I recently got the chance to experience De Hoop Nature Reserve, a beautiful, remote 36,000-hectare World Heritage site located about three hours from Cape Town. Nature is the star attraction at De Hoop, which boasts 1500 plant species, 260 bird species, and 86 types of mammals. It is part of the unique but threatened Cape Floral kingdom.
You can do a day visit, but it’s far better to stay a while. Accommodation ranges from simple two-person rondavels with shared kitchens and bathrooms, to multi-room suites, to camping and caravan sites. The variety of accommodation choices means that the reserve caters to all types of visitors, from multi-generational family groups, to couples seeking a weekend escape, to entire wedding parties.
Here is a short photo tour of the reserve, encompassing both the natural bounty of De Hoop and photos of some of the accommodation options.
To read a more in-depth feature article about De Hoop, click here.
Photo by Karen Elowitt
View of Koppies Alleen, fynbos, dune and ocean
Photo by Karen Elowitt
Starfish from the tidal pools
Photo by Karen Elowitt
Tide pools and dunes
Photo by llse Zietsman
Wandering the dunes
Courtesy of De Hoop Collection
A white pelican flying low over the sea
Courtesy of De Hoop Collection
Dolphins in the bay
Courtesy of De Hoop Collection
Self-guided bike tour
Photo by llse Zietsman
Curious bontebok
Courtesy of De Hoop Collection
Eland at dusk
Photo by llse Zietsman
Cape mountain zebras
Courtesy of De Hoop Collection
Wetlands
Photo by llse Zietsman
Trekking around the vlei and wetlands
Photo by Karen Elowitt
Melkkamer Manor
Photo by Karen Elowitt
A cozy, rustic room at Melkkamer Manor
Photo by Karen Elowitt
Rondavels
Photo by Karen Elowitt
The interior of a rondavel
Photo by Karen Elowitt
The exterior of opstal house
Photo by Karen Elowitt
Opstal house interior
Photo by Karen Elowitt
65-year-old fig tree at the main reception area
Photo by Karen Elowitt
