Is De Hoop the Ultimate Family Getaway?
The school holidays are just around the corner and we're sharing our top 5 reasons why De Hoop Collection is the ultimate family getaway.
De Hoop Collection invites you on an incredible journey back into the past, to a time when early Homo sapiens roamed our earth.
The 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour’ exhibition is hosted at De Hoop Collection, in the heart of De Hoop Nature Reserve. This unique showcase opened on 18 January 2024 and is a collaboration between De Hoop, CapeNature, and esteemed research institutions that include the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE) and the University of Bergen, Norway.
Unravelling the archaeological wonders of the southern Cape's coastline, the exhibition highlights the archaeological sites of Blombos Cave, Klipdrift Shelter, and Klasies River, where early Homo sapiens lived 50,000 to 120,000 years ago.
The exhibition is the culmination of a lifelong dedication to documenting human origins and indigenous wisdom embodied by brothers Craig Foster (co-founder of the Sea Change Project, and known for the Oscar and BAFTA-winning documentary "My Octopus Teacher") and Damon Foster, alongside decades of archaeological research in the southern Cape by SapienCE scientists like Professor Christopher Henshilwood, Dr Karen van Niekerk, Professor Sarah Wurz, and their teams. The exhibition premiered in 2018 at Spier Wine Estate, and after undergoing various iterations, it will be showcased at De Hoop for three years.
Handpicked by Craig Foster for their strong work ethic and aesthetic flair, De Hoop’s William and Nini Stephens, Hendrik Arendse, and Dalfrenzo Laing will closely collaborate with CapeNature to enhance the region's cultural and natural heritage legacy as stewards of this unique and irreplaceable, "Heart of the World."
With a powerful 'We Are All One' message, the ‘Origins of Early Southern Behaviour’ exhibition emphasises the genetic roots of all Homo sapiens in Africa.
Exhibition Entry Fees
• Free for De Hoop overnight guests
• Free entry for student outreach
• R200 per person for day visitors
• Group packages are available on request
Make a Weekend of It!
The perfect backdrop for this immersive exploration is situated in the pristine De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve, renowned for its biodiversity, whale-watching and De Hoop Collection.
Book your experience now and enjoy a weekend getaway at De Hoop, just three hours from Cape Town. Explore the sea, beaches, and Ramsar-listed vlei. Discover rare plants and diverse wildlife, all while uncovering the fascinating 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour.'
De Hoop Collection just outside Bredasdorp provides exclusive accommodation in De Hoop Nature Reserve. From remote luxury self-catering houses overlooking the 16km long Ramsar-listed vlei to upmarket catered suites just a short stroll from The Fig Tree Restaurant, De Hoop Collection has it all. Whet...
View ProfileXplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.
Read MoreThe school holidays are just around the corner and we're sharing our top 5 reasons why De Hoop Collection is the ultimate family getaway.
South Africa’s iconic five-day Whale Trail hiking route is offered as a challenge to runners.
It's officially our favourite annual announcement - the whales are back!
Experience a taste of the Wild and Wonderful, at the De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience, hosted at De Hoop Collection.
As we delve into the heart of the season, it's the perfect time to plan an unforgettable family getaway.