Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Originally known as Melkhoutskraal, the

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Originally known as Melkhoutskraal, the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve encompasses 250 hectares of indigenous forest in the Langeberg region, close to Heidelberg. The name translates to “big father” in honour of Roelof Oelofse who owned the land in 1723. It has only been a reserve since 1986 and was declared a world heritage site in 2004.
This is the most significant stretch of indigenous afromontane forest left in the south-western Cape, with nearly all of the 35 typical forest tree species, including red alder, ironwood, stinkwood and yellowwood. Visitors to this beautiful reserve will relish the opportunity to get out into the forest on day walks and mountain biking trails.

How to get there?

When driving from Cape Town: Take the N2 from Cape Town towards George. Just past Swellendam and Buffelsjag River, take the left-hand turn-off for Suurbraak/Barrydale. Turn left and continue through the town of Suurbraak and past the turn-off for Barrydale via Tradouwpass. The tar road becomes a dirt road. Furthermore continue till a T-junction, turn left and keep left at the next fork in the road. The reserve is well signposted. Finally the road ends at the entrance gates…

Activities

Swimming

Mountain biking

Hiking and Walking

Bird Watching

Grootvadersbosch Cabins

Built and unveiled in 2016, Grootvadersbosch has 11 family/hiker cabins that are located on a ridge, with forest on either side. The cabins are arranged in two rows, with the higher cabins having expansive views of the valley, while the lower cabins look on to indigenous forest.

Built on an existing footprint, which used to be the site of the forestry staff accommodation, the cabins were made from reclaimed materials from the site, as far as possible, and are designed to have as low an impact on the area as possible.

All 11 cabins are 4-sleepers, with two bedrooms, a kuierkamer (inside braai area), a fully equipped kitchen, and a lounge with a built-in fire place. There is also an outside braai area at each unit.

Units 1-3 are built with Universal Access in mind (approved by CapeAble) and have garages, while units 8-11 also have garages (view the map below to see the unit layout).

Bedding provided: Yes
Towels provided: Yes
Electricity: Eskom, solar and gas
Kitchen equipped: Eskom power points for all appliances including fridge/freezer, microwave and toaster. Electric oven and gas hob with four burners
Braai facilities: Outdoor braai, and indoor braai in kuierkamer
Bathroom equipped: Shower only. Geyser heated by electricity and solar.

Please note cottages 7, 8 & 9 are currently closed to the public.

Grootvadersbosch Campsites

There are 10 camps. Each site looks onto indigenous forest, providing many opportunities for bird watching. Communal ablution facilities are offered, as well as a thatched communal braai area with fridge, and a children’s play area/jungle gym (no children to be left unsupervised). Campsites have braai facilities, but visitors should bring their own braai grids.

Sites available: 10 campsites
Power points: Yes
Ablution facilities: Hot water showers, toilet paper provided
Shop on-site: No
Firewood for sale: Occasionally. Bring your own to be safe as supply from neighbouring farms is sporadic.
Braai facilities: Each campsite has it’s own fireplace and there is a communal braai at the picnic area
Disabled access: No
Pets welcome: No

Conservation

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Conservation

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve conserves a significant section of indigenous forest that has most of the typical 35 forest tree species, including yellowwood, stinkwood, red alder and ironwood. Areas in which exotic trees were planted between 1896 and 1913, including camphor, eucalyptus, ash and Californian redwood and oak, are being reclaimed for indigenous species.

The reserve is home to two species only found in this particular forest, a subspecies of the forest emperor butterfly and a subspecies of the ghost frog, as well as a host of bushbuck, grysbok, baboons and smaller mammals. Leopards are occasionally spotted. This is a birder’s paradise with 196 species recorded within the reserve, including the rare striped
flufftail, Layard’s titbabbler, francolin, black and booted eagles and the beautiful sunbirds and sugarbirds. Located in a transitional rainfall zone between winter and all-year rainfall regions,the vegetation is primarily mountain fynbos, with about 1 200 plant species documented in this region.

Rates: Self Catering – From R890 per night
CAMPING – From R300 per night

Self-Catering
Scolopia Cabin (Sleep 6)
1-4 persons per nightPeak R1295

Off-peak R890Additional p/p/nR200

Camping
Campsites (10, with electricity)

Conservation fee
AdultsR40 ChildrenR20 Group-activitiesFrom R30

Category: Self Catering, Camping

Main Menu

Quick search if you know the name
Main Headings
Filter by Type
Submit