Grootbos Nature Reserve

About Grootbos Nature Reserve

The Western Cape is home to the award-winning Grootbos Nature Reserve, which is acclaimed for being one of the most beautiful conservation reserves in the country. Under two hours drive from Cape Town, Grootbos is situated near Walker Bay, where endemic fynbos and dense forests adorn the hills around this area, which attracts spans of visitors who come to the bay to see the whales every year.

Did you know? The Grootbos reserve is dedicated to promoting the natural splendour of the Cape Fynbos Kingdom, educating its visitors, conducting important research and implementing various integral projects.

The Grootbos Nature Reserve occupies 1 750 hectares and is the proud home of more than 740 different species of plants. This ranges from hundreds of hardy fynbos shrubs to the world's largest milkwood forests.

This area is, naturally, the chosen habitat of many different animals, including birds. This flora and fauna is being protected by the conservation reserve, which aims to maintain the biodiversity and ecological balance.

The Grootbos reserve is dedicated to promoting the natural splendour of the Cape Fynbos Kingdom, educating its visitors, conducting important research and implementing various integral projects. It is a priority of the reserve to ensure that visitors play an active part in nature conservation and the upliftment of the local communities.

The magnificent beaches of the reserve are spectacular in their own rights, but also provide a unique insight into the marine life of the Western Cape. The Southern Right Whale is a common visitor to the waters, and can be seen by whale-watchers off the shore as they spyhop, lobtail and breach playfully.

Great white sharks are also common residents of these waters, although rather elusive to spectators. shark cage diving tours allow visitors to have a close encounter with these impressive hunters for a real adrenalin rush.

Hiking and exploring the caves is a must for those visiting the Grootbos Nature Reserve and wanting to experience the natural beauty at a comfortable pace. The scenery is breathtaking and guarantees lifelong memories of the splendour of the Western Cape.