Sandstone wilderness and the Groot Kliphuis pools
Western Cape, South Africa
Groot Winterhoek is a CapeNature wilderness area in the mountains above Porterville and Tulbagh, part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. It is a walking wilderness of sandstone formations, rock art and clear mountain streams, best known for the hike to the deep pool at Die Hel. Numbers on the trails are limited by permit, which keeps it quiet. Stays are at the base camp near the entrance.
Read the guide: Sleeping in the Fynbos: The CapeNature Guide
Things to do: Hiking · Swimming · Rock art
What people record most across Western Cape. Past sightings, never a guarantee.
From iNaturalist records across Western Cape, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
One stay we sell in Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area. Tap the pin for the listing.
33.1879° S, 19.0757° EOpen in Maps
Why book here
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is in Western Cape, South Africa.
Yes. Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is in an area recorded as malaria-free, which is why it is a common choice for families with young children and for a first safari. Malaria risk can shift with the season and the year, so confirm current advice with a travel clinic before you go.
In Western Cape, commonly recorded species include animals such as Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Cape Fur Seal, Southern Right Whale, Great White Shark and birds including Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Spurfowl, Orange-breasted Sunbird, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
Day visitors need a permit for most CapeNature reserves, and CapeNature encourages booking permits online in advance to avoid disappointment at the gate. If you are staying overnight, your accommodation booking covers your stay, but check your confirmation for any extra permit requirements such as hiking trails.
Request CapeNature cottages and campsites on Spekboom. We confirm with CapeNature, then you pay on Spekboom. South African residents aged 60 and over get 30% off CapeNature self-catering and camping, but only when booking by phone through the CapeNature call centre.
The best time to visit Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is Spring and autumn (Sep-Nov, Mar-May).
Popular activities at Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area include hiking, swimming, rock art.
Spekboom lists stays in and near Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, from inside-park camps to nearby lodges. Every booking funds conservation.
Other parks and reserves that share something with Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area.
Malaria-free parks and game reservesNational parks and reserves in South AfricaNature reserves and parks in the Western CapeAll protected areas