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Eleven self-catering cottages may be hired in the reserve. These range from the basic cottages, some of which overlook the De Hoop vlei, to the luxurious and spacious lodge at Lekkerwater, on the shores of the marine protected area.

Seven of the basic cottages are equipped with electricity, beds, a bathroom, a two-plate stove, a fridge, crockery and cutlery. Visitors may bring their own bedding and towels, or pay an additional fee for linen. All but one of the basic cottages accommodates four people; the seventh cottage sleeps ten.

Three fully equipped cottages are available in the reserve. These cottages with electricity, bedding, towels, crockery and cutlery can each accommodate five people.

Visitor accommodation at Lekkerwater is in a gracious home that is situated in an isolated corner of the reserve. The lodge overlooks the sea and affords visitors the luxury of total seclusion, comfortable facilities and spectacular whale watching opportunities.

The lodge sleeps ten adults. It is fully furnished and well equipped. There is no electricity but gas-powered geysers, refrigerators and stoves are supplied. Paraffin lamps and candles provide light and ambience in the evenings and firewood is supplied. A domestic worker may be hired through the office. There is a coin-operated telephone in the cottage and calls to emergency numbers may be made free of charge. Cellular telephones function sporadically and cannot be relied on.

The access road to Lekkerwater starts at the Potberg gate and takes visitors through the eastern sector of the reserve. The route winds through rugged terrain and a four-wheel drive vehicle is required. Transport to and from Lekkerwater is easily arranged through the office. Driving in the eastern sector and the surrounding area while at Lekkerwater is not permitted to ensure a quality experience for the other users.

Driving in the reserve: An 11 km circular drive starts at the De Hoop office and takes visitors through some of the most interesting features of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The drive is signposted and there are picnic facilities at Tierhoek. A 14 km drive to Koppie Alleen, renowned for whale watching, also provides game viewing opportunities and close-up views of the dunes.

Look out for:
Lowland fynbos - attractive, bushy vegetation which may be seen along the circular drive and as you drive down to the coast at Koppie Alleen. De Hoop forms part of the Cape Floristic Region - the smallest plant kingdom in the world. Although tiny in global terms, the Cape Floristic Region contains 9 000 plant species, 6 000 of which are found nowhere else in the world. At De Hoop, a number of these endemic plant species occur in small, local populations.

Typical elements of fynbos are: proteas - woody shrubs with leathery leaves
ericas - shrubs with small, fine leaves and delicate tube-like flowers
restios - reed-like plants with no leaves
bulbs and corm sprouting plants such as the gladiolus species

Rare and endangered antelope frequent open patches of grassland on the coastal plain. On the circular drive you are likely to see a number of these mammals, such as bontebok and Cape mountain zebras. Leopards are occasionally spotted but many other large predators have disappeared from this region. Caracal may, however, still be seen. Baboons, ostriches, eland, grey rhebuck, duiker, steenbok and yellow mongoose are all a common sight on the flats.

The De Hoop vlei is easily viewed from various points on the circular drive. It is partly located in a gorge with high limestone cliffs and consists of a 16 km long coastal lake, formed where the mouth of the Sout River is blocked by coastal dunes. The lack of a visible outlet to the sea and widely fluctuating salinity make this system unique within the south-western Cape. Large numbers of waders and waterfowl frequent the vlei.

The De Hoop vlei is a wetland that enjoys international recognition. It is one of 16 wetlands in South Africa that are recognised by the Ramsar Convention as being of international importance. Up till now, 1 101 wetlands have been recorded as Ramsar Sites and 170 countries have signed their commitment towards the international conservation of wetlands.

Walking in the reserve: One of the most unusual aspects of the De Hoop Nature Reserve is that visitors may leave their cars at any time and walk anywhere in the reserve; they should however, be careful not to trample the natural vegetation. There are no dangerous mammals in the reserve but visitors are warned to be wary of baboons, zebras and ostriches and to look out for snakes, especially during summer. Walking trails give hikers ample opportunity to appreciate the diverse aspects of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. You can choose from the Grebe, the Vlei, Klipspringer, Coastal, Heron or Potberg trails.

Cycling on the reserve: The De Hoop Nature Reserve is an ideal venue for mountain bikers. Cyclists are welcome to use any of the management roads in the western sector of the reserve.

The De Hoop Mountain Bike Trail is laid out in the eastern sector of the nature reserve and a hut at Cupidoskraal is used as an overnight base for cyclists on this trail. The hut provides comfortable overnight accommodation for 12 people, with storage space for bicycles. A two-ring gas stove, indoor fireplace, lamps, pots and pans are provided. Cyclists need only bring their bedding and food. Two to three days are needed to enjoy the trail. Cyclists on this trail pay a cycling fee plus an accommodation fee.

Whale watching in a marine protected area: The entire length of the De Hoop coast is a marine protected area, one of the largest in Africa. Fishing is not permitted in this area and visitors may not disturb or remove marine organisms. The marine protected area extends three nautical miles out to sea and at De Hoop you are likely to see the finest examples of inter-tidal ecosystems in the Western Cape. Snorkeling in large, clear rock pools is one of the best ways to appreciate the inter-tidal world at De Hoop. The area encompasses the breeding grounds of the southern right whale. It is estimated that about 120 individual whales return to the waters of De Hoop every year to calve and mate.