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The Secret Season

The Epitome of Luxury at our Exclusive Grootbos Villas

Special valid from 10 April to 31 August 2024 for South African Residents only  

Indulge in a leisurely getaway at the Grootbos Private Villas where luxury is found in every detail. 

The change of season brings exciting gifts to the land surrounding Grootbos. Known as the Secret Season, the earth starts to come alive after winter's first rains are welcomed, and the sensational show begins. Stunning colours transform the fields of fynbos as we start to see the winter blooms.  

Your private and knowledgeable guide will ensure a tailor-made experience as you customise your exclusive villa stay with us. Enjoy stimulating flower safaris or welcome the southern right whales as they make their annual voyage to our warmer waters.

Relax back at the villa and let your dedicated Grootbos team ensure your absolute comfort. Rejuvenating spa treatments assure relaxation and award-winning wines from our exclusive collection are to be enjoyed at dinner where your private chef prepares deliciously innovative meals that are perfectly paired with mesmerising sunsets.

Nature holds many secrets waiting to be told. Allow us to share them with you during our Secret Season.

**PLEASE NOTE: This special does not apply to group bookings consisting of 4 rooms or more.

Book our Secret Season Special at Grootbos Private Villas and Receive up to 55% off your stay and 50% off spa treatments
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Example itinerary of your Secret Season Experience

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Overview

Delight in the magnificent views from the Grootbos Private Villa as you arrive and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink. Your personal chef has prepared a delicious lunch with the finest fresh ingredients, grown on our organic farm. Discuss your ideal adventure at Grootbos with your private guide.

Allow us to introduce you to some of the Reserve on horseback from our stables or take things slow with a revitalising spa treatment after lunch. At sunset, enjoy a delicious sundowner of your choice as the sky shows off its winter palette, exploding with warm colours and bidding the day farewell.

The Experience

Overview

The Marine Big-Five tour is worth the early start. Just a short drive from Grootbos, board a luxury boat at Kleinbaai harbour and head out for an exciting morning. Look out for the Marine Big-Five which includes whales, sharks, penguins, dolphins and seals and then return to the lodge for a little bit of downtime.

In the afternoon, learn about the Cape Floral Kingdom, her plants and their fascinating pollinators on an exhilarating 4x4 flower safari with your private nature guide. Choose from our world-class collection of wine, which, pairs well with the delectable cuisine prepared just for you.

The Experience

Overview

A coastal safari is in store for you today. Learn about the historic Klipgat caves and the people who lived there many millennia ago. Experience Walker Bay and its magnitudinal beauty as you enjoy a leisurely drive along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Indulge in your final dinner to end it all off with a five-course feast, a celebration of local flavours made especially for you by innovative culinarians.

The Experience

Overview

A wholesome breakfast follows a relaxed morning listening to the sweet birdsong from the comfort of your luxurious canopy bed. Birders rejoice in the Lady Stanford River Boat, where you can see a bevvy of bird species.

After you have returned to Grootbos Private Villas, savour your final moments with a mouthwatering lunch prepared with love by your private chef and once you are packed and ready, bid farewell to the luxurious Villa and leave with unforgettable memories made.

The Experience

Secret Season Special Accommodation

Up To 55% Off the Normal Rates

Private Villas
From R64,500 pn

Private Villas

Our two secluded villas offer unparalleled luxury and privacy with expansive views over Walker Bay and the pristine fynbos of Grootbos. The Sunbird Villa (4-bedroom) and Fynbos Villa (6-bedroom) both boast state-of-the-art amenities and world-class personalised service. Be treated to superb culinary delights by your private chef and butler, while your private guide creates once-in-a-lifetime experiences tailor-made to your desires.

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Forest Lodge
From R6,950 pppn sharing

Forest Lodge

Surrounded by an ancient milkwood forest on one side and fragrant fynbos on the other, Forest Lodge offers a relaxing and tranquil experience. The 16 spacious and exquisitely decorated suites provide the perfect retreat to connect with nature and loved ones while soaking up the stunning panoramic views.

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Garden Lodge
From R6,950 pppn sharing

Garden Lodge

The spacious and elegant Garden Lodge with its floor-to-ceiling windows create a feeling of being connected with the pristine nature outside. Enjoy one of the best views in Africa from the luxurious lounge area and dine amongst some of South Africa’s finest wines in our brand-new wine cellar.

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Your stay at the Villa includes

5 STAR LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE VILLA

Enjoy a luxurious stay in our six- and four-bedroom Grootbos Private Villas. The villas are a perfect space for friend groups or family to make life-long memories.

50% OFF SPA TREATMENTS

Our Secret Season Special includes 50% off spa treatments. Enjoy a luxurious pamper session in the privacy of your villa, in our elegant treatment rooms, or even in the milkwood forest.

PRIVATE GUIDE

A private guide and vehicle for your entire stay, for guided adventures and transfers to and from activities.

PERSONAL CHEF

A private chef is available to customise your food experience during your villa stay.

FULLY INCLUSIVE MEALS

As part of your Grootbos Private Villa experience, a private chef is on hand to create world-class meals, specifically for you and your guests.

FYNBOS HORSEBACK EXPERIENCE

Horse riding on the reserve, for both experienced and beginner riders.

GUIDED WALKS

Guided walks include fynbos nature tours and Milkwood forest walks.

NATURE ADVENTURES

Nature, marine and coastal drives, including visits to the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, De Kelders Klipgat Cave, as well as seasonal land-based whale watching.

Experience Grootbos This Secret Season

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

The southernmost tip of Africa is a melting pot of diversity. It is known for being, the ‘Serengeti of the Sea’, home to the Marine Big 5 and the Cape Floral Kingdom. Grootbos, a 5-star Premium luxury eco-reserve is expertly tucked into the gentle slopes above this abundant coastline and offers the perfect location to explore and discover all there is on offer with a dedicated guide at hand.

Luxury Accommodation

Set on gentle sloping fynbos hills, nestled between ancient forests, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers a secluded, luxury escape. Experience the intimate atmosphere of Forest Lodge, the warmth of African hospitality at Garden Lodge or the epitome of luxury at the Grootbos Villas. All of our accommodation at Grootbos has been designed to complement our pristine natural setting, while never compromising on style or luxury.

The Grootbos Experience

At Grootbos we have curated a collection of life-changing experiences inspired by our pristine surroundings that will leave your mind, body and soul invigorated and refreshed. This natural eco-paradise is filled with remarkable treasures to explore. Whether it’s a fynbos flower safari, a private picnic feast on the reserve or exploring the bounty of the marine world in the bay below, this unique piece of nature holds innumerable secrets to discover. 

The Marine Big 5

Grootbos is perfectly positioned to overlook the incredible Walker Bay. Often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Sea’ these waters are brimming with an abundance of marine life.  Whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins feed, frolic and play in this marine wonderland. Join us this Secret Season for a guided marine safari, boat-based whale watching, unforgettable shark experiences or a scenic flight and be inspired by the prolific bounty this marine sanctuary holds.

The Cape Floral Kingdom

In the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom lies Grootbos Private Nature Reserve surrounded by unique floral landscapes, where endemic botanical species, birds, insects, and animals abound. With 907 recorded plant species in our 3500 hectares of pristine wilderness, the fascinating story of fynbos and forest will be brought to life as you touch, smell and see the natural miracles that surround you.

Conserving our Future

Protecting the pristine fynbos landscapes and uplifting the surrounding communities is at the very core of the Grootbos DNA. Become part of a journey and discover the innovative ways Grootbos conserves the critically endangered fynbos of the region and creates shared value with surrounding communities. The Grootbos experience will leave you inspired to make a difference and give you a deeper understanding of nature.

A Magical Dining Experience

Food is life and the food philosophy at Grootbos embraces intimacy, sustainability, creativity and is destination dining at its very best. With an experienced chef team on hand, Grootbos menus draw inspiration from the rich biodiversity of the surrounding fynbos and the fresh local seasonal produce the region has to offer. Enjoy these sumptuous creations in the privacy of our wine cellar, from the hillside hideaway setting of our restaurant with endless views into the horizon or in one of the best venues nature has to offer under a star-studded evening sky, in an ancient Milkwood forest.   

Where Wine Meets Wilderness

The southernmost region of Africa is renowned for producing some of the world’s most prestigious boutique wines. Known for their complex and refined flavours, these unique wines are influenced by the elemental characteristics of the local terroir. Inspired by the creativity of the wines of the Overberg region, Grootbos has carefully curated a premium collection of local wines. At Grootbos we delight in sharing our passion for wine with our guests. Join our expert sommelier guides as they take you through the range of exciting tastes and flavours showcasing the region's interpretations of the quintessential varieties. 

An Ancient Milkwood Forest

The presence of ancient and indigenous Milkwood forests shapes Grootbos into a magical destination straight out of a fairytale. The reserve provides a protected sanctuary to three of only ten milkwood forests in the Western Cape. It is amongst these 800-year-old forests that Grootbos has carefully laid out their exquisite 5-star eco-luxury lodges. As an oasis of birdlife, insects and small mammals, these special forests showcase the intricacies of nature. Explore the mysteries of these ancient forests with a dedicated guide and enjoy the peace and tranquillity these forests bring.

The Beauty Of Walker Bay

As the sun glistens over the ocean, it beckons us to explore the wonders of Walker Bay. This rich coastline is home to ancient caves, picture-perfect beaches and a marine paradise brimming with life. Join our exceptional guides as they explore this unique coastline through an array of adventurous, relaxing and fun experiences. Discover the ancient caves rich with the history of our ancestors, take a stroll along the endless white sandy beaches and sip champagne as you watch the spectacular sunset from the limestone cliffs. 

The Great White Shark

The Walker Bay region is home to the most accessible of the Great White Shark colonies in the world. This fascinating apex marine predator can grow to over 6 meters in length and live to over 70 years. Our partner Marine Dynamics will ensure a fascinating shark experience. Take the time to learn more about these fascinating and misunderstood creatures with a life-changing marine adventure this Secret Season at Grootbos. 

Erica and the Bee

Every year one particular fynbos species transforms the surrounding Grootbos landscape into a canvas of unbelievable pink. Found nowhere else in the world, this rare Erica irregularis is a wonder to witness. Immerse yourself in the soft hues of the fields with a 4x4 Flower Safari, Horse Riding Experience or a ‘Hive to Home’ honey experience and learn more about this distinctive flower.

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En-route to Grootbos

We may be an unforgettable destination but the journey here is an experience in its own right.  Marvel at dramatic unspoilt views, stop in at some unique attractions and absorb all the exquisite natural beauty that surrounds you.

Franschhoek Winelands
Stony Point Penguins
Hermanus Wine Route
Stellenbosch Wine Route
Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
Kogelberg Coastal Route
Hermanus
Whale Coast Route

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. 

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