Just over three hours drive from Cape Town, in the eastern, most exclusive sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve is Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop. Undoubtedly one of the most glorious coastal reserves in Africa, the area’s extraordinary beauty and blissful seclusion led ex-President FW de Klerk to choose the location for his ‘Camp David.’
The Reserve is famous for some of the best whale watching on the planet when, from July to November, Southern Right whales and their offspring flock here in their hundreds from Antarctica. It’s not simply whales either; you’ll spot sizeable pods of dolphin and wide-ranging marine life in this, the ultimate, land-based marine safari.
Lekkerwater itself (literally meaning ‘the place of good water’) offers a homely and comfortable beach experience in a magical setting. Set on a six-kilometre stretch of private beach, each of the seven rooms has floor-to-ceiling glass with verandas for panoramic views, wood-burning stoves for chilly mornings homely furnishings. Activities-wise, we’ve got walks with experienced naturalists, an array of fynbos to be discovered, a plethora of marine life to be explored in the many tidal pools, extensive bird-watching and of course, whale spotting.