Whale watching
From the Koppie Alleen dunes.
Winniepix — CC BY 2.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Josep M. Gracia — CC BY-SA 4.0
De Hoop Nature Reserve is a coastal reserve in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, near Cape Agulhas at the southern tip of Africa, about 40 km in a straight line south of Swellendam and roughly three hours' drive from Cape Town. It covers about 340 square kilometres, and its marine protected area reaches some 5 km out to sea. The reserve is part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site, listed in 2004, and protects rich fynbos, the fine-leaved shrubland found only in this corner of the world. Inland lies De Hoop Vlei, a long coastal lake rich in water birds, while the coast has huge white dunes, rocky shores and tidal pools. From June to November southern right whales come close to the shore to calve, and De Hoop is one of the best places in the world to watch them from land, especially from the dunes at Koppie Alleen. Bontebok, eland, zebra and baboons graze on the plains, and the cliffs at Potberg hold a breeding colony of Cape vultures. A daily conservation fee is paid at the gate. There are cottages and campsites in the reserve, and its gravel roads are best driven slowly.
From the Koppie Alleen dunes.
Water birds.
On the coast.
Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa
From June to November.
About three hours by car.