Features

Whale Watching

Of the 350 whales that visit the southern coast, up to 160 Southern Right Whales make Walker Bay their home from June to December.  Whale watching tours are part of the Grootbos experience, there is no need to book prior to your arrival.  Besides seeing the amazing whales, the trip offers a complete experience of the "Marine Big Five", which includes the whales, dolphins, African Penguins, Cape Fur Seals and surface viewing of the Great White Shark. 

Flower Safaris

The Grootbos Forest is 23 hectares which makes it one of the largest forests of its kind in the world.  The forest is home to more than 750 fynbos species of flora, along with 107 bird species, 21 mammals and 21 different types of reptiles.

The Beaches of Walker Bay

The Walker Bay Nature Reserve has 14 kilometres of pristine coastline and is home to a variety of coastal birds including the African Black Oystercatcher. Grootbos guides will explain the ecology of the marine and intertidal ecosystems. You'll see long stretches of white sand, spectacular rocky cliff formations and the beauty of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. 

The Ancient Klipgat Caves

You can visit the Klipgat Cave which serves as a bridge from the present day to the areas ancient connection with the history of humanity.  Excavations by Archaeologists have uncovered some remarkable insights into the history of the area.   

Birding Tours in the Reserve

Grootbos offers "birders" a great opportunity to experience the fauna of the Southern Cape, Overberg and Hermanus. Almost 30% of the birds on the reserve alone are endemic or near endemic to Southern Africa.  These include the Black Harrier, Knysna Woodpecker, Cape Clapper-lark and Southern Tchagra knowledgeable guides are on hand both, on and off the reserve.   

Coastal Birding Tours

A trip to the Hermanus coastline or an outing with the Dyer Island boat offers you the opportunity to see endemic species such as the African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaubs Gull, Crowned-Cormorant, Cape-Cormorant, Bank Cormorant, African Penguin as well as Cape Gannet. Some pelagic species such as Shy Albatros, Sooty Shearwater and Giant Petrels are also seen from time to time.

Scenic Flights

You can take a flight and get different perspective on the surrounding mountains, vineyards, shipwrecks, sharks and whales.  You'll see the confluence of the warm Indian and the cold Atlantic Ocean create a vibrant and colourful seascape. The flight also offers a great opportunity see the majestic Cape Mountains, perfect white beaches and rocky shorelines, interspersed with rivers and villages. 

Reserve Horse Riding

The 1750-hectare Grootbos Nature Reserve provides you will great opportunities for horse riding, it has its own stables with 20 well-trained horses. Experienced riding instructors lead the horse tours and cater for all levels of riding experience, including complete novices.

Beach Horse Riding

Grootbos also offers 3-hour long beach horse riding excursions to the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. You’ll take a gentle ride through the dune fynbos, down to the beach, where you can then enjoy gallops for those who wish to, or gentle cantering beside the waves.  *Beach Horse Riding is not part of the standard Grootbos activities.  Please note that you need to have riding experience in order to take part in beach horse rides. The activity is not suitable for beginners.

Great White Shark Cage Diving and Surface Viewing

You can experience Great White Shark cage diving in Gansbaai. Cage diving is a once in a lifetime experience.  Surface viewing is an option for people wanting to see the shark, without coming face to face with it.  There is also an opportunity for a novice to cage dive with a Great White Shark, which is fully supervised. 

Wine Tours

Grootbos can take you on tailor-made wine tours around the beautiful vineyards of areas like Elim and the Overberg.

Initiatives of The Grootbos Foundation

Sustainable/Ethical Credentials

Sustainable Awards

Dining

Transfers and Connections

From Cape Town:

Take the N2 from Cape Town, past the Airport to Somerset West. Either follow the N2 over Sir Lowryís Pass turning on to the R43 after the Houhoek Pass, or take the R44 along the coast and turn onto the R43 to Hermanus. Drive through Hermanus, Grootbos is situated 13km past Stanford on the R43.

From the Garden Route:

The N2 brings you west past Swellendam and Riviersonderend. 10km past Riviersonderend turn on to the R326 to Stanford. At Stanford turn left on to the R43. Grootbos is situated 13 km from Stanford on the R43.