A Photographic Tour of De Hoop Nature Reserve

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

Photo by Karen Elowitt

View of Koppies Alleen, fynbos, dune and ocean

starfish at de hoop

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Starfish from the tidal pools

tide pools de hoop

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Tide pools and dunes

De Hoop - sand dune trek

Photo by llse Zietsman

Wandering the dunes

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

A white pelican flying low over the sea

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Dolphins in the bay

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Self-guided bike tour

De Hoop - bontebok staring

Photo by llse Zietsman

Curious bontebok

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Eland at dusk

De Hoop - cape mountain zebras

Photo by llse Zietsman

Cape mountain zebras

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Courtesy of De Hoop Collection

Wetlands

De Hoop - edge of marsh

Photo by llse Zietsman

Trekking around the vlei and wetlands

melkkamer manor

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Melkkamer Manor

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

A cozy, rustic room at Melkkamer Manor

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Rondavels

rondavel at de hoop

Photo by Karen Elowitt

The interior of a rondavel

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

The exterior of opstal house

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Opstal house interior

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

65-year-old fig tree at the main reception area

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Photo by Karen Elowitt

Esmeralda, one of De Hoop’s eminently knowledgeable guides

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