De Hoop Nature Reserve
Description
De Hoop Nature Reserve is an approximately 34 000 hectare reserve in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, 3 hours from Cape Town. The reserve is flanked by another protected area, the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, a 3 nautical mile stretch. The reserve has the best of everything with sea, sand, vlei, plants, and wildlife.
De Hoop is part of the world’s smallest and most threatened plant kingdom, the Cape Floral Kingdom. It contains one of the largest areas of the rare lowland fynbos. There is a total of 86 mammal species in the reserve, including bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, grey rhebok, baboon, mongoose, leopard, and caracal. The waters within the protected area has a total of 250 species of fish, as well as dolphins, seals, and whales.
It is a favourite destination for hikers, mountain bikers, bird-watchers, and whale watchers during the winter and early summer months. The eastern part of the reserve is used occasionally for missile testing by the Denel Overberg Test Range. The reserve closes the area for this, so there is no danger to hikers. The 4-5 day Whale Trail is one of the best hiking trails in the country and offers coastal and mountain paths with amazing views. The Fig Tree Restaurant is open daily.
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