The De Hoop Nature Reserve has kept me spellbound and found a way into my heart long before we crested the top ridge of the reserve. The sheer natural beauty that lay before us quite literally took my breath away and we stopped for a few moments to take it all in.

Surrounded by fynbos on either side of the gravel road that leads to the De Hoop Collection and main Reception area, you are met with a vast landscape of fynbos as far as the eye can see. White sand dunes and the ocean lie in the distance ahead of you, with the vlei to your right. It is one thing to see images and videos online and hear anecdotes from others, but to see it in person is really special and rather magical. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!