Reviews of Garden Lodge

"What a lovely view from the lodge!

We enjoyed many of the activities that the lodge provided, including the walks and the horse riding which was in beautiful part of the estate. Excellent guides.

We felt that they were possibly trying too hard with the food, some of which didn’t quite live up to expectations." See all these reviews: 8n in South Africa

"This was one of our favourite stops. Absolute luxury, once again, with food that would be the envy of a Michelin-star restaurant! Our guide was particularly adept at imparting his knowledge of the local fynbos and coastal ecology, about which he was clearly passionate. We really enjoyed the varied activities that were specific to this location." See all these reviews: 21n in South Africa

"The Forest Lodge dining area had burnt down and was being refurbished. Consequently our room was at the Forest Lodge and we were bussed to and from the Garden Lodge for meals. This sounds awful but it worked really well, as the Garden Lodge was too child friendly for our liking and the Forest Lodge was peaceful and the rooms were superb!

But the real star was our guide Aneke, who knew everything there was to know about the Fynbos! (and also found us the only 2 whales in the area!) The drives and walks with her were lovely, the rooms were great as was the food." See all these reviews: 21n in South Africa

"It was a delight to have a few days here. The room and its outlook over the estate to the sea beyond (about a mile) was lovely. Everything was in tip-top condition and the staff were very much on the ball. Everything we had in the restaurant was excellent, well presented, and well served. We were also well looked after in the room; 10 out of 10 for service.

We thoroughly enjoyed the provided activities (with every attention to detail provided again). They are not adrenalin kicks, but gentle and well-paced. If I was to be critical at this point, I'd say that we could have had more in-depth information about whales or fynbos or archaeology. It was a bit sketchy.

Highlights were watching whales both from shore and sea. I enjoyed a look at the fynbos, and a go at horseriding." See all these reviews: 17n in South Africa

"Grootbos Garden Lodge was exquisite. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. The local guiding was cheerful and knowledgeable. And the cuisine was simply outstanding.

We enjoyed the archeology and the views from the Klipgat Cave tour, watching southern right whales in Walker Bay, as well as the natural fynbos vegetation and gardens around the lodge.

A storm system made a windy mess of our plans to be out on the water and generally shut down all activities around the game reserve. Based on our interests, the staff recommended a two hour drive out to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa. It is not a standard recommendation as it makes for a long day trip, but it was a way to make lemonade out of a day of lemons.

We were able to get in a morning shark cage dive on our departure day. Groobos staff kindly held our bags, let us shower and fed us a fabulous lunch even though the dive ran well past check out time.

Grootbos was a fantastic finale to our African safari adventure." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zanzibar; 2n in South Africa

"We LOVE Grootbos! It's a stunning place. This was our second visit and we wouldn't hesitate to go back again.

It's one of the top lodges in South Africa - even though it doesn't have a single one of the big five. What is does have is a fabulous setting above Walker Bay, lovely fynbos surrounding it, fantastic guides and staff and some of the best food we have ever eaten in the whole world (and we have been to lots of places). The Garden Lodge we stayed in was huge (two floors, two bathrooms, kitchenette, two sun decks, open fire....). We just loved it all.

We did lots of the same things we did on our last visit - horse riding, fynbos safari, visiting the caves, walk along the beach. We also did the social responsibility tour which was truly inspiring. Jo, Dickson, Anecke and Princess were all fabulous. And the kids activities were great (its not why we go but our youngest loved it this year). Definitely a top place to stay.

If there was a six star rating for such places they would get it easily." See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa

"wonderful" See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 8n in South Africa; 5n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi

"We were disappointed on arrival to find we had been moved from our preferred Forest Lodge to the Garden Lodge, especially as our room was one at the lowest level of the garden and therefore did not have the same wide view of the bay.

However we had a really good 4x4 safari in the fynbos with an excellent guide whose enthusiasm for the plants and birds was infectious. We were also lucky to be there on a day when the weather conditions encouraged a large number of whales into the bay, a number of which were within metres of the rocks so we were able to end our wildlife spotting trip with some very good whale watching.

The food was excellent and the room comfortable." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 5n in South Africa

"We thought Grootbos was FABULOUS! From are Garden Lodge which was huge to the activities which were well-organised to the great meals.

All the staff were really helpful and hospitable and the activities were brilliant - even our youngest loved the Fynbos safari with Jo as our guide (she was great).We could have stayed longer! If we go again we would spend less time in Cape Town (2 nights rather than 4) and more time here (4 nights rather than 2).Had to be one of the highlights of the trip." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa

"First class, luxury and convinience. Very interesting as well as restful. Little way out but worth it." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 5n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe