Listed by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Countries to visit in 2018, South Africa remains one of worlds the best international destinations for a long-haul holiday.

A country rich in history, natural beauty, and exotic wildlife, South Africa has much to offer the intrepid traveller, and while most first-time visitors tend to stick with tried and tested itineraries including Cape Town, the Western Cape Winelands, the Garden Route, and a Kruger National Park Safari, those who dare to head off the beaten path will experience the very best of what the country has to offer.

It was during our recent visit to SA that we visited De Hoop Nature Reserve. Situated in the Western Cape Province, just a short drive from Cape Agulhas, the southern most tip of Africa, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a spectacular location with endless white sandy beaches, free roaming wildlife, forested gorges, and the world’s best land-based whale watching areas, thanks to the marine protected area that surrounds its shores.

Recently described as “critically important for the conservation of the Southern Right Whale” by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the marine protected area that surrounds De Hoop Nature Reserve is a World Heritage Site, which was established to protect the migratory Southern Right Whales that return here year after year during South Africa’s winter months of June to November.

As a visitor to De Hoop, you get ringside seats when it comes to whale watching in South Africa, with hundreds of whales coming so close to the shore that you could almost touch them. In addition to whale watching, De Hoop offer a range of activities and excursions including eco boat trips, mountain biking, hiking, and bird watching, and so it really is the perfect destination for active travellers.

De Hoop offer accommodations to suit every taste and every budget, from cosy honeymoon cottages to larger family suites and campsite rondavels. You can dine on site at the Figtree Restaurant, or you can go self-catering with fully equipped kitchens and Braai (BBQ) facilities onsite, it’s all about relaxing and enjoying the true beauty of nature here, which is why everyone should visit De Hoop Nature Reserve at least once in their lifetime.