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 35,000 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. 
 
​

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. ​

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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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

​LATEST
NEWS

LAST GASPP

With the support of the Table
Mountain Fund and World Wildlife Fund, the conservancy is launching a new project to protect our rivers and the aquatic species that depend on them. MORE

GROWING FORESTS

​In partnership with Tress for Tourism, the conservancy has established a restoration site close to our office. The site has been approved by MORE

SITE GUIDE TRAINING

NEW TRAIL MAPS AVAILABLE

Cool new trail maps are available
for download on our website with information on each of the trails. MORE 

FIRST AID TRAINING

So excited to see our new hiking guides completing their two weeks
​of training. MORE

Last week we had a fabulous
​first aid training that was done by Medicare EMR. MORE

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES HAPPENING IN THE AREA:

5 OCTOBER 2019: MARLOTH MOUNTAIN RUN, SWELLENDAM
23 NOVEMBER 2019: CORONATION DOUBLE CENTURY CYCLE RACE, SWELLENDAM
​23 NOVEMBER 2019: WITSAND VLAKTE MARATHON

CONTACT THE
​GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY

OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 730 to 4pm. We are closed every second Friday.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)

email

info@gvbconservancy.co.za
​

phone

071 691 6463
(Vodacom landline during office hours)

address

Map & Directions here