GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY
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- ENTER  -

A SECRET WORLD
OF ANCIENT
FORESTS & FYNBOS.

Hidden away along the Langeberg Mountains,
near Swellendam in South Africa, age-old towering trees cover mysterious valleys.
In between, brilliant fynbos and lush green crops creep over
mountains and lands. 

YOU'VE  ENTERED THE
GROOTVADERSBOSCH
CONSERVANCY.

Here the farming community has joined forces to form a NON-PROFIT TRUST
​to promote conservation on private land. 


Together we protect 25,000 hectares of critically-endangered
​flora and forest patches, and the wildlife that thrives here. Our members are long-standing commercial farmers who care deeply about the lands' agricultural and conservation value.
And together, we keep these mutually-dependent elements IN HARMONY. 

 
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WANDER THROUGH OUR
MAJESTIC FORESTS
​- OH, AND BRING YOUR BIKE
​OR RUNNING GEAR.  

​The Grootvaderbosch Conservancy is your space to reconnect with the natural world. ​

Strawberry Hill Farm
Grootvadersbosch Trail Run
Grootvadersbosch Hiking
Mountain Bike Grootvadersbosch
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Mountain Bike Grootvadersbosch

We've created a series of
​mountain bike trails

- to suit beginner-cyclists, to those ready for the ultimate challenge. Head off on one of our six trails daily
(our expert cycling guides are ready to join you). The Grootvaderbosch trails lead you through our indigenous pockets of forest,
and our fynbos and renosterveld landscapes. By supporting our trails, you’re also supporting our non-profit conservation efforts.

"We had a freaking fantastic time on your trails and
I am super impressed with what you have done.
The area you have managed to cover is large giving
that rad feeling of getting out into the 'wilderness'
​and your trail work is exemplary!”

- Dan Dobinson, Iride Africa

SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME
IN OUR CAPE CORNER.  

Strawberry Hill Farm
Fleckvieh
Skeiding

Stay over at any of the accommodation options.

 We're situated at the start of the world-famous Garden Route, along the N2, in the Southern Cape in South Africa.
Enjoy rustic cottages, five-star guesthouses with majestic views, or stylish tented accommodation on
​farms across the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy. Find out more.
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HERE'S WHAT WE DO TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL WORLD.

​As a non-profit trust, we are donor-driven. And so we use our tourism income to support our Trust work. We clear invasive alien vegetation from our rivers, wetlands and natural areas, manage fires together, provide environmental education opportunities, and introduce YOU to our area through our eco-tourism programme. ​We also keep our trails maintained, thereby ​creating jobs for local people. 
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WE'RE PROTECTING
UNIQUE, SPECIAL WILDLIFE...

In fact, the Grootvaderbosch Conservancy is not JUST A NON-PROFIT TRUST, we are also an Important Biodiversity and Bird Area (Birdlife SA). We are neighbours to the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve (managed by CapeNature) and Boosmansbos Wilderness Area.
Our large Afromontane Forest areas give life to many special species. The Forest Buzzard, Knysna Woodpecker,
Knysna Warbler and African Crowned Eagle can be found here. A subspecies of the Forest Emperor Butterfly is
ONLY found here. As are the Cape Ghost Frog and Grootvaderbosch Dwarf Chameleon. These species live in our forests, fynbos
and our renosterveld patches. Find out more.
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Our fertile country is fed by the series of rivers that run through our farmland.

The conservancy is a mountain catchment area. Our rivers give life to our agricultural and natural landscapes;
​as well as to communities living downstream from us. And our wetlands are listed as endangered and critically endangered. 

"Absolutely stunning!!!! If you love to MTB, or trail run, get out on the well created and maintained trails. With black, red, blue and green routes, there's something for all enthusiasts.”

- Zoe Merson-Davies

Water Tank

​LATEST
NEWS

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Biocontrol Workshop

​Watch a video about our recent biocontrol workshop with Dr Fiona Impson
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LANDOWNER OPEN DAY

Read more about our landowner engagement day 
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BIODIVERSITY Management Plan for the Barrydale Redfin

Drafting an updated BMP for the Barrydale/Tradouw Redfin

Restoration Networking

Join the restoration network to build a stronger restoration community.  
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IKI networking Event

In March we joined other IKI projects to support the global green transition

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES HAPPENING IN THE AREA:


13-16 June 2025: Silver Mountain Music Festival
1-2 August 2025: Bwell Around the Pot Cycle Race


CONTACT THE
​GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY

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OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 7:30am to 3pm. We are closed the last Friday of the month.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)

email

[email protected]
​
Map & Directions here

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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Copyright 2018 - 2021 Grootvadersbosch Conservancy. All rights reserved | Created with care by LoveGreen
  • Home
  • About
  • NEWS
  • Support
  • What we do
    • Protecting Rivers >
      • IUCN Tradouw Redfin Project
    • Alien Clearing
    • Training
    • Environmental Education
    • Forest Restoration >
      • IKI Restoration project
    • Fire
  • Play
    • Ride >
      • Red Route-Open
      • Blue Route-open
      • Black Route-open
      • Green Route-open
    • Birding
    • Guided Walks
  • Stay
  • Contact