“Whoopee! The whales have returned! This is always a time for celebration when the whales return to the beautiful coastline at De Hoop, and we could not be happier to welcome them,” says William Stephens, owner of De Hoop Collection at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site and Marine Protected area in the Overberg region, home of the famed Whale Trail and arguably the best land-based whale-watching spot in the world, is where, every year from June to November some 40% of the world’s southern right whales come to breed.
Last year was a great year for whale sightings according to the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit. The results of its aerial survey from Hermanus to Witsand revealed a total of 568 cow/calf pairs of southern right whales, totalling 1 136, marking a historic high in observed cow/calf pairs along the South African coastline. Jean Tresfon, well known marine conservation photographer, who undertook the official aerial survey with the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit’s Dr Els Vermeulen, said that the highest concentration of whales – 236 mothers with calves, was at Koppie Alleen.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that this year’s whale sighting numbers will be as impressive as last year’s”, says Stephens.“Whale time is definitely a favourite time at De Hoop Collection – watching the magnificent whales breach, fluke and spyhop (a vertical half-rise out of the water to view the surroundings) down at Koppie Alleen dunes is a bucket list experience. Combine this with cosy meals at our Fig Tree Restaurant, open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a number of immersive guided activities and you’re well on your way to creating some magical winter memories”.
A premier member of Cape Country Routes, The De Hoop Collection situated in the heart of the magnificent reserve and just three hours from Cape Town, offers a range of affordable accommodation from campsite rondawels, self-catering cottages and houses, romantic suites, an old stone Manor house and the stunning De Mond Villa.
It is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. This is where you get to experience a unique outdoor experience like no other – the sea, pristine beaches, a Ramsar listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, diverse animal and bird life…and the whales of course! There’s also the new Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition that highlights the Southern Cape coastline’s archaeological heritage and diverse marine environment plus the fabulous De Hoop Collection’s Winter Special – 40% off on either the De Hoop Village Cottages or the Suites (DBB), valid from 1 May to 31 July 2024 (excluding event weekends) that adds to the magic.
Book now and experience the magic that is De Hoop!
De Hoop Collection
Phone 021-422 4522 or email res@dehoopcollection.co.za
De Hoop social media handles:
X: @DeHoopReserve
Instagram: @dehoopreserve
Facebook: @DeHoopCollection
De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes
X: @CapeCountryR
Instagram: capecountryroutes
Facebook: @CapeCountryRoutes
The De Hoop Collection – the first private/public partnership in the South African hospitality industry, opened in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape in 2007. The Reserve in the Overberg region, a short three-hour drive from Cape Town along the world-renowned Garden and Whale routes is the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, groups, honeymooners and wedding parties, family reunions and birthday weekends and an ideal stop-over enroute from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation designed to suit all budgets. Overlooking the beautiful vlei with its spectacular birdlife is the staple of De Hoop’s dining scene, The Fig Tree Restaurant, and the Silo Wine Cellar where an exceptional variety of wines can be enjoyed De Hoop, a World Heritage site, offers world-class whale-watching and is a paradise for bird enthusiasts with its more than 260 species of birds including the endangered Cape Vultures. A colony of almost 200 vultures roost and nest in the Potberg Mountains and exciting Vulture hikes and viewing opportunities are offered. Other activities include interpretive marine walks, hiking and mountain biking trails, eco boat cruises on the vlei, nature drives and tennis or boules and De Hoop Collections’ new Trail experience the De Hoop Trail – Vlei to Whales that promises a memorable walking experience (+-38km covered over four days) with its brand-new De Mond Villa providing accommodation for a fully catered and guided experience. Enhancing the De Hoop ‘experience’ further is the addition of the fascinating Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition housed at De Hoop Collection. Highlighting the archaeological heritage and diverse marine environment of the Southern Cape coastline the exhibition is open to the public and will be managed and maintained by De Hoop Collection for an initial three year period. De Hoop is a nature lover’s paradise of unparalleled peace and tranquillity and may well be one of the last of the Cape’s unspoiled gems. De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes.
