“During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mandi Johnson-Aliverti, Travel Concepts' Head of Travel, decided to whisk her family away for a relaxing weekend so that they could all reconnect and temporarily escape the contagious "World Cup gees" that had descended on Cape Town. ”

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mandi Johnson-Aliverti, Travel Concepts’ Head of Travel, decided to whisk her family away for a relaxing weekend so that they could all reconnect and temporarily escape the contagious “World Cup gees” that had descended on Cape Town. This is what she had to tell us about her experience,

“Located 2 hours drive from Cape Town, past the famous whale-towns of Hermanus and Standford, lies the 1750 hectare Grootbos Nature Reserve. A luxurious and very special 5 star lodge in a world-class eco-friendly conservation reserve, set up high on the hill overlooking their fynbos reserve and ocean below.

The suites at the Forest and Garden lodges are beautifully appointed, taking full advantage of the dramatic views and changing colours outside the huge picture windows. My family and I enjoyed a long bubble bath as we watched the sunrise (yes, the kids got us up earlier than that we would have wanted!).

Grootbos is a perfect nature reserve for honeymoons, romantic getaways as well as families, there is something on offer for every age and you can partake in as much as you want or simply do nothing. Travelling with my husband and 2 young children, we visited the baby petting yard to enjoy the baby rabbits, horses and pig.

The kitchen was spectacular. We enjoyed a five course dinner whilst the kids watched the Japanese vs. Uruguay FIFA World Cup game in the small conference centre on a huge screen.

When we walked back to our free standing suite through the milkwood forest, it was like a fairy tale with a surreal full moon shining behind the clouds, a memory I will never forget.

In the morning our guide Kevin took us to De Kelders private beach where we climbed into an amazing cave and we were given a fascinating and enlightening talk about the Bushman and the history in the area. The beach is beautiful, long and pristine and often used by Grootbos guests for picnics and horse rides.

There are many activities to keep you busy and intrigued all day from flower safaris to horse rides, from whale watching to shark cage diving, from bird tours to cave tours.

I would highly recommend Grootbos for mini-moons (a honeymoon of only a few days), family travel and those interested in conservation and flora.”