De Hoop Nature Reserve: Dramatic dunes & wild coast
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival at De Hoop Nature Reserve
The journey to De Hoop Nature Reserve is an adventure in itself. This remote area in the Western Cape can only be accessed via a bumpy gravel road. But the slightly uncomfortable drive is worth it. The pristine landscape of this lesser visited, coastal nature reserve comprises of high sand dunes and unusual rock formations. It’s home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna including bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland and around 260 species of bird.
There are a few cosy cottages in the middle of the reserve and you’ll be staying in one of these for the next two nights. There’s a swimming pool, tennis court and restaurant within walking distance.
Day 2 – Explore the De Hoop Nature Reserve
Today you can explore the park on your own by foot or on a bike. The reserve operates guided mountain bike tours which can be booked locally. For a really good understanding of the unique nature and green fynbos landscape, it is highly recommended to join one of the local rangers’ guided walks. These usually start early in the morning, which is the perfect time for spotting the reserve’s birdlife.
The De Hoop coast is a Marine Protected Area and you can explore the coastal rock pools and sandy beaches on the Interpretive Marine Walk. The large, clear rock pools are perfect for snorkelling. And if you’re lucky, between May and November you may even see whales in the bay.
Day 3 – Onward journey from De Hoop Nature Reserve
If you are travelling towards Cape Town, we recommend a stopover on the coast to go whale watching in Hermanus (depending on the season). If, on the other hand, you are travelling east along the Garden Route towards Port Elizabeth, you should definitely head for the charming coastal town of Knysna.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Looking for more space & comfort in De Hoop?
If you would prefer a little more space and comfort, we can arrange for you to stay in an alternative, larger cottage in the reserve. Just choose this option for the bite-sized trip
