Arrival / De Hoop Nature Reserve
Guests are met and welcomed at a location of their choice in Cape Town by their African Sky guide. After completing a few formalities, we’ll head out on the N2 highway in an easterly direction along the scenic Overberg region of the Garden Route. We’ll stretch our legs in charming Swellendam at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, the third-oldest town in South Africa. Established in 1746, the town boasts over fifty provincial heritage sites, most of these are buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Swellendam was once considered the very eastern extremity of the colony, beyond which lay a wild and unexplored Africa, and as a result of many famous explorers and travelers, including François Le Vaillant, Lady Anne Barnard, and William John Burchell, passed through here. Opt to visit the Drostdy Museum before heading south towards the coast and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop is a 34 000-hectare (84,000-acre) World Heritage Site, which includes a protected marine reserve stretching three miles out to sea. In the later afternoon or early evening, choose to embark on an eco-boat trip on the De Hoop Vlei, a Ramsar wetland of international importance. A total of 260 species of birds have been spotted here. A wide variety of activities are available to enjoy at De Hoop, from a guided interpretative marine walk exploring the coastal rock pools during low tide, to a morning bird watching hike with one of De Hoop’s qualified field guides. A guided mountain biking trail is also available, offering spectacular views and potential encounters with the reserve’s myriad wildlife, like eland, baboons and ostriches, and rare species like the Cape mountain zebra and bontebok. Alternatively, head out of the reserve for an exploration of the tiny Elim Wine Route and a visit to the shipwreck museum in Bredasdorp.
Note: activities mentioned are optional and at your own expense.