Along South Africa's iconic western coast, where the middle-of-nowhere meets paradise, the Overberg is something of a dream. Fynbos-embellished nature reserves dissolve into the ocean, where dolphins dance in the waves, the birdlife is incredible and a 'bad' photograph is near-impossible.
Your journey begins at Coot Club Cottages, set on a sliver of pristine sand beside the Kleinrivier Lagoon. You'll feel right at home in this quirky and very cosy spot, from which you can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and quad biking. Not to mention, walks into the reserve to spot the tracks of a caracal, porcupine or Cape Leopard.
Just a hill or two over, Stanford Valley is a laidback and delightful retreat with a wood-fired sauna, placid dam (perfect for an afternoon dip) and uninterrupted mountain vistas. The hiking is fantastic, but so is the R&R.
Your final nights will be spent at Lekkerwater, which is as 'sweet' as its name makes out (Afrikaans for lovely). Its setting is De Hoop Nature Reserve, renowned for its epic, land-based dolphin and whale watching and flora you've likely never seen before. You don't even have to get out of bed to enjoy these views...
$1.6K - $2.6K / person
Collect your hire car from Cape Town International Airport and make your own way to Coot Club Cottages. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
2hrs
If we had to dream up the perfect South African escape, the Coot Club Cottages brings it to life in a secluded corner of Overberg. Flanked by the soaring Maanschynkop Mountains and Klein Rivier Lagoon, nature is an ever-present feature and the activities at Coot Club take full advantage of that. Look out for incredible birdlife on bike rides, walks and kayaking excursions, or scan the ocean for whales from the dunes or a boating safari. A cosy limestone cottage or contemporary boathouse will be your sanctuary, where the doors are often flung open to let the scent of fynbos in and evenings are spent together around the fire (or firepit).
The properties are set along one-and-a-half kilometres of unspoilt shoreline and 1 000 acres of indigenous fynbos
Cottage
Make your own way from Coot Club Cottages to Stanford Valley Guest Farm. It is just around the corner so not too far to travel today.
20mins
Stanford Valley Guest Farm nestles in the valley of the Klein Rivier, 10km outside Stanford village. They offer comfortable accommodation in 7 self-catering cottages (of which 2 are family cottages) and 10 large en-suite rooms. Enjoy our safe and peaceful haven, have an exhilarating swim in the large dam or go hiking. Don't be surprised if you startle a duiker or rheebok on the way!
Enjoy the safe and peaceful haven, have an exhilarating swim in the large dam or go hiking. Don't be surprised if you startle a duiker or rheebok on the way!
Standard Room
Make your own way from Stanford Valley Guest Farm to Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
2hrs
De Hoop Nature Reserve on South Africa's southern shoreline (about halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay) is undoubtedly one of the country's best kept secrets. The reserve is probably most famous for its incredible land-based whale and dolphin watching, but it's also one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas on the continent: a melee of fynbos, pristine white beaches and wetlands, all framed by towering mountains to one side and the Indian Ocean to the other. And now, there's a brand-new lodge from which to experience it - Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is situated on an exclusive concession in De Hoop Nature Reserve, a 34 000-hectare conservancy, often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Western Cape’.
Luxury Room
Nestled between Cape Town and the start of the Garden Route, Overberg is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. Scenic doesn’t begin to describe the rolling hills and reserves laden with thousands of fragrant fynbos species that merge with sugar-fine beaches on the coastline. Spend quiet moments reclining at a chic guesthouse with a glass of wine in hand as you wait for pods of dolphins and whales to splash, spout or jump from the water. Between July and November, hundreds of southern right whales make their migration from Antarctica - a truly special sight.
Then, explore, explore and explore some more. Cycle, hike or ride horseback into the pretty surrounds, go on a game drive through one of the reserves, or follow the shoreline to a secluded beach for a few hours. Water-wise, there is kayaking across the lagoons, whale-watching boat trips and, for the adrenaline-seekers, cage diving with a Great White Shark.
Make your own way from Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop to Cape Town International Airport and drop your car hire back at the airport.
3hrs 30mins
$1.6K - $2.6K / person
Domestic transfers, accommodation, inclusive meals, drinks and activities where specified
International flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities
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