Luxury in Harmony with Nature

Grootbos Foundation

From its very inception, The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve based in the Overberg was always going to be more than a luxury travel destination.

The Grootbos Foundation was set up in 2003 as a non-profit organisation that would work to conserve the critically endangered fynbos, while also focusing on the training and skills development of the surrounding communities. 

Our Projects

  • Grootbos owners the Lutzeyer family established The Grootbos Foundation in 2003.
  • Beyond our programmes, we conduct research into ecological, educational and social issues – and then craft impactful solutions.
  • Your stay at Grootbos leaves a positive impact behind you when you leave.
Community. Culture. Commerce. Conservation.

We’re an organisation dedicated to empowering others through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education.

All of our projects are replicable and scalable, with many generating their own income or becoming partially self-sustaining. From coaching soccer, computer training to clearing alien vegetation, each programme has been carefully considered to build a brighter future for the people who live here, as well as the environment.

See Foundation Website

22 202 Combined Hectares of land protected in Conservancy

35 Small Business Beneficiaries

10 Rapid survey BioBlitzes per year

30 000 insect specimens pinned from 812 insect morphospecies

947 Plant species found on Grootbos

2 608 Football Foundation youth beneficiaries

12 240 Sanitary pads distributed

85 Entrepreneurship Training Beneficiaries

The Grootbos Florilegium

FLORILEGIUM (flôrəˈlējēəm).
A collection of illustrations featuring plants from a specific garden or region.

Where Nature Meets Art

Discover the Grootbos Florilegium, a unique collection of botanical illustrations by a collaboration of local and international artists. The collection depicts the rare, endangered and charismatic plants found on the Grootbos reserve and surrounding regions. What makes these artworks even more distinctive is the inclusion of insects, pollinators and other creatures associated with the flora.

Awards & Mentions

IMVELO
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Green List
Best in Poverty Reduction
Best for Conservation of an Endangered Species
Finalist: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

Get Involved

“Every action we take is designed to have a positive impact on the local community and environment”.

Be inspired. Make a difference. Change their story.

Keen to know more? We recommend going on our Living the Future tour, to see and experience our projects first hand. You’ll be inspired and develop a deeper understanding of what makes Grootbos so special.

The Grootbos Foundation is a registered NPO, is audited annually and all funds generated go towards programme delivery.  Please email us at info@grootbosfoundation.org for more information if you wish to make a donation. 

Contribute to this award winning organisation

Grootbos Foundation and global recognition

Grootbos is a world leader in sustainable tourism and has been awarded some of the highest international accolades possible, making us one of only a handful of lodges to achieve this.

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A UNIQUE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Grootbos invites you to experience our country's most precious floral biome and marine wilderness like never before. Enjoy unique guided experiences while being treated to five-star luxury at our lodges and villas. We offer South African residents an exclusive discounted rate and additional benefits. 

What's new at Grootbos - New Garden Lodge and Florilegium

The last year has been a busy one at Grootbos. We rebuilt our beloved Garden Lodge entirely and re-opened it in April 2022. We also officially launched the Grootbos Florilegium - Africa's first contemporary florilegium - which is a collection of botanical illustrations created by local and international artists, depicting the charismatic plants found on our reserve and the surrounding regions.

Click below to learn more about these exciting developments.

See New Garden Lodge See Florilegium