Few other reserves offer as complete an outdoor experience as De Hoop Nature Reserve sea, sand dunes, the vlei, a floral sensation of rare fynbos plants, diverse antelope and the Potberg Mountains. Birders observe wading birds on the shores of the vlei while the Potberg Mountains are home to a colony of endangered Cape vultures. Hikers and cyclists have close-up encounters with bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, baboons and ostrich. Activities are diverse and guests choose between various day walks through the rich fynbos plains or along the deserted coastline, or mountain biking along the many gravel roads or scenic game drives. Lazing on the beach and snorkeling in the many turquoise rock pools is simply another way to pass a rewarding day. Day visitors welcome, and restaurant open daily.
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is situated east of Bredasdorp. The reserve is about 260 km by road from Cape Town, and may be reached via either Bredasdorp or Swellendam. The last 60 km of either route is along gravel roads and takes an hour to travel.
Self-drive from Cape Town: Take N2 to Caledon. From Caledon drive through Napier to Bredasdorp. From Bredasdorp take the R319 to Swellendam. At about 6kms turn right - sign posted De Hoop / Malagas / Infanta. Gravel road for 33kms until you see a sign to the right - BUCHU BUSHCAMP / DE HOOP. It is 7km from this turn off to the Main Gate of the Park and a further 8km to the office.
From Swellendam: Drive on N2 for 13km in the direction of Cape Town, turn left onto gravel road, signed Spitskop. Continue on this road for about 45km until you reach a T-junction. Turn left at the T-junction signed Malgas / Infanta and travel approx 2km before you turn right onto the De Hoop Pad signed BUCHU BUSHCAMP / DE HOOP. It is 7km from this turn off to the Main Gate of the Park and a further 8km to the office.
Guided Activities:
- Guided Eco Boat Trip
- Interpretive Marine Walk
- Bird Watching
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Drives
- Vulture Experience
These 5 Campsite Rondawels are thatched cottages with 2 beds with outdoor shared showers and toilets. Perfect for guests looking for simple and affordable accommodation with a braai area, but no other kitchen facility. Equipped with twin or double bed, bedside table, basin, cupboard, kettle, bar fridge, some basic cutlery and crockery, toaster, braai and outdoor dining area. No cooking facilities.
9 cottages each with kitchen lounge/dining area, outdoor braai and dining area.
Amenities include kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided), braai equipment.
3 Bedrooms, one with 1 double room (either twin or double bed), 1 twin room and 1 bunk room. Linen and hangers provided.
1 Bathroom with Shower, basin, toilet, bath mat, bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
7 cottages in total - 6 of them offer 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and 1 cottage with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom (Eland). Kitchen has a lounge/dining area, outdoor braai and dining area.
Kitchen amenities include a kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponges provided), braai equipment.
Bedroom setup consists of 1 double (double or twin beds) and 2 twins (Eland). Linen and hangers provided.
Bathroom with Shower, basin, toilet, bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
1 cottage with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom (Eland). Kitchen has a lounge/dining area, outdoor braai and dining area.
Kitchen amenities include a kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponges provided), braai equipment.
Bedroom setup consists of 1 double (double or twin beds) and 2 twins. Linen and hangers provided.
Bathroom with Shower, basin, toilet, bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
The Melkkamer Foreman’s cottage which is also built of sand stone is situated behind the Manor House and is hidden away by large rambling Milkwoods. 3 bedrooms, one with 1 double (double or twin beds) and 2 twin bedrooms. Linen and hangers provided.
1 Bathroom with bath, basin, toilet, bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided. The house also has an outdoor shower. Kitchen with lounge/dining area, fireplace, outdoor braai and dining area.
No electricity - Gas fridge/freezer, gas stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided) braai equipment
The Melkkamer Manor House has been derelict for the past few years but has been beautifully restored to its former grandeur. 4 Bedrooms (2 x King 4-poster bed, 2 x Twin beds), hangers and linen provided. 4 Bathrooms each with showers, baths, basins, toilets, bathmats, bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Kitchen has no electricity, generator used at pre-determined times, gas fridge/freezer, gas stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided)and braai equipment. The house also has a lounge and dining room with fireplaces. Serviced daily.
This lovely, old cottage overlooks the vlei and faces the Opstal area. 4 Bedrooms (1 x King 4-poster bed, 1 x King bed, 2 x Twin beds), linen and hangers provided. Two bathrooms - two showers, basins, toilet, bath mats. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Kitchen, lounge/dining area fireplace, outdoor braai and dining area. Kitchen has no electricity, gas fridge/freezer, gas stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided) braai equipment. Serviced daily.
Sleeps 2 people and facilities include a kettle, coffee, tea and a bar fridge. Bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. En-suite bathroom with shower, bath, basin and toilet. Linen, towels and amenities are provided, Serviced daily.
Meals are served in The Fig Tree Restaurant.
There are 4 Cloete Suites. Numbers 1 & 2 interlink and numbers 3 & 4 interlink and overlooks the Fig Trees in the courtyard. Each suite Sleeps 2 people and facilities include kettle, coffee, tea and a bar fridge. The bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. En-suite bathroom with shower, bath basin, toilet, bath mat. Bathrooom Towels, soap, handwash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Cloete Suite 1 - Complimentary firewood provided for fireplace.
This vlei facing suite sleeps 2 people and facilities include kettle, coffee, tea and a bar fridge. The bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. En-suite bathroom with shower, bath, basin, toilet and bathmat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Seating area outside overlooking the vlei. Complimentary firewood provided for fireplace.
Opstal Fig Tree Suite is set in the courtyard next to the Opstal Manor House. Sleeps 2 people and facilities include kettle, coffee, tea and bar fridge. Bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. Bathroom is en-suite with shower, bath, basin, toilet, bath mat, towels, soap, handwash, shampoo, conditioner, body was and Body Lotion provided.
3 houses each with kitchen, lounge/dining area, fireplace, outdoor braai.
Facilities include kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided), braai equipment and permanent braai grid provided.
Bedroom setup consists of 1 double (double or twin beds) and 2 twin bedrooms. Linen and hangers provided.
Bathroom with shower and bath, basin, separate toilet, bath mats. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Firewood is not provided. Can be purchased from our Curio Shop.
The Opstal Manor House is set in the courtyard with its beautiful Fig Trees. It has 2 Large Suites - 1 with 1 x King 4-poster bed and 1 x Twin Beds that can be made into a king. The bathrooms have baths and showers. Linen, towels and amenities are provided. Serviced daily. Complimentary firewood provided for fireplace.
The Opstal Manor House is set in the courtyard with its beautiful Fig Trees. The house has 2 large rooms for adults and 1 small room for children. The small room has twin beds, a shower and toilet. Linen, towels and amenities are provided.
There are 3 Otter Suites. Sleeps 2 people and facilities include kettle, coffee, tea and bar fridge. Bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. Bathroom is en-suite with bath, basin, toilet, bath mat, towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided. Each suite has an outdoor shower.
Seating area outside overlooking the vlei.
Sleeps 2 people and facilities include kettle, coffee, tea and bar fridge. Bedroom has 1 king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. En-suite bathroom has a shower, bath, basin, toilet and bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Sleeps 2 people with facilities like kettle, coffee, tea and bar fridge. The bedroom has a king size bed with mosquito net. Linen and hangers provided. The en suite bathroom has a shower, bath, basin, toilet and bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided. Seating area outside overlooking the vlei.
There are 3 Vlei Cottages with partial views of the vlei. Each cottage has a kitchen, lounge/dinning area and outdoor braai.
Facilities include kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, stove/oven, basic crockery and cutlery, basic kitchen utensils, sink (dishwashing liquid and sponge provided), braai equipment, permanent braai grid provided. Bedroom setup consists of 1 double and 1 twin. Linen and hangers provided. Bathroom has a shower, basin, toilet, bath mat. Bathroom towels, soap, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and body lotion provided.
Firewood is not provided. Can be purchased from our Curio Shop.
From Cape Town, take the N2 to Caledon. From Caledon, head for Bredasdorp.
From Bredasdorp take the R319 for Swellendam.
After about 6km, turn right at the De Hoop / Malgas / Infanta sign and follow this dirt road for about 60km to the reserve. About 3 hrs drive (230km).
