De Hoop, Cape Overberg
The De Hoop Nature Reserve and adjacent marine reserve lie on the southern Cape coast between the towns of Arniston and Witsand, just 50 km east of Bredasdorp.
This is one of the most biologically diverse sanctuaries in the world and rates as one of the great floral wonderlands of Southern Africa, laying claim to the top whale mating and calving ground for the southern right whale just off its coast. 36 000 ha is home to a large landlocked vlei, a green plain covered with fynbos and riverine bush, limestone hills, sand dunes and the Potberg mountain range.
The reserve has 1 500 plant species including fine examples of rare lowland fynbos (Proteas, Ericas, Restios and Geophytes); there are 86 different types of mammal, including the rare bontebok and Cape Mountain zebra, eland, baboon, the yellow mongoose and even the occasional leopard.
The vlei, set partly in a magnificent gorge surrounded by high limestone cliffs, forms a coastal lake at the mouth of the Sout River, which is blocked by coastal dunes. Its landlocked waters sustain one of the richest concentrations of bird life in the country – more than 250 bird species, from coots, ducks and grebes to small waders, herons and egrets. The wetland is of international importance for migratory waterbirds while thousands of bats cling to the gloomy corridors of the limestone caves.
The Potberg Mountain, in the north-eastern part of the reserve, offers the endangered Cape vulture a nesting place on its rocky ledges. This is the only remaining breeding colony of this bird in the Western Cape.
A number of picturesque Hiking Trails like the Vlei Trail (6km), the Potberg Trail (4km) and a coastal hike give you a bird’s eye view of the fringes of the reserve you might not have spotted from the windows of your car. Bikers can cycle through the reserve and bird watchers can deposit themselves next to the vlei or watch the whales from a nearby sand dune - June through November brings at least 70 of these gentle giants to the waters.
Additional Reading
For an in depth review and more photographs of whale watching in De Hoop see our article at "De Hoop - Whale Watching".
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Highly recommended! De Hoop made the most wonderful and magical wedding happen for us. Their hospitality and the beautiful setting was the highlight of our wedding. With Covid-19 complications, the De Hoop team went above and beyond to problem solve, ensure compliance and make our day very special. The variety in scenery, landscape and animals make for an amazing spot. Genuinely, you have to visit to experience it yourself! We stayed with some immediate family for a few days and the visit itself was very enjoyable. A very unique gem which I'm looking forward to visit again.
Nadia Hewett (San Francisco)
Verified review
We had a fabulous New Year celebration with a group of friends staying in some of the chalets at De Hoop Village at the Opstal within the De Hoop Nature Reserve. We could see various game meandering around the chalets and enjoyed all the marine life in the rock pools including one very large octopus. The beach was beautiful with relatively safe swimming and snorkling within the rock pool areas. It was stunning watching the sunsets with a sundowner in hand and then later the clear starry night skies around the braai.
Mandy Johnson (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
De Mond Villa
De Mond Villa is a holiday home in De Hoop located on the edge of Ramsar Vlei. It has five en-suite bedrooms. There is a fully equipped kitchen, ...
Opstal Houses
The Opstal Houses are three spacious houses set among the milkwoods and close to the vlei. These houses are well appointed and perfect for famili...
Opstal Camp Rondawels
These five campsite rondawels are thatched cottages with two beds, outdoor shared showers and toilets. Perfect for guests looking for simple and ...
Opstal Manor House
Opstal Manor House is a beautiful original home which has been restored to its former glory. Accommodation includes dinner and breakfast which i...
De Hoop Village
The De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation. From affordable self-catering chalets and cottages to five-star fully catered lodges...
Opstal Vlei Cottages
The thatched Opstal Vlei Cottages are two-bedroomed cottages with fireplaces overlooking the wetland. There are three lovely cottages each with t...
Opstal Suites
Opstal Suites offer luxury accommodation in De Hoop Reserve that includes dinner and breakfast in The Fig Tree Restaurant. There are 12 suites in...
Opstal Equipped Cottages
Opstal Equipped Cottages are all fully equipped for self-catering stays in De Hoop Nature Reserve. They have well appointed kitchens, bedrooms an...
Things to do in the area
Sterna Hiking Trail
The Sterna Hiking Trail invites visitors to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of Arniston in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The trail itself ...
De Hoop Vlei Trail
When visiting the beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve spend some time exploring the De Hoop Vlei Trail which is 19km long and is an excellent exampl...
De Hoop Nature Reserve MTB Trail
This is an overnight trail that starts at the Potberg Environmental Centre at the De Hoop Nature Reserve. You will stay overnight at the Cupidosk...
De Hoop Trail
Start: De Hoop Nature ReserveFinish: De Hoop Nature ReserveDuration: 2 days, 3 nightsFitness: moderate – the walking pace is gentle, but the walk...
The Whale Trail
Start: Potberg, De Hoop Nature ReserveFinish: Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature ReserveDuration: 54 km, 5 daysFitness: moderate to difficult (this i...
Self Drive Swellendam to Witsand
Route: Swellendam, Bontebok National Park, De Hoop, Malgas, WitsandDescription: the rolling countryside of the Duineveld (west of the Breede Rive...
Vlei and Veldt Trail
Start: the restaurant at Die OpstalFinish: Die OpstalDuration: the shorter loop (red) is 6 km and very doable; the longer route (blue) just over ...
Whale Coast Mall
Hermanus and the Overberg are spectacular for laid-back beach holidays and weekend getaways. And this is where the Whale Coast Mall invites visit...
Noteworthy attractions
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Lying within the southern extension of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range about 90 kilometres south-east of Cape Town and 8 kilometres from Kl...
Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden lies in the epicentre (heart) of the Cape fynbos region - a dedication to this natural shrubland vege...
Hermanus Whale Crier
Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast has its very own whale crier, and, what’s more, Hermanus lays claim to the only whale crier in the world. The po...
Hermanus Beaches
Where? +/-2 hours drive from Cape Town on the south coast of the Cape. Includes: Onrus Beach, Grotto Beach, Kammabaai and Langbaai Beach. Go ther...
Hermanus Hiking Trails
While most visitors to Hermanus have many things to do on their itinerary, most involving the whales that have made this town famous, there are m...
Hermanus Golf Club
The course doesn’t only challenge however, you are rewarded, hole after hole, with panoramic views that overlook the sparkling ocean and adding t...
Agulhas National Park
Lying in what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa is the Agulhas National Park, just 45 kilometres from the popular v...
Marloth Nature Reserve
Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that ...
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size and one of the largest natural areas managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is a f...
Find accommodation in De Hoop
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Cape Overberg Accommodation / De Hoop Accommodation