Lately when people ask me where I want to travel, I say South Africa. It used to be India, Borneo or Japan (I would still like Japan) but the more I see of our own country, the more blown away I am. And the trip that I did to De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape near Agulhus, solidified this.
We have so much beauty right here.
Our guide was Eduan Oktober. Eddie made me curious about everything. He told beautiful stories about the birds, animals, fynbos and sea life, all of which are a big part of De Hoop. As we got to know him, he told us about himself too. He grew up in the area, fishing with his Grandpa, exploring the De Hoop hills and sand dunes on his own, loving the space and the solitude, the quiet of the outdoors. It made perfect sense that he would become a guide. And that he would become one at De Hoop, who have nurtured him along his journey.
When we did a marine tidal walk, Eddy spoke of his eighteen month old son, Izaiah. Once, while looking for fish, they found a Sea Star. Eddy placed it gently in the palm of Izaiah’s hand and Izaiah looked at it with wonder, then started stroking it. Without being told, he placed it back in its little rock pool.
He just knew it was a living creature and treated it with love and respect, the way all living things at De Hoop are treated.
By the way a Sea Star used to be called a Star Fish but it isn’t in fact a fish and so the name has been changed.
You learn things at De Hoop!
I was part of a media trip, the three night luxury Vlei to Whales slack-packing trail, although it is much more than slack packing and much more than a trail. Accommodation is in the luxurious and contemporary De Mond Villa but can be split between the historical and elegant Melkkamer Manor too. Both places are extraordinary. Meals are prepared by an incredible Chef who goes as - Chef - and are served either in the villas, on a beautifully set table after a walk in the fynbos, near the ocean, after a swim, on top of a cliff watching vultures, midway on a nature drive amidst zebra and ostrich and giant tortoises, or just whenever you are hungry really!
De Hoop is massive which is really cool because there is a lot to see and do but it also means there is so much space you don’t need to bump into anyone else. There are 34 thousand hectares of diverse and unique nature reserve, including beaches and mountains, fynbos in all its glory, sand dunes which blew my mind, cycling tracks and hiking paths. If you don’t do the Vlei to Whale trail on an all inclusive option and stay in the luxury villas, there are numerous other cottages or suites to choose from, for a variety of budgets. One can choose self catering, dinner bed and breakfast or full board, and join guided group activities or do your own. Walk, hike, take a nature drive, a river cruise, enjoy the flowers, climb the dunes, swim, visit the museum (brilliant exhibit on right now, the origins of Early Southern Sapiens) birdwatch, go to the vulture colony, marvel at the views. Or just swim and look for whales!
We were treated to the fully inclusive option, which was pure and total luxury. I fell in love with De Hoop on this trip and I get why locals go back year after year after year. It is a beautifully kept secret, really one of the most special places in South Africa. I think De Hoop in the Western Cape should be on the map in the same way the Kruger National Park in Limpopo is, although they both offer totally different experiences. It is a treasure in every single way.
Info:-
www.dehoopcollection.com
https://www.dehoopcollection.com/de-hoop-trail-2/
info@dehoopcollection.co.za
Or you can email me, Sandi, thandeka@icon.co.za
Comments