IF YOU GO . . .

WHERE IT IS: The De Hoop Marine Reserve is three hours from Cape Town in the Overberg region near Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa.

WHY GO THERE: For the audacious beauty. WHAT IT HAS: You can stay in either historic homesteads such as Melkkamer, De Hoop and Potberg, where you can be totally private and catered for, or head for one of the quaint selfcatering cottages, rondavels or houses. Or pitch a tent.

HOW’S THE FOOD: Out-of-this-world cooking (by arrangement) from chefs who delighted the “hlekabafazi” at every turn with interesting canapés, lazy breakfasts, lunches al fresco with First Sighting sauvignon blanc on tap; and candlelit dinner.

RATES: From R1 000 per person per night at Melkkamer; from R650 per person for the vlei cottages.

GETTING THERE: From Cape Town take the N2 to Caledon. From there head for Bredasdorp, then take the R319 to Swellendam. After about 6km, turn right — sign posted De Hoop/Malagas/Infanta. It’s a gravel road for 35km.

WHAT THERE IS TO SEE ON THE WAY: Stop for lunch and some gentle retail therapy in Napier as the “hlekabafazi” did. This quaint village has assorted roadside spots with grape vine trellises and Swartland “houding” as well as great wine and simple homemade fare.

CONTACT: E-mail info@dehoopcollection.co.za or phone 021 422 4522.

LOCAL ATTRACTION The whales. If you go between June and December, you’ve got a brilliant chance of seeing the southern right. De Hoop is one of the world’s most important calving grounds for these whales.