Trail Details

The De Hoop Collection and trail route are located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve 34˚45’51.00 S / 20˚39’91.00 E 

Bredasdorp

Local transport options: far from any public transport hub, private transport, car hireor or by arrangement with shuttle service.

Option 1: 3½ days / 4 nights Fully catered and guided trail

Option 2: Add on 2 nights at Lekkerwater – fully catered partially guided options

Full itinerary

Hiking starts at the gate of the De Hoop Nature Reserve

Base for meeting point and car parking – De Hoop Collection 34˚45’51.00 S / 20˚39’91.00 E

Day 1: 6.6 km De Hoop Nature Reserve Gate to Tierhoek – approximately 2 hours
Day 2: 15 km De Hoop Vlei Circuit – approximately 7 hours
Day 3: 7 km Coastal Walk Koppie Alleen to Vaalkrans – approximately 3 hours + 2 km short walk to Vulture Colony viewing platform – approximately 1 hour includes viewing
Day 4: 8 km Opstal to Tierhoek

On a scale of easy – moderate – strenuous

This trail is easy

A reasonable degree of overall fitness required, with hiking fitness being an advantage

The terrain is even in most places, with short descents and ascents to and from beach sections along the coast. The paths are mostly sandy, not always well defined and uneven in places with some beach walking. There is a fairly steep, uneven path to the Vulture Colony viewing platform.

The accommodation is luxury, in the fully service De Mond Villa with five en-suite double bedrooms, quality linen and towels provided. The Villa is off grid, has dining and lounge facilities, outdoor braai (barbeque) and swimming pool. There is a view over the wetland.

The equally well appointed Melkkamer Guest Lodge may occasionally be offered as an alternative due to booking commitments.

Evening meals are in keeping with the environment, including tradional potjiekos and braai (barbeque) using local, fresh ingredients.  Lunches are kept simple but delicious. 

Logistical transport is provided from where the trail starts and ends to the accommodation, mostly in open safari vehicles. As the accommodation is in one location luggage logistics are not required.

The guides are extremely well trained with a particularly good understanding of their local environment, including flora (fynbos), birdlife, wildlife and marine life.

There are many highlights on this trail, including the birdlife on the vlei (possible sightings of flamingoes and pelicans), the local naturally occurring antelope such as eland, bontebok and others, plus the visit to the Cape Vulture breeding colony – the largest in the Western Cape. The possible sighting of whales during the southern right whale migration season between May and November with the peak season being around August / September. 

Additional boat cruises on the Vlei, walks to rock pools and places of interest and the possibility of an extended stay with a visit to the highly rated Fig Tree Restaurant

De Hoop Nature Reserve forms part of the world’s smallest and most threatened plant kingdom – the Cape Floral Kingdom. Fynbos is the dominant vegetation within this kingdom – largely confined to nutrient-poor soils in the winter rainfall areas of the Western Cape. Fynbos is adapted to fire and drought, and characterized by four growth forms: • proteas, ericas, restios and geophytes. De Hoop has an estimated 1500 plant species of these 108 species are rare or threatened and 34 species occur only on De Hoop Nature Reserve.

De Hoop’s many terrestial habitats support a diversity of animal groups. The reserve has 86 mammal species, most notably the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebuck, baboon, yellow mongoose, caracal and the occasional leopard.

The reserve is marine protected area and is its rock pools are home to abundant sealife. Dolphins and seals occur in the waters off the coast, and southern right whales calve and mate in the sheltered bays of De Hoop each year between May and December.

De Hoop is famous for its variety of resident and migratory bird species and more than 260 species have been recorded on the reserve. The De Hoop vlei attracts large numbers of water birds and the only remaining Western Cape breeding colony of the rare Cape vulture occurs at Potberg.

De Hoop as part of the Western Cape is located in a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall. Summer can be hot (up to 35 degrees) although usually moderate along the coast. Spring and Autumn are moderate and the best hiking season although good winter days can be quite warm and summer temperatures are seldom high for long periods. Hiking is possible all year round, but whale season between July and November are the highlights.

Spring and Autumn are moderate and the best hiking season although good winter days can be quite warm and summer temperatures are seldom high for long periods. Hiking is possible all year round. Whale season for the migration of the souther right whale is between July and November.

Minimum group size 4, maximum group size 10.

Rate: R12900 per person (sharing)

What is included:
Three nights accommodation at De Mond Villa or Melkkamer
All meals and snacks – breakfasts, brunches, lunches, picnic, snacks and dinners
Local House wines, spirits and beers and soft drinks
Road transfers to and from de Mond Villa and within De Hoop

What is excluded:
Transfers to and from De Hoop Nature Reserve
R40 per person Cape Nature Gate Entrance & Conservation Fee paid on arrival at the gate
Fully comprehensive travel insurance
Gratuities to the lodge staff and guides
Premium drinks not on the “house” list

The De Hoop Collection