De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve is a Nature Reserve in the Western Cape of international importance and a fabulous holiday destination, east of Bredasdorp, near the southern tip of Africa approximately 260 km from Cape Town. Just 3 hours drive from Cape Town, and 50 km east of Bredasdorp, this pristine area offers visitors the choice of exploring a pristine coastline, a large vlei, limestone hills covered in rare fynbos, extensive sand dunes and the Potberg mountain range.

De Hoop Nature Reserve -2

It lies on the southern Cape coast, and is renowned for its floral fynbos diversity, rich bird life, natural vlei and wild antelope. It also provides the backdrop to some of the world's best whale-watching possible. Visitors can have a varied outdoor experience and enjoy quality accommodation and camping.

De Hoop Nature Reserve - Dunes

This Western Cape Nature Reserve covers 36 000 hectares and includes 3 nautical miles of marine protected area. It is a World Heritage Site due to endemic species from the Cape Floral Kingdom. De Hoop vlei (wetland) is also a Ramsar site, recognising the resident bird species. There are 86 mammals and 260 species of bird including migrants in the reserve.

De Hoop Nature Reserve - Beach View

De Hoop Nature Reserve is important for the conservation of low-land fynbos for it has the largest conserved area for this rare vegetation type. The Bredasdorp/Agulhas and Infanta area has an estimated 1500 plant species of the approximately 9 000 species found in the Cape Floristic Region.

De Hoop Nature Reserve has 86 mammal species. Most notable are the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebuck, baboon, yellow mongoose, caracal and the occasional leopard. Marine mammals such as dolphins and seals occur in the waters off the coast and southern right whales calve and mate in the sheltered bays of De Hoop Nature Reserve each year between May and December. At least 250 species of fish occur in the marine protected area.

Outdoor Products

Activities

Few other reserves offer as complete an outdoor experience as De Hoop - sea, sand dunes, the vlei, a floral sensation of rare fynbos plants, diverse antelope and the Potberg Mountains. Birders observe wading birds on the shores of the vlei while the Potberg Mountains are home to a colony of endangered Cape vultures.

De Hoop Nature Reserve Sand Dunes

Hikers and cyclists have close-up encounters with bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, red hartebeest, baboons and ostrich.

1. Whale-watching
   De Hoop offers some of the best and most accessible whale-watching opportunities in the world. Seven whale species have been recorded in the waters off De Hoop but it is the southern right that is most common. Other less common whale species are the Bryde's whale and the rare humpback.
2. Day trips
   Day visitors are welcome at De Hoop and guests may leave their vehicles at any time to walk or cycle anywhere in the reserve as long as they take care not to trample the natural vegetation. Birding, hiking, mountain biking and snorkeling are rewarding activities.
   The Fig Tree Restaurant is open all day offering delicious local fare including picnic baskets for alfresco meals.
3. Hiking
   

   

   Hiking on De Hoop Nature Reserve

   Hikers have close-up encounters with bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, red hartebeest, baboons and ostrich.
   • De Hoop Coastal Trail - this gentle linear trail begins at Koppie Alleen. Enjoy either a beach walk or an exploratory ramble along rocky shores
   • Klipspringer Trail - hike 6 km (about 2 hours) in the Potberg Mountains in the northeastern section of the De Hoop Nature Reserve with views of the Breede River valley, the Cape vulture colony and gorgeous floral fynbos.
   • Vlei Trail - starts near the reserve office with three variations to the trail and hikers may walk the entire 15 km to Die Mond or cut their walk short by circling back along either one of two jeep tracks. All three variations of the Vlei Trail are well signposted.
4. Mountain Biking
   Cyclists are welcome to use any of the gravel roads laid out in the western sector of the reserve as long as they take care not to trample the natural vegetation.
5. Weddings & Romance
   De Hoop is a unique and romantic location to celebrate a wedding and honeymoon. With almost year-round sunshine and spectacular natural beauty, the reserve is a memorable and special place to exchange wedding vows.
6. The Ultimate Family Getaway
   The De Hoop Reserve is a safe, outdoor destination with almost year-round sunshine. Children of all ages will relish the freedom to explore the reserve. The endless beach, towering sand dunes, inter tidal rock pools and diverse fauna and flora provide a natural playground for kids to learn.
7. Conferences & Incentivies
   With up to 250 beds, a restaurant and team building facilities on offer, you can easily arrange your next conference at De Hoop.

How to get there
From Cape Town, take the N2 to Caledon. From Caledon, head for Bredasdorp.
From Bredasdorp take the R319 for Swellendam.
After about 6km, turn right at the De Hoop/Malgas/Infanta sign and follow this dirt road for about 60km to the reserve. About 3 hrs drive (230km).