The Season Of Fires

14 January

General

Fire Season 2025

Now that the dust has settled after a series of wildfires moved through our reserve and the surrounding areas, we wanted to take a moment to share an update on what happened, but also on what the future holds for the reserve and for the experience of our guests at Grootbos.

Nature Reminds Us Of Her Power

Grootbos has always been a place shaped by nature. In late November, we were reminded of Mother Nature’s power when a series of wildfires moved across our reserve and some surrounding areas during a hot, dry, and windy spell in the Overberg.

The fire spread quickly across the landscape and reached parts of the Grootbos reserve. This wildfire was the largest in size and spread that we have seen in over two decades, and it ended up burning roughly a quarter of the Grootbos reserve, transforming certain portions of the lush green landscape into a charred and barren moonscape.

The reserve now resembles a patchwork quilt with contrasting green and burnt areas, showing the stark difference between the thriving ecosystems that once flourished and the areas that appear desolate for now.

Preparing For The Inevitable

Fire is not unusual in our unique fynbos biome, particularly during summer, and because of this, our team is constantly planning, training and preparing for the eventuality of one of nature’s most destructive forces. Over the past 20 years, Grootbos has seen its fair share of wildfires, some small and insignificant, and others a lot wilder, like the one that destroyed one of our lodges in 2006. This has led us to constantly improve and strengthen our fire management strategies. 

For many years, our reserve team has been regularly engaging in alien plant clearing, cutting of firebreaks and conducting controlled burns, all to effectively manage wildfire risks.

These ongoing efforts, together with support from surrounding properties and fire management teams in the broader area, all greatly helped to protect our lodges during the recent fires. We are deeply grateful to everyone who worked tirelessly on the frontline of the fire and in the lodges over several intense days.

A special thanks must go out to the Overstrand and Overberg fire departments, the Greater Overberg FPA, the NCC teams, as well as our surrounding neighbours who assisted throughout this time.

Calm In The Face Of Disaster

While the fire burned, our teams at the lodges showed tremendous calmness and professionalism, a testament to their thorough training and experience.

Guests were kept well-informed and well-supported every step of the way, and when the decision was made to be prudent and evacuate, guests were seamlessly and calmly taken to safety. Throughout the ordeal, guests felt safe and very well cared for by our remarkable teams.

Due to the combined efforts of everyone involved and the incredible teamwork, no people were injured, and there was only minimal damage to non-critical infrastructure on the reserve.

Sadly, some of the wildlife on the reserve, that could not escape the blaze, have succumbed to the fire, which is a difficult yet natural part of this ecological process. However, we are confident that nature will prevail as always and come back even stronger.

From Fire To Renewal

Fire, although scary and destructive by nature, is an essential part of fynbos ecology. Without fire, the ecological clock stalls, species falter, and diversity fades. The real magic of fire in the fynbos happens after the flames die. What appears to be devastation is actually a great reset button for many of the fynbos species.

After the fires, when the landscape cools, the seeds stored underground by the plants for decades are released. New species, or ones that flower only specifically after fire, have a chance to return while the ashes and burnt plant material add much-needed nitrogen to the generally nutrient-poor soil in the area, creating a perfect recipe for new plant growth.

Fire, in this context, isn’t destruction. It’s renewal on a grand, ancient scale.

The Magic Of Grootbos Remains

With parts of the reserve now burnt and barren, guests can expect to see slightly different views while exploring the reserve, however, the signature views from our lodges have not been impacted much at all and remain as unforgettable and striking as ever.

For now, other than a more dramatic and stark landscape, activities on the reserve, such as our botanical tours, hiking and horse riding, will look slightly different in places, but the immersive nature experience remains unchanged.

Roughly 75% of the reserve has survived the fires and is still intact, flourishing, and inviting guests to explore and discover the rich diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Our guides have always loved showcasing the fascinating relationship between fire and fynbos, and now there will be ample opportunities to demonstrate this intriguing process in real-time to our guests.

The Waiting and Watching Game

Over the next few weeks, months and years, we will watch in anticipation as the changing seasons and first rains will begin to revive the barren landscape, and the quick-growing plants and resprouting fynbos will begin to cover the reserve once again.

Over the next few years, we will be witness to one of the most spectacular natural revivals on Earth. Guests can expect an explosion of species that were hidden beneath the old dense foliage. Delicate clusters of orchids will emerge, while irises and fire lilies will paint the landscape with colour. Proteas, mimetes, grasses, restios, and ericas will resprout with renewed vigour, along with dozens of dormant species that haven’t been seen in decades, which will now flourish once again.

Slowly but surely, the reserve will continue flourishing until it returns to its full glory. In the meantime, guests will be treated to the giddy enthusiasm of our guides as they explore these new burnt areas in search of new and exciting blooms. The years to come will be some of the most exciting times for botanists, guests and nature lovers alike.

Looking Ahead With Excitement

Events like these always remind us of the importance of being prepared, respecting nature and trusting the experience of our teams. Looking ahead, our focus remains on ensuring the safety and peace of mind of our guests.

We will continue to evolve our fire management efforts on the reserve to prepare for future fires, so that we can enjoy this unique location while respecting the forces of nature that will inevitably take place. 

At the same time, we are genuinely thrilled to watch as one of nature's most fascinating natural revivals, a once-in-two-decades fynbos experience, unfolds right in front of us.

We are excited about what the future holds and are looking forward to you joining us on this exciting journey ahead.