
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Undoubtedly one of the most glorious coastal reserves in Africa, the area’s extraordinary beauty and blissful seclusion led ex-President FW de Klerk to choose the location for his ‘Camp David.’ Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, is right on a 6 km stretch of picture-perfect, private beach at the De Hoop Nature Reserve, just off the Garden Route.
- Each of the 7 rooms grants you a front-row seat to watch the ocean in front, famous for some of the best whale watching on the planet – where Southern Right whales, Bryde’s whales and Humpbacks pass by & dolphins crest the waves.
- Lace up your boots for a walk through the fynbos. A part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, you’ll discover thousands of endemic plant species in the reserve including the national flower of South Africa, the King Protea. There is also prolific bird species and you can spot blue crane, South Africa’s national bird, and the Western Cape’s only thriving Cape Vulture colony in the cliffs of the Potberg mountains.
- Another highlight is a visit to one of the many caves in the area with shell middens and other evidence of our early ancestors.
- Take a stroll amongst the pristine sand dunes and enjoy a sundowner from atop your castle of sand. Eat dinner on the beach with the sand between your toes and the region’s finest wines on the table.
EXCLUSIVE LUXE VOYAGER VIP BENEFITS & BEST PRICE
We negotiate rates & benefits for our clients directly with the hotels’ senior management. Our rates match or in many cases are lower than the best online rate for the property. Our clients also enjoy a suite of extra VIP privileges and recognition while staying at a partner hotel.
- Complimentary room upgrade on arrival.
- Daily complimentary buffet breakfast for two.
- Up to $100 dining or spa credit per stay, and or in-house dining / spa discounts.
- Welcome amenities (wine/chocolates/fruit) and card from the GM.
- Complimentary private airport transfers.
- Complimentary roll-away bed if required.
- Early check-in and late check-out.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Enhanced recognition through VIP status at all touch points in the guest experience.
A complete or partial suite of VIP benefits will be offered, subject to the property T&C, including availability, category of room & length of stay.
ACTIVITIES:
A short drive over a mountain pass will take you away from the coast to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, to visit the famous Cango Caves. Set in a limestone ridge, these drip-stone caverns will impress you with their narrow stone passageways and towering rock formations, their vast halls of stalagmites and stalactites.
If you dream of seeing whales, dolphins and seals, Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route is the place to bring your dreams to life. Relax and enjoy your boat-based close encounter with these marine creatures, knowing that everything the operator does is according to Fair Trade and responsible tourism principles.
Sail to the Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs between the Knysna lagoon and the Indian Ocean. Enjoy views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and the town of Knysna. Then feel a surge of adrenalin as you sail out into the sea where you might see seabirds, dolphins, seals or whales.
Experience the Garden Route National Park’s restless breakers, rocky coastline and indigenous forest, its magical world of marine life. Meet the Knysna seahorse, Brenton blue butterfly or colourful Knysna turaco. Walk on the beach, go canoeing on rivers and fresh-water lakes or head for the hills on foot or on your mountain bike.
A journey up the magical Garden Route, starting from Cape Town, couldn’t be done at a better time. It’s warm and clear in December, with almost zero chance of rain along this spectacular coastline. Stop off at some of the amazing towns and beaches along the way (Hermanus, Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay to name a few) and by the time you reach Port Elizabeth you will be ready for a few of the local game reserves, offering some spectacular game viewing, including the Big Five.

A mere three (and a bit) hour drive from Cape Town, in the eastern, most exclusive sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve, is Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop. Undoubtedly one of the most glorious coastal reserves in Africa, the area’s extraordinary beauty and blissful seclusion led ex-President FW de Klerk to choose the location for his ‘Camp David.’ The reserve is also famous for some of the best whale watching on the planet when, from July to November, Southern Right whales and their offspring flock here in their hundreds from Antarctica. It’s not simply whales either and you’ll also spot sizeable pods of dolphin and all sorts of marine life in this – the ultimate, land-based marine safari.
Lekkerwater itself (literally meaning ‘the place of good water’) offers a homely and comfortable beach experience in a magical setting. Each of the seven rooms are located right on a six-kilometre stretch of private beach, complete with stunning rock pools and fish life. Activities-wise, we’ve got walks with experienced naturalists, an array of fynbos to be discovered, a plethora of marine life to be explored, and a rare vulture breeding colony to be spotted (and that’s without mentioning the whales!). One of the very few all inclusive venues in South Africa where all your accommodation, all activities, all meals, all house wines, beers and spirits etc are include in your fare.
The seven rooms at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge are positioned along six kilometres of pristine white sand. Our dream was for the spectacular vistas to take centre stage and each is fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the Indian Ocean and marine life ahead. Each is positioned perfectly for a unique view over the surroundings, and small verandas outside provide the perfect spot to soak up the magic. 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 and each has an ensuite bathroom with amenities.
At the main area, expect the same fabulous views and a wraparound deck from which to enjoy them from. An interactive, open kitchen is at the heart of the lodge and guests will dine, family-style, at the indoor tables or outside, feet-in-the-sand style, on the beach.





Ocean Front Rooms
Set along a 6 kilometre stretch of cotton-candy beach, the seven rooms are cosy, comfortable and totally beach-chic. Fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the views do the talking and you’ll be able to watch all the marine happenings from the comfort of your bed. Each also has a wood-burning stove to ward off the chill during winter, verandas on which to enjoy evening G&Ts and ensuite bathrooms with all the necessities.
An interactive, open kitchen is at the heart of the space and you’ll either dine at the long tables here, family-style, or outside, feet-in-the-sand style, on the beach, accompanied only by lanterns and the crashing of the waves. During a stay at Lekkerwater, guests will be able to enjoy an interactive dining experience in the open kitchen which will offer guests some hearty and delicious food, with ingredients sourced locally.




Main Lodge Dining

In Room Dining



Beach Dining

Sundowners
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is a genuine, year-round destination. There is something special happening at any time of year and its privacy along 5km of pristine and well-protected coastline, combined with its extraordinary location, makes it one off the planet’s best coastal retreats. It’s not surprising that Time Magazine selected the lodge as one of the world’s top 100 must-visit destinations!
During our summer months (November to April), the days are long, sunny and warm and the blue skies stretch as far as the eye can see. It is a wonderful time to swim at low tides, stroll on the beach and in the hills – and enjoy the long, lazy summer evenings.
The winter season brings the first whales that usually begin to arrive in the bay in front of Lekkerwater in late May or June. The whale watching season can stretch all the way to November, but the best months are considered to be August, September and October, when there can be anything from 300 to 1100 whales present in the De Hoop Bay. It is over this period that some of the best whale viewing happens from between one’s toes from the comfort of your bed. The winter days are shorter and perhaps a little cooler, but this certainly doesn’t detract from the activities and experience on offer – and nothing a jacket can’t fix!
Marine life (including inquisitive octopuses) in the intertidal zone of the Marine Protected Area is ever present and time spent watching dolphins from the verandas is magical. Walks along the rolling, fynbos-covered hills and ravines are always interesting, and eland are often spotted, as are bontebok and ostrich. This is one of the few places on the planet where fresh leopard tracks are sometimes seen on the beaches. Another highlight is a visit to one of the many caves in the area with shell middens and other evidence of our early ancestors. There are also a number of birding highlights including the chance to spot blue crane, South Africa’s national bird, and the Western Cape’s only thriving Cape Vulture colony in the cliffs of the Potberg mountains.
Area & Location
Area, Country
De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Nearest Airport
Cape Town airport, Cape Town
Local Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
Time Change
GMT +2:00
Language
Afrikaans, English
Best time to go
September to May
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