Wake Up to Wildlife at De Hoop Collection Opstal Suites: 36,000 Hectares of Protected Beauty on Your Doorstep
The road from Cape Town to De Hoop Nature Reserve is a pleasant 3-hour drive. It’s smooth sailing on scenic roads as you make your way to the small town of Bredasdorp. The final stretch of your journey takes you along a well-graded gravel road through the gates of De Hoop Nature Reserve. If you can hang on through the dusty stretch, rich rewards await.
Once inside the reserve, you’re greeted by 36,000 hectares of protected sand dunes, plains and limestone hills fronted by 45km of dramatic, Indian Ocean coastline. It’s one of the most spectacular places you’ll ever visit.
Inside the reserve, accommodation options abound with De Hoop Collection. A member of Cape Country Routes, De Hoop Collection opened in De Hoop Nature Reserve in 2007. For this most recent visit I stayed at the Opstal Suites in the Opstal Manor House. The suites are made up of a huddle of whitewashed, thatched-roofed cottages set around a central grass courtyard under the shade of a magnificent Natal Wild Fig Tree. The suites are all situated within close proximity to the Fig Tree Restaurant and the reserve’s central hub.
Staying at Opstal Suites
The Opstal Manor House is a beautiful original farm home which has been restored to its former glory. The house has two large, beautifully decorated suites, both with en-suite bathrooms with bath and shower. The house also includes a small room, suitable for children, with an en-suite bathroom with shower only. Rooms in the Manor House can be rented out individually, or all 3 rooms within the Manor House can be booked for Exclusive Use.
Inside the grand old home a cosy lounge with fireplace and the old stone floor kitchen is shared between all guests. The kitchen is not equipped for self-catering but tea and coffee facilities are available here. Dinner and Breakfast is included in your stay and served in The Fig Tree Restaurant.
The collection of Opstal Suites is a wonderful central base from which to explore the reserve. From the Opstal area, it is a short drive, hike, or cycle to many of the other points of interest in the reserve. Plus, Opstal Suites’ close proximity to the reserve’s central hub mean’s you’re just a stroll away from the restaurant, curio shop, activity center, tennis courts, swimming pool, and the jetty for sunset cruises on the vlei.
Many of the Opstal Suites look out over the vlei, which is home to fish eagles and up to 250 flamingos in the summer months. If birds don’t catch your fancy, a quick glance outside your window will almost always reward you with a wildlife sighting. During my 2-night stay I had a front row seat to the daily habits of a dazzle of Zebra that had taken a liking to a patch of grass outside my window. Their constant presence was my favourite thing about my 2-night stay at the Opstal Suites.
There’s no shortage of wildlife sightings at De Hoop, just outside your door there’s always something magnificent to see. Walks and drives through the reserve are the best way to take it all in.
Exploring De Hoop Nature Reserve
De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the Western Cape’s most diverse landscapes. In this protected reserve, nature dominates, offering visitors a glimpse into how the area was centuries ago. There are many natural wonders in the world, but only a few offer such awesome diversity as the pristine De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of the largest natural areas managed by CapeNature.
The sea, deserted beaches, Ramsar-listed vlei, wide open spaces, coastal fynbos, diverse animal and bird life (including the endangered Cape Vulture and the very best whale watching), the World Heritage site offers unique outdoor experiences like no other.
De Hoop Collection offers plenty of activities to help you explore the reserve including mountain biking, guided walks, nature drives, and more. The guided Marine Walk at Koppie Alleen is always one of my favourite activities to do when visiting De Hoop. The 2-hour activity sees guests exploring coastal rock pools and sandy beaches during low tide while a qualified guide points out interesting marine life forms. The guided walk is also a great way to experience the Southern Right Whales in the bay between June and November.
The guided eco boat cruise was another highlight for me. This 2-hour cruise is a great way to explore the De Hoop Vlei and enjoy bird, game, otter and even porcupine sightings. The De Hoop Collection guides are always so enthusiastic to share their knowledge about the area, wildlife, and history of De Hoop with guests and it’s truly a special experience to book during your stay. Morning cruises include tea and coffee as well as pastries and croissants with jam and cheese. The early afternoon cruise includes house wines, local beers, juices and savoury snacks.
Enhancing the De Hoop ‘experience’ further is the addition of the fascinating Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition. Curated by Craig Foster (My Octopus Teacher) and archaeologist Petro Keene, this exhibition is a must-see for history buffs. The exhibition is a world-class experience highlighting the archaeological heritage and diverse marine environment of the Southern Cape coastline.
Indulge at the Fig Tree Restaurant
Overlooking the beautiful vlei with its spectacular birdlife is the staple of De Hoop’s dining scene, De Hoop Collection’s Fig Tree Restaurant. Situated in the main Opstal area, the restaurant offers day and overnight visitors a welcoming and comfortable setting in which to enjoy local culinary creations.
Those staying for breakfast, lunch, or dinner can grab a table in the stylish dining area or better yet, find a seat on the outside verandah to take in the breathtaking views of the vlei. A relaxed sitting-area inside the restaurant is where guests are invited to unwind and sink into soft comfortable couches after a long day spent exploring. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cup of tea and have a gaggle about your sightings that day.
The restaurant serves a continental breakfast buffet with a hot breakfast menu, a la carte lunch and dinner menus, as well as a selection of snacks, teas, coffees and cakes. The menu includes a large variety of dishes prepared using locally sourced produce and healthy, wholesome ingredients.
The restaurant experience is in keeping with the same upmarket standards you’ll experience in your suite. No small detail is overlooked and the staff ensure you’re always so well looked after. The De Hoop crew are a special bunch, it’s not very often you feel this kind of warmth and generosity of spirit at a hotel stay.
The peace and tranquility at De Hoop is palpable and permeates through every experience and interaction. You can feel it in the warm smile of the saintly waitresses delivering your first coffee in the morning, and in the excitement of the dutiful guide explaining the significance of the archaeological heritage found on De Hoop’s coastline.
If it’s a true break you need, De Hoop is where you’ll find an escape. The reserve is unlike any place on earth. It may well be one of the last of the Cape’s unspoiled gems and it’s one of my favourite places to visit.
If you’re yet to visit this spectacular place, it’s time to book your stay with De Hoop Collection and make De Hoop Nature Reserve your new favourite holiday destination.
