Land Based Whale Watching at De Hoop
The Southern Right Whale has made the De Hoop Reserve in South Africa one of the world’s best land-...
De Hoop Collection
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Self-catering or luxury accommodation in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. The De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation. From affordable self-catering chalets to more luxurious self-catering cottages and upmarket fully catered lodges. The De Hoop Collection accommodation has something for everyone, from families traveling on a limited budget, couples seeking a comfortable but affordable breakaway to top-end fully inclusive weddings and honeymoons. Catered and self-catered options are available for most accommodation types.
Important Info About Your Stay:
De Hoop Village Cottages
The cottages are whitewash-walled fisherman-style houses characteristic of the Western Cape Coast. Ideal for a family and friends getaway, the cottages are well appointed and provide guests with a home-from-home setting. Catered and self-catered options available.
The De Hoop Village forms part of the Opstal area, which offers the largest amount of accommodation in the De Hoop Collection and is close to the hub of central offices, restaurant, deli and shop. It is a short drive, hike or cycle to many of the interesting locations in the reserve.
There is a tennis court, swimming pool and boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Equipped Cottages
There is one 3-bedroomed cottage called Eland, and six 2-bedroomed cottages; Mountain Zebra, Bontebok, Baboon, Steenbok, Duiker and Grysbok.
These cottages have fully equipped kitchens, comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms supplied with fresh linen and towels. These well-appointed cottages are a stylish and affordable option in the hub of the reserve.
Catered and self-catered options available.
Kindly note: There is a minimum charge on our cottages. R1 600 is for up to 2 pax for the 4-sleeper cottages. Thereafter a per person rate applies.
Room Facilities
Opstal Vlei Cottages
These beautiful thatched 2 bedroomed cottages have a living area with well-equipped kitchen and cosy fireplace, bathroom serviced with linen and towels. Catered and self-catered options available.
There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Opstal Houses
These 3-bedroomed houses are set in amongst the Milkwood trees near the opstal area. They have spacious bedrooms, separate sitting room and dining room with a fully equipped kitchen. Bathrooms are equipped with both showers and a bath, with a separate toilet. These houses are well appointed and perfect for families or groups of friends. Catered and self-catered options available.
There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Cloete Cottage
The Opstal Cloete Cottage is a brand new suite situated between the Fig Tree and Cloete Suites. It is a lovely private suite decorated in luxury and is only a short walk from the Fig Tree Restaurant. This suite sleeps 2 people and has one bedroom with en-suite bathroom (shower & bath). The accommodation is catered for as it has no cooking facilities. Dinner and breakfast is included and served in The Fig Tree Restaurant.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, every day and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce. There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Cloete Suites
The Cloete Suites are situated in the Opstal area within close proximity to the Fig Tree Restaurant. Two of the suites (1 & 2) have a view of the grasslands where bontebok, eland and mountain zebra amongst others can be seen grazing, while Cloete Suites 3 & 4 have a spectacular view of the old majestic fig trees in the courtyard. Each suite is beautifully decorated and has a seating area and an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. Cloete Suite 1 has a lovely fireplace for those chilly winter nights.
Room Facilities
Opstal Manor House
The Opstal Manor House is a beautiful original home which has been restored to its former glory. Rooms can be rented out individually, or all 3 rooms within the Manor House can be booked for Exclusive Use. Prices range from R1150 pppn for the smaller room, to R2150 pppn for the larger suites. Rate includes DBB.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, every day and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce.
There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Opstal Stable Suite
The Opstal Stable Suite sleeps 2 people with one bedroom and en-suite bathroom, on a dinner, bed and breakfast rate.
The Opstal Stable Suite is connected to the larger Opstal area including the Fig Tree Restaurant.
Set in the courtyard with its magnificent Fig Trees, this suite is perfect for discerning guests.
Room Facilities
Opstal Vlei Suite
The newly renovated Opstal Vlei Suite has a fantastic view of the vlei.
This vlei-facing luxury bedroom sleeps 2 people in one bedroom with an en suite bathroom, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. The Opstal suites are connected to the larger Opstal area including the Fig Tree Restaurant.
Set in the courtyard with its magnificent Fig Trees, this suite is perfect for discerning guests.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, every day and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce.
There is a tennis court , swimming pool and a boules courtyard
Room Facilities
Figtree Suite
The newly built Figtree Suite is set in the courtyard with its magnificent Wild Fig Trees. It is an upmarket suite with en-suite bathroom and sleeps 2 guests on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
The Figtree Suite is connected to the larger Opstal area including the Fig Tree Restaurant.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, everyday and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce. There is a tennis court , swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Otter Vlei Suites
The 3 newly renovated Otter Suites are positioned close to the serene De Hoop Vlei. Wake up to the sound of the birds and the chance of Otter sightings near your room.
The Otter suites consist of well-appointed accommodation which sleep 2 people with en suite bathroom. Meals are included on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Set amongst a dazzling array of wildlife and fynbos, this suite is perfect for discerning guests.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, everyday and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce. There is a tennis court , swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Dassie Suite
The New Dassie Suite has a fabulous view of the vlei. This Suite is perfectly positioned to view the birdlife and majestic sunsets your veranda. Wake up to the sound of the birds from the Vlei and the chance of Otter sightings from your room.
The Dassie suite consist of luxury accommodation which sleeps 2 people with en suite bathroom. The Dasssie Suite includes a sitting area and cosy fireplace for winter. Meals are included on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Set amongst a dazzling array of wildlife and fynbos, this suite is perfect for discerning guests.
The Opstal area is a central base from which to explore the reserve. The Fig Tree Restaurant can be found here and is open all day, everyday and serves delicious meals prepared using locally sourced produce. There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Melkkamer Manor House
This beautiful remote, old stone Manor House comprises four magnificently appointed bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Guests have the choice of self-catering or the luxury of an onsite chef with fully catered meals. We also offer the option of a guide for birding, vlei and marine walks.
Melkkamer Manor House is the perfect destination for discerning guests who seek the privacy of sole-use villa accommodation. This is the ideal base from which to tailor-make your De Hoop experience or partake in the De Hoop Trail.
Room Facilities
Melkkamer Vlei Cottage
The lovely old stone cottage overlooks the stunning De Hoop vlei. It has four beautifully appointed bedrooms with 2 separate bathrooms. There is a separate sitting room, dining area with fully equipped kitchen and a cosy fireplace.
Paraffin lamplight and firelight add to the romance of the location, where there is no electricity.
Melkkamer Vlei Cottage is set on a unique wetland location and ideal for families or small groups, especially keen birders.
Room Facilities
Melkkamer Foremans Cottage
The Melkkamer Foremans Cottage is charming and tucked away amongst the milkwood trees. It is a short walk from the vlei and the Melkkamer Manor House. It has three bedrooms, open plan sitting room with dining room and fully equipped kitchen and barbecue area.
The Melkkamer Foremans Cottage is ideal for family getaways or for a small group of friends.
Room Facilities
These 5 Campsite Rondawels are thatched cottages with 2 beds with outdoor shared showers and toilets. Perfect for guests looking for simple and affordable accommodation with a braai area, but no other kitchen facility.
The Opstal area is the hub of the reserve and a great location from which to explore the whole area. These chalets are a great base among the diverse fauna and flora.
There is a tennis court, swimming pool and a boules courtyard.
Room Facilities
Guided Activities
A walking trail exploring coastal rock pools and sandy beaches while a qualified guide points out interesting marine life forms. Also a great way to experience the Southern Right Whales in the bay between June and December.
Depart an hour before low tide from the meeting tree. Times of daily low tide should be confirmed with the guides the day before. Please book at reception.
Duration 2 hours
Explore the De Hoop Vlei and enjoy bird, game, otter and even porcupine sightings with our new eco cruise experience. Daily cruises can be booked by arrangement. Morning cruises include tea, coffee as well as pastries and croissants with jam and cheese. Guests opting for the evening cruise can enjoy house wines, local beers, juices and savory snacks. Please note that this excludes spirits and specialty wines. (duration 1 1/2 - 2 hours)
Mountain bikers are encouraged to explore the magnificent terrain with one of our guides or at their own leisure, which sustains part of the world’s smallest and most threatened plant kingdom – the Cape Floral Kingdom. Close-up encounters with bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, baboons and ostrich are a highlight. A qualified field guide will share his knowledge of less obvious natural and historical aspects of De Hoop.
Depart from meeting tree at various times during the day. To be booked and confirmed with the guides.
Duration 2 - 3 hours
A wonderful walking experience with a qualified field guide focused on the identification and behavior of the abundant birdlife found in De Hoop Nature Reserve. Length of walk dependent on fitness levels of participants. Included at no charge in any three-night stay excluding campsite bookings.
Depart from the meeting tree at the Opstal at 06h00 October - March and 08h00 April - September.
Duration 1 - 3 hours
View our bird and species list here
Experience the magnificent stars and constellations that the clear De Hoop night sky has to offer.
Learn about the various star signs and other interesting facts about the sky.
Times may change according to season and weather conditions. Please discuss and confirm with the guide.
Duration 1 hour
The De Hoop Bespoke Trail Experience
Restaurant: The Fig Tree
The Fig Tree Restaurant is open daily, from 08h00 - 21h00, and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, teas, coffees and cakes and is licensed. Ask about our local wine selection, craft beers and ciders.
Situated in the main Opstal area, next to reception, De Hoop Collection’s Fig Tree Restaurant offers day and overnight visitors a welcoming and comfortable setting in which to enjoy local culinary creations. The building that dates from the 1800’s was built by farmer Cloete as his sheep shearing shed and renovated by De Hoop Collection to a warm, cosy restaurant.
The Fig Tree Restaurant is steered by the experienced hand of Head Chef, Marcia Tyobeka. Being a vegetarian does not hold back this career driven, passionate chef; her meat and fish dishes are just as delicious as her vegetarian dishes. Marcia studied at Vector College in Braamfontein, Johannesburg and has 13 years’ experience in the kitchen. Originally from Rustenburg, she worked with Madikwe Collection for 4 years before moving to De Hoop Collection and has been successfully running the Fig Tree Restaurant Kitchen since 2010.
William and Nini Stephens of De Hoop Collection have used their kitchen as a training ground since they first began in hospitality. Staff from neighboring Bredasdorp and Elim were introduced to the culinary world not only to better their skills, but to ignite a passion for local produce and home cooking. Judy Dyason, best known for co-founding the world-renowned Prue Leith School of Cooking in South Africa, together with Head Chef Marcia, headed the culinary skills training at De Hoop. With the right attitude and motivation, cooking is something that can be taught, and it is no different at The Fig Tree Restaurant.
The Fig Tree Restaurant offers a la carte menus for breakfast and lunch and set dinner menus. Delicious picnic baskets can be pre-ordered from reception and enjoyed on the beach, under a fig tree, or next to the reserve’s 19km vlei.
Land Based Whale Watching
The Southern Right whale has made the De Hoop Reserve in South Africa one of the world’s best land based whale-watching areas. This marine protected area is a World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important nurseries for this endangered mammal. During the winter months (June to November), Southern Right whales come so close to the shoreline that visitors can relax on the unspoiled sand dunes and watch in awe as these beautiful creatures calve, blow, breach and belly-flop.
Increasing numbers of whales visit De Hoop
The Southern Right whale spends the summer months in the far Southern Ocean feeding close to Antarctica and migrates north in winter for warm-water breeding. The fidelity of the females to safe feeding and calving habitats brings these mammals in increasing numbers to the De Hoop region. The mother passes these instincts onto her calves which results in visitors being able to view this transient population of literally hundreds of whales that visit De Hoop shores annually.
Art Workshops
Art Workshop @ De Hoop - with Karina Behr
Day one, we start with a Tonal drawing in charcoal of a couple of objects under the spotlight to emphasize shadows and lights, lost edges and atmosphere. Next is the preparation of the canvas and a drawing of the still life that we are going to paint. The composition being an important part of the painting.
Onto the now prepared canvas, we will outline the composition and then put in the shadows and the darks (without using any white) and some of the bold pure colour. As we go along, we correct the drawing, adding more detail and the mid tones, and filling in the background. Towards the end we put in the light colours and highlights.
I will teach you perspective, drawing of the ellipse, negative spaces and colour mixing, and at the end of the workshop you will have completed an oil painting!
Contact us with a group of friends who will enjoy being in a beautiful nature reserve while creating a masterpiece!
The Ultimate Family Getaway
Spa @ De Hoop
We are thrilled to partner with brands Africology & ELEMIS at our De Hoop Spa.
Your skin, your body and your wellness lie at the heart of ELEMIS.
Hands-on, our ELEMIS therapists harness the power of nature and science to create ground-breaking formulations that genuinely transform your skin. Personally prescribed. Sublimely sensory. The experience is exceptional, the results are real.
Africology offers a luxury, natural and eco-friendly skincare range, fragranced only with pure essential oils. From humble beginnings in a small Johannesburg kitchen, Africology is fast growing into a well-respected international brand. We are an ethical company committed to fair trade while respecting the earth and supporting local communities.
We invite you to browse through the menu and choose the treatment that speaks to you. Our selection of treatments has been chosen reflecting nature around you, brought to you by our experienced therapists and their touch.
Elim Wine Route
The Elim ward which is hugged by two oceans and easily accessed via Bredasdorp on a newly tarred road, falls within the Agulhas district along the Cape South Coast - an interesting geographical location that has resulted in the Elim ward becoming one of the most closely watched wine producing regions in the world.
Perpetual winds off the sea on this peninsula, cool laterite, sandstone and broken shale soils, cool temperatures during the ripening stage, and high light intensity, engraves in the berries flavours such as nettle, capsicum, gooseberry, figs and passion fruit. The wines have a full palate, are crisp and minerally, have lots of concentrated fruit with an excellent finish.
The meaning of the word Elim, ‘place of God’ could not be more apt for this picturesque, historic town, where the vast skies and swirling blue oceans lapping at the shores of this coastal paradise define its special allure. Spectacular wines are the order of the day for four wine producing partners in the Elim ward; The Berrio, Black Oystercatcher, Zoetendal and First Sighting, who have joined forces to create the Elim Winegrowers.Their slogan, ‘Real wine, Real people’, captures the essence of this small hamlet, where there is no better place to experience flavorsome wines, delectable cuisine and genuine hospitality.
In order to preserve the exceptional biodiversity of the area, the Elim Winegrowers, along with other farmers in the area, have incorporated their farms into the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area Initiative, established to develop a sustainable ecology in harmony with farming in the Nuwejaars Wetland Ecosystem. In accordance with international standards, this project aims to preserve the unique fauna and flora of the Agulhas coastal plains, some of which are listed on the Red Data endangered list. A largely sustainable ecology is created, ensuring the protection and enhancement of the heritage and culture of the sub-region, generating benefits for all stakeholders, helping to meet social and environmental requirements, and encouraging community lifestyles compatible with environmental sustainability. Spanning 21 468 hectares, this project puts the Elim Winegrowers at the forefront of environmentally sustainable viticulture practices.
Attractions, Stops and Cape Country Routes
Fly In @ De Hoop
The purpose of this document is to outline the operational procedures of De Hoop Airstrip, as agreed upon between the SAAF, Cape Nature Conservation and De Hoop Management. It is specifically aimed at minimising noise and visual impact on the existing operations in the area by minimising flights and routing aircraft via a specified corridor. This will hopefully lessen the expected impact that flights to De Hoop Airstrip will have on sensitive areas such as the De Hoop Wetlands and Visitor facilities.
Our specialist team will arrange as intimate or grand an occasion as you desire. We will help you plan your theme and flowers, organise you a string quartet, dinner under the stars or a banquet for 150 friends - anything to suit the style of your occasion. We will sensationally deliver your perfect De Hoop wedding and a celebration your guests will never forget.
Nini Stephens is our in-house wedding co-ordinator and will take care of all your wedding plans and commitments.
Taking care of your guests
The De Hoop Collection has a wide range of accommodation from affordable self-catering chalets to upmarket catered lodges & are easily able to accommodate your entire wedding party. The Fig Tree restaurant at The Opstal serves three meals a day as well as teas and coffees. Picnic baskets are available for alfresco meals.
Your Honeymoon
If you are the adventurous type, consider spending a few days of your honeymoon in De Hoop hiking, biking, whale-watching and snorkeling are just a few of the preferred activities. Or simply laze on the beach enjoying the miles of private rock pools and undisturbed shores.
Click here to view our wedding brochure
De Hoop Collection offers a wonderful venue for a get away from it all’ conference in the heart of a beautiful Nature Reserve teaming with animal and bird life - from graceful bontebok and statuesque eland, to the ever quirky ostrich. Over 200 bird species can be found at the reserve thanks to the breath-taking fynbos plains, and a 19km fresh water Vlei popular with pelicans and flamingos. Just down the gravel road lies an unspoiled coastline dotted with turquoise rock pools and bordered by pristine dunes. During whale season the sea becomes a playground for the Southern Right Whale, amongst other whale species.
Back at the De Hoop Collection Opstal, the Cloete Room serves as the main conference facility which can seat up to 50 delegates. These delegates are easily accommodated in a range of room and cottage options - mostly within walking distance of the conference facility. Tea breaks can be enjoyed outside under one of the towering fig trees, while lunch is served at our Fig Tree Restaurant, or opt for a picnic option, and dine overlooking the expansive Vlei.
Professional team building activities can be arranged, maybe include a scavenger hunt, or even a wine and food pairing evening in your timetable. A range of guided activities are also available on site such as fynbos and marine walks or guided mountain bike or quad bike trails.
Optional paid extras:
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