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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 beekeeping to animal husbandry, recycling candles to 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.
959 160
Contact hours with sports outreach participants
7 993
Participants in sports development activities
Staff
Zokhanyo Bekani
Community Farm Supervisor & Facilitator
Ziyanda Metsho
Spaza Shop Assistant
Zimasa Gobingca
Spaza Assistant
Viola Siyotywa
Green Futures Lecturer
Susanna Lochner
Early Learning Centre Project Manager
Siyabonga Mankayi
Community Farm Asistant
Simone Davel
Project Manager
Shereen Van Der Merwe
Hockey Coach
Sharlene De Villiers
Nursery & Landscaping Manager
Sean Privett
Conservation Director
Ruth Crichton
Pr & Communications Manager
Rebecca Dames
Environmental Officer
Power Nonkwekwe
Assistant Beekeeper
Pontsho Chiloane
Community Farm Manager
Natasha Bredekam
Football Foundation Project Manager
Mziyanda Matiwane
Soccer Coach
Lindsay Hanekom
Operations Manager
Lily Upton
Community Farm Project Manager
Karin Blumer
Fundraising Manager
Julie Cheetham
Managing Director
Johan Strydom
Growing The Future Farm Manager
Danver August
Coach (Rugby/Cricket)
Corrie Avenant
Coach (Athletics/Rugby/Cricket)
Celina Danisa
Nursery Support
Bulelani Bashe
Nursery Support
Anchelle Damon
Ecd Facilitator & Netball Coach
Zokhanyo  Bekani
Community Farm Supervisor & Facilitator
Ziyanda  Metsho
Spaza Shop Assistant
Zimasa  Gobingca
Spaza Assistant
Viola  Siyotywa
Green Futures Lecturer
Susanna  Lochner
Early Learning Centre Project Manager
Siyabonga  Mankayi
Community Farm Asistant
Simone  Davel
Project Manager
Shereen  Van Der Merwe
Hockey Coach
Sharlene  De Villiers
Nursery & Landscaping Manager
Sean  Privett
Conservation Director
Ruth  Crichton
Pr & Communications Manager
Rebecca  Dames
Environmental Officer
Power  Nonkwekwe
Assistant Beekeeper
Pontsho  Chiloane
Community Farm Manager
Natasha  Bredekam
Football Foundation Project Manager
Mziyanda  Matiwane
Soccer Coach
Lindsay  Hanekom
Operations Manager
Lily  Upton
Community Farm Project Manager
Karin  Blumer
Fundraising Manager
Julie  Cheetham
Managing Director
Johan  Strydom
Growing The Future Farm Manager
Danver  August
Coach (Rugby/Cricket)
Corrie  Avenant
Coach (Athletics/Rugby/Cricket)
Celina  Danisa
Nursery Support
Bulelani  Bashe
Nursery Support
Anchelle  Damon
Ecd Facilitator & Netball Coach
Awards & Mentions
IMVELO
National Geographic
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Green List
Best in Poverty Reduction
Best for Conservation of an Endangered Species
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.
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.
COVID-19 is highlighting the fragility of our economic and societal systems. Grootbos’s work is fundamentally linked to building sustainable systems and is invigorated by our vision for the future.