Combine the sea, fynbos-covered hills and wildlife at De Hoop with an exciting line-up of outdoor experiences in the Garden Route for a two-in-one coastal getaway the whole family can enjoy.
Some of the top recommended activities for families along the Garden Route include horse riding, paragliding, bungee jumping and black-water tubing. There are unforgettable animal encounters at the Knysna Elephant Park, Birds of Eden and the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, or cruise the Knysna lagoon on an inflatable boat or kayak.
Families on TripAdvisor rated the Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary at The Crags, Radical Raptors in Plettenberg Bay, the Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn and Redberry Farm in George among some of their favourite Garden Route experiences for kids.
Swap the jungle routes of these wildlife farms for a walk to the Dalene Matthee Memorial in the spectacular Goudveld Forest just past Rheenendal, or follow secret elephant trails across the Outeniqua Mountains. It’s a short, shady walk to The Big Tree, an 800-year-old Yellowwood, near Tsitsikamma.
For a day at the beach, Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay, Brenton-on-Sea and Wilderness are some of the area’s best spots, and Plettenberg Bay 20 kilometres of pristine coastline and six Blue Flag status beaches to choose from!
Be sure to stock up on local produce and craft beer at numerous restaurants and markets before you arrive De Hoop. Don’t miss the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market in Sedgefield every Saturday until midday, the Old Nick Village in Plettenberg Bay and surrounding wine farms (Plett even has its own Wine & Bubbly Route.)
After their fill of adrenalin, families will fall in love with the slow life at De Hoop. The reserve is spoilt with its own special network of nature walking, biking and coastal hiking trails. Choose a guided walk in the reserve, or go it alone and cool off in the colourful rock pools near Koppie Alleen. There is also guided star gazing for over-night guests at De Hoop, and five-day, slack-packer Whale Trail hiking trips by Cape Nature, the reserve’s equivalent of the Otter Trail in the Garden Route National Park.
What better way to end your holiday than with a delicious meal and bottle of local wine at De Hoop’s Fig Tree restaurant, or bring the entire family together for one more memorable night out under the stars with a private boma dinner.
PLAN YOUR NEXT VISIT
If events are your thing, join us for these 2019 must-dos, and we’ve added Easter just so you can get booking for this popular long weekend early this year –
Easter Weekend 19-22 April
Yoga Spirit Retreat 16-19 May
School Holidays 21 June -9 July
Wine, Whales & Music 26-28 July
Whale of Trail 2-4 August
De Hoop Vlei MTB 26-29 September
REVIEWS
We just love #GuestFeedback and here’s one of our recent favourites.
De Hoop Collection,
never fails to please.
“We stayed in a beautiful Opstal House which is fully equipped for self-catering and is tastefully furnished. we dined in the restaurant. The meal was freshly prepared and delicious, the wine list extensive and the staff were caring and attentive.”
– Marcelle Jeanne (Trip Advisor)
