Getting away from it all
Usually I can’t be away from my phone, but at the time I was over the constant barrage of negativity on social media. I needed a Twitter detox. So I booked a weekend away at De Hoop Collection at De Hoop Nature Reserve: the Fig Tree restaurant and lounge area has Wi-Fi, but other than that, reception is spotty at best. Perfect.
Accommodation-wise, you’ll find camping sites, self-catering rondavels, and luxury options – so no matter your budget, there’s a bed for you. But it won’t matter much: there’s so much to do, you won’t be spending a lot of time in your room. While you don’t have to be fit to really enjoy the reserve (I’m not in the least), it definitely gives you more options if you are. Here are my top activities for the less active. 1. THE VULTURE EXPERIENCE
This is probably the most physical of the activities on my list, and it’s well worth it. It’s about an hour-long hike up the Potberg Mountains to the Vulture Viewing Deck. (Take it at your own pace – you’ll be fine.) From here, you can watch as Cape vultures swoop and soar overhead. This colony was on the brink of being wiped out, but now, with the help of the surrounding farms, the population has risen to 300, making it the largest colony in the Western Cape. 2. ECO BOAT CRUISE Explore the De Hoop Vlei by doing some bird, game, otter and even porcupine spotting, all the while enjoying bubbles and canapés on their eco boat cruise.
3. INTERPRETIVE MARINE WALK
The reserve is best known for the Southern Right Whales that settle here with their calves from June to December. From aerial counts this year, it would seem that 90% of the whales here this season are in De Hoop! During the walk, you’ll explore coastal rock pools and sandy beaches with a guide who tells you all about the species that you come across.
4. THE WINE CELLAR AT THE FIG TREE
As a wine lover, The Fig Tree restaurant deserves a special shoutout. Not only did they provide delicious meals (all prepared under the watchful eye of head chef Marcia Tyobeka) and ‘six-star’ service from the staff, there is also no shortage of fantastic wines available from the area and the Swartland region. Be sure to check out William’s Wine Cellar, which houses more than
3 000 wines!
– Charis