3 DAY GROOTBOS NATURE RESERVE

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve invites you to come and taste the Cape in an unforgettable experience of the natural wonders, wines, cuisine, culture and other treasures of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa.

Savour our magnificent fynbos flora, bird and marine life as well as explore the human dimension, past and present. Less than two hours from Cape Town you will find South Africa’s premier flora and marine ecotourism destination providing guests with an opportunity to experience the natural wonders of the marine, coastal and inland ecosystems of the Cape.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is situated on the hills above Walker Bay, which is world-renowned for its natural beauty and amazing diversity of life. It is the best land-based viewing area in the world for Southern Right whales. Offshore islands are home to penguins, thousands of seals, a multitude of seabirds as well as Great white sharks. Beautiful white beaches are interspersed by wave-swept caves once inhabited by early humans, while the inland mountains are home to some of the richest flora on earth and a wide variety of fascinating fauna.

Grootbos Nature Reserve, with over 1000 hectares of nature as we were intended to experience it, lies 160 kilometres from Cape Town on the way to the Garden Route. Grootbos provides you with a unique opportunity to experience all of this and more with our specialised guiding team. Whether your stay is a brief or an extended one, you can enjoy our nature activities, or relax in comfort and style on the wooden decks of your private, luxury suite overlooking the forest and endless sea.

With a maximum of just 28 guests and personalised attention, a full day of exciting activities is guaranteed. Whether you glide across the sparkling Atlantic Ocean to within touching distance of a 60 ton whale, watch thousands of seals swim around your boat, explore a middle stone age cave dwelling, ride on a horse for the first time, watch the sunbirds dance amongst a sea of proteas, hike to the top of the highest mountain, relax at the pool or sip champagne as the sun sets on a deserted beach, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve will provide you with an unforgettable nature experience.

Accommodation
Nestling in the Milkwood Forest are nine private luxury cottages which have been built from locally hewn stone and timber. Each cottage has a separate lounge, one or two bedrooms and en suite bathroom/s. The cottages are spacious with a one-bedroomed unit being 60 square metres and a two-bedroomed unit, 120 square metres. All cottages have open fireplaces in the lounge, inviting cosy and romantic evenings.

The spacious wooden sun decks with panoramic sea and mountain views, convey a classical 'Out of Africa' feeling. Each luxury cottage is equipped with its own filter coffee machine, a selection of the finest quality teas and a well-stocked mini-bar. A fresh fruit basket is placed in your cottage each day and the ambience is enhanced by indigenous fynbos floral arrangements. Reading material and binoculars are provided in each cottage. The bedrooms are individually decorated with pure cotton luxury bedding and 100% down duvets. The large, bright, sunny bathrooms have double washbasins, spacious double showers and / or baths as well as heated towel rails for those chilly winter nights! Bathrobes and a hair dryer are also provided.

Guided Activities included free of Charge
Our expert guiding team includes botanists, nature conservationists with all round knowledge of the flora and the marine and bird life. Fynbos Ecosystems Grootbos has an amazing diversity of fynbos vegetation with over 500 plant species, flowering throughout the year (peak season August to October). You are also likely to see many of the 100 bird species recorded on the reserve, as well as many other animals:

Guided Nature Experiences
with a combination of 4x4 drives and hikes.
1- 2 hour walks through our extensive milkwood forest.
1- 2 hour horse rides:

15 horses and two qualified instructors;
horse trails in the fynbos for beginners and advanced riders:
large paddock for riding instruction.

Coastal Ecosystems
The unspoilt coastline of Walker Bay has secluded beaches and rugged
sandstone and limestone cliffs, offering the best land-based viewing
of the southern right whales which mate and calve in the area:
Two-hour excursions to the Klipgat Cave, one of the most important
archaeological sites in SA (ten minutes from Grootbos).

Two-hour trip along the nearby coast, to view the whales (July to December).
Two-hour walks along the rocky coast, exploring the marine life in the pools.
Two-hour 4x4 excursions along the coast to remote beaches.
Two-hour excursion to nearby Danger Point Lighthouse
to explore the history of the area.

Optional Activities
1- 4 hour walking trails through the fynbos (maps supplied).
Wander in the largest private fynbos garden in South Africa, with its many ponds, medicinal herb garden and own fynbos nursery.
Mountain bikes available.
Star gazing.

Excursions Available within the vicinity of Grootbos
We can assist you to explore the other attractions in the area.
Boat trips include free transfer. Please note that boating activities
are weather dependent and prices are subject to change.
Boat trips to nearby Dyer Island to view Cape fur seals, African (Jackass) Penguins, thousands of cormorants and other seabirds [2 hours, R180 per person approx].
Boat-based whale watching (July-December) [3 hours, R400 approx].
White shark cage-diving can be arranged; price on request.
Fishing cruises: price on request.
Visit to the brewery, or wineries in the area for wine tasting.
Visit to Hermanus for craft market and shopping;
Fernkloof Nature Reserve.
Elim: a Moravian mission village with 19th century water mill;
Geelkop Nature Reserve.
Trip to the southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas (only 105 km away).

Price Guide

Grootbos Nature Reserve
Includes two nights luxury accommodation in free standing suites,
welcome drink, three course dinner (fine cuisine prepared by master chefs),
breakfast buffet with full English breakfast menu, fresh fruit basket daily,
champagne on afternoon drive to the nearby coast, 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.
Price Per Person Sharing
from £295.00
(Excluding all flights to and from Africa)
Additional nights available upon request.
Safaris subject to availability and prices can change without prior notice.

To check availability for this safari, please contact us on
UK - 01995 679 776International - 44 1995 679 776
Priority is given to people who call us, due to the number of e-mails we receive.
holidays@safari-africa.co.uk

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Pictures in this column were taken in South Africa

To make a booking please contact us with the depature date you would like. We will then check availablility for you.

Flights to, from and many within Africa are not included in the cost of the safari, you can check flight prices On-Line by going to our Flights page or by contacting your local travel agent or flight specialist.

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