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!

Known as the Jewel of the Cape, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a World Heritage Site and is well known for offering some of the finest whale viewing in Southern Africa. The De Hoop Conservation area is no small nature reserve, covering 36 000ha, is rich in biodiversity and has over 70km of pristine, untouched coastline. The Marine Protected Area which extends 5km out to sea and as one of the largest marine protected areas in Africa, provides a haven for an extensive array of marine life.

This bio-diverse reserve truly is a nature and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, offering a wide variety of things to see, do, experience and explore.

Home to the world’s smallest and most threatened plant kingdom, the Cape Floral Kingdom, the reserve has the largest conserved area of lowland fynbos in the Western Cape. The reserve and its surrounds have an estimated 1 500 species of the 9 000 (yes, 9 000!) plant species found in the Cape floral region.

Here you will find 86 mammal species and as there are no Big Five in the reserve, you are free to roam in designated areas. You can get quite close to the Bontebok, Eland and Cape Mountain Zebra herds that tend to graze in the open plains near the main Reception area.

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Discover rare and indigenous fynbos, try your hand at bird-watching on a guided bird walk, explore beautiful beaches on an interpretive marine walk, cycle your way through the reserve on guided mountain bike trails, enjoy an eco boat cruise on the vlei, or simply take in the peaceful surroundings beside the swimming pool or while stargazing. It is the perfect place to do as much or as little as you wish to do.

It didn’t take long to feel relaxed and we already knew that this wouldn’t be our only visit. De Hoop has that magical effect where you soon forget all your troubles and embrace slow country living. There really is nothing better than getting back to nature and enjoying its beauty and tranquility. Pure food for the body, mind and soul; De Hoop offers this in spades! While the Southern Right whales are the star attraction during whale season (end May to November), there is a lot more to see and do in the reserve. This is what we got up to during our stay.

ARRIVING AT DE HOOP

Once you pay your Conservation Fee at the reserve’s Main gate, it is about another 8km on a gravel road to the Reception area (Check the current price at time of booking. Free entry applies to Wild Card Holders). Please stick to the speed limit as you never know what wildlife will cross your path. After all, this is their home and they have right of way. The drive from the Main gate to Reception is a game drive in itself, so take it slow. We saw a number of Bontebok, Baboons, Ostrich, Cape Mountain Zebra and Eland along the way.

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We couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome from Jolene and Hendrick, one of the General Managers. Country hospitality at its best! We were given a brief overview of the reserve, restaurant opening hours and available activities while sipping on homemade ginger beer.

OUR ACCOMMODATION

The De Hoop Collection has a wide range of accommodation options, from affordable self-catering chalets and cottages to upmarket catered lodges and suites. We stayed in the beautifully appointed Cloete Suite (includes daily breakfast and dinner), complete with a romantic four-poster bed, draped elegantly with mosquito nets and fireplace.

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Even though it was only early April, the cooler evenings called for a roaring fire. The Suite is located in the Opstal area, which is within walking distance of the restaurant and Reception area, as well as the spa and swimming pool (this pool is EVERYTHING!) overlooking the vlei.

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The charming interior of the Suite is elegant yet cosy, with views of the grasslands where you can see herds of Bontebok, Eland and Cape Mountain Zebra, amongst others, lazily grazing. Equipped with a minibar fridge, tea and coffee station, indoor and outdoor seating area for two and a gorgeous en-suite bathroom, you may find it hard to leave at times.

I’m inclined to take a mini digital detox when I travel if I can, and since the suite doesn’t have Wi-Fi access, you may be forced to take a digital detox whether you want to or not! For those that can’t switch off completely, Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant and lounge area.

The bathroom is a tranquil haven, with a beautiful ball and claw bathtub, lavish Charlotte Rhys bath amenities and a power shower that will leave you feeling refreshed and wide awake.

ECO BOAT CRUISE ON THE DE HOOP VLEI

We were booked on the afternoon Eco Boat Cruise on the vlei that includes house wines, local beers, juices and savoury snacks. With a total of 260 bird species in the nature reserve, many are water birds that live around the vlei.

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For approximately 2 hours, the sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds while we explored the De Hoop Vlei with Dolfie, our knowledgeable boat guide. The 19km vlei (wetland) stretches across the reserve and is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance.

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We spotted flocks of Pink Flamingoes and Pelicans on Bird Island, along with Herons, Egrets and Egyptian Geese. High above us, we were fortunate to see 2 or 3 endangered Cape Vultures swooping and soaring. They rarely venture that far from the cliffs of the Potberg Mountains. We also saw some Eland grazing on the shoreline on our way to dock.

DIVINE FOOD AND WINE

After freshening up at our Suite, we made our way on foot to the The Fig Tree Restaurant, now forms part of  The Shed. Torches and umbrellas are provided in the Suite should you need them.

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The welcoming and comfortable space at The Shed was one of my favourite spots to chill. We popped in early each night to relax on the inviting couches beside the fire, catch up on social media (that would be me!) and chat about our day over a glass of wine. The décor is a delightful blend of old and new, with a library of books that you can get lost in for days and fun board games to play. Whale bones, shells, candles, artwork and pretty vases filled with Proteas complete the chic country look.

On a warm, sunny day, the outdoor deck is the perfect spot to savour delicious local cuisine and enjoy the breathtaking views of the vlei. I was impressed with their astonishing selection of local and international wines. Dennis has worked at the restaurant for 6 years, and he was kind enough to show me the silo which was transformed into ‘William’s Wine Cellar’, a round shaped space that houses more than 3000 wines!

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A la carte menus are offered for breakfast and lunch, while there is a set dinner menu that changes almost daily. They use as much locally sourced produce as possible, with their herb and vegetable garden providing a fresh element to each dish. Breakfast was a decadent affair with a full Continental option, including smoked salmon (my favourite!).

You can also order a cooked breakfast. Go for the poached eggs and mushrooms – both are simply divine and perfectly cooked! I must commend Head Chef Marcia Tyobeka and the entire restaurant team for their friendly and efficient service, and of course, delicious food!

VULTURE EXPERIENCE – UP, CLOSE AND PERSONAL

If someone told me that walking halfway up a mountain to view vultures would possibly be the highlight of my stay at De Hoop, I would not have believed them. While not exactly blessed in the looks department and often given a bad rap as mangy scavengers, viewing the endangered Cape Vultures in the Western Cape’s last surviving colony is an absolute must do.

Departing from the Opstal area with Theo, our field guide, we took a scenic drive (about 45 minutes) through endangered fynbos and past rolling farmlands, stopping along the way to take photos of yet another endangered species, the Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird. Arriving at Potberg Mountain, we walked through the forest while Theo pointed out some vultures flying high above us.  He mentioned that this was a good sign as vulture sightings can never be guaranteed.

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This particular activity is not suited for children under 12 years. The approximate 1 hour hike to the Vulture Deck is rather steep with loose rocks along the path. I’m not exactly fit, and after some huffing and puffing on my part (ok, A LOT!) while stopping to take in the panoramic views of the ocean and dune fields of De Hoop in the distance, we made it to the Viewing Deck. And boy, is it worth the trek! Theo is very passionate about the vultures, hiking and nature, and was only too happy to answer our questions.

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It really is another world up at the Viewing Deck and we were fortunate that it was a clear, sunny day. The tranquility and beauty is unsurpassed, and when you see the majestic vultures gliding past with their impressive wingspan of about 2 ½ metres, you are completely transfixed.

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Circling high above us and soaring in the thermal currents, we must have spotted between 60 and 80 vultures. This in itself is impressive as the colony numbers around 300 birds. They nest in the steep cliffs of the rocky gorge which provides the perfect habitat for them. They are notoriously challenging to capture on camera, but hopefully these few photos give you an idea of how amazing these vultures are.

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At one stage, they were almost wiped out due to destruction of their natural habitat, an increase in farming, as well as poisoning. De Hoop, Cape Nature and the farmers have joined forces to raise awareness and educate local communities. Read more here about how the farmers and community have played a big part in the protection and conservation of the vultures.

We were enthralled by these magnificent birds, and I think you will be too. I highly recommend that you book this unique and unforgettable experience.

A mouthwatering picnic lunch is included in the rate of R550 per person (price subject to change). We chose to take this yummy spread back to our Suite to enjoy with a glass of wine on the back verandah. I’m happy to say that the cutlery and plates were made from recyclable, reusable or sustainable materials. Loved the use of little glass jars for the tomatoes and feta cheese. Good job De Hoop.

PURE BLISS AT DE HOOP SPA

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There is nothing that a fabulous pamper session can’t fix. Well, that’s my opinion anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed a one hour Deep Tissue massage prior to our departure and it was nothing short of heavenly. Lauren, the massage therapist, worked on releasing the knots and tension in my muscles so well that I actually dozed off. This is something that NEVER happens to me during a massage treatment. She is that good!

The Spa has partnered with ELEMIS whose products are defined by nature, led by science. They offer a variety of rejuvenating and calming treatments, along with manicures, pedicures and waxing. Bookings are advised as the Spa is very popular. I can totally see why with Lauren working her therapeutic magic.

To say that we enjoyed every moment of our stay at De Hoop would be a serious understatement. There aren’t enough words to describe the joy and peace we felt while staying at this nature lover’s paradise that is a mere 3 hour drive from Cape Town. We felt right at home thanks to exceptional country hospitality and the memorable experiences we enjoyed. The luxurious accommodation, delectable meals and stunning scenery and wildlife added to our amazing stay.

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A visit to my happy place, the beach, wasn’t possible due to time constraints. But I know we will be back, hopefully during whale watching season. The swimming pool was another spot that I wanted to chill beside with a cocktail. Mostly, I wanted to swim in the crystal clear water overlooking the vlei, but it was a tad on the chilly side! I’ll have to return for that too. In the meantime, I can daydream while looking at the snaps I took of this Insta-worthy spot and so many other memorable moments.

See you again one day, dreamy De Hoop.

TIPS AND INFORMATION

• If you are self-catering, be sure to bring ALL your food, drinks, wood, sunscreen, medicine etc. There is a small curio shop on site, but supplies are limited.
• Check that you have enough petrol BEFORE you leave the last town prior to arriving at De Hoop as there is no onsite petrol station.
• If you are travelling from Bredasdorp, the gravel road is about 50km to the Main entrance of the reserve, so prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. Our city car handled it pretty well.
• Bring binoculars for game viewing, bird and whale watching.
• Bring sunscreen. You can never have enough of the stuff, especially during the hot summer months.
• Bring sturdy walking shoes for walking, hiking and mountain biking.
• Collect moments, not things. This is a protected nature reserve, so you may not remove anything such as shells and fynbos.
• Have a WONDERFUL time collecting beautiful memories and be sure to book another stay! Take advantage of De Hoop’s Winter Special Deal and save 40% when staying at the De Hoop Village Cottages. There’s never been a better to go! Read more here to find out all the details.
• De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes. Plan your perfect country escape with Cape Country Routes.

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Yours in Responsible Travel,
xoxo

Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. Thank you to De Hoop Collection and Theresa Gibbon PR for hosting us. All views are my own and based on personal experiences. Images are my own unless otherwise stated.