While it might have been slow to gather travel awards, what is has won aplenty is world acclaim as a green destination - the finest eco lodges in South Africa, to be specific. Grootbos started out as a humble passion of the Lutzeyer family, who gave up city life to have and to cherish a tract of abused farmland and fynbos between Hermanus and Gansbaai. If you drive there, it's hard to imagine that the grey-green, scrub covered hills on the landward side are part of a nature conservancy that is leading the way in fynbos conservation and environmental education. You have to take a closer look to see the magic among the micro-cosmos that is Grootbos.
From Humble Beginnings
When the family bought the land they had little idea what to do with it, so they started a self-catering lodge to help fund reclamation efforts. What they did know they had was the largest remaining stands of milkwood (an endangered tree species) forest – the Grootbos, or big forest. What they didn't know they had, was among the most precious stands of fynbos in the Cape Floristic Region world heritage site: mainly because that status did not come about until a years ago. But also because, frankly, back then nobody knew.
Soon after they bought the land, sons Michael and Tertius began building an environmentally sensitive lodge using local stone, timber and thatch. They soon found they had not only a knack for building, but for the hospitality trade. And so the lodge grew – slowly and organically – in size and reputation.
All the while father, retired industrialist Heine, was vroeteling * it the veld, where he started finding surprising stuff: rare proteas and flowering bulbs. When he discovered a previously unknown species of fynbos, the botanists took notice. Then another, and another. As Heine moved from enthusiast to expert, so the reputation of Grootbos as an eco destination grew.
To Super Stardom
No-one would call the Lutzeyers complacent ('dynamo' springs to mind). As the lodge developed, Grootbos began lobbying its neighbours to start the first conservancy in the region, which in time became the blueprint for others. Then a fynbos nursery and water-wise gardening scheme grew into the Green Skills horticultural and life-skills college. And that into the Grootbos Foundation for environmental and social development projects.
In 2001 they built a second lodge to compliment the first hobbity rough-stone complex, Garden Lodge, this time the more modern, clean, timber, steel and glass Forest Lodge. By now the international travel industry was taking notice. Since then they have garnered a slew of accolades for their conservation and hospitality efforts.
But it did not stop there, and you could always tick the superlative boxes for Grootbos: dinstinguished catering, fine local wines, outstanding service, interesting architecture and great ambience. Somehow, with no previous experience in any of these areas, Grootbos just seemed to know how to do things impeccably. And so, eventually, followed the hotel awards: top 101 hotels in the world (Tatler) three years in a row, and then the best family hotel in the world (also Tatler).
From Drab Green Scrub to Eco Lodge Gold
Year by year, room by room, plant by plant and guest by guest, the Lutzeyers realized they were sitting on bunch of dull bush turned ecotourism gold mine. They were situated on Walker Bay, considered the best land-based whale watching site it the world. They were five minutes away from Gansbaai and the shark-cage diving operators; on the property itself they could do walks – fynbos, forest and beach, guided nature trails, horse riding in the hills, as well as all the usual hotel things like a health and beauty spa, conference facility, children's and family activities.
Grootbos has proved itself to be 'groot' in many ways, and the lasting impression of the place is that it has a very big heart.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – The Facts
Garden Lodge has 11 luxury suites, all built of stone, set in the forest. Forest Lodge is of a more contemporary – and very impressive – design, with separate luxury suites built on the edge of the 'grootbos' some distance away. Both have restaurant, lounge, bar, and swimming pool area. All the units are sited to have maximum privacy and views over the reserve and Walker Bay.
Rates are from R1,980 to R3,750 depending on the season, the lodge and the unit you select. Garden Lodge accommodates children of all ages, while Forest Lodge prefers to maintain a more dignified atmosphere. Rates include luxury accommodation in free standing suites, welcome drink, five course dinner (fine cuisine prepared by master chefs), breakfast buffet with full English breakfast menu option, light lunch, fresh fruit basket daily in your suite, transfer to boat activities (shark diving or whale watching), horse riding, guided walks or drives in the reserve or to the beach, and various maps of the area for self guided walks.
For reservations contact Grootbos directly on +27 (0)28-384-8000 or check out their website.
* vroetel – to scratch around