Small Town Charm

Delicious seafood restaurants, quaint coffee shops, delis with freshly baked goods and upmarket shops have emerged to tempt your sensory palate. As you meander along the promenade there are several African craft markets to browse through and on occasion, the outside area is graced with the vivacious presence of a marimba band.

There are lots of things to do in this Overberg town. For a touch of adventure simply hop into a kayak and paddle down a calm lagoon or brace the choppy waves. Golf lovers can test their swing on one of the exquisite golf courses. It is highly recommended to take a drive down Hemel-en-Aarde road to relish the taste and view of the wine farms nestled in the picturesque landscape. However, there is really one main reason why this is a one-of-a-kind destination: The Southern Right Whales.

The Southern rights spend half the year around the Antarctic devouring food, they then journey to this small stretch of coastline in South Africa to have a family vacation. They come here to mate, calve and play with their young. Hermanus is the best land-based whale watching spots in the world, during the season. It is the perfect destination to watch these colossal mammals frolic in the water. There is even a whale crier that stands alert and blows his kelp horn to signal any sightings. Grootbos also offers guests the option to take a boat tour or a scenic flight to view mother and calf from above.

Every year near the end of September the Hermanus Whale Festival celebrates these majestic animals. This weekend is full of activities with a carnival, live music, comedy shows, marathons, culinary delights and it offers something fun for the whole family. The whale festival is a riveting experience and the only enviro-arts festival in South Africa

Tranquillity and Proximity

Grootbos is the perfect place to live luxuriously and enjoy the tranquillity of nature whilst still being close to all the festivities. There could be nothing better than having an exciting day of exploring the incredible marine life than to return to Grootbos to relax in your private suite in absolute serenity. Grootbos emanates a feeling of total isolation as it is sitting in the heart of a fynbos biome and nestled in an enchanting Milkwood Forest that bears centuries of wisdom. The self-standing suites embody luxury with a private wooden deck, expansive modern bathroom, separate lounge and a lush bedroom.

If you haven’t gotten enough of the marine life however, Grootbos is situated close to Gansbaai, which is renowned for shark cage diving. Embark on one of the most exhilarating activities with a face-to-face encounter with a great white shark.

Few exotic destinations can offer such rare spectacles all in one place, so for a trip that will be etched in your memory forever we highly recommended a holiday at Grootbos when scouting for accommodation in the Western Cape.

The accommodation fee is all-inclusive with gourmet meals (breakfast, lunch and a six-course extravaganza for dinner), land-based activities and a picnic on one of our unspoiled beaches. Some of the activities that are included in the special are horseback riding, 4x4 flower safaris, invigorating hikes, a tour of ancient caves and bird watching tours.