Grootbos covers about 3,500 hectares of hills between the mountains and the sea above Walker Bay, about 160 kilometers from Cape Town. Forest Lodge has 16 suites beside an old milkwood forest, and Garden Lodge was rebuilt and reopened in 2022 with floor-to-ceiling windows. Two private villas, with four and six bedrooms, come with their own chef, butler and guide.
The reserve has more than 1,000 plant species, and guided botanical drives explain the Cape's floral kingdom far better than any book. From July to December, whales come into the bay, and boat trips, marine safaris, horse riding, walks and shark cage diving (booked separately) fill the days. It works as a two- or three-night stop between Cape Town and the Winelands, or after the bush.
Grootbos suits families, with a kids' program, and anyone who wants nature without a long flight. It is not a Big Five safari, so it complements the bush rather than replacing it. The drive from Cape Town is about two hours, and the coast here is often windy and cool, especially in winter.
Grootbos is a 3,500-hectare private reserve above Walker Bay, about two hours from Cape Town, built around fynbos, ancient milkwood forest and the whale coast. We recommend it for families and nature lovers who want a coastal safari of a different kind.
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