Grotto Bay Private Nature Reserve

Grotto Bay Private Nature Reserve

Situated just off the R27 West Coast Road about 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town you will find the beautiful Grotto Bay Private Nature Reserve. The 685 hectare Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 2002 and just 60 hectares of this property has been allocated for housing. Grotto Bay forms part of the Cape West Coast Biosphere reserve which was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2000. The Biosphere incorporates 378 000 hectares, and stretches from the mouth of the Diep River at Milnerton, covering the entire coastal lowland up to the far north to the Berg River at Velddrift. There are 459 biospheres around the world and of these 65 of them are in Africa and 4 of them are in South Africa. All Biospheres promote a balanced approach to the development of humans and the preservation of biodiversity in a particular region. The aim of the Cape West Coast Biosphere is to foster human development that is ecologically sustainable, conserve the landscape, vegetation and living species.

Grotto Bay's 685 hectares is made up of Strandveld and Sandveld bush and of course the 60 hectare housing estate. The reserve offers a variety of activities, including hiking. The breathtaking hiking trails wind their way through fynbos and along the coastline. During September (spring) the Strandveld comes alive with colourful flowers and the best way to explore these fields is on foot. The fynbos is also home to a large variety of bird life with over 150 species in the Reserve. On the hikes which take you past the water pans it is highly probable that you would see some of the buck roaming wild on the estate, including Duiker, Steenbok and Greysbok. There are also wild ostriches, tortoise and a variety of other wild life species on the reserve.

The Reserve is filled with exceptional character and breathtaking natural beauty. When free walking in the reserve visitors may discover the treasures of secret domestic disposal sites which were used by the Koisan people hundreds of years ago. Here you will find visible signs such as other artifacts left behind by these communities who lived off the land and sea. Nothing may be tampered with or removed from these sites.

It is the intent of the owners to build a Conservation Centre on the estate. This will showcase the estates treasures, hiking path details, provide information on fauna and flora and other information pertaining to this unique site.