With the realisation that Covid-19 will be around for some time and that there are many Covid ‘can’t do’s’, De Hoop Collection, set in De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of the Western Cape’s most beautiful and largest nature sanctuaries, extends a warm invitation to all to come and experience a multitude of exciting, enriching, stimulating and fun ‘CAN DO’s’ at De Hoop.

Only a short three hour’s drive from Cape Town along the scenic Garden Route, this idyllic getaway, no matter what time of year you visit, is the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, groups, birthday celebrations, honeymooners and weddings. Treat yourself to a day trip, a weekend, a full week or for that matter, for however long you wish to stay, for an invigorating blend of fresh air, nature walks, and a host of amazing activities.

It is here at De Hoop during Lockdown, that you CAN blissfully isolate from the rest of the world, and where you CAN relax, rejuvenate and get a revitalising energy reboot.

And where

You CAN find a wide range of De Hoop Collection accommodation with all the home comforts ranging from basic rondawels to self-catering cottages and fully serviced suites and designed to suit all budgets – perfect for family groups for home schooling and remote working options.

Where families CAN take advantage of the incentives that De Hoop Collection has designed to liven up Lockdown – mid-week getaways where mum and dad can continue working remotely, and the kids can home school in a beautiful environment – a magnificent outdoor ‘classroom’ – with educationally-inspired activities that they cannot do at home in the afternoon – vultures, marine walks and nature drives, Nature Quests, with picnic lunches, Sundowner and Campfire School – stargazing with smores, scorpion hunts with the great De Hoop guides.

Where business folk, already working remotely at home CAN take a ‘working holiday’ – book the beautiful Opstal Suites, have small conferences in the Cloete Room, and enjoy all the wonderful options that De Hoop has to offer during free time.

Few other reserves offer as complete an outdoor experience as De Hoop a mecca for nature lovers does, with the sea, sand-dunes, vlei, rare Fynbos plants, mammal species from otters, bontebok, Cape mountain zebra and the grey rhebok to marine species dolphins, seals and whales, the more than 260 bird species and activities – this is where all guests CAN find some activity to enjoy.

Activities

Mountain Biking, MTB for the fit and adventurous – rent a mountain bike (or bring your own) and head out on one of the many spectacular trails and cycling routes. Look out for dates for our training camps for cyclists and runners for MTB and Trail participants. The 2021 De Hoop Vlei MTB is scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 August 2021.

Walking Trails and hiking – discover the breathtaking diversity and natural beauty of De Hoop by walking the 17km-long De Hoop Vlei trail, a stimulating and inspiring exploration of the vlei and the magnificent De Hoop Coastal Reserve. Small hiking groups or family hiking groups (for varying different fitness levels) can be arranged with lunch and a guide, or alternatively get a map of the trails and a picnic basket can be organised for you to enjoy along the way. De Hoop’s annual Whale of Trail is scheduled for 31 July 2021.

A paradise for bird enthusiasts with its more than 260 species of birds including the endangered Cape Vultures, De Hoop offers guided bird-watching walks and the exciting “Viewing the Cape Vultures” – huge, impressive birds with a wingspan of about two and a half metres, as they fly by, swooping, diving and circling in the sky… sometimes so close you can hear the wind rushing under their wings. A colony of almost 200 roost and nest in the Potberg Mountains – a trip to Potberg is an absolute must.

De Hoop is one of the best whale watching sites in the world – the Southern Right whales come here during their breeding season (end May through to December). Every year from around June the Southern Right whales leave their icy feeding grounds in Antarctica and head for African shores, particularly favouring the De Hoop marine reserve in the Western Cape. This 71 km stretch of coastline ranks as the most important nursery area for right whales worldwide, where they give birth, nurture their calves and engage in mating and social behavior. The whales come so close to the shore at Koppie Alleen that you can spend hours watching them.

Learn about the history of early man and experience a bygone era – De Hoop contains undisturbed archaeological sites of great significance, bushman paintings (at Potberg halfway up the trail at the back of the Black Eagle cave there is a 2000-year-old San rock painting) and the well-preserved architectural historical homesteads at De Hoop, Melkkamer and Potberg

You CAN book

Day Trips – various day trip packages can be organised – hiking, MTB, trail runners, birdwatching etc with lunch as part of the day package. Also Birding and/or Marine Walks or Nature drives or a guided Vulture experience with lunch packages for small groups can be arranged.

Interpretive marine walks – De Hoop Reserve is one of the world’s most pristine rocky shores with the largest biodiversity of intertidal creatures anywhere in the world and is home to 11 of southern Africa’s 18 limpet species. Explore the intertidal biodiversity at Koppie Alleen’s rocky shore and discover the extraordinary diversity of life in the tidal pools.

Eco – Boat Cruises (breakfast or sundowner) on the Ramsar-listed Vlei – a guided Eco Boat cruise will take guests on a trip of some of the 19km long vlei that borders on the main Opstal section of De Hoop – a most wonderful and peaceful experience being on the water with beautiful views all around you (dependent on water levels).

Workshops – Creative Writing workshops, Yoga Weekends, Photography and Art workshops, bridge weekends – bring your interest group and customised ‘specials’ can be arranged for the group.

Other activities CAN include tennis and boules, swimming, game drives, stargazing, and popular themed events such as the popular Wine, Whales and Music weekend.

Another CAN DO highlight is the Fig Tree Restaurant with its impressive wine cellar, a lounge with a fireplace and a spacious verandah with unhindered views of the vlei. Both guests and day visitors are welcome, and it offers a la carte menus for breakfast and lunch, a set menu for dinner and delicious picnic baskets to enjoy on the dunes can be ordered.

De Hoop – a nature lover’s paradise with unparalleled peace and tranquillity in what may well be one of the Cape’s last unspoiled gems – is where you CAN DO all of the above, and you CAN take advantage of the great 40% discount that is valid until November 2021 for locals. Booking is essential. Terms and conditions apply.

De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes.

In the De Hoop Nature Reserve (Western Cape)

The De Hoop Collection – the first private/public partnership in the South African hospitality industry – opened in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape in 2007. The Reserve in the Overberg region, a short three hours drive from Cape Town along the world renowned Garden and Whale routes is the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, groups, honeymooners and wedding parties, family reunions and birthday weekends and an ideal stop-over en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay. De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation designed to suit all budgets.

Overlooking the beautiful vlei with its spectacular bird life is the staple of De Hoop’s dining scene, The Fig Tree Restaurant, and the Silo Wine Cellar where an exceptional variety of wines can be enjoyed. De Hoop, a World Heritage site, offers world-class whale-watching and is paradise for bird enthusiasts with its more than 260 species of birds, including the endangered Cape Vultures. As a colony of almost 200 vultures roost and nest in the Potberg Mountains exciting Vulture hikes and viewing opportunities are offered; other activities include interpretive marine walks, hiking and mountain biking trails, eco boat cruises on the vlei and Nature drives, tennis or boules. De Hoop, a nature lover’s paradise with unparalleled peace and tranquillity in what may well be one of the Cape’s last unspoiled gems.
in the De Hoop Nature Reserve (Western Cape)

T: 021-422 4522 or
E: Reservations
W: De Hoop Collection

De Hoop social media handles

Twitter: @DeHoopReserve
Instagram: @dehoopreserve
Facebook: @DeHoopCollection

De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes

Twitter: @CapeCountryR
Instagram: capecountryroutes
Facebook: @CapeCountryRoutes