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Grootbos one of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World
We are so proud to have been named one of The National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, now part of a small collection of global sustainable hotels and lodges that provide travellers with enriching, authentic, and inspiring guest experiences.
National Geographic chooses its ‘Unique Lodges of the World’ carefully. Each selected inn, lodge, or resort celebrates its local culture and wildlife and encourages guests to engage with their environment.
National Geographic describes their chosen few as “Authentic, revealing the true nature of a place and its people. Sustainable, preserving our unique world for the next generation. Enriching, offering our guests experiences that move and inspire them. Exceptional, providing top-quality guest experiences.”
“We share and appreciate the values and high quality standards of National Geographic” said Michael Lutzeyer, part-owner and founder of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. “We believe that by forming this partnership, we will reach the audiences that would appreciate what we have to offer and enable us to continue preserving this region’s unique and incredible biodiversity."
National Geographic deployed experts to each site to evaluate operations, meet staff at all levels, scrutinize the lodge’s impact on the local environment and community and ensure that these criteria were met.
“By creating this carefully curated group of hotels, lodges and retreats that meet internationally recognized sustainable tourism criteria while providing top-notch guest experiences, National Geographic opens a new chapter in the power of travel to protect our planet,” said Costas Christ, a world-renowned sustainable tourism expert and editor at large for National Geographic Traveler magazine, who coordinated an international team to inspect each of the lodges. “Travelers can feel confident when they stay in one of these lodges that they are helping to safeguard cultural and natural treasures in some of the world’s most incredible places.”
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is proud to offer guests who book their stay through National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World a special “National Geographic Exclusive” experience, which includes an exclusive dinner under the stars in the enchanting Milkwood Forest boma..
“The National Geographic brand is universally recognized for its commitment to exploring and protecting the planet, so we are uniquely positioned to unite and promote these exceptional properties and to set a new standard for tourism,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Travel. “These lodges share the Society’s vision of preserving the planet for future generations and they demonstrate that sustainability and a world-class guest experience can go hand-in-hand.”
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World charter members are:
Grootbos is a world leader in sustainable tourism and has been awarded some of the highest international accolades possible, making us one of only a handful of lodges to achieve this.
What's new at Grootbos - New Garden Lodge and Florilegium
The last year has been a busy one at Grootbos. We rebuilt our beloved Garden Lodge entirely and re-opened it in April 2022. We also officially launched the Grootbos Florilegium - Africa's first contemporary florilegium - which is a collection of botanical illustrations created by local and international artists, depicting the charismatic plants found on our reserve and the surrounding regions.
Click below to learn more about these exciting developments.
05 April 
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