Grootbos

In August, right before my dissertation-writing got intense, I went to South Africa and Namibia with my family. The wildlife, landscapes and huge variety of plants were unlike any other, and up until the end of the trip, we had rather intense days. Going on safari game drives from 6 to 6, sleeping in dessert camps, walking up dunes, or to the south western most point of the African continent, driving across huge distances on open bumpy roads, getting little sleep due to the loud hippos, or just staying out too late looking at the milky way over the dessert. At the end of our trip, we stayed at a nature reserve called Grootbos.

View from Grootbos Lodge over Walker Bay

Grootbos was special in many ways, its views over the ocean and the Walker Bay were stunning, the Fynbos forests were full of minuscule wonders and the hikes, horseback riding, and coastline tours were exceptional. However, the thing I liked the most was its commitment to research, art, and community work. The Grootbos Nature Reserve is sustained by eco-tourism, and its purpose is to protect and conserve the pristine wilderness it encapsulates. They have 907 plant species, 118 birds, 29 mammals and 21 amphibian species. They also have artists and scientists in residence that work in tandem to learn about the fynbos fauna and flora, and document it artistically. Let me say that again. They have artists and scientists working together. To discover new species. To learn about all the different species. The artists teach the scientists how to ~look closely. The scientists teach artists how to look ~inside. They pool their skills and knowledge together and have made the most beautiful collection of botanical paintings and research papers ever. Oh and they also teach the neighboring community about the eco system, about sustainable farming, arts and crafts, sports, science and anything else that arises. Grootbos is doing everything right (maybe I'm gushing too much but I was so inspired when I went there). I would love to be a part of a Nature Reserve like this, anywhere in the world, but especially Colombia. Art, science and community work - name a better combo.