De Hoop is one of the largest reserves CapeNature manages and a World Heritage Site, and the two things it is best known for sit at opposite ends of it. At Potberg, in the north, is the only remaining Western Cape breeding colony of the Cape vulture. Sixty kilometres away by road, the high dunes at Koppie Alleen look out over the bay where around a hundred and twenty southern right whales come in each year between June and November to mate and calve. In between lies the vlei, which draws large numbers of water birds and is part of why the reserve holds 260 species. The marine reserve runs five kilometres out to sea. On land there are bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland and grey rhebok, clear rock pools to swim in, and the five day Whale Trail running the whole fifty five kilometres from Potberg to the coast.
Highlights
- The only remaining Western Cape breeding colony of the Cape vulture, at Potberg
- Around a hundred and twenty southern right whales offshore between June and November
- Koppie Alleen, a high dune vantage point for watching them
- 260 bird species, with the vlei drawing large numbers of water birds
- Bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland and grey rhebok
- A marine protected area running five kilometres out to sea
- The Whale Trail, five days and fifty five kilometres from Potberg to Koppie Alleen
Tips
Potberg and Koppie Alleen are separate entrances at opposite ends of the reserve, so a day visitor should pick one. The nearest shop and fuel are at Ouplaas, fifteen kilometres out. The Whale Trail must be booked ahead through the call centre. Cottages, camping and most tourism facilities are run by a separate operator, De Hoop Collection.