The De Hoop Reserve with the adjacent marine reserve in South Africa is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, bird and whale watchers. Here are my tips for activities that you shouldn't miss.
1. Hike the last leg of the famous Whale Trail - and with a bit of luck, see a whale on the horizon
My tip: Pack your bathing suit and swim in the Hippo Pool
Every year between June and November, right whales come to the waters of the De Hoop Reserve to mate and give birth to their young. The Whale Trail, which requires a reservation, offers the unique opportunity to observe these peaceful giants from land. The 55 km long hike leads from Potberg to Koppie Alleen and includes five overnight stays in simple huts. Unfortunately, the trail is usually fully booked or many visitors do not have time for such a multi-day hike. Here my first tip of the activities you should do in the De Hoop Reserve/South Africa:
The most scenic section leads along the sea between Vaalkrans and Koppie Alleen and is also accessible to day trippers. This is also where hikers have the best chance of observing right whales from land.
But even without seeing whales, the coastline along the snow-white beaches with the roaring surf, the cliffs, the high dunes and the unique fynbos is incredibly spectacular.
2. Look out for Cape vultures, the last of their kind
Here, in the steep rock faces of the Potberg, the last surviving colony of Cape vultures in the Western Cape nests. From the De Hoop Collection, you will travel by jeep into the mountains/hills. You will walk up the mountain through the endemic fynbos. Along the way, you can admire beautiful flowers such as the protea and also look out for other animals, such as the bright red grasshopper (see the Gallery).
Cape vultures have a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters and a weight of up to 11 kilograms
Opposite the valley where the Cape vultures nest, there is a wooden viewing platform. From here you have a good view of the niches in which the small vultures sit. The adult animals are soaring above us.
Since the early 1960s, the population has declined sharply. The reason for this is accidental poisoning from poison bait and electric shocks from power poles and cables. Today, it is estimated that there are only between 9,000 and 12,800 adult vultures left. They are considered to be threatened with extinction.
It is all the more a privilege to see these birds circling majestically above the cliffs.
3. Dive into the infinity pool at sunset
A holiday moment that makes your stay here something very special.
The location of the pool with a view of the Vlei salt lake is unique. From the water, I can only see the Vlei below me and the densely overgrown shore.In the distance I can hear baboons and zebras passing close by. Together with the light of the setting sun, this is a truly magical moment.
4. Spot wildlife on a hike along the vlei
On the trail along the vlei to the dunes in the De Hoop Reserve you can observe all kinds of animals such as eland, monkeys, zebras and many birds.
Tip: On a guided (shorter) hike you will learn many exciting details about flora and fauna.
The high, golden sand dunes that separate the hinterland from the sea can be seen from afar. The hiking trail winds along the banks of the Vlei, an inlet that has been cut off from the sea for over 200 years. A paradise for all kinds of animals: small rock hyraxes, endemic bonteboks that were once on the verge of extinction, zebras, ostriches, birds and monkeys romp around on the rocks. Again and again, the trail passes through the fynbos, the typical vegetation of the Cape region of South Africa. It consists of over 7,000 different types of ferns and flowering plants. It is worth walking slowly, because if you look closely, you will discover many details.
5. Feel like you are on another planet on the sand dunes at sunset
As far as I can see, all I see are golden dunes and the azure sea.
Have I landed on another planet or in paradise?
The strong wind makes the grains of sand dance on the highest point of the dunes. Not good for my equipment. But very nice for photos.
The lower the sun sinks, the more the contours blur. The swell of the sea seems to merge with the curve of the sand dunes. Those who stay overnight in the De Hoop Reserve and do not have to leave the gate at 6 p.m. have the exclusive privilege of experiencing the sunset from Koppie Alleen.
6. Take a river cruise on the Vlei Salt Lake to observe many of the 150 bird species
De Hoop Vlei is an inlet that has not been connected to the ocean for 200 years. All that remains is a saltwater lake that is an El Dorado for birds and other animals.
My tip: During the boat ride you can take great photos of the birds (with a good zoom lens).
If you're lucky, you can see a variety of animals on a boat trip along the cliffs. Baboons keep watch on the shore and warn each other about us, the intruders. Kingfishers can be seen as colorful spots in the branches. From the boat we can see huge honeycombs of wild bees. The boat glides leisurely over the salt lake.
On this guided boat tour you will learn all sorts of things about the animals you see or only discover after the guide has pointed them out to you, about the flora and also other interesting information about the de Hoop nature reserve.
Here you can find all my blog posts about South Africa.
getting there and around
Rental car for a week from 110€ e.g. at www.billiger-mietwagen.de .
General information is available at:
General information about the De Hoop nature reserve can be found here .
The gate is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The De Hoop Reserve can only be accessed by a gravel road and charges R 50.00 per adult and R 30.00 per child for day visitors and overnight guests.
If you are travelling in South Africa for a longer period of time, it might be worth getting the Wildcard entry ticket (4,160 Rand) from Sanparks, which is valid for one year for all national parks and reserves.
Sleep
De Hoop Collection offers various accommodations right on the Vlei, from campsites to villas . We slept in the very comfortable Otter Suite. Small note: It is a half hour drive on a bumpy road to the sea.
Eat
The Fig Tree Restaurant serves delicious food for overnight and day guests. The wine selection is particularly impressive.
activities
The De Hoop Reserve is a paradise for nature lovers. If you want, you can also book guided tours through the De Hoop Collection . The interactive exhibition on the origins of mankind is impressive and shows films by Oscar winner Craig Foster, among others.