Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Extension

Arrive in Cape Town and be transferred via Hermanus to the luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, set in the heart of 3,500 hectares of pristine wilderness. Spend the afternoon settling into your comfortable Forest Lodge Suite, which is surrounded by milkwood trees and boasts a private, spacious deck. Relax and soak up the serenity of your lush surroundings.

After breakfast, decide how to spend your day. Choose from an extensive range of activities, designed to offer an immersive discovery of the nature reserve’s pristine wilderness. Explore the array of unique landscapes on horseback or stroll through an 1,000-year-old Milkwood forest. Perhaps hike up the fynbos-clad mountains and delight in a 4WD botanical safari accompanied by an expert naturalist guide, who will offer enriching insights into this bio-diverse region. Alternatively, join a captivating whale watching excursion from July through to December (additional expense). You may also spot dolphins, penguins, seals, and sharks. Tonight, savour a delectable five-course dinner, crafted from locally sourced, organic produce.

This morning, indulge in a breakfast served with fresh ingredients from the reserve’s private farm. Then, set off on another day of exciting activities. You might like to embark on a scenic coastal drive or walk. Perhaps explore the nearby coastal limestone caves and learn about the traces of early human life that were found here, dating back to the Middle and Late Stone Age. Alternatively, head off on an immersive birdwatching safari in the nature reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for secretary birds, osprey and snake-eagles.

Sometimes referred to as the Mother City, Cape Town is the most famous port in South Africa and is influenced by many different cultures, including Dutch, British and Malay. The port was founded in 1652 by Dutch explorer Jan Van Riebeeck, and evidence of Dutch colonial rule remains throughout the region. The port is located on one of the world’s most important trade routes, and is mainly a container port and handler of fresh fruit. Fishing is another vital industry, with large Asian fishing fleets using Cape Town as a logistical repair base for much of the year. The region is famous for its natural beauty, with the imposing Table Mountain and Lions Head, as well as the many nature reserves and botanical gardens such as Kirstenbosch which boasts an extensive range of indigenous plant life, including proteas and ferns. Cape Town’s weather is mercurial, and can change from beautiful sunshine to dramatic thunderstorms within a short period. A local adage is that in Cape Town you can experience four seasons in one day.