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- De Hoop Reserve
- Overview
De Hoop Reserve holidays
De Hoop Reserve The De Hoop Reserve, situated in the Overberg region, which is characterised by quaint towns and a blossoming wine industry, is just three hours’ drive from Cape Town and is an ideal place to stop between the Cape Winelands and Plettenberg Bay. All of the 36,000 hectares De Hoop conservation area is a World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity, over 70 km of pristine coastline and 19 km of wetland, which is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. During the whale season (June to November), forty percent of the world’s southern right whales come to these shores to breed meaning that De Hoop is one of the world’s best land based whale-watching areas. Other mammals, which can be sought on guided game drives, include eland, bontebok, baboon, Cape mountain zebra, grey rhebuck, duiker and steenbok. Guided bird walks offer the chance to spot some of the 259 bird species of the area.
Explore De Hoop Reserve
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Top things to do in De Hoop Reserve
Explore De Hoop Reserve
De Hoop offers some of the best and most accessible land-based whale-watching opportunities in the world between July and November each year. Seven whale species have been recorded in the Marine Protected Area of De Hoop, but it is the southern right whale that is most commonly seen. De Hoop is also a year-round destination offering a number of other experiences including guided nature walks along the De Hoop Trail, interpretive marine walks exploring the reserve's coastal rock pools and sandy beaches, guided bird and fynbos walks, snorkelling and stargazing.
Walk the De Hoop Trail
Known as 'the jewel of the cape' due to its stunning scenery and natural beauty, the De Hoop Nature Reserve is a pristine environment in which to go walking. In the company of a well-informed, interpretive guide, explore both the De Hoop Vlei (a wetland area) and the magnificent De Hoop Coastal Reserve over 3 nights, enjoying fine cuisine and luxury accommodation along the way. The trail incorporates all the major highlights of the reserve such as its wildlife, the fynbos and marine experiences. The walk is run in small groups to allow for a truly memorable experience.
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