps of the area or for self guided walks.

Children of all ages are welcome at Garden Lodge, children over 12 are welcome at Forest Lodge. A children's progamme is available to keep young guests entertained.

Guided nature walks and 4x4 drives through the reserve, whale watching, beach walks and beach picnics, bird watching, stargazing. Optional excursions available are shark cage diving, boat trips and scenic flights

The Grootbos Foundation was established in 2004 to manage and implement environmental and social development projects in the area.

The following projects are currently in progress:

Sustainable harvesting of Fynbos flowers
The conservation and restoration of indigenous fauna and flora and their biological communities. As part of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) sustainable harvesting component, student Sandra Gernandt is exploring the impacts of harvesting on seed set and regeneration of the Pincushion Protea, Leucospermum Cordifolium. This is part of a larger environmental study project being led by the Grootbos Foundation director Sean Privett on levels of sustainability and carrying capacity of Fynbos harvesting.

The Green Futures Project
The Foundation aims to promote an awareness of biodiversity value amongst local communities and develop nature based sustainable livelihoods for previously disadvantaged communities. This unique social development project provides annual, practical-based training programs for unemployed people in the fields of Fynbos landscaping, horticulture and eco tourism. Linked to the college is an indigenous plant nursery and Fynbos landscaping business that generates income for the Grootbos Foundation. In this way each year students are growing plants and working in landscaping and environmental projects that will help to pay for the next year's student's tuition.

Siyakula Township Greening Project
The Grootbos Foundation assisted Green Futures graduate Nozuko Pelem to establish this project in the local township, Masakhane. Nozuko is determined to take what she learnt in the Green Futures College to the people of her community. With the aid of a local donor and land provided by the Municipality, the Grootbos Foundation has facilitated the establishment of vegetable growing and greening projects at the local creche that aims to provide food for the children, environmental awareness to community members, Fynbos plants for sale to nurseries and the public as well as trees and flowers for greening of public areas in the township

Cash payments in ZAR are accepted. Payments by Visa and Mastercard credit cards are also accepted.

Awards
2008 Amarula Best Retreat in Africa Awards *Winner - Heart of Africa Award for making a difference in your local community *3rd place in Best Eco-Retreat in Africa
2008 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards * Finalist Conservation category
2007 Virgin Responsible Tourism Award *Winner - Best for conservation of an Endangered species
2006 Conde Nast travellers *Winner - Green award for ecotourism
2006 Tatler Travel Guide *Best Family Hotel in the World
2005, 2006 & 2007 Tatler Travel Guide *101 Best Hotels in the World
2002 Imvelo Award for responsible tourism *Winner - Best Environmental Management *Winner - Most Improved In One Year
2001 Iris Darnton Award *Winner - International Plant Conservation
2001 MTN & Western Cape Tourism *Winner - Ecotourism experience of the year
2000 British Airways Tourism For Tomorrow Award *Highly commended in the category Protected Areas and National Parks