Set on a nature reserve overlooking Walker Bar, Grootbos Garden Lodge is a five-star eco-paradise boasting surrounds of mountains, forest and sea. With 2500 hectares of pristine wilderness to explore and space to dine and relax in two lodges surrounded by a Milkwood forest, Grootbos puts guests at the heart of serenity and adventure.
Location
The lodge is set within manicured gardens in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve above Walker Bar, two hours from Cape Town. With 2,500 hectares of valleys, hills and mountains, the reserve is at the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. There is plenty to explore on the hills of the reserve, as well as an abundance of marine life down at Walker Bay including the marine Big Five. It’s also just a short distance from Hermanus on the Garden Route.
Rooms
The 11 suites in the Garden Lodge are connected to the main area via walkways and are freestanding among the trees to offer space and privacy. They are decorated in a modern African style with natural fabrics and colours and tall ceilings. Interiors have a small kitchen area, a wood-burning stove and a separate lounge that open out to decks overlooking Walker Bay. Stone-tiled en-suites have under-floor heating and large, open showers.
Communal Areas
The main area is an open-plan space with a homely and contemporary African atmosphere. Artefacts and prints line the walls and modern furnishings run throughout. There is a dining area offering panoramic ocean and fynbos views from its large deck and an inviting pool area surrounded by gardens. Inside, there is a lounge and bar with high-beamed ceilings, wooden floors and a bookshelf full of reading material. The lodge also has horse stables and a petting zoo housing ducks, chickens and rabbits
Activities
Guests can take guided nature walks through 1,000 year old milkwood forests and 790 plant species or botanical 4×4 tours through the reserve.
For the brave, shark cage diving is available at Gansbaai, as well as whale watching and marine safaris in search of the marine Big Five (Whales, sharks, dolphins, penguins and seals). Explore the landscape on horseback, take guided coastal safaris or even scenic flights to see the rugged coastline, shipwrecks and marine life from on high.
Full Board
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER
The arrival of Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! The end of May also marks the start of whale season as Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales can be found off the coast in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING - WHALE SEASON
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 20°C/67°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer. Southern Right whales can be found off the coast in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 22°C/71°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer. The end of the whale season, as the Southern Right whales depart for other waters.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
The arrival of the summer, clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind make this a wonderful time to visit. Middy temperatures are comfortable with midday highs generally reaching around 23°C/73°F. Nights are still on the cool side.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
The arrival of the summer, clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind make this a wonderful time to visit. Middy temperatures are comfortable with midday highs generally reaching around 24°C/76°F. Nights are warm but pleasent.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
