Lekkerwater (literally meaning ‚the place of good water‘) offers a homely and comfy beach experience in an unique setting. Set in the exclusive 36’000-hectare De Hoop Nature Reserve, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is surrounded by a glorious melee of fynbos and beach, sand dunes and wetlands, all framed by the dramatic Potberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean.

Each of the seven rooms (one is a family room) are located right on a six-kilometre stretch of private beach, complete with stunning rock pools and fish life. Each room is fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the Indian Ocean ahead, positioned perfectly for a spectacular view over the surroundings. Cozy verandas provide a wonderful spot to soak up the splendid vistas. Inside, the rooms take inspiration from the natural beauty of the reserve and are earthy and comfortable.

A wood-burning stove takes away the chill in the winter mornings and evenings. An interactive kitchen is at the heart of the lodge, lunch and dinner are served either in the main area, under the stars on the deck or braai-style on the beach with your toes in the sand.

On offer at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge are two night stays on Monday and Wednesday and a three night stay for arrivals on Friday. Everyone arrives and departs on the same day and experiences this incredible journey of fun and discovery together. Guests should arrive at the lodge car park for 14h00. Departure time from the lodge is scheduled for 10h30.

The De Hoop Nature Reserve is part of the Overberg region (Western Cape) and is located near the southern tip of Africa. De Hoop offers 51km of pristine white beaches and dunes lapped by a warm Indian ocean, as well as limestone cliffs, rock pools, wetlands, coastal fynbos and the reserve is home to more than 260 species of birds. De Hoop conservation area is a World Heritage Site.

A mere three (and a bit) hour drive from Cape Town, in the eastern sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve, is Lekkerwater Beach Lodge. De Hoop is an exclusive coastal reserve located about halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay/ Knysna on the world-famous Garden Route. Self-Drivers need to observe the reserve's opening times, the gates open at 7am and close at 6pm.

Access to Lekkerwater is via the Potberg Park Entrance (not the "Morukuru and De Hoop Collection entrance gate”). From the Potberg entrance gate it is 14.8km (30-45 minutes drive) to the lodge's car park. Gate entrance fee is payable in cash upon entry.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is considered one of the best places in South Africa to see Southern Right whales. July to end of September is best for whale-watching, but there are good chances of sightings from June to early November. Besides the Southern Right whales, chances are high to also spot the less common Bryde’s whales and perhaps even humpbacks as well as sizeable pods of dolphin cresting the waves.

Rare or endangered animal species in the reserve include the Marine Big 5 (sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, penguins), as well as the Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra. Other animals you may see are Eland, the Cape clawless otter, baboons, rock dassies and the occasional rooikat (caracal) and Cape leopard.

The reserve is particularly known for its bird population. A 19 km vlei (wetland) stretches across the reserve, which is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance.

The reserve is of course famous for some of the best whale watching worldwide. To fully enjoy all activities, which also include walking on sand, climbing on sand dunes and walking down to the beach on some steeper path, a good level of fitness is essential.

Just offshore is the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, essentially a game reserve in the sea where there can be no fishing or marine exploitation of any form and as a visitor at De Hoop, you’ll spot carefree pods of dolphins and all sorts of marine life. When the tide is out, don your goggles (and maybe a wet suit) and swim amongst the marine life of De Hoop.

Besides marine safaris, Lekkerwater offers fynbos walks with experienced naturalists, drives to near Potberg Mountains to see the spectacular Cape Vulture colony, birding, movie nights, as well as sundowners at the beach.

Wifi available in the rooms only, limited phone signal. The lodge has been precisely built on and within the disturbed ground from ex-President FW De Klerk’s former retreat, also called De Klerk’s ‚Camp David‘. The property’s electricity is generated from sun and wind.

SwissAfrican Travel Service
Dammstrasse 27
8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51