The Grootbos Allure
An African Eden
By Marilyn Miller
 Africa is charmed with many varied environments, found in
her unique cities as well as out in the bush. If your desire is for privacy,
solitude, beauty and adventure, along with five star accommodations and cuisine,
then you must put Grootbos Private Nature Reserve at the top of your list!
Grootbos (meaning “great bush” in Dutch) is in South
Africa, about a 2 hour drive from Cape Town, near the towns of Hermanus and
Gansbaai. The Indian Ocean seems all around as the road follows the coastline
to Grootbos.  The magic of this world has the power to transform your soul
through the beauty of its nature. Arriving at Grootbos, nestled in the midst of
an ancient Milkwood forest, the same beauty and serenity is evident. This
nature reserve is very large, and conserves over 2500 acres of beautiful
countryside, which is home to over 650 species of indigenous plants.
There are two beautifully positioned lodges. The Garden
Lodge suites are very large, luxuriously comfortable and private. All of the
individual cottages have spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Privacy is
important. To reach your room, the walk leads you along a paved and lighted
pathway, winding by serene pools, lush greenery and brightly colored flowers.
You can smell the fragrance of the forest and hear the call of exotic birds.
From your suite, no other rooms or cottages are visible, only the lush green,
the beautiful flowers, the forest sounds and the huge Indian Ocean are there to
enhance the senses.
Suites have a spacious living room area with a fireplace
and full wet bar along with fresh fruit snacks and bottled water. The bedroom
is separate from the living room area and has an adjoining full bath. The bed
is luxurious with full mosquito netting. Quite exotic, but we did not need the
netting, or the insect repellent, during our visit. The bathroom amenities were
plentiful with aromatic soaps, lotions, bath candles and soft comfy robes.
 The Forest Lodge is located further up the hill with
sweeping views of the entire area of the mountains, beaches and the sea. This
lodge is furnished with a contemporary flavor, very massive, stylish and
sophisticated. In addition to being a private getaway, it is also an excellent
location for family reunions or conventions. The dining area is strategically
placed, providing an awe inspiring panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, wooded
hills and changing sky.
 Cuisine at both lodges is equally unsurpassed. Culinary
preparation is done with creative precision, and oh, so appealing to the
senses. Each entree presents with its own personality of colors, presentation
and divine flavor and aroma. Dessert? Indulge, for these are some of the
finest!
And the staff is incredibly friendly, helpful and
knowledgeable of everything from the fine cuisine, fantastic South African
wines, names of plant species and best yet, they can guide you on journeys
leading to hidden vast sea caves with archeological digs, or across miles of
forest via their safari Range Rovers.
 They make frequent stops to provide
narrative about the ecosystem and history of the area. Plenty of time for photo
opportunity as well!
If you inquire about the stars of the night sky, they even
know about the night sky with stars that are different in the Southern
Hemisphere. And most impressive, The Southern Cross!! I gazed at it every
single night as it was bright and easy to find.
You may be in the “middle of nowhere” in this wonderfully
peaceful place but you’ll still find plenty of adventure to fill your time.
Whether you want to just sit back and read a book with a glass of fine wine, get
Internet access in the main hall, picnic at private ocean beaches, hike or
horseback ride, these are but of few of the adventures to be had. Photo 16 boat
In the nearby town of Gansbaai, we went on a fantastic
boating tour aboard the Whale Whisperer. We were privileged to see schools of
dolphin playing in the wake of our boat, various sea birds, colonies of Cape Fur
Seals with their pups, and the nesting grounds of the rare African Penguin.
 We
even chanced upon a quite unusual sight of a seal making a meal of a large
octopus. We visited the world famous “shark alley” home to the largest
concentration of Great White Sharks in the world. They can be seen up close and
personal, in the safety of a shark cage and most of the shark footage seen on
nature films is shot here. If you visit between June and December, you can see
about 160 of the Southern Right Whales who make this bay their home during those
months. These whales can be viewed either by land or aboard the Whale Whisperer.
 But Grootbos is not just another resort, for they have
chosen to “give back” to the community and the fragile environment. In 2004,
the Grootbos Foundation was established with the intent of managing and
implementing environmental and social developmental projects, through research,
management and education. They are home to the Green Futures Horticultural &
Life Skills College, an organization housed on the Grootbos Reserve that
provides annual practical-based training programs for unemployed people in the
fields of fynbos (“fine bush”) landscaping, horticulture and ecotourism.
See what they are about at
www.greenfutures.co.za
 And there are greater plans in the future as Grootbos
reaches further to improve the quality and direction of life for children in the
poverty-ridden townships scattered across South Africa. Soccer is a favorite
pastime among the youth of this great country and it is through this interest
that individual lives are challenged to be changed. Sponsored through Grootbos,
youth can find hope, direction and opportunity to improve their state of
life.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an awe-inspiring place. 
Picture yourself sitting at an umbrella table on their great front deck, sipping
wine and soaking in the gorgeous beauty of the hills and the vast Indian Ocean. Feel those cool breezes, forest sounds, fragrant aromas, warm sun and the
absolute peace, quiet and serenity.
Whether you are a tourist seeking to “de-stress”, or a
volunteer willing to teach in one of their youth programs, it would be one of
the most satisfying experiences of your life. Grootbos is one of those places
that create memories lasting for a lifetime.
Contact information:
Website:
www.grootbos.com
Reservations:
reservations@grootbos.co.za
Telephone: +27 28 384 8000 |
