Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Western Cape, South Africa
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Eco Lodges
Since JANUARY 2014
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, set amidst mountains and ancient indigenous forest, overlooks the rich marine haven of Walker Bay. Grootbos is located in a world biodiversity hotspot, where many plants are of conservation concern, and as many as 70% are found nowhere else on Earth. Grootbos, together with the Grootbos Foundation, is committed to conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom and uplifting the communities therein, representing an inclusive, progressive tourism model. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a certified Global Ecosphere Retreat®.
Grootbos is set amongst the rare Cape fynbos and offers expansive views over Walker Bay and the surrounding natural landscape. Grootbos and the Grootbos Foundation together address the urgent threats to conserve the unique biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Kingdom and support the surrounding rural communities with initiatives focused on educating, training, mentoring, and empowering community members, specifically community youth. These programmes reach over 3000 people each year. Sustainability is a guiding principle applied throughout Grootbos and includes stringent measures to address resource efficiency. These efforts are captured in the carbon, water footprint monitoring, and sustainability reporting Grootbos applies to track and strive to improve their efficiencies continuously. As part of the Grootbos carbon footprint recordings and practices, each guest's stay at Grootbos is offset.
CONSERVATION
Ongoing biodiversity surveying of the fynbos ecosystem by the Conservation Research Unity has recorded 1’028 plant species so far and 812 insect species.
42 landowners in the successful Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, 8 of which have secured their conservation status as the Walker Bay Protected Area. This safeguards more than 20 years of landscape conservation collaboration in perpetuity and forms the basis for an exciting vision and strategy to develop a wildlife corridor vision to connect various conservation areas between Walker Bay and the Agulhas Plains.
COMMUNITY
1’500 youths engage in free afternoon sports training twice a week where they get access to trained community coaches, sports for good curriculums, homework club access and a nutritious meal at every session.
Over 200 businesses have received training, seed funding and mentorship to success, bringing financial options and dignity to vulnerable families.
CULTURE
49 Botanical artists from around the world have contributed to the unique Grootbos Florilegium.
169 children participated in indigenous and cultural holiday programmes.
COMMERCE
New 250-kW solar plant installed to reduce dependency and use of the electricity grid, along with a greywater system, a rainwater harvesting system, and other investments to reduce the carbon footprint of the Grootbos guest experience.
Gifts, wine, food, and other items are sourced locally with 80% wine and beverages coming from local suppliers from within a 60km radius of Grootbos.
Grootbos Highlights
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The Grootbos Foundation’s Conservation Research Unit surveys biodiversity of the unique Cape fynbos ecosystem, using their knowledge to inform land management plans in the greater landscape
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Guests at Grootbos enjoy a guided flower safari in which their guide shares the magic of plants and pollinators.
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Fine wining and dining overlooking the pristine fynbos landscape and the spectacle that is Walker bay, home to visiting Southern Right whales between June - October
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The beauty and precision of botanical art draws one in, with laser focus, to the story of each individual plant and pollinator story. All species play their role in the ecosystem and all are equally important.
