DE HOOP CAMINO Luxury Coastal Walking Trail – 5 days/4 nights
A Customizable Trip to South Africa — 5 Days / 4 Nights
Highlights
Experience the beauty of the De Hoop Nature Reserve on foot. This is a mix of coastal walks, sea life, fynbos, comfortable accommodation and wonder.
About this Safari
This is a 4 night/ 5 day guided and unguided walking experience in the pristine environment of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. This experience is for those seeking solace in nature … all to be enjoyed at your own pace.
On foot, you will be exploring the reserve’s rich marine, plant and wildlife. Staying in comfortable off-grid accommodation and following the spectacular nature walks along the scenic trails and footpaths, secluded beaches, secret coves and rugged fynbos covered coastline.
Your days of blissful walking will take you from the comfort of Lekkerwater Beach Lodge to the luxury of Morukuru Beach Lodge, where you will uncover this unspoilt, untouched reserve, filled with a treasure trove of fauna, flora, fynbos, pristine beaches and abundant sea life.
• Walk at your own pace, in one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Western Cape.
• This walk offers guided and unguided marine and nature walks allowing you to explore everything from fauna and flora to blow holes and sea creatures.
• Breathe in the salty sea air and truly relax after a day’s walking in the comfort and luxury of one of two incredible off-grid lodges.
• On day 3 you’ll be hiking one of the most breath-taking sections of the remarkable Whale Trail, which forms part of the walk.
• Walking in the winter months (between July and November) the Southern Right whales arrive, congregating off shore to calved and breed, making this an exceptional whale watching experience.
Starting Price of Safari – ZAR 33650 per person sharing per night
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1 AND 2: GUIDED AND UNGUIDED MARINE AND NATURE WALKS AROUND LEKKERWATER BEACH LODGE
Your first day on this walking trail starts with an optional 6km walk from the parking area, into Lekkerwater Beach Lodge where you will spend your first two glorious nights. You may spot schools of surfing dolphins, countless bird sightings (including the endangered black oystercatcher) while enjoying marine life thriving amongst the gullies and …
DAY 3: FULL DAY COASTAL WALK TO MORUKURU BEACH LODGE
It’s time to hit the long trail! You’ll spend today embarking on a leisurely self-guided 6 – 9 hour coastal walk along a walking trail from Lekkerwater Beach Lodge to …
DAY 4 AND 5: EXPLORING THE WESTERN SECTOR OF THE DE HOOP RESERVE
Spend the day exploring the pristine coastline around Morukuru. Indulging in various activities including guided nature and tidal walks, encountering the rich diversity of …
On day 5, after a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred by road back to your car at the Lekkerwater carpark. Here we bid you farewell in preparation for your onward journey.
This is a condensed overview of the journey.
Request the full itineraryInclusions & Notes
Notes
De Hoop nature reserve is a beautiful destination year-round its gentle charms changing with the seasons. During summer (Nov-March) the days are perfect for coastal adventure. Use the fresh morning air to hike out into the fynbos, then cool off with a swim in the tidal pools during the heat of the day.
In April-May and September-October the fynbos comes to life, and sunsets are all about lazy evenings enjoyed with a glass of fine South African wine in hand. Winter, through to the start of summer (July – November) is when the Southern Right whales arrive, congregating offshore to calve, mate and generally cavort in the warm seas. This walk is without doubt a spectacular luxury walking adventure, no matter what time of the year you go on vacation.
Details of Prices
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Road transfer of you and/or your luggage from Lekkerwater carpark to Lekkerwater Beach Lodge; two nights at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge; two nights at Morukuru Beach Lodge; luggage transfers from Lekkerwater to Morukuru Beach Lodge; road transfer from Morukuru Beach Lodge to Lekkerwater carpark; all meals; all local drinks and in-lodge activities. The walk between the lodges is self-guided. But, at an extra cost, we can include the services of a guide.
WHAT IS EXCLUDED:
Transfers by road (or airplane/helicopter) to and from De Hoop Nature Reserve; park entrance fees (R50 per person per night paid in cash to Cape Nature on arrival at De Hoop Nature Reserve gate); laundry service at Morukuru; fully comprehensive travel insurance; gratuities to lodge staff and guides; and premium wines, spirits and champagnes not on the “house” list. Conservation, Community and Reserve fee (R 500 pp, pn) at Lekkerwater. Conservation & Community fee (R 100 pp, pn) at Morukuru Beach Lodge.
Tour Accommodation
Map
Best Months to Visit
Gallery
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Questions about the De Hoop Camino walk
How much walking is involved each day?
Day one opens with an optional 6km walk from the car park into Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, and the first two days are given to guided and unguided marine and nature walks nearby. Day three is the long one, a self-guided coastal walk of six to nine hours to Morukuru Beach Lodge. Days four and five are gentler, with guided nature and tidal walks.
Where do you stay on this trail?
In two off-grid lodges within the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The first two nights are at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, then you walk the coast to Morukuru Beach Lodge for the remaining nights. On the final morning, after breakfast, you are transferred by road back to your car at the Lekkerwater car park.
When is the best time to see whales here?
Southern Right whales arrive between July and November, gathering offshore to calve and mate, which makes those months the strongest for whale watching from the trail. Summer, November to March, suits swimming in the tidal pools and early starts into the fynbos, while April to May and September to October are when the fynbos comes to life.
Is the walking guided, or do you go at your own pace?
Both feature. The trail mixes guided marine and nature walks with unguided sections, and the day three crossing to Morukuru is self-guided, so you set your own rhythm. Along the way there is a chance of dolphins offshore and birdlife including the endangered black oystercatcher, as well as blow holes, gullies and secluded beaches.
What does it cost, and does the price change through the year?
Rates start from ZAR 28,020 per person sharing, which applies between 1 May and 20 August. They rise through the calendar to ZAR 40,185 over the festive window from 20 December to 7 January. Tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm the rate that applies and what is available.