By Kerry-Anne Allerston
Road trips are the best, aren’t they? A journey to the De Hoop Nature Reserve offers a beautiful way to explore undiscovered places and truly take it all in. Often, life is about the journey and not the destination, yet in this case, it is both.
Venturing on an adventure with the girls, I hadn’t travelled through this part of the Garden and Whale Route on the southern tip of Africa before.
The girls loved Napier, a small town situated at the foot of the Soetmuisberg between Caledon and Bredasdorp. It is a stunning part of the country; the scenery took my breath away at almost every turn.
A distinct warmth permeates this route, and we were greeted with beautiful smiles at every stop. The biggest of those smiles welcomed us at our destination.
Exploring De Hoop Nature Reserve
This magical part of the Western Cape lies in the Overberg region, about 3 hours from Cape Town. Unlike any other place I have seen, the De Hoop Nature Reserve offers a little bit of everything in one space. Imagine waking up to the gentle magic of a marine walk along the ocean, then ending the day with a hike up Potberg Mountain to the vulture-viewing deck.
Here, you can witness extraordinary birds rising effortlessly to rule the skies. It is the kind of place that makes you want to press pause and breathe.
Conservation and Wildlife Encounters
The 36,000-hectare conservation area is a World Heritage Site, with over 52 kilometres of coastline. Nineteen kilometres of vlei stretch across the De Hoop Nature Reserve, which is listed on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Guests from around the globe visit this sanctuary, but I stopped myself from describing it as a ‘little piece of heaven’ because of its vast size.
As we arrived, we were met by a family of ostriches. My favourite term for this gang of flightless birds is definitely a ‘wobble’. Seeing ten babies accompanied by their walking feather-duster parents was the best start to our stay; I was immediately in love.
It is hard to picture ostriches as babies, but there were many firsts still to come.
Luxury at De Hoop Villa
We checked into the brand-new accommodation offering by De Hoop Collection at Cape Nature’s flagship reserve. Inspired by the ever-popular De Mond Villa, this is known as the De Hoop Villa. It is truly luxury at its best.
The lounge, with its mesmerising fireplace, overlooks the private pool, where we observed wildlife feeding throughout the day. Zebra, bontebok and ostrich snacked on the delicious grass right in front of us.
This allowed us to watch them not only from the comfort of our gorgeous sofas but also from bubble baths in our en-suite bathrooms.
It felt like watching three-dimensional interactive wallpaper.
Expert Guides and Warm Hospitality
We enjoyed guided experiences led by phenomenal guides who speak about nature and wildlife in what can only be described as poetry. Ruda and Francois were passionate and knowledgeable, making everything light, fun and wonderfully interactive.
While staff can often make or break a place, the management runs this utopia with such care that the warmth and happiness you feel are impossible to miss.
A certain calm runs through the fynbos, the mountains and the people of De Hoop.
Dining and Whale Watching
Chef Mornay radiates sunshine at the villa, along with her friendly assistants. They prepare deliciously curated meals in the comfort of your home away from home on days when you don’t feel like venturing to The Fig Tree Restaurant. The staff at De Hoop Nature Reserve recommend staying for at least two days as there is so much to do.
If you are on a strict schedule, two days is better than none, though I suggest bringing an extra suitcase and staying forever. If that is not an option, try to stay for at least three days. This reserve is a vital destination for Southern Right Whales, providing a haven for these visiting cetaceans.
It is one of the world’s best land-based whale watching areas, offering the special Whale Trail. The best time for this spectacular experience is from June to November.
A Marine Spectacle
Would you believe that these unbelievable creatures travel in pods of up to 1,200 during peak season? Sightings in excess of 20 are common during the height of that time of year. Absolutely incredible.
A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Whether you are a casual birder or a twitcher, this region is home to over 259 species. This includes the Cape vultures, great white pelicans, African oystercatchers and majestic flamingos. With over 86 species of wildlife, you can spot grey rhebuck, steenbok, duiker, eland, the comical baboon and Cape mountain zebra among others.
The colour of the silence here is golden, broken only by birdsong, so napping between activities and meals is a must. Once rested, it is on to the next offering.
Discovering Human Origins
The Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition showcases the life’s work of Professor Chris Henshilwood, Dr Karen van Niekerk, and their palaeo-science team.
Additionally, archaeologist and curator Petro Keene, along with Damon and Craig Foster, have created something special here. As a result, you leave knowing a great deal more about human origins and indigenous wisdom, while also viewing some of the oldest art ever discovered.
Who thought a history lesson could be so enjoyable while on holiday?
Plan Your Visit to De Hoop Nature Reserve
Another reason to add this to your bucket list is the variety of accommodation. Options range from basic campsite rondavels to the historical Melkkamer Manor House and luxurious villas. As they tailor-make experiences with a touch of class and care, consider them for your next conference venue or for a special event.
The Cape Country Routes member, De Hoop Collection experience, is undoubtedly one for the books. You will leave wiser, calmer and more fulfilled. De Hoop Collection truly is the jewel of the Cape.
Information at www.dehoopcollection.com
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