by Kimberley O'Sullivan, 4 February 2010

Last week I woke up early, slipped out of my soft white bed, parted the mosquito netting and walked onto my private deck, enjoying the crystal clear view of Walker Bay, and Cape Point in the distance.

The sun had just pinked the sky, a few birds chirped from the fynbos and far away I could hear the neigh of a horse. I was in Grootbos Nature Reserve, found in the fertile Whale Coast and Overberg region of the Western Cape.

The Secret Overberg & Whale Coast

Literally meaning 'over the mountain', the Overberg is an undulating landscape discovered centuries ago by ox-driven wagons, the remnants of which can still be found today.

Inland takes you towards the scenic R62, while a diversion south takes you to the Whale Coast, a stretch of coastline bursting with fynbos reserves, ocean-side wine farms and of course, the best whale-watching in the country.

Often missed by travellers looking for big 5 safaris in Kruger or fabulous Cape Town city breaks, the Overberg & Whale Coast is a hidden delight, offering incredible nature experiences, and rejuvenating fresh sea air that invigorates the soul.

But why Grootbos?

Charm, Champagne and Conservation

Grootbos Nature Reserve is a conservation haven, a private eco-lodge, and a culinary delight all rolled into one. We arrived to a flute of bubbling champagne, our bags vanishing to our as-yet-undiscovered private suites.

We wander around Grootbos Forest Lodge, a contemporary and elegant lodge set within an 800 year-old Milkwood forest, and with 180 degree views of the dune belt, Walker Bay and the fynbos reserve.

After exclaiming over the champagne bar, infinity swimming pool and tranquil koi fishpond, we bundled into the Grootbos Quantum and really learnt what Responsible African Travel is all about.

Understanding Sustainability

'Eco-conscious', 'environmentally friendly'...they're words we bandy about to sound 'green', but sometimes our thoughts of 'solar panels' and 'community drives' are quite inadequate.

At Grootbos, social responsibility and conservation are key to everything they do. The independent Grootbos Foundation actively and purposefully uses a hands-on approach to promote sustainability, education and conservation.

Guests can choose to embark on a social responsibility tour, support a child, plant a Future Tree, or simply just enjoy their luxury experience. However, you never feel pushed to contribute. And that's why it works.

Green Futures at Grootbos

We leave Forest Lodge and arrive at Grootbos Garden Lodge, a family friendly lodge that is also home to Green Futures - a horticultural and life skills college that trains young people from the community as fynbos landscapers and horticulturalists.

Fellow Go2African Carlien was impressed: " One of the most important aspects of the project is that it does not create dependency like so many other charity projects. There's a set criteria for the applicants and at the end of the year they walk away with a proper qualification equipped with important life skills".

From the bright classroom to the rows of amazing smelling plants, Green Futures presents itself as more than a project, it is a committed initiative that combines social responsibility to the community with the conservation of indigenous fynbos.

Organic Produce & Empowering Women

Just down the road is the Grootbos Foundation's new 6-month old project: Growing the Future.

Giggles from the canteen indicate the female trainees are enjoying lunch, and while we wander along neat rows of organic produce, taste a ripe tomato and play with Gallileo the golden retriever, we find out all about food production and the promotion of subsistence farming in the community.

8 women a year are given life skills that include computer literacy, health literacy and numeracy, as well as the basics of animal husbandry, co-operative land use and vegetable growing.

It's not just a charitable venture however; Growing the Future supplies all the organic produce used by the lodges, as well uses the sale of extra produce to further the project.

Diski Dancing at Spaces for Sport

The fresh smells of fynbos and home-grown strawberries behind us, we make our way into the town of Gansbaai, most well-known for its white shark-cage diving.

Arriving at Spaces for Sport, I'm blown away by world-class facilities: netball courts, rugby fields, cricket nets and the first for southern Africa: an artificial turf soccer pitch.

Groups of brightly dressed children from nearby township Masakhane, and the communities of Blompark and Gansbaai kick balls, dance, play and best of all, smile.

Aneen Uys comes out to greet us, her heart and passion clearly behind this community development. As she talks, a group of boys trot onto the field and begin a warm-up dance that is a joy to watch, while behind us a shy, but growing group of girls take their place on the netball court.

Volunteers from all over the world train and coach these kids from restless individuals into glowing girls and boys with great self-esteem and pride. And no one tells them to be at practice; they're there because they love it.

Responsible African Travel

The Grootbos Foundation's far-reaching projects touch down on key areas in this Whale Coast community, imparting valuable life skills and responsible practices - a community about conservation.

We return to Forest Lodge wiser; knowing that our vegetables at dinner came from an organic vegetable patch and that the receptionist is a graduate of Green Futures made our luxury stay far more meaningful and fulfilling.

And that's responsible African travel.

Readers' Comments:

Have you had any socially responsible travel experiences in Africa? Let us know.

Article © Copyright 2010 Go2Africa.

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